Aerodynamic Jersey Panel Design for Drag Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclists face significant aerodynamic drag due to the turbulent wake created by their shoulders and upper arms while wearing standard cycling jerseys, leading to increased power requirements and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design of an aerodynamic jersey with a shoulder panel, sleeve panel, and side panels featuring a beam element and arm element with a triangular shape, along with a three-dimensional dimpled weave fabric, which reduces air turbulence and frictional drag by eliminating loose fabric and conforming to the body's contours.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If standard cycling jersey sleeves and panels are used, then the jersey provides basic coverage and comfort, but it creates air turbulence and increases aerodynamic drag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidjersey structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The jersey is divided into multiple functional panels including a shoulder panel, sleeve panel, back panel, front panel, and side panels with beam and arm elements. Each panel is specifically designed to address different aspects of aerodynamic drag reduction, allowing the complex aerodynamic function to be achieved through modular segmentation of the jersey structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side panels incorporate a beam element and arm element that extend forward about the triceps and armpit area, creating a three-dimensional aerodynamic shape that addresses turbulence in previously neglected dimensional spaces around the cyclist's arms and underarms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the jersey uses more aerodynamic shaping to reduce drag, then aerodynamic performance improves, but the jersey becomes more complex to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling speed efficiencyVSAvoidjersey manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the aerodynamic design into separate panels (shoulder panel, sleeve panel, side panels with beam and arm elements), the complex aerodynamic shaping can be manufactured using standard panel construction techniques, making the complex shape more manufacturable than a fully custom 3D design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different panels are designed with specific local qualities - the side panels have beam and arm elements for arm area coverage, the shoulder panel addresses shoulder turbulence, and the sleeve panel covers the arm. This localized optimization achieves overall aerodynamic performance while allowing each panel to be manufactured using appropriate techniques for its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If loose fabric is eliminated to reduce frictional drag, then aerodynamic performance improves, but the jersey loses flexibility and comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrictional dragVSAvoidjersey flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The jersey panels, including the side panels with beam and arm elements, are constructed from flexible fabric materials that can conform to the cyclist's body contours. This flexible shell approach eliminates loose fabric that would create drag while maintaining the necessary flexibility and comfort through the inherent properties of the flexible material itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 jersey significantly reduces aerodynamic and frictional drag, allowing cyclists to maintain faster speeds with less power output by minimizing turbulence and conforming to the body's shape, thereby enhancing cycling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic drag reduction: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS9578904B2Jersey

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 DASHAMERICA INC DBA PEARL IZUMI USA INC

AI summary

An athletic jersey having at least one sleeve with a shoulder panel and sleeve panel, and a back panel having first and second back panel lateral edges mated and joined to the sleeve panel of the sleeve, and a front panel having first and second front panel side edges mated and joined to the shoulder panel of the sleeve as well as a collar edge mated and joined to the shoulder panel. The jersey has side panels mated and joined between the front panel and back panel, such that the side panel comprises a beam element and an arm element extending from the beam element and having a substantially triangular shape extending from the beam element forward about the triceps of the jersey to form the sleeve in combination with the shoulder panel and sleeve panel, substantially eliminating loose fabric about the wearer's underarm.