Abrasion-Resistant Hem Assembly for Firefighter Garments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighter protective garments' hems and cuffs face frequent damage due to mechanical forces and contamination issues with traditional reinforcing materials, leading to high repair frequencies and health hazards from absorbed contaminants.
Innovation Solution
An abrasion-resistant hem assembly with a strip of impermeable, chemical-resistant, and heat-resistant reinforcing material, such as para-aramid synthetic fiber, affixed to the inner surface of the garment's external material using embedded stitching, which reduces exposure to the external environment and minimizes creases prone to abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If leather is used as reinforcing material for cuffs and hems, then abrasion resistance is improved, but contamination absorption increases and decontamination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from leather to synthetic materials (polyester, nylon, or blend) that provide comparable abrasion resistance without the contaminant absorption problem. The synthetic materials can be treated or selected to have low surface energy or non-porous structure, preventing biological and chemical contaminants from being absorbed into the material matrix.
2Ease of manufacture
If stitching is provided on the surface of reinforcing material, then attachment to garment is achieved, but stitching fragility increases and repair frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the stitching within the thickness of the hem assembly rather than leaving it on the surface. This prior protective arrangement cushions the stitching from mechanical damage and abrasion before failure can occur. The stitching is surrounded by layers of reinforcing material that protect it from external forces that would otherwise cause fragility and require frequent repair.
3Ease of manufacture
If woven fabric is used for reinforcing strips, then ease of manufacture is improved, but abrasion resistance is insufficient and repair frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction where synthetic fabric layers (providing abrasion resistance) are combined with embedded stitching (providing attachment). The reinforcing material can be a composite of polyester and nylon or other synthetic blends that offer superior abrasion resistance compared to single-layer woven fabric, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through standard textile and sewing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A firefighter protective garment includes an external material and at least one abrasion resistant hem assembly. The external material has an inner surface and the at least one abrasion resistant hem assembly includes a strip of reinforcing material affixed along an edge of the firefighter protective garment to the inner surface of the external material by a fastener. The fastener is embedded within the external material.