Adjustable Compression Assembly for Discreet Hip and Back Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression garments are inconvenient, uncomfortable, and difficult to customize, often requiring assistance and lacking discretion and ease of use, leading to suboptimal pain relief and support.
Innovation Solution
A compression assembly with a fabric material and integrated tensioning device, featuring guides and tensioning elements, allowing for user-adjustable two-stage compression, including a first snug fit and a second customizable level, with mechanisms like rotating knobs and ratcheting for precise pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression garments use complex wrapping patterns and multiple layers, then compression effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The compression garment is divided into multiple independent compression zones (first compression zone, second compression zone, third compression zone) that can be independently adjusted. Each zone has its own tensioning mechanism, allowing the garment to provide effective compression without requiring complex overall wrapping patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment incorporates adjustable tensioning mechanisms with knobs and ratcheting systems that allow dynamic adjustment of compression levels. This enables the compression effectiveness to be optimized without fixed complex patterns, as users can adjust the compression dynamically to their needs.
2Reliability
If compression garments require assistance from another person for positioning, then compression effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is designed with user-friendly tensioning mechanisms including easy-to-turn knobs and ratcheting systems that allow users to independently adjust and secure the compression without assistance. The elastic bands and adjustable mechanisms enable self-positioning and self-adjustment while maintaining effective compression.
3Ease of manufacture
If compression garments use fixed compression levels, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability and customization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The garment uses adjustable tensioning mechanisms with knobs and ratcheting systems that allow users to customize compression levels according to their specific needs. The elastic bands can be adjusted to provide different compression forces, enabling the same garment to adapt to various users and conditions while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If compression garments use additional components for adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and aesthetic appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning mechanisms are integrated into the garment structure itself, with knobs and adjustment systems incorporated into the bands and zones. This merging of adjustment components with the garment fabric reduces the appearance of separate additional components while maintaining full adjustability and customization capabilities.
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
Provides convenient, comfortable, and discreet compression that effectively alleviates discomfort by allowing users to adjust compression levels easily, enhancing mobility and therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The tensioning device is configured to selectively shorten a length of the plurality of tensioning elements and result in applying compression to hip and back areas of a user wearing the compression assembly
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of tensioning elements may include inelastic cables or elastic bands
Data Source
AI summary
A compression assembly to alleviate physical discomfort includes a fabric material having a waist opening on a first end and two leg openings on an opposing second end. The also assembly includes a tensioning device secured to a portion of the fabric material, and a plurality of guides integrated with the fabric material. The plurality of guides run in a latitudinal direction along the fabric material between the waist opening and the two leg openings. In addition, the compression assembly includes a plurality of tensioning elements positioned within the plurality of guides, with each tensioning element having a distal end anchored to the fabric material and a proximal end secured to the tensioning device. The tensioning device is configured to selectively shorten a length of the plurality of tensioning elements and result in applying compression to hip and back areas of a user wearing the compression assembly.