Breast Shield Bladder Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports bras and similar garments do not adequately protect breast tissue from blunt impact forces, particularly in sports, medical, or military contexts where additional protection is needed.
Innovation Solution
A breast protection device featuring a concave breast shield with a bladder system that can be inflated with air or a force-distributing substance, providing a customizable and comfortable fit by using a one-way valve system and a filling substance that conforms to the breast shape, integrated into a sports bra or similar garment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stretchy material is used to compress breasts to immobilize them, then ease of manufacture and comfort are improved, but protection from blunt impact force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The breast protection device is segmented into multiple functional layers: an outer rigid shield layer for impact protection, an intermediate bladder layer for cushioning and force distribution, and an inner conforming layer for comfort and shape accommodation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple materials with different properties: a rigid outer shell material for blunt impact resistance, a flexible bladder material for compression and force distribution, and a soft inner material for comfort and breast shape conformity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating both protection and comfort functions in a single device.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid shield structure is used to protect from blunt impact, then protection from blunt impact force is improved, but comfort and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the device have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions: the outer shell is rigid for impact protection, the bladder is flexible and compressible for comfort and force distribution, and the inner layer is soft and conforming for comfort. This local differentiation of material properties allows the device to provide both protection and comfort simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder component provides dynamic response to impact forces, compressing during impact to absorb energy and then expanding back to its original shape. This dynamic behavior allows the device to adapt to varying impact forces while maintaining comfort during normal wear when no impact occurs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a customized fit is achieved using inflatable bladder system, then adaptability to individual breast shapes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a pneumatic bladder system that can be inflated to different volumes to accommodate different breast sizes and shapes. The bladder's flexible nature allows it to conform to the breast shape while providing uniform pressure distribution. This pneumatic mechanism provides customizable fit without requiring multiple different device sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder's volume parameter can be changed by inflation to adapt the device to different breast sizes and shapes. This single parameter change (volume) allows the same device structure to accommodate a wide range of user variations, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining high adaptability.
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 breast protection device effectively absorbs and distributes blunt impact forces, offering enhanced protection similar to an airbag system while maintaining comfort and flexibility, accommodating individual breast shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a breast protection device having a breast shield in the form of a cup or cups that shield and cushion the breast tissue to protect it from blunt impact force
Implementation Method 2
The breast shield will be discussed in view of the drawings... a bladder 2 that adds additional protection to the breast
Data Source
AI summary
A breast protection device that has a shield. The shield has an inner face and an outer face with a cavity formed there between. A fillable bladder is positioned inside of the cavity. The bladder has a valve opening for filling the bladder. A tube is inserted in the valve for filling means bladder. A method for protecting breast tissue using the breast protection device and a garment having the breast protection device incorporated therein.