Apparel Thermo-Regulation via Dynamic Venting and Stand-Off Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional athletic apparel often fails to provide both insulation and heat dissipation effectively, limiting their use to specific environmental conditions and inadequately managing heat dissipation during exercise.
Innovation Solution
The development of athletic apparel with integrated features such as engineered perforations, honeycomb structures, stand-off nodes, and monofilament structures that dynamically adjust to optimize thermo-regulation by promoting heat retention during rest and evaporative heat transfer during exercise, using materials that transition between open and closed states in response to temperature and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If athletic apparel is configured to provide insulation, then heat retention is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the apparel structure changeable through movement. When the wearer moves, the apparel transitions from a closed insulating state to an open ventilating state, allowing dynamic adjustment between heat retention and heat dissipation based on real-time physiological needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the apparel by utilizing movement-induced deformation. The degree of openness, venting, and insulation is dynamically adjusted based on the intensity and duration of movement, transforming the apparel from a static to a dynamically variable thermal regulation system.
2Loss of energy
If athletic apparel is configured to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but insulation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparel dynamically switches between open and closed configurations based on movement. During stationary periods, it maintains a closed insulating state; during movement, it opens to provide ventilation and heat dissipation, resolving the contradiction between these two thermal functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparel undergoes periodic opening and closing cycles synchronized with the wearer's movement rhythm. This periodic action allows the system to alternately provide insulation and ventilation, matching the cyclic nature of athletic activity and recovery periods.
3Device complexity
If traditional athletic apparel is used, then simplicity of design is maintained, but thermo-regulatory performance across diverse conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparel system is self-regulating, automatically adjusting its thermal properties in response to the wearer's movement without external control. The movement itself triggers the opening and closing mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls or user intervention while achieving adaptive thermo-regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparel is designed to perform multiple thermal regulation functions across diverse environmental conditions through a single unified structure. The same movement-responsive mechanism provides both insulation and ventilation, making the apparel universally applicable to various weather conditions and activity levels.
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 solution enables athletes to maintain optimal temperature ranges across diverse weather conditions by dynamically adjusting the apparel's openness and stand-off, enhancing both heat retention and dissipation as needed.
Implementation Method 1
promoting heat retention during rest and evaporative heat transfer during exercise
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item (100) that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings (120), venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item (100) may comprise the engineered openings (120). Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.