Anisotropic Textile Molded Padding for Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Molded padding elements used in carrying frames, such as backpacks, face a compromise between maintaining shape retention and force transmission properties, which affects wearing comfort and load distribution.

Innovation Solution

A molded padding element with elastically flexible bodies in a textile structure having different elastic resiliences in distinct axis directions, achieved through strategically oriented fibers and a deformation resistance device, allowing for tailored force distribution and shape retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the molded padding element uses uniform material properties in all directions, then the manufacturing is simple, but the force transmission and shape retention are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidforce transmission properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating anisotropic material properties within the molded padding element. The textile structure contains fibers oriented in different directions with varying densities and elastic moduli, allowing different regions and directions to have tailored mechanical properties. This enables the padding to provide both shape retention in critical directions and controlled force transmission in others, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and force transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining textile fibers with different orientations and properties within a single molded element. The textile structure integrates first fibers running in a first axial direction and second fibers running in a second axial direction, creating a composite structure with direction-dependent mechanical properties. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of shape retention and force transmission without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the molded padding element increases softness for comfort, then wearing comfort improves, but shape retention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewearing comfortVSAvoidshape retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction between softness and shape retention by implementing local quality through directional fiber arrangement. The textile structure has regions with different fiber orientations and densities, allowing certain areas to be softer and more compliant for comfort, while other areas maintain higher structural integrity for shape retention. The anisotropic elastic properties enable the padding to yield comfortably in load-bearing directions while maintaining overall form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the elastic modulus and fiber density parameters in different directions within the molded element. The textile structure is designed with first fibers having specific elastic properties in one direction and second fibers with different elastic properties in another direction. This parameter variation allows the padding to exhibit direction-dependent softness and rigidity, achieving both comfort and shape retention simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If the molded padding element increases firmness for shape retention, then shape retention improves, but wearing comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape retentionVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction between firmness and comfort by applying local quality through anisotropic fiber distribution. The textile structure contains first fibers oriented in a first axial direction providing firmness for shape retention, and second fibers oriented in a second axial direction providing softer, more compliant characteristics for comfort. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties within the same molded element allows simultaneous achievement of shape retention and wearing comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials to balance firmness and comfort by combining textile fibers with different mechanical properties in a single molded structure. The composite textile structure integrates fibers with varying orientations, densities, and elastic moduli, creating a multi-phase material system where stiffer fiber bundles provide shape retention while softer fiber regions provide comfort. This composite approach eliminates the need to choose between firmness and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If the molded padding element is designed for optimal force transmission, then force transmission properties improve, but wearing comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission propertiesVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction between force transmission and comfort by implementing local quality through directional fiber arrangement in the textile structure. First fibers are oriented to provide strong force transmission in load-bearing directions, while second fibers are oriented to provide cushioning and comfort in other directions. This anisotropic fiber distribution allows the padding to simultaneously achieve optimal force transmission where needed and comfort where applicable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the elastic modulus and fiber density parameters in different directions within the molded element. The textile structure is designed with direction-dependent mechanical parameters, allowing high stiffness and strong force transmission in primary load directions while maintaining lower stiffness and higher compliance in secondary directions for comfort. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction between force transmission reliability and wearing comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances wearing comfort and load distribution by providing defined force introduction at body contact points while maintaining shape retention, suitable for various applications including protective gear and saddles.

Implementation Method 1

the envelope having a textile structure with a deformation resistance device such that the elastic resilience of the molded padding element in a first axis direction is less than the elastic compliance in a second axis direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The term 'textile structure' is not to be understood without restriction with regard to the actual material properties of the fibers forming the structure, but is merely an example of a structure that has preferred axis directions defined by fiber directions or molecular orientations of the material, which are reflected in their elastic distinguish compliances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnisotropy: Anisotropy

Implementation Method 3

The deformation resistance device can be formed in particular by a thermoplastic fixation of the first fibers of the textile structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoplastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 4

molded padding element with elastically flexible molded bodies arranged in an envelope, which form a molded body filling that maintains its shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2531441B1Shaped cushioning element
Publication Date: 2013.11.27 VACO TECH
  • EP2531441B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a shaped cushioning element (10) comprising elastically compliant shaped bodies lying in a covering (11), said shaped bodies forming a shaped body filling that fills the covering in a shape-retaining manner. The covering has a textile structure (25) comprising a deformation-resisting device such that the elastic compliance of the shaped cushioning element is designed to be lower in a first axial direction than the elastic compliance in a second axial direction.