Adaptive Support Garment Lacing for Activity-Based Fit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support apparel, such as bras and tights, lack adaptability to dynamically adjust to different activity levels, leading to suboptimal fit and functionality during varying physical activities.
Innovation Solution
Integration of activity sensors, such as IMUs and GPS, with a control circuit that communicates with an adaptive engine to automatically adjust lacing systems in garments, providing customizable support based on detected activity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If support apparel is designed with minimal adjustments for size and body type, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different activity levels and body contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability through motorized lacing systems that can automatically or manually adjust support levels. The lacing mechanism allows the garment to transition from a static minimal-adjustment design to a dynamic system that adapts to different activity levels, body contours, and support requirements, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support apparel integrates multiple functions including automatic sensing of activity levels, motorized adjustment mechanisms, and manual override capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single garment to serve multiple purposes across different activities and preferences, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while achieving versatile adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment mechanisms are provided, then ease of operation is improved, but extent of automation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect activity levels and trigger motorized adjustments without user intervention. The garment serves itself by sensing its own operational context and making appropriate support adjustments, achieving high automation while preserving manual adjustment options for user preference or exceptional circumstances.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment system is designed to be dynamic, switching between automatic and manual modes based on user needs. The motorized mechanism can operate autonomously based on sensor input or be manually controlled, providing flexibility that resolves the contradiction between automation and manual operability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple garments are provided for different activities, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and loss of time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal garment that can adapt to multiple activities through integrated sensing and motorized adjustment systems. Instead of requiring separate garments for different activities, this single multi-functional garment detects activity type and automatically adjusts support characteristics, eliminating the need for garment changes and reducing time loss while maintaining adaptability across activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment dynamically reconfigures its support properties based on detected activity levels and types. This dynamic adaptation allows one garment to replace multiple activity-specific garments, resolving the contradiction between versatility and time efficiency by enabling real-time adjustments rather than requiring physical garment changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and apparatus related to adaptive support garments including adaptive support structures, lacing systems, and an adaptive engine are discussed. In an example, an adaptive support apparel system includes an activity sensor, an adaptive support garment, and a control circuit. The activity sensor monitors activity of a user. The adaptive support garment includes an integrated adaptive support system coupled to the adaptive engine to automatically adjust a portion of the adaptive support garment through manipulation of the adaptive support system. The control circuit configured to send commands to the adaptive engine in response to input received from the activity sensor.