Apparel Shoulder Panel Posture Support Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional apparel for posture support, such as shirts, do not adequately address the need for improved upper torso garments that effectively support and maintain good posture, leading to issues like lower back and neck pain.
Innovation Solution
A garment design featuring a plurality of panels connected at seams, including a center back section with a unitary central back panel and shoulder panel, providing targeted compression and support by varying moduli of elasticity and fabric grain alignment to pull back shoulders and promote healthy posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shirts are used for posture support, then basic upper torso coverage is provided, but adequate shoulder support and posture maintenance are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple panels including a dedicated shoulder panel, upper back panel, and waist panel that can independently deform. This segmentation allows each panel to be optimized for its specific function, with the shoulder panel specifically engineered to provide targeted support and pulling action on the shoulders while other panels handle different body regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different panels are assigned different moduli of elasticity to provide localized support. The shoulder panel and waist panel have higher modulus values than other panels, creating concentrated support zones. This local quality differentiation ensures that shoulder support is enhanced where needed while maintaining overall garment comfort and flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If panels are cut to intended coverage area, then proper fit is achieved, but stretching capability for lifting shoulders is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The panels are deliberately cut shorter than the final intended coverage area before assembly. This preliminary dimensional adjustment creates built-in stretching capacity that activates when the garment is worn, allowing the panels to elongate and pull the shoulders back into a more upright position. The waist panel and shoulder panel are specifically designed with this length deficiency to generate the necessary pulling force.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fabric grain is aligned with center panel axis, then structural stability is improved, but targeted compression at shoulder and spine regions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric grain alignment is varied across different panels to optimize local performance. While the center back panel maintains grain alignment with the center panel axis for structural stability, the shoulder panel and waist panel have angled grain orientations that enhance their ability to apply targeted compression forces to the shoulders and spine regions respectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric grain orientation is deliberately made asymmetric across different panels rather than uniformly aligned. The shoulder panel and waist panel have grain lines angled relative to the center panel axis, creating asymmetric stress distribution patterns that facilitate targeted compression and pulling actions in these specific body regions.
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 effectively supports and pulls back the shoulders, encouraging upright posture and relieving everyday aches and pains through targeted compression and improved shoulder alignment.
Implementation Method 1
provide targeted compression at a shoulder and muscles along a spine and to retract a wearer's shoulder blades
Implementation Method 2
The second modulus of elasticity can be greater than the first modulus of elasticity. The waist panel and the shoulder panel can each have the same modulus of elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
A garment comprising a plurality of panels connected to one another at respective seams. The plurality of panels includes a front panel and a center back section opposite from the front panel. The center back section defines a center panel axis that is co-axial with a center axis of the garment. A shoulder panel extends between the front panel and the center back section, wherein the shoulder panel is configured and adapted to support and pull back a wearer's shoulders.