Brassiere Underwire with Segmented Flexibility and Riveted Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwires in foundation garments can cause discomfort due to pressing against the body during movements like turning, twisting, and bending, as they lack sufficient flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An underwire design featuring a generally arcuate base member with two support members fixedly attached by riveted joints, where the end portions of the base member are more flexible than the central portion with the support members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the underwire is made rigid and flat to provide shape and support, then the structural support is improved, but the flexibility deteriorates causing discomfort during body movements
Solution Approach 1:
The underwire is divided into multiple segments: a central portion with support members fixedly attached for structural integrity, and opposed end portions with greater flexibility for comfort. This segmentation allows different regions to fulfill different functions - the central portion maintains shape and support while the end portions accommodate body movements
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the underwire have different structural properties. The central portion has support members fixedly attached to provide rigidity and support, while the end portions have fewer or no support members to allow flexibility and comfort. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing support and needing flexibility
2Stability of the object's composition
If support members are fixedly attached to the base member to enhance support, then the structural stability is improved, but the overall flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The underwire structure is segmented into a central portion with fixedly attached support members for stability, and end portions with greater flexibility. This segmentation allows the support members to be strategically positioned only where structural stability is needed, while preserving flexibility in the end portions
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are fixedly attached only to the central portion of the base member, creating local structural stability where needed for support and shape maintenance, while the end portions remain more flexible for comfort during movement
Data Source
AI summary
An underwire for use in a brassiere, and an associated brassiere, including a generally arcuate base member and first and second support members, each support member having a length shorter than the length of the base member, the first and second support members disposed on and fixedly attached to the base member along the central portion of the base member, spaced from the opposed first and second end portions, and on opposite sides of the base member from each other, where the first support member and the second support member are fixedly attached to the base member by a plurality of riveted joints, and where the opposed first and second end portions of the base member have a greater flexibility than a flexibility of the central portion of the base member having the first support member and the second support member fixedly attached thereto.