Angled Resistance Elements for Hip Joint Stabilization in Sports Garments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports garments, such as swimsuits, provide limited support and stability to the hip joint during sporting activities, leading to increased fatigue and drag resistance in water.
Innovation Solution
A garment with resistance elements on both the front and rear of the thighs, angled away from the midline, that extend from the upper to the lower torso, providing stabilizing support to the hip joint, anchoring leg muscles to the core, and allowing energy storage for enhanced movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If tight fitting garments are worn to decrease air/water resistance, then drag resistance is reduced, but hip joint stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple functional zones with different resistance element configurations. Front resistance elements extend from the crotch region upward at an angle, while rear resistance elements extend from the waistband downward, creating segmented support zones that collectively stabilize the hip joint without compromising streamlined fit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the garment have different structural properties. The front and rear panels include angled resistance elements for hip stabilization, while side panels maintain tight compression for drag reduction. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both stability and aerodynamic/hydrodynamic performance.
2Reliability
If elastic elements are added to provide muscle support, then muscle support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide muscle support through compression, stabilize the hip joint through their angled configuration, and maintain garment fit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support mechanisms, keeping the garment structure relatively simple while achieving multiple objectives.
3Stability of the object's composition
If resistance elements extend from upper to lower positions on thighs, then hip joint stability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance elements are configured to dynamically adapt to body movement. Their angled orientation allows them to maintain effective tension during various hip and leg movements, providing consistent stabilization without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or precise static positioning.
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 garment significantly improves hip joint stability, reduces drag resistance in water, and enhances movement speed and precision by maintaining a linear body shape and storing energy for snap action assistance.
Implementation Method 1
the resistance elements can be elongated (by a bending/flexing motion of the leg) to store energy which is subsequently released to assist movement of the wearer's leg back to its unflexed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a garment (1) for covering a wearer's thighs. The garment comprises a pair of front resistance elements (6) each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the front of a respective one of the wearer's thighs. It also comprises a pair of rear resistance elements (10) each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the rear of a respective one of the wearer's thighs. Each of the front and rear resistance elements extends from a respective upper position(7, 11) located proximal to the midline (8) of the garment to a respective lower position (9, 12) located distal from the midline of the garment. This provides a stabilising effect on the wearer's hip joint.