Patent Publication Number: US-2023157383-A1

Title: Heating elements for heated gear

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/281,455, filed Nov. 19, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present application relates to heated garments and, in particular, heating elements for heated garments 
     SUMMARY 
     Heated garments include heating elements to produce heat that warms a wearer of the heated garment. For example, heating elements may include heater arrays that use carbon fiber heaters, conductive ink fabrics, and/or thermoelectric heating/cooling devices, among other things. Heating elements may be small and sparsely located throughout the heated garment, reducing the overall cost of the heating elements. For example, small heaters may be positioned at positions in the front and back of the heated garment, along flat surfaces. 
     The present disclosure provides, among other things, carbon fiber heating elements with increased heat and/or stretchability for heated garments. For example, carbon fiber heating elements may include cuts in the fabric that allow increased stretch in the heating element for more fluid movement in a heated garment. Additionally, the present disclosure provides, among other things, conductive ink heating elements for heated garments. For example, conductive ink heating elements may be positioned at locations on the heated garment that could traditionally not accommodate a heating device. Additionally, the present disclosure provides, among other things, phase change material, heat shields, and heating fabric for increased heat retention in heated garments. Additionally, the present disclosure provides, among other things, a thermoelectric cooler/heater device for heating and cooling heated garments. 
     Embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The heater array includes a heating wire that forms a closed loop, the closed loop defining a shape having a plurality of cantilevered fingers. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The heater array includes a stretchable fabric layer and a heating wire positioned on the stretchable fabric layer. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The heater array includes a stretchable fabric layer and a heating wire positioned on the stretchable fabric layer, the heating wire forming a closed loop. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a battery pack that provides power to the heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a jacket body, a heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The jacket body includes a torso region, a left sleeve connected to the torso region, a right sleeve connected to the torso region, a left armpit region positioned between the left sleeve and the torso region, and a right armpit region positioned between the right sleeve and the torso region. The heater array is positioned in the left armpit region, the right armpit region, or both armpit regions. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a conductive ink heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The garment body is configured to be worn on one selected from a group consisting of a user&#39;s arms, a user&#39;s feet, a user&#39;s hands, and a user&#39;s head. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the conductive ink heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The heater array includes a first heater and a second heater. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The garment body includes a phase change material layer. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a heater array supported by the garment body, and a power supply interface. The garment body includes an insulative material. The heater array is positioned adjacent to the insulative material. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the heater array. 
     Further embodiments described herein provide a heated garment. The heated garment includes a garment body, a thermoelectric cooling and heating device positioned on the garment body, and a power supply interface. The power supply interface is configured to couple to a power source that provides power to the thermoelectric cooling and heating device. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a front view of a heated garment, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a back view of the heated garment of  FIG.  1 A , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of a heated garment, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a schematic of a controller for the heated garments of  FIGS.  1 A and  2   . 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 G  illustrate carbon fiber heaters for the heated garments of  FIGS.  1 A and  2   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a conductive ink heater for the heated garments of  FIGS.  1 A and  2   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 G  illustrate possible heater locations for the heated garments of  FIGS.  1 A and  2   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates another conductive ink heater for the heated garments of  FIGS.  1 A and  2   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a heated accessory, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a heated accessory, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a heat shield for the heated garments of  FIGS.  1 A and  2   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  are infrared diagrams illustrating the effect of the heat shield of  FIG.  10   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a back view of a heated garment, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a thermoelectric heating and cooling device for the heated garment of  FIG.  12   , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a heated fabric, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  15    schematically illustrates a phase change material, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. 
     In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “servers,” “computing devices,” “controllers,” “processors,” etc., described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components. 
     Relative terminology, such as, for example, “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” etc., used in connection with a quantity or condition would be understood by those of ordinary skill to be inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., the term includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement accuracy, tolerances [e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.] associated with the particular value, etc.). Such terminology should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4”. The relative terminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10%, or more) of an indicated value. 
     It should be understood that although certain drawings illustrate hardware and software located within particular devices, these depictions are for illustrative purposes only. Functionality described herein as being performed by one component may be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Likewise, functionality performed by multiple components may be consolidated and performed by a single component. In some embodiments, the illustrated components may be combined or divided into separate software, firmware and/or hardware. For example, instead of being located within and performed by a single electronic processor, logic and processing may be distributed among multiple electronic processors. Regardless of how they are combined or divided, hardware and software components may be located on the same computing device or may be distributed among different computing devices connected by one or more networks or other suitable communication links. Similarly, a component described as performing particular functionality may also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not explicitly listed. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates a heated garment  10 , according to some embodiments. The illustrated heated garment  10  is a heated jacket, however, other garments such as shirts, vests, pants, leggings, overalls, gloves, hats, and shoes or boots may be contemplated. The jacket  10  may be constructed in various sizes to fit a variety of users. The heated jacket  10  includes typical jacket features such as a torso body  12 , arms  14 , a collar  16 , and front pockets  18  located on a chest area  20 . As illustrated in cutaway portions of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the heated jacket  10  includes a heater array  26 . The heater array  26  is disposed in both a left portion  28  and a right portion  30  of the torso body  12 . In some embodiments, the heater array  26  may extend into the arms  14  and/or collar  16 . The heater array  26  may be configured to generate heat based on a received DC voltage from a battery pack, for example battery pack  130  ( FIG.  3   ). For example, the heater array  26  may be a resistive heater array, a carbon fiber heater, and/or a conductive ink heater. However, other heater array types are also contemplated. In other embodiments, the heated jacket  10  may include a first heater array and second heater array arranged as an upper module and a lower module, respectively. In some embodiments, the heater array  26  is controlled by the battery pack  130  based on input from an external device. In other embodiments, multiple heater arrays may be controlled individually via a single control input or multiple control inputs. For example, the multiple heater arrays may be isolated and controlled by the battery pack  130  based on input from the device. The heater array  26  may include resistive heating coils formed of carbon fibers, high density carbon fibers, or other heating devices. The heated jacket  10  is capable of maintaining a temperature of up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, although in other embodiments, lower or greater temperatures are possible depending upon the heat source. 
     In some embodiments, the heater array  26  may include a negative temperature coefficient thermistor (NTC) or a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) to determine temperature. For example, the NTC or PTC would be added to the heater array to determine the heater temperature. In some embodiments where a carbon fiber heater is implemented in the heated garment, an NTC or PTC may be required. The NTC or PTC may be added to the heater on or close to the carbon fiber element and the garment ambient. In some embodiments where a conductive ink heater is implemented in a heated garment, the current required to provide heat to the heater array may be determined by a current sensor. For example, a PTC heater may be used such that the current automatically reduces as the temperature of the heater increases based on feedback from the current sensor. 
     As illustrated in cutout  3 - 3  of  FIG.  1 B , the heated jacket  10  includes a compartment  32  located on a lower portion of the back torso body. The compartment  32  houses an electrical component, such as a battery pack  130 , and battery holder that holds the battery pack  130 . The heated jacket  10  includes a connection port for connecting to the battery pack  130 . The battery pack  130  may be a rechargeable battery pack, such as a power tool battery pack. The battery pack  130  may have a Li-ion chemistry or other suitable chemistries. In some embodiments, the battery pack  130  may have a nominal voltage of 9 volts, 12 volts, or 18 volts. In other embodiments, the battery pack  130  may have other voltages. 
     In some embodiments, the heated jacket  10  may include a controller, such as controller  100  ( FIG.  3   ). In some embodiments, the heated jacket  10  may include at least one connection port for connecting to other heated garments. For example, the connection port(s) may be a USB, USB-C, or USB-PD port. The connection port(s) may be located on the torso body  12 , arms  14 , and/or collar  16  of the heated jacket  10 . Garments connected to the heated jacket  10  via the connection port may receive input power from the battery pack  130 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates another heated jacket  50 , according to some embodiments. The heated jacket  50  includes a heater array  52 . In some embodiments, the heater array  52  may include similar components and be similarly controlled as the heater array  26  of the heated jacket  10  ( FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ). In some embodiments, the heated jacket  50  may include multiple heater arrays  52  that provide a uniform amount of heat to a wearer of the heated jacket  50 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the multiple heater arrays  52  may be separately controlled to provide different levels of heat at various locations. For example, a first heater array  52  may be located on the front  54  of the heated jacket  50 , and a second heater array  52  may be located on the shoulder area  56  of the heated jacket. The first heater array  52  may provide a first amount of heat, and the second heater array  52  may provide a second amount of heat that is the same or different than the first amount of heat. In some embodiments, the heater array  52  may be configured to generate heat based on a received DC voltage from a battery pack, for example battery pack  130  ( FIG.  3   ). 
     A controller  100  for a heated garment (e.g., heated jacket  10 ,  50 ) is illustrated in  FIG.  3   . The controller  100  is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or components of the heated garment. For example, the illustrated controller  100  is connected to sensors  105  (which may include, for example, current sensors, voltage sensors, temperature sensor, etc.), indicators  110 , a transceiver(s)  115 , lighting device(s)  120 , a heater controller  125 , and the battery pack  130 . In some embodiments, the controller  100  may be included in the battery pack  130  such that the battery pack  130  controls the heated garment. 
     The controller  100  includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller  100  and/or heated jacket  10 ,  50 . For example, the controller  100  includes, among other things, a processing unit  140  (e.g., a microprocessor, an electronic processor, an electronic controller, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device), a memory  145 , input units  150 , and output units  155 . The processing unit  140  includes, among other things, a control unit  165 , an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”)  170 , and a plurality of registers  175  (shown as a group of registers in  FIG.  3   ), and is implemented using one or more computer architectures (e.g., a modified Harvard architecture, a von Neumann architecture, etc.). The processing unit  140 , the memory  145 , the input units  150 , and the output units  155 , as well as the various modules connected to the controller  100  are connected by one or more control and/or data buses (e.g., common bus  160 ). The control and/or data buses are shown generally in  FIG.  3    for illustrative purposes. The use of one or more control and/or data buses for the interconnection between and communication among the various modules and components would be known to a person skilled in the art in view of the embodiments described herein. 
     The memory  145  is a non-transitory computer readable medium and includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as a ROM, a RAM (e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, etc.), EEPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit  140  is connected to the memory  145  and executes software instruction that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory  145  (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory  145  (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of the battery pack  2  can be stored in the memory  145  of the controller  100 . The software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller  100  (e.g., the electronic processor  140 ) is configured to retrieve from the memory  145  and execute, among other things, instructions related to the control processes and methods described herein. In other embodiments, the controller  100  includes additional, fewer, or different components. 
     The indicators  110  receive control signals from the controller  100  to turn ON and OFF or otherwise convey information based on different states of the battery pack  130 . For example, the indicators  110  may display that the heater array  26 ,  52  is ON, that the battery pack  130  is out of power, etc. The indicators  110  include, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or a display screen (e.g., an LCD display). The display/indicator(s)  110  may also include additional elements to convey information to a user through audible or tactile outputs (e.g., a speaker). The display/indicator(s)  110  may also be referred to as an output device configured to provide an output to a user. 
     The transceiver(s)  115  may include a Bluetooth® controller that communicates with a Bluetooth® enabled device, such as the external device. The transceiver(s)  115  may transmit information regarding components of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 , a status of the heater array  26 ,  52 , information about the heated jacket  10 ,  50 , and/or a status of the battery pack  130 . For example, the transceiver(s)  115  may transmit information such as the temperature of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 , a type of heated garment coupled to the heated jacket  10 ,  50 , heating zones, and/or preset information to the device by communicating with a Bluetooth® controller of the device. The transceiver(s)  115  may receive control signals from the external device. For example, the control signals may include temperature set points, heating zones to activate/deactivate, and heater array runtime. In some embodiments, the transceiver(s)  115  communicates with the external device employing the Bluetooth® protocol. Therefore, in some embodiments, the external device and the heated jacket  10 ,  50  are within a communication range (i.e., in proximity) of each other while they exchange information. 
     A power supply interface  135  is connected to the controller  100  and couples to the heated garment(s) (e.g., heated jacket  10 ,  50 ). The power supply interface  135  includes a combination of mechanical (e.g., an interface portion) and electrical components configured to and operable for interfacing (e.g., mechanically, electrically, and communicatively connecting) the battery pack  130  with the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . The power supply interface  135  transmits the power from the battery pack  130  to the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . The power supply interface  135  includes active and/or passive components (e.g., voltage step-down controllers, voltage converters, rectifiers, filters, etc.) to regulate or control the power transmitted to the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . 
     The controller  100  may dynamically adjust the heating level of a heated garment that is connected to the controller  100  via the power supply interface. For example, based on an input received from the external device via the transceiver(s)  115  (e.g., a requested runtime of the heater array  26 ,  52  in the heated jacket  10 ,  50 ) and the amount of power left in the battery pack  130 , the controller  100  may adjust the heating level of the heater array  26  to be able to operate the heater array for the requested runtime. In the case that a heated garment is coupled to the heated jacket  10 ,  50 , the controller  100  may further dynamically adjust the heating levels of the heater array  26 ,  52  and the heater array of the heated garment coupled to the heated jacket  10 ,  50  to be able to operate the heater arrays for the requested runtime. 
     The controller  100  may also adjust specific heating zones of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . A user may adjust which heat zones of the heated garment are active on the external device. The device communicates the heating zones that are to be active to the heater controller  125  via the transceiver(s)  115 . For example, the user may adjust for various heat settings in different zones. Heat settings may include heating level of the heating zones and the time that the heating zone is active. For example, the heater array located on the front of the heated jacket  10 ,  50  may be separately controlled from the heater array located on the back of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . As such, the user may adjust, via the external device, the heating level of the front heater array while maintaining the heating level of the back heater array. The heater controller  125  receives the adjustment by the user via the transceiver(s)  115  and controls the heater arrays accordingly. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  100  may receive input from a current sensor. The current sensor may receive a signal from the heater array  26  of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . For example, the current of the heater array  26 ,  52  may decrease as the temperature of the heater increases. Based on the sensed current and thus the sensed temperature, the temperature of the heaters may be automatically adjusted to a preset temperature. For example, the battery pack  130  will have an extended life in warmer environments since less heat is needed. The controller  100  may adjust the temperature of the heaters based on the ambient temperature and/or the determined temperature of the heater. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  100  includes a feedback loop that automatically adjusts the temperature of the heated garment without input from a user via the external device. For example, the feedback loop may automatically adjust the heating levels of the heated garment when the heated garment is heated to a predetermined temperature. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  100  may be able to determine the ambient temperature surrounding the user wearing the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . The ambient temperature may be used by the controller  100  to adjust the temperature settings of the heated garment or to adjust the way the controller  100  reacts. The ambient temperature could be used so that the heated jacket  10 ,  50  is maintained at a predetermined temperature above the external temperature. The predetermined temperature could be, for example, 10 degrees Fahrenheit, 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  100  may be configured to create bursts of warmth. For example, the controller  100  may be configured to create peaks and valleys in a temperature profile by doing one of varying a duty cycle of a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal of the heater array  26 ,  52  or enabling the heater array  26 ,  52  for a first predetermined time and then disabling the heater array  26 ,  52  for a second predetermined time. For example, the user wearing the heated garment would feel periods of warmth. Rather than a body becoming adapted to the temperature, the heated garment would create increases in heat which would make the user feel warmer. Human bodies try to maintain a constant temperature by regulating a sweat rate. Creating peaks and valleys in the temperature profile may trick the body into not increasing the sweat rate to cool down. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 G  illustrate carbon fiber heaters that may be implemented as a heater array (e.g., heater array  26 ,  52 ) of heated garments (e.g., heated jackets  10 ,  50 , heated accessories  600 ,  700  ( FIGS.  8  &amp;  9   )). In some embodiments, the illustrated carbon fiber heaters may be implemented in other heated garments. The carbon fiber heaters include carbon fiber wiring  205  embedded in fabric  202  that is shaped to provide optimal heating patterns and/or optimal stretchability, thus, providing optimal heat and comfort to the wearer of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . The carbon fiber wiring  205  may be shaped and connected to itself as a closed loop to provide a “boundary”. The boundary may be embedded into the fabric and form an interior space of the fabric. Cuts in the fabric may be provided in the interior space, as well as outside of the boundary. In some embodiments, the fabric  202  has stretching capabilities. The stretching capabilities may be provided by the cuts in the fabric. Additionally or alternatively, the fabric  202  itself may be stretchable, such as a spandex material. The fabric  202  may be stretchable in two directions or may be stretchable in four directions. In some embodiments, carbon fiber heaters span in an x-direction and a y-direction. For example, the x-direction may be 10-25 centimeters (cm) and the y-direction may be 10-20 cm. In other embodiments, the carbon fiber heaters may be larger or smaller. In some embodiments, the carbon fiber heater may include cantilevered fingers that extend parallel to one another. Additionally, in some embodiments, the carbon fiber heater may include cantilevered fingers that are fanned out from one another. 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates a first carbon fiber heater  200 . Carbon fiber wiring  205  is shaped in a first configuration with two right angle protrusions, or cantilevered fingers, in the y-direction with substantially the same widths in the x-direction. The carbon fiber wiring  205  thereby forms a generally U-shaped heating element. A continuous cut  208  in the fabric  202  is located on an interior of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . An additional cut  208  is provided in the fabric  202  between the protrusions of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates a second carbon fiber heater  210 . Carbon fiber wiring  205  is shaped in a second configuration with two protrusions, or cantilevered fingers, in the y-direction fanned out (i.e., obliquely angled) from one another in opposing directions in the x-direction. The carbon fiber wiring  205  thereby forms a generally V-shaped heating element. A continuous cut  208  in the fabric  202  is located on an interior of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . An additional cut  208  is provided in the fabric  202  between the protrusions of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . 
       FIG.  4 C  illustrates a third carbon fiber heater  220 . Carbon fiber wiring  205  is shaped in a third configuration with three protrusions, or cantilevered fingers, in the y-direction and a concaved portion in the y-direction opposite the direction of the three protrusions. The concaved portion forms two additional, smaller protrusions, or cantilevered fingers. The two protrusions on the exteriors are fanned out (i.e., obliquely angled) from the center protrusion in opposing directions in the x-direction. The carbon fiber wiring  205  thereby forms a generally W-shaped heating element. Three separate cuts  208  in the fabric  202  are located on an interior of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . 
       FIG.  4 D  illustrates a fourth carbon fiber heater  230 . Carbon fiber wiring  205  is shaped in a fourth configuration with four protrusions, or cantilevered fingers, in the y-direction and a concaved portion in the y-direction opposite the direction of the four protrusions. The first two protrusions in the x-direction are fanned out (i.e., obliquely angled) in an opposite x-direction form the second two protrusions in the x-direction. A continuous cut  208  in the fabric  202  is located on an interior of the carbon fiber wiring  204 . Three separate cuts  208  in the fabric  202  are located between the four protrusions. 
       FIG.  4 E  illustrates a fifth carbon fiber heater  240 . Carbon fiber wiring  205  is shaped in a fifth configuration with three protrusions, or cantilevered fingers, in the y-direction with substantially the same widths in the x-direction. A continuous cut  208  in the fabric  202  is located on an interior of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . Two additional cuts  208  are provided in the fabric  202  between the protrusions of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . 
       FIG.  4 F  illustrates a sixth carbon fiber heater  250 . Carbon fiber wiring  205  is shaped in a sixth configuration that is a continuous M-shape starting at a first end and ending at a second end including a connection point. The first end forms a first cantilevered finger, while the second end forms a second cantilevered finger. A continuous cut  208  in the fabric  202  is located in an interior of the carbon fiber wiring  205 . The sixth carbon fiber heater design  250  includes cut outs in the fabric  202  for additional stretch. 
       FIG.  4 G  illustrates a seventh carbon fiber heater  260 . Carbon fiber wiring  205  is shaped in a seventh configuration with three protrusions, or cantilevered fingers, in the y-direction. The carbon fiber wiring is a first width (e.g., “A” in  FIG.  4 G ) and a first height (e.g., “B” in  FIG.  4 G ). The three protrusions are a second width (e.g., “C” in  FIG.  4 G ) and a second height (e.g., “D” in  FIG.  4 G ). The three protrusions are separated from one another by a third width (e.g., “E” in  FIG.  4 G ). “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E” are 1-20 cm. 
     The carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  provide relatively large heating areas in different shapes. As such, the carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  may be suitable for different types of garments or for different locations in the garments. In addition, the cuts  208  allow the carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  to expand or stretch by allowing sections of the heaters to move relative to each other, such that the heaters move or bend with the fabric of the garments. In some embodiments, the heated jacket  10 ,  50  may include a combination of the carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 . In some embodiments, the heated jacket  10 ,  50  may include a combination of carbon fiber heaters and an alternative heater (e.g., a conductive ink heater  300  ( FIG.  5   ), phase change material  1200  ( FIG.  15   ), and/or a thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  ( FIG.  12   ),), as described below. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a conductive ink heater  300  that may be implemented as a heater array (e.g., heater array  26 ,  52 ) in a heated garment (e.g., heated jacket  10 ,  50 ). Conductive ink heaters  300  provide an even spread of heat across the surface of the heater due to a uniform emission of heat across the heater. The conductive ink heater  300  may include two different types of ink. For example, a first ink may provide power, while a second ink may provide resistance and, thereby, heat. In some embodiments, the first ink may be silver, and the second ink may be carbon. In other embodiments, other suitable inks may also or alternatively be used. When dried and cured, the inks of the conductive ink heater  300  are relatively flexible. The conductive ink heater  300  is also waterproof. In some embodiments, conductive ink heaters  300  may be paired with phase change material  1200  ( FIG.  15   ). In some embodiments, conductive ink heaters  300  may be paired with a feedback loop temperature monitoring to maintain a temperature of the heated garment. 
     The conductive ink heater  300  includes multiple layers. The first layer  305  may be a fabric layer. For example, the fabric layer may be any suitable fabric or substrate material, such as nylon, polyester, cotton, blends, and the like. The second layer  310  may be a flexible film layer that is stretchable. For example, the flexible film layer may be a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer with a hot-melt adhesive. The third layer  315  may be a conductive silver trace and busbar system. The fourth layer  320  may be resistive carbon element. The fifth layer  325  may be a cover film. For example, the cover film may be plain or may be customized with printed graphics. The cover film may also inhibit a user from making direct contact with the conductive ink. In other embodiments, the conductive ink heater  300  may include fewer layers. In still other embodiments, the conductive ink heater  300  may include additional layers. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 G  illustrate heater array arrangements in a heated garment (e.g., heated jacket  10 ,  50 ). The heater array arrangements may include a combination of carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , conductive ink heaters  300 , and phase change material  1200  ( FIG.  15   ). In some embodiments, the heater array arrangements may include a heat shield  800  ( FIG.  10   ). The heater array arrangements will be described with reference to the heated jacket  10  of  FIG.  1   . In general, carbon fiber heaters may be implemented at locations in the heated jacket  10  that experience less movement (e.g., the chest area  20  and the back) and conductive ink heaters may be implemented in areas with more movement (e.g., the sleeves  14  and armpit areas). 
       FIG.  6 A  illustrates a first heater array arrangement  400  including carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  located on the left portion  28  of the chest area  20 , the right portion  30  of the chest area  20 , the left portion of the torso body  12 , the right portion  30  of the torso body  12 , and an upper area of the back torso body. In some embodiments, the first heater array arrangement  400  includes heaters carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 . Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the first heater array arrangement  400  includes conductive ink heaters  300 . In some embodiments, the first heater array arrangement  400  includes heat shields  800  sewn between the carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  and/or the conductive ink heaters  300  and the exterior of the heated jacket  10 . 
       FIG.  6 B  illustrates a second heater array arrangement  405  including carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  located on the left portion  28  of the chest area  20 , the right portion  30  of the chest area  20 , the arm area on left side, the arm area on the right side, a left upper area of the back torso body, and a right upper area of the back torso body. In some embodiments, the heaters on the arm areas may be conductive in heaters  300 . 
       FIG.  6 C  illustrates a third heater array arrangement  410  including carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  located on the left portion  28  of the chest area  20 , the right portion  30  of the chest area  20 , the left portion of the torso body  12 , the right portion  30  of the torso body  12 , and an upper area of the back torso body. In some embodiments, the carbon fiber heaters of the third heater array arrangement  410  are 25% larger than the carbon fiber heaters of the first heater array arrangement  400 . 
       FIG.  6 D  illustrates a fourth heater array arrangement  415  including carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  located on the left portion  28  of the chest area  20 , the right portion  30  of the chest area  20 , the left portion of the torso body  12 , the right portion  30  of the torso body  12 , and an upper area of the back torso body. In some embodiments, the first heater array arrangement  400  includes heat shields sewn between the carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  and the exterior of the heated jacket  10 . In some embodiments, the carbon fiber heaters of the third heater array arrangement  410  are 25% larger than the carbon fiber heaters of the first heater array arrangement  400 . 
       FIG.  6 E  illustrates a fifth heater array arrangement  420  including carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  located on the left portion  28  of the chest area  20 , the right portion  30  of the chest area  20 , the arm area  14  on the left side, the arm area  14  on the right side, a left upper area of the back torso body, and a right upper area of the back torso body. In some embodiments, the carbon fiber heaters of the fifth heater array arrangement  420  are 25% larger than the carbon fiber heaters of the second heater array arrangement  405 . In some embodiments, the heaters on the arm areas may be conductive ink heaters  300 . 
       FIG.  6 F  illustrates a sixth heater array arrangement  425  including conductive ink heaters  300  located on the left portion  28  of the chest area  20 , the right portion  30  of the chest area  20 , the arm area  14  on the left side, the arm  14  on the right side, and a lower area of the back torso body. 
       FIG.  6 G  illustrates a seventh heater array arrangement  430  including conductive ink heaters  300  located on a left and right armpit area (e.g., where the arms  14  meet the chest area  20  of the heated jacket  10 ). The seventh heater array arrangement  430  includes carbon fiber heaters  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  located on the left portion  28  of the chest area  20 , the right portion  30  of the chest area  20 , and an upper area of the back torso body. In some embodiments, the garment body may only include conductive ink heaters  300  in one or both of the armpit areas. 
     The heater array arrangements  400 ,  405 ,  410 ,  415 ,  420 ,  425 ,  430  are in no way limiting and may include conductive ink heaters  300  located at various other locations on the heated jacket  10 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates one example of a conductive ink heater  500 . In some embodiments, the conductive ink heater  500  includes a first heater array H2 and four second heater arrays H1, H3, H4, H5. The first heater array H2 and second heater arrays H1, H3, H4, H5 are connected to one another via wires and receive power from the battery pack  130 . The first heater array H2 may be 18 cm long, 21 cm wide, output 12 volts (V), and provide 6 watts (W) of power. The second heater arrays H1, H3, H4, H5 may be 15 cm long, 10 cm wide, output 12V and provide 2.8 W. The heater arrays of the conductive ink heater design  500  are separated by various segments of wire as evidenced by segments A, B, J, L. The conductive ink heater design  500  includes a connection port  505  connected to the heater arrays via segments G, H. In other embodiments, the conductive ink heater  500  may include fewer or more heater arrays. Additionally or alternatively, the heater arrays may have other sizes and/or be powered at other voltages. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a heated accessory, such as a pair of heated socks  600 . The heated socks  600  includes a conductive ink heater  605  on a foot portion  610 . Additionally, or alternatively, in some embodiments, the conductive ink heater  605  may be located on a shin portion  615  of the heated sock  600 . Conductive ink heaters  605  in heated socks  600  provide additional comfort to a wearer of the heated socks  600  due to the absence of heating wires. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a heated accessory, such as a pair of heated shoe liners  700 . The heated shoe liners include a conductive ink heater  705  located in a forefoot area of the heated shoe liner  700 . Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the conductive ink heater may be located in a heel area of the heated shoe liner. The conductive ink heater  705  may be controlled via a key fob  710 . In some embodiments, the key fob  710  may turn the conductive ink heater  705  ON/OFF and adjust the temperature of the conductive ink heater  705 . Alternatively, the conductive ink heater  705  may be controlled by other wireless devices, such as a user&#39;s smartphone. 
     In some embodiments, conductive ink heaters may be implemented in additional heated accessories such as heated beanies, heated gloves, heated sleeves (as part of a jacket or vest, or as a separate garment), heated undergarments, and heated base layers. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a heat shield  800  for increasing heat retention in heated garments (e.g., heated jackets  10 ,  50 ). The heat shield  800  may be approximately the same size and shape of an adjacent heater array  805 . The heat shield  800  may alternatively be larger than the heater array  805 , or may have a different shape than the heater array  805 . For example, the heat shield  800  may be a second area, larger than a first area denoted by the carbon fiber wiring boundary. In some embodiments, the heat shield  800  may be positioned between the heater array  805  and an exterior of the heated garment. In some embodiments, there may be two heat shields  800  layered on top of one another. In some embodiments, the heat shield  800  may be a highly insulative fabric. The heat shield  800  reflects thermal energy back to the interior of a heated garment increasing heat retention of the heated garment and, thus, increasing the warmth of the heated garment. In some embodiments, the increased heat retention has a proportional effect on an increased runtime of the heater array  805 . A heat shield may be positioned adjacent each heater array in a garment or may only be positioned adjacent some of the heater arrays in a garment. In addition, a single heat shield may extend across and cover multiple heater arrays in a garment. Alternatively, multiple heat shields may be used to cover a single heater array, or a heat shield may be used to cover only a portion of a heater array. In some embodiments, an insulation layer may be provided between the heater array  805  and an exterior of the heated garment. In some embodiments, the insulation layer may be provided in addition to the heat shield  800 . In some embodiments, multiple layers of the insulation layer may be provided in the heated garment to increase a heat retention of the heated garment. 
       FIG.  11 A  illustrates a first infrared photograph  900  that captures a heater array  905  without the presence of a heat shield (e.g., heat shield  800 ) between the heater array  905  and the exterior of the heated garment (e.g., heated jackets  10 ,  50 ). As evidenced by the first infrared graph  900 , the range of temperatures captured is 66.8-127° F. 
       FIG.  11 B  illustrates a second infrared photograph  900  that captures a heater array (e.g., heater array  805 ) and heat shield (e.g., heat shield  800 ) combination  915 . As evidenced by the second infrared graph  910 , the range of temperatures captured is 66.8-98° F. Accordingly, the heater array and heat shield combination  915  lowers the amount of heat that escapes the heated garment. 
       FIG.  12    is a back side view of a heated garment  1000 . The heated garment  1000  includes thermoelectric cooler/heater (also referred to as “Peltier coolers/heaters) devices  1005  located on the back torso portion  1010 . In some embodiments, thermoelectric cooler/heater devices may cool a wearer of the heated garment  1000  as well as heat a wearer of the heated garment  1000 . Thermoelectric cooler/heater devices  1005  will be explained in detail below with respect to  FIG.  13   . 
     The illustrated heated garment  1000  includes six thermoelectric cooler/heater devices  1005  spaced apart on the heated garment. The first thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is located at a left, upper back portion of the heated garment  1000 . The second thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is located at a right, upper back portion of the heated garment  1000 . The third thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is located at a left, lower back portion of the heated garment  1000 . The fourth thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is located at a right, lower back portion of the heated garment  1000 . The fifth thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is located at a left, middle back portion of the heated garment  1000 . The sixth thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is located at a right, middle back portion of the heated garment  1000 . In other embodiments, the thermoelectric cooler/heater devices  1005  may also or alternatively be located elsewhere on the heated garment  1000 , such as on the front, sleeves, shoulders, and/or armpits of the heated garment  1000 . In some embodiments, the heated garment  1000  may only a subset of the thermoelectric cooler/heater devices  1005  described above. 
     On example of the thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is illustrated in  FIG.  13   . The illustrated thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  is a heat pump which transfers heat from a first side  1015  to a second side  1020  based on a direction of an applied current. For example, the first side  1015  may be adjacent skin of a wearer of the heated garment  1000  and may pull body heat to the second side  1020  to cool the wearer of the heated garment  1000 . Alternatively, the thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  may pull heat from the second side  1020  toward the first side  1015  to heat a user. In some configurations, a controller coupled to the thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  may alternate in which direction the thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  pulls heat, depending on whether a user wants to be cooled or warmed. IN other embodiments, the orientation of the thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  may be physically reversed on the garment depending on whether a user wants to be cooled or warmed. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric cooler/heater device  1005  includes a Peltier semiconductor device. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a heated fabric  1100  for improving heat retention in heated garments (e.g., heated jackets  10 ,  50 ). In some embodiments, the heated fabric  1100  may be located on an interior of the heated jacket  10 ,  50  such that the heated fabric  1100  contacts or is near skin  1105  of a wearer of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . The skin  1105  transfers body heat  1115  to an insulation layer  1110  of the heated fabric  1100 . The insulation layer  1100  may also provide absorption and moisture control when encountering perspiration  1120  from the skin  1105 . In some embodiments, the heated fabric  1100  may be a charcoal color that absorbs heat and delays heat transfer to outside the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . In some scenarios, the heated fabric  1100  may increase heat retention by 18° F. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a phase change material  1200  for improving heat retention in heated garments (e.g., heated jackets  10 ,  50 ). The phase change material  1200  may be implemented for heating and cooling by maintaining a comfortable body temperature range of a wearer of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . A wearer of the heated jacket  10 ,  50  may feel increased warmth when the phase change material  1200  is integrated into the fabric of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . For example, the phase change material  1200  may be included in the lining of the heated jacket  10 ,  50 . 
     In some embodiments, the phase change material  1200  may be a dip that is used to treat fabric. For example, the phase change material  1200  may be a microencapsulated wax that is applied to an elastic material used in heated base layers and a taffeta material used in heated jackets. The phase change material  1200  absorbs and releases thermal energy to maintain a regulated temperature range. As shown in  FIG.  15   , the phase change material  1200  is initially in a solid state  1205 . When a body temperature increases, the phase change material  1200  melts and absorbs heat energy in a second state  1210 . When a threshold temperature is met, the phase change material  1200  is in a liquid state  1215 . For example, in the liquid state  1215 , the phase change material  1200  stores thermal energy. When the body temperature decreases and/or the phase change material  1200  is exposed to cooler temperatures (e.g., a temperature below a threshold value), the phase change material  1200  solidifies and releases heat energy in a fourth state  1220 . For example, the phase change material  1200  releases the stored thermal energy to increase warmth. 
     Utilizing phase change material  1200  in a heated jacket  10 ,  50  decreases the amount of heat needed from the heater array  26 ,  52 , thus, increasing the runtime and efficiency of the heater array  26 ,  52 . The phase change material supplies an appropriate amount of heat to a wearer of the heated jacket  10 ,  50  to create an ideal temperature and environment. 
     Thus, embodiments described herein provide, among other things, carbon fiber heating element designs, conductive ink heating elements, phase change material, heat shields, and heating fabric for increased heat retention, and a thermoelectric cooler/heater device. Although the embodiments have been described with reference to particular configurations, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, as noted above, any of the heaters described above may be used in combination with each other and in different locations on the heated garments. 
     Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.