Bra Cup Elastic Modulus Gradient for Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports bras often fail to provide adequate support for women with larger breasts during high-impact activities, leading to discomfort and excessive breast movement, and typically require additional components that increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A sports bra design featuring a cup structure with a fabric layer and a printed polymer layer that creates an elastic modulus gradient, providing varying levels of support and stretch across different regions through the use of a discontinuous polymer layer with specific patterns and openings, allowing for targeted support and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components are added to enhance support, then support effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of varying elastic modulus within the cup structure. The printed layer is applied selectively to specific areas of the cup to provide localized support enhancement rather than uniformly across the entire cup, thereby improving support effectiveness while minimizing additional material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of elastic modulus by applying a printed layer with different elastic properties than the base fabric. This creates an elastic modulus gradient that provides enhanced support in specific regions without requiring additional structural components, thus improving support effectiveness while avoiding increased manufacturing cost.
2Reliability
If uniform compression is applied to support breasts, then support is provided, but breathability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing compression support only in specific regions where it is most needed, rather than uniform compression across the entire cup. The printed layer is strategically positioned to provide support in high-movement areas while leaving other areas more open and breathable, thus balancing support effectiveness with breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of the printed layer to provide both support and breathability. The printed layer contains openings and a non-uniform structure that allows air circulation while still providing the necessary compression and support forces, thereby resolving the contradiction between support and breathability.
3Reliability
If molded cups are used to encapsulate breasts, then support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function into the existing cup fabric structure by applying a printed layer directly to the cup material. This integrates the support enhancement into the single cup component rather than adding separate molded structures, thereby improving support while minimizing increases in construction complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the base fabric layer with a printed layer having different elastic properties. This composite approach provides enhanced support through the interaction of the two layers, achieving molded-cup-like support effects while maintaining the simplicity of a layered fabric construction rather than requiring complex molded structures.
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 bra effectively reduces breast movement and discomfort during high-impact activities while maintaining breathability and durability, offering enhanced support with a minimal addition of components and lower production costs.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic modulus of the covered fabric areas is different than an elastic modulus of the noncovered fabric areas exposing the fabric layer. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer in a pattern configured to provide the cup with an elastic modulus gradient.
Data Source
AI summary
A brassiere includes a front portion configured to be positioned along a front of a torso, a back portion coupled to the front portion, and a shoulder strap extending from the front portion to the back portion. The front portion includes a cup for supporting a wearer's breast. The cup comprises a fabric layer and a printed layer. The fabric layer includes a first, user-facing side and a second side opposite the first side. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer and forms a discontinuous layer defining covered fabric areas and noncovered fabric areas exposing the fabric layer. An elastic modulus of the covered fabric areas is different than an elastic modulus of the noncovered fabric areas. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer in a pattern configured to provide the cup with an elastic modulus gradient.