Back-Mounted Air Distribution System for Ventilated Suits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilated suits face challenges in maintaining the integrity and functionality of air distribution systems when users perform movements like kneeling, bending, or sitting, as these actions can damage or obstruct the air pathways if they are attached to the front of the suit.
Innovation Solution
The air distribution system is attached to the back portion of the ventilated suit, with at least five air pathways extending into the limbs and hood, and attachment points between the pathways and the suit's fabric, allowing for flexible movement without compromising the system's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air distribution system is attached to the front of the suit, then air distribution functionality is achieved, but the system is vulnerable to damage or obstruction during user movements like kneeling, bending, or sitting
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution system is inverted from the conventional front attachment to back attachment. The pathways extend from the back of the hood through the limbs, positioning the attachment points on the back portion of the suit rather than the front. This inversion protects the air pathways from damage during kneeling, bending, or sitting movements while maintaining effective air distribution throughout the suit.
2Reliability
If the air pathways are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then system reliability improves, but flexibility during user movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air pathways are constructed using flexible materials that can bend and deform without breaking. The pathways include flexible hoses and fabric layers that maintain structural integrity while accommodating user movements. This flexibility allows the system to adapt to kneeling, bending, and sitting positions without compromising the air distribution functionality or causing obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
Ventilated suit embodiments are disclosed. The ventilated suit typically comprises a hood portion, four limb portions, an air inlet port, and an air distribution system in fluid communication with the air inlet port and attached to the back portion of the ventilated suit. The air distribution systems comprises at least five air pathways that extend into the four limbs and hood of the suit, with the air pathways being in fluid communication with the air inlet port to distribute air outward into the limbs and hood.