Belt Loop Connector Alignment for Secure Garment Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garments lack efficient and secure methods to connect upper and lower body garments, particularly in hazardous environments, leading to potential separation and exposure risks.
Innovation Solution
A garment system with vertically aligned connectors on the interior surfaces of upper and lower body garments, utilizing hook and loop fasteners or other fastening mechanisms to securely attach the garments, forming a unitary protective covering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional separate garment design is used, then ease of manufacture and comfort are maintained, but reliability and protection in hazardous environments deteriorate due to potential separation
Solution Approach 1:
The garment system is segmented into separate upper and lower body garments, each with integrated connectors. The connectors are divided into first connectors on the upper garment and second connectors on the lower garment, allowing independent manufacturing while enabling reliable connection through vertical alignment and engagement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are merged with the garment structures themselves, with first connectors positioned on the interior surface of the upper body garment and second connectors positioned on the surface of the lower body garment. This integration ensures that the connection function is built into the garments rather than being separate components, improving reliability while managing complexity through unified design.
2Reliability
If no connection mechanism is used, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to separation risks in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors are designed to automatically align and engage when the upper and lower body garments are worn together. The vertical alignment of first and second connectors ensures that they naturally line up, and the engagement mechanism secures the garments together without requiring complex manual intervention, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If connectors are positioned on exterior surfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning connectors on the exterior surfaces where they are easily accessible, the first connectors are positioned on the interior surface of the upper body garment and the second connectors on the surface of the lower body garment. This inverted positioning ensures precise vertical alignment when garments are worn together, while the engagement mechanism remains accessible for operation.
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
Provides a secure and reliable attachment of upper and lower body garments, preventing separation and enhancing protection in extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing hook and loop fasteners or other fastening mechanisms to securely attach the garments
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a garment system comprising an upper body garment comprising an interior surface and a first set of connectors positioned on the interior surface. The system further comprises a lower body garment comprising a second set of connectors positioned on a surface of the lower body garment. The first set of connectors and the second set of connectors are vertically aligned when a wearer wears the upper body garment and the lower body garment at the same time, and each connector of the second set of connectors is configured to releasably engage and interconnect with a connector of the first set of connectors to attach the upper body garment to the lower body garment.