Design process for developing a liquid cooling garment hood

Area of Science:

• Space exploration engineering
• Human factors in aerospace
• Thermal management systems

Background:

• Astronauts require effective thermal regulation to prevent overheating during space missions.
• Existing liquid cooling garments (LCGs) have limitations in fit, comfort, and cooling efficiency.
• Multi-disciplinary collaboration is essential for developing advanced aerospace protective gear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the fit and comfort of the original liquid cooling garment (LCG) hood for the MACS-Delphi garment.
• To develop a novel prototype of the LCG hood with improved thermal management capabilities.
• To address specific design flaws in the original LCG hood, including tubing layout, material consistency, and fit.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a design process framework (LaBat & Sokolowski, 1999) to guide multi-disciplinary collaboration between apparel design, physiology, and psychology researchers.
• Identified and systematically addressed four key issues: tubing layout optimization, improved stitching techniques, consistent fabric sourcing, and enhanced hood fit.
• Developed and tested a revised LCG hood prototype in an environmental chamber.

Main Results:

• The revised LCG hood demonstrated effective heat extraction and cooling performance in environmental chamber tests.
• Improvements in tubing distribution and fit were successfully implemented, addressing previous design limitations.
• The new prototype offers enhanced wearer comfort and a more secure fit compared to the original design.

Conclusions:

• The redesigned LCG hood significantly improves astronaut safety through superior heat extraction and increased comfort.
• The implemented revisions to the LCG hood design offer potential applications for whole-body LCGs.
• This study highlights the importance of integrated design approaches for optimizing astronaut protective equipment.