Dynamic Vent-Slit Structure for Athletic Apparel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparel vent structures fail to provide consistent and dynamic ventilation, leading to poor airflow and discomfort due to inconsistent opening and improper ventilation in athletic wear.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dynamic vent-slit structure with slits arranged in a repeating pattern that opens uniformly in response to stretch forces, featuring slits in linear and non-linear alignment, which distributes stretch force evenly across the fabric, ensuring consistent ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vent structures are used in athletic apparel, then ventilation is provided, but the vent structures exhibit inconsistent opening, puckering, and flattening when the article is stretched
Solution Approach 1:
The vent structure is divided into multiple discrete slits arranged in a specific pattern rather than a single continuous opening. This segmentation allows each slit to independently respond to stretching forces without causing puckering or flattening of the entire vent structure, ensuring consistent opening behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent slits are designed to dynamically open and close in response to stretching forces. The slits transition from a closed state during normal wear to an open state when the apparel is stretched during athletic movement, providing adaptive ventilation that maintains structural integrity throughout the motion cycle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vent structures are added to athletic apparel, then ventilation is improved, but the structures open at the wrong time and in improper areas
Solution Approach 1:
The vent slits are strategically positioned in specific areas of the apparel where heat, humidity, and perspiration accumulate most. Each slit location is optimized to respond to local stretching forces generated by specific athletic movements, ensuring ventilation occurs at the correct times and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The slit pattern incorporates asymmetric arrangement where slits are positioned at different orientations and locations to match the asymmetric nature of athletic movements. This allows different portions of the apparel to open in response to different movement directions, improving the timing and location accuracy of ventilation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation is increased in athletic apparel, then wearer comfort is improved, but airflow becomes limited and perspiration builds up
Solution Approach 1:
The apparel incorporates a porous slit structure that allows air to pass through multiple pathways. The pattern of slits creates an effective porous medium that enhances airflow efficiency while maintaining the fabric's overall integrity, preventing perspiration and humidity build-up through improved breathability.
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 dynamic vent-slit structure provides targeted and enhanced ventilation by uniformly opening in response to specific movements and directions of stretch, improving airflow and wearer comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the slits open in response to specific forces, directions of stretch, or movements by a wearer of the article
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic vent-slit structure for a lower body article of apparel is provided. The article includes a pelvic portion for covering a pelvic area of a wearer when the article is in an as-worn position, and a plurality of slits in a repeating fashion, wherein a spacing between two adjacent slits in linear alignment is less than a length of a slit in non-linear alignment with the two slits and that is offset from the two slits such that the slit in non-linear alignment overlies the spacing between the slits in linear alignment, and the slit in non-linear alignment is parallel to the slits in linear alignment. The slits may be positioned in one or more groupings or aligned in different directions to open in response to different directions of stretch or movement, to provide dynamic or motion activated venting in the article.