Bra with Rigid Cups and Side Wings for Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bras provide sub-optimal impact protection and motion control, leading to discomfort, pain, and limited participation in sports activities, as they are either rigid and bulky or lack effective support and shaping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pair of partial or full cups with side wings and inflexion sections that anchor to the torso, distributing impact forces and restricting breast motion, while maintaining flexibility and comfort through the use of materials like low-density polyethylene and foam cushioning, allowing for improved support and shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fabric bras use compression to achieve motion control, then motion control is improved, but wearer mobility and breathing are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The bra is divided into multiple functional zones: rigid boundary zones (cups, side wings, back band) for motion control and impact protection, and flexible zones (front center, under bust area) for mobility and breathing. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bra have different rigidity and flexibility properties. The cups, side wings, and back band use rigid materials for motion control, while the front center and other areas use flexible materials for comfort and mobility. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between control and freedom of movement.
2Reliability
If traditional fabric bras use encapsulation to achieve motion control, then motion control is improved, but the bra becomes rigid and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The bra uses thin rigid boundary elements (cups, side wings, back band) made from rigid materials that provide motion control without bulk. These thin rigid elements create the necessary geometric boundaries for motion control while maintaining a sleek, non-bulky appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The bra combines rigid materials (for cups, side wings, back band) with flexible materials (for other regions) to create a composite structure that provides both motion control and comfort. This composite approach allows rigid boundaries where needed while maintaining overall flexibility and comfort.
3Ease of operation
If traditional fabric bras provide minimal impact protection, then comfort is maintained, but breast pain and bruising occur during impact activities
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid boundary structure (cups, side wings, back band) is designed in advance to provide impact protection before impact occurs. The rigid materials and geometric boundaries are pre-configured to distribute and absorb impact forces, protecting the breasts during impact activities while maintaining comfort during normal wear.
4Ease of operation
If traditional fabric bras use flexible cups for support, then comfort is maintained, but breast motion remains unconstrained
Solution Approach 1:
The bra structure is segmented into rigid boundary elements (cups, side wings, back band) that constrain motion and flexible regions that provide comfort. This segmentation allows the rigid boundaries to control breast motion while flexible areas maintain wearer comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions have different mechanical properties: rigid cups and side wings provide motion control and impact protection, while flexible regions provide comfort and mobility. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between motion control and comfort.
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 achieves significant reduction in breast motion (up to 80% compared to a no-bra condition) and impact force dissipation (up to 75% outside the impact area), enhancing comfort, mobility, and protection without undue shoulder strain.
Implementation Method 1
impact force dissipation (up to 75% outside the impact area)
Implementation Method 2
materials like low-density polyethylene and foam cushioning, allowing for improved support and shaping
Implementation Method 3
significant reduction in breast motion (up to 80% compared to a no-bra condition)
Data Source
AI summary
A sport motion control bra having a pair of partial cups which locate, support and shape the lower periphery of the breasts of a user so as to effectively restrict the motion of the breasts relative to the body of a user during sporting activities and one or more side straps which connect to wings extending from each cup so as to, in use, support and locate the sides of the cups.A sport impact protection and motion control bra including a pair of cups dimensioned to encompass the majority of the breasts of a user. The cups are configured to effectively transfer local impact force through the cup to be dissipated through the bra and surrounding breast tissue and restrict motion of the breasts relative to the body of a user.The lower edge of each cup may include an inflexion section extending between the torso and breast sections of the bra.