Brassiere Wire Termination and Control Panel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuller figured and plus size women experience discomfort and health issues due to underwires digging into their bodies, caused by excessive wire length and poor bra fitting, leading to flesh overhang, pain, bruising, and skin irritation.
Innovation Solution
A brassiere design featuring a multiflex control panel with elastic strips that terminates the underwire lower on the body, providing additional support and smoothing the underarm area, while the elasticated control panel prevents the wire from digging into the ribcage and reduces excess fabric rubbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wire length is increased to support larger breasts, then the support level is improved, but the wire digs into the body under the arms and bust causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is divided into two segments: a first wire portion extending from the cup along the underarm edge section, and a second wire portion extending from the cup along the around cup edge section. These segments can have different lengths and properties, allowing the wire to provide adequate support while avoiding excessive length that would cause digging into the body.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the wire are given different characteristics. The wire is configured to extend along specific paths (underarm edge section and around cup edge section) with controlled lengths, creating local variations in wire placement and length to optimize both support and comfort.
2Strength
If the bra is made tight around the body to provide support, then the support level is improved, but flesh is squeezed under the arms and overhangs above the brassiere
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is segmented into multiple portions extending along different paths (underarm edge section and around cup edge section), allowing the bra to be tight where needed for support while avoiding excessive tightness that would cause flesh squeezing and overhang.
3Ease of operation
If the channel is made larger to accommodate wire play, then the wire can move freely, but the wire digs into the flesh and excess fabric rubs the flesh causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The wire channel is segmented into different sections with different length characteristics. The wire portions are configured to extend along specific paths with controlled lengths, allowing minimal wire play (0.5-1.5 cm) for fabric shrinkage accommodation while preventing excessive wire play that would cause wire digging and fabric rubbing.
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 design reduces discomfort and health issues by ensuring the wire does not intrude into the ribcage or bust, providing a smooth body line and additional side bust support, even in incorrectly fitting bras, thereby enhancing comfort and reducing the risk of mastalgia, maceration, and skin infections.
Implementation Method 1
the control panel is elasticated. Preferably the control panel comprises an active elastic strip. Preferably the control panel comprises a first elastic strip configured to control the force of the end of the wire
Data Source
AI summary
A brassiere comprising a wing having a top edge and a bottom edge, at least one strap and at least one cup for receiving a breast, the cup having an around cup edge section, an underarm edge section, a neckline edge section and an apex, the around cup section of the cup having a wire, wherein the brassiere further comprises a control panel generally extending from the apex of the cup into the wing, the control panel having an upper edge and a lower edge and wherein the wire terminates proximal to the lower edge of the control panel.