# US 12,181,192 B2 · Methods and devices for controlling the temperature of a surface

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- Number: US 12,181,192 B2
- Document ID: US12181192B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/956,710
- Filed: 2022-09-29
- Published: 2024-03-21
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2022-09-16
- Assignees: Black & Decker Inc.
- Applicants: Black & Decker, Inc.
- Inventors: Tylan A. Tschopp; Lauren Lynch Clayton; Ashok Samuel Baskar; Christopher Lee Garbutt; Zara Elizabeth Jones; Yen Lim Lee; Jianquan Li; Liangxiong Huang; Yunfei Zhong; Yamin Jiang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181192B2

## CPC

- F25B 49/02: for compression type machines, plants or systems
- A61K 39/3955: {against proteinaceous materials, e.g. enzymes, hormones, lymphokines}
- A61M 5/002: {Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. packages for syringes or needles or kits for diabetics}
- A61M 5/1413: {Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements}
- A61M 5/14212: {Pumping with an aspiration and an expulsion action}
- A61M 5/152: pressurised by contraction of elastic reservoirs
- F25B 13/00: Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle (defrosting cycles F25B47/02)
- F25B 21/04: reversible
- F25B 2321/0212: of electric power, current or voltage
- F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a method for controlling the temperature of a surface. In some embodiments, the method includes applying a variable input to a heat pump (e.g., a Peltier) in thermal communication with the surface. The variable input may vary about a voltage and may include a powered period and an unpowered period. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring a temperature of an element in thermal communication with the surface, determining, based on the temperature of the element, whether a temperature of the surface is within a safe temperature range for a user in thermal communication with the surface, in response to determining the surface is not within the safe temperature range, adjusting the voltage of the variable input to the heat pump, and in response to determining the surface is within the safe temperature range, continuing operation of the variable input at the voltage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for controlling the temperature of a surface using a thermal adjustment device, the method comprising:
applying a variable input to a heat pump of the thermal adjustment device in thermal communication with the surface;
measuring, by the thermal adjustment device, a temperature of an element in thermal communication with the surface;
determining, by the thermal adjustment device based on the temperature of the element, whether a temperature of the surface is within a safe temperature range for a user in thermal communication with the surface;
in response to determining the surface is not within the safe temperature range, adjusting, by the thermal adjustment device, a voltage of the variable input to the heat pump; and
in response to determining the surface is within the safe temperature range, continuing, by the thermal adjustment device, operation of the variable input at the voltage, wherein:
the heat pump is configured to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode,
when the heat pump operates in the first mode, the safe temperature range comprises a first temperature range, and
when the heat pump operates in the second mode, the safe temperature range comprises a second temperature range different from the first temperature range.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the safe temperature range for the user is between 15 degrees Centigrade and 50 degrees Centigrade.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a duty cycle of the variable input is at least 10%.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the voltage of the variable input is within a safe operating range for the heat pump.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first mode and the second mode comprises two stages, and wherein each stage of the two stages is associated with a different duration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the voltage of the variable input comprises reducing an amount of power provided to the heat pump.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting operation of a fan based on the temperature of the element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the variable input comprises a powered period and an unpowered period.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein a duration of the powered period is greater than a duration of the unpowered period.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the heat pump comprises a Peltier.