Adaptive Apparel with Air Damper and Rotary Damper Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparel, such as bras and tights, often lack adaptability to changing activity levels, requiring manual adjustments or multiple garments for different activities, which can compromise comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
Integration of activity sensors like IMUs and GPS with a control circuit that communicates with an adaptive support garment, using mechanisms like air damper, power harvesting, and rotary damper systems to automatically adjust support levels based on detected activity levels, ensuring all-day comfort and enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments or multiple garments are used for different activities, then adaptability to different activity levels is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment mechanisms including air dampers, rotary dampers, and cable systems that automatically adjust support levels based on real-time motion detection from IMU sensors. The system transitions from static garment configurations to dynamically adaptive support that responds to changing activity levels without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-regulating mechanisms where the garment automatically adjusts its own support properties based on sensor feedback. The control system monitors motion patterns and autonomously modifies tension in support structures, eliminating the need for user intervention and enabling the garment to serve itself across different activity states
2Adaptability or versatility
If automated adjustment mechanisms are integrated, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adaptive support system into modular functional units: sensor modules (IMU), control electronics, cable tensioning systems, air damper mechanisms, and rotary damper assemblies. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently adjusted or replaced, reducing overall system complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions by processing data from IMU sensors, determining activity levels, and coordinating adjustments across multiple mechanical systems (air dampers, rotary dampers, cables). This multi-functional approach consolidates control logic into a single system that manages adaptability across different garment types and activity conditions
3Reliability
If support is maximized for high-impact activities, then performance is improved, but comfort deteriorates during low-impact activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment mechanisms including air dampers, rotary dampers, and cable systems that automatically adjust support levels based on real-time motion detection from IMU sensors. The system transitions from static garment configurations to dynamically adaptive support that responds to changing activity levels without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors motion patterns through inertial sensors and uses this feedback to automatically adjust support tension. The control system processes sensor data, determines current activity level, and modifies garment properties in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes both comfort and performance based on actual wearer conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides dynamic support that automatically adjusts to different activity levels, enhancing comfort and performance without the need for frequent manual adjustments or multiple garments, thereby improving user experience and reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
The lace cable can be inserted through a lace port on a housing of the air damper. The lace cable can be coupled to a piston within the air damper. The piston can be biased towards the distal end of the air cylinder by a spring or other biasing member.
Implementation Method 2
The piston can be biased towards the distal end of the air cylinder by a spring or other biasing member.
Implementation Method 3
A friction mechanism can include a pivoting friction housing, a pivoting friction mount plate, a pivot shaft, friction washers, a friction gear, a friction bearing, and a friction adjustment knob.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive support garment integrating directional fabrics to assist in providing adaptive support to select portions of the garment is discussed herein. The adaptive support garment can include a first directional fabric, a second directional fabric, and a tension device. The first directional fabric includes first directional fibers, and the first directional fabric can be coupled to a fixed portion of the adaptive support garment. The second directional fabric includes second directional fibers, and the second directional fabric can be coupled to a movable control structure portion of the adaptive support garment. The tension device can be coupled to the movable control structure and configured to apply a tension in a first direction on the movable control structure. In operation, the first directional fibers can engage with the second directional fibers to resist movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.