Elastic Cuff Sealing for Safety Suit Boot-Leg Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety suits with solid, less flexible materials face challenges in achieving a gas- or liquid-proof connection with boots or gloves due to material stiffness, which prevents tight sealing and is limited to specifically prepared boot-legs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support ring made of solid material with an elastic cuff that can be folded over the suit material, combined with a clamping strap for secure fixation, allowing the cuff to cover the boot-leg and ensure a tight, gas- or liquid-proof seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a solid, less flexible suit material is used, then the suit provides better protection and durability, but the material stiffness prevents tight sealing and gas-proof connection with boots or gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a rigid support ring for structural stability, an elastic cuff for flexible sealing, and a clamping strap for fixation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the connection system have different material properties: the support ring uses solid material for strength, while the cuff uses elastic material for flexibility and sealing. This local differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between overall strength and local sealing capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the suit material is made less flexible to improve durability, then the suit maintains its shape and protection, but folds form in the boot-leg area compromising the tightness of the connection site
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system separates the stable suit material from the flexible sealing element. The elastic cuff is specifically designed to accommodate folds and irregularities in the suit material while maintaining a tight seal, preventing the formation of gaps that would compromise connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cuff acts as an intermediary element between the rigid support ring and the suit material. It absorbs the flexibility needed to accommodate folds and shape variations, mediating between the stable suit material and the requirement for a tight, fold-free connection.
3Reliability
If a clamping strap is used to fix the leg opening to the support ring, then the connection is secured, but the suit material is exposed to mechanical damage at the connection site
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cuff serves as a protective intermediary layer between the clamping strap and the suit material. It distributes the clamping force evenly across its surface, preventing concentrated stress points that would cause mechanical damage to the suit material while still maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cuff provides beforehand cushioning by its inherent elasticity and thickness. It cushions the suit material against the clamping strap, absorbing mechanical stresses before they can reach and damage the suit material, thus protecting it in advance.
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
This solution enables a secure, gas- or liquid-proof connection with a variety of boots or gloves, maintaining tightness even with less flexible suit materials and protecting the suit material from mechanical damage.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic cuff can be folded over from the inner side to the outer side and presses the arm or leg opening of the safety suit against the glove leg or boot-leg
Implementation Method 2
The cuff may advantageously consist of a thermoplastic elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
A safety suit material can be connected to a plurality of gloves or boots to provide a gas- or liquid-proof connection. A support ring (3) is provided, which is in contact with the inner side of a boot-leg (2) and has a cuff (4) that can be folded over to the outside.