Breathable Impact Cushioning Pad with Segmented Vents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact protection systems for joints are either heavy, non-breathable, restrictive, or offer insufficient protection, often compromising the range of motion and failing to provide targeted and accurate protection for specific body areas.
Innovation Solution
A breathable and conformable cushioning pad design featuring a continuous upper and lower layer with a cushioning material in between, incorporating channels and vents for flexibility and ventilation, allowing for a full range of motion while providing targeted impact protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid pads are used for impact protection, then protection capability is improved, but range of motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is divided into cushioning regions with impact-absorbing material and hinge regions with reduced thickness. This segmentation allows the pad to provide protection where needed while enabling flexibility and range of motion at the hinge regions, directly resolving the contradiction between protection capability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad features non-uniform thickness with thicker cushioning regions for impact protection and thinner hinge regions for flexibility. This local variation in quality allows different parts of the pad to serve different functions - protection where impact is expected and flexibility where motion is required - thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
2Strength
If multiple layers of cushioning material are added, then impact protection is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding multiple layers throughout the entire pad, the invention segments the cushioning material to be present only in specific cushioning regions. The hinge regions have reduced or eliminated cushioning material, significantly reducing overall weight while maintaining impact protection capability where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad uses local quality by concentrating cushioning material only in regions where impact protection is required, rather than uniformly distributing it throughout. This approach provides adequate protection while minimizing unnecessary weight, resolving the contradiction between impact protection and weight.
3Strength
If solid foam pieces are used, then impact protection is improved, but flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The solid foam is segmented into discrete cushioning regions separated by hinge regions. This segmentation allows the foam pieces to be positioned for impact protection while the hinge regions provide the necessary flexibility and adaptability for movement, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad applies local quality by having solid foam material only in cushioning regions where impact protection is needed, while hinge regions have reduced material presence to provide flexibility. This localized approach resolves the contradiction between impact protection and flexibility.
4Reliability
If covering materials are added to protect exposed foam, then durability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The covering material is segmented to cover only the exposed foam surfaces in cushioning regions, while hinge regions remain uncovered or have minimal covering. This segmented approach provides necessary durability protection for the foam while minimizing the weight of covering materials, resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.
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 enables lightweight, breathable, and durable protection that maintains direct contact with the body, enhancing mobility and protection for joints by minimizing weight and heat buildup while maintaining durability and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
cushioning material disposed between and continuously bonded to the continuous upper layer and the continuous lower layer
Implementation Method 2
at least one vent extending through and in fluid connection with the upper surface and the lower surface
Implementation Method 3
the continuous upper layer at least partially bonded to the continuous lower layer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, in one embodiment, is a breathable cushioning pad. The cushioning pad includes an upper layer surface, a lower layer with a lower surface, and a cushioning material disposed between the upper layer and the lo cushioning pad has a thickness. A channel can be disposed in the cushioning pad and defines a cushioning region The channel includes a thickness less than the thickness of the cushioning region. At least one vent extends through connection with the upper surface and the lower surface.