Aerodynamic Garment Surface Roughness Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerodynamic garments require multiple fabrics with different surface roughnesses to optimize drag reduction, leading to increased production costs and potential decreases in comfort and performance due to the selection of fabrics based primarily on drag coefficients, neglecting other desirable characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Aerodynamic garments are designed using a single type of fabric with selectively applied surface roughness textures at key locations to optimize aerodynamic performance while maintaining comfort and other desirable properties, such as moisture management and flexibility, using techniques like inkjet printing, silk screening, or heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fabrics with different surface roughnesses are used to optimize drag reduction, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but production cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface roughness characteristics to different zones of the garment (torso vs. extremities) by printing textures selectively on specific areas of a single fabric rather than using multiple different fabrics. This achieves localized aerodynamic optimization while maintaining uniform fabric properties throughout the garment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple fabric functions into a single fabric by printing textured patterns on a base fabric that already provides comfort, moisture management, and flexibility. This merges the aerodynamic function with other essential garment functions in one unified material system.
2Reliability
If multiple fabrics with different surface roughnesses are used to optimize drag reduction, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface roughness parameter of the fabric selectively through printing techniques (inkjet, silk screening, heat transfer) rather than changing the fabric material itself. This allows cost-effective aerodynamic optimization by applying textures only where needed on a single fabric type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses printing techniques to create surface roughness patterns that copy the aerodynamic benefits of textured fabrics without requiring actual textured fabric materials. This achieves drag reduction at lower cost by replicating the surface characteristics through printing rather than material selection.
3Reliability
If fabrics are selected based primarily on drag coefficients, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but other desirable characteristics such as comfort, moisture management, and flexibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies aerodynamic textures only to specific zones where they provide the most benefit (extremities and torso sections exposed to air flow) while leaving other areas with smooth surfaces that prioritize comfort and moisture management. This localized approach balances aerodynamic performance with wearer comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges aerodynamic functionality with comfort functionality in a single garment by printing textures on a base fabric that already provides comfort, moisture management, and flexibility. The textured areas provide drag reduction while the overall garment maintains comfort properties through the base fabric selection.
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
This approach allows for cost-effective, comfortable, and efficient drag reduction by applying textures to specific areas of the garment, optimizing performance without the need for multiple fabrics, thereby enhancing athletic performance while minimizing aerodynamic drag.
Implementation Method 1
the aerodynamic garment has surface roughness applied to the garment at key locations so as to more effectively optimize the air flow around an athlete wearing it, and thereby reduce the drag on the athlete
Implementation Method 2
the surface roughness property of some stretch fabrics allows utilization of these fabrics to reduce [drag forces] on the human form
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 7
AI summary
An athletic garment or sporting equipment comprising a flocked portion (1000), wherein the flocked portion has an applied texture that consists of flocked nodules (1010, 1020) and wherein the flocked nodules are made of fibres (1005) that are arranged in a uniform fashion over an underlying adhesive material.