Design and Development of a Thermoelectric-Based Cold Pack Device

This study focuses on the design and development of a prototype cold compress device employing thermoelectric cooling technology, based on the Peltier Effect principle, to attain cooling via direct current application. The device is designed to effectively manage acute injuries by ensuring accurate and continuous temperature regulation within 10-13°C, rendering it appropriate for use in medical and sports science environments. The tests aimed to evaluate the performance of four distinct fin sizes paired with four different fan speeds, with the objective of identifying the most efficient heat sink. The components were subsequently merged with a thermoelectric sheet and evaluated on actual surfaces using a cold compress machine and a dummy, with 10 iterations conducted for each situation. The findings indicated that the larger fins and high-velocity fan enabled a more rapid and uniform temperature decrease, allowing the device to reduce surface temperatures by up to 10°C in roughly 16-18 minutes and maintain the desired range for over 14 minutes. The results indicate that the designed device operates with remarkable efficiency and stability, particularly regarding temperature regulation and reproducibility. Consequently, it demonstrates potential for practical application in scenarios necessitating quick cooling and could be evolved into portable healthcare devices in the future.