Drysuit Stretch Panel Layout to Reduce Trapped Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drysuits capture excessive air, leading to buoyancy issues, rapid ascent risks, and equipment interference due to loose-fitting fabric, and fail to accommodate varying body sizes and shapes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A drysuit design featuring longitudinally oriented stretch and compression panels made of elastic material, allowing for expansion and compression to fit various body sizes and shapes while maintaining water impermeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-stretch fabric is used to provide water impermeability, then waterproofing is improved, but the drysuit captures excessive air and fails to accommodate varying body sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The drysuit is divided into multiple panels with different fabric properties - some panels use non-stretch water impermeable fabric for waterproofing, while other panels use stretch fabric for accommodation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the drysuit are assigned different fabric characteristics. Critical waterproofing areas use non-stretch fabric, while areas requiring body accommodation use stretch fabric. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between waterproofing and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If excess fabric is used to accommodate range of body sizes, then adaptability is improved, but trapped air volume increases causing buoyancy issues and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The drysuit is segmented into multiple panels that can independently adjust. Stretch panels allow the suit to conform to different body sizes without excess fabric, while non-stretch panels maintain waterproofing. This reduces trapped air volume while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drysuit incorporates dynamic stretch panels that can expand and contract with the user's body movements and size variations. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for excess static fabric, reducing trapped air volume while maintaining comfort and fit.
3Ease of operation
If tube-shaped design is used to accommodate body shapes, then ease of entry is improved, but trapped air volume increases and fit precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drysuit uses segmented panels that can be configured in different arrangements. This allows for optimized panel layouts that provide both ease of entry and precise fit, avoiding the tube-shaped design that causes excessive air trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The drysuit design transitions from a one-dimensional tube shape to a multi-dimensional panel construction. This allows the suit to conform to complex body shapes while maintaining ease of entry, eliminating the need for excessive fabric and reducing trapped air volume.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stretch fabric is added to improve fit, then adaptability is improved, but water impermeability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drysuit is segmented into stretch panels and non-stretch panels. The non-stretch panels maintain water impermeability in critical areas, while stretch panels provide adaptability in areas where it does not compromise waterproofing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between fit and waterproofing.
Solution Approach 2:
Stretch and non-stretch fabric are strategically placed in different locations based on functional requirements. Areas requiring waterproofing use non-stretch fabric, while areas requiring stretch for body accommodation use elastic material. This local quality differentiation maintains both waterproofing and 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
Reduces trapped air volume, minimizing buoyancy issues and equipment interference, and ensures a secure fit for users of different body types, enhancing safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elongated panels of elastic material connected to the first side portion, the second side portion, the front portion, or the back portion in a longitudinal direction relative to the body suit, for providing stretch to and compression of the body suit in a transverse direction opposite the longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A drysuit includes: a body suit formed of water impermeable material having a front portion, a back portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a head opening, and an entry opening; one or more seals connected to the head opening and the entry; fastener connected to the entry opening; and one or more elongated panels of elastic material connected to and overlaying the first side portion, the second side portion, the front portion, or the back portion in a longitudinal direction for providing stretch to and compression to the body suit in a transverse direction; wherein the one or more panels of elastic material are smaller in area than the first side portion, the second side portion, the front portion, or the back portion. The drysuit provides stretch and compression at critical points of the drysuit for increased safety, fit, durability and adaptability to/for the user.