Elastic Insert for Inflatable Motorcycle Garment Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle garments with inflatable protection devices are not sufficiently effective and practical, as they become rigid at impact zones, hindering movement and aerodynamics, and require rapid inflation and deflation to ensure rider safety and comfort during racing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastic insert within the garment that adapts to the inflatable member's volume changes, allowing for seamless inflation and deflation, maintaining a snug fit and aerodynamic form while minimizing bulk and obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inflatable member is combined with a garment portion to provide protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the garment becomes rigid and hinders rider movement
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is designed to dynamically adapt its properties: remaining flexible during normal riding conditions to allow free movement, and becoming rigid only when the inflatable member inflates during an accident to provide protection. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between movement freedom and protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable member changes its physical parameters (volume, pressure, rigidity) from a deflated flexible state during normal riding to an inflated rigid state during protection mode. This parameter change allows the garment to provide effective protection without hindering rider movement during normal operation.
2Speed
If the inflatable member is inflated rapidly to protect the rider, then protection response time is improved, but the bulk and obstruction to movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable member operates in periodic cycles: remaining deflated during normal riding to minimize bulk, and inflating rapidly only during accident conditions to provide protection. This periodic action allows rapid inflation response while minimizing ongoing volume obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable member is positioned specifically at impact zones where protection is needed, rather than uniformly distributing volume throughout the garment. This localized approach provides rapid protection where required while minimizing overall garment bulk and obstruction to rider movement.
3Ease of operation
If the inflatable member is kept deflated to minimize space occupation, then aerodynamics and movement freedom are improved, but protection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable member is pre-positioned and integrated into the garment structure in a deflated state, ready to provide protection but occupying minimal space. Upon accident detection, it inflates rapidly to provide the necessary protection capability, thus maintaining movement freedom while ensuring protection readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflated inflatable member is nested within the garment structure, occupying minimal space and maintaining aerodynamics. When activated, it expands outward to provide protection, effectively transitioning from a compact nested state to a protective extended state.
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 elastic insert ensures the inflatable member remains hidden, provides enhanced comfort and freedom of movement, and maintains the garment's protective and aerodynamic properties throughout inflation and deflation cycles.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating an elastic insert within the garment that adapts to the inflatable member's volume changes, allowing for seamless inflation and deflation, maintaining a snug fit and aerodynamic form while minimizing bulk and obstruction
Data Source
AI summary
A garment having a portion suitable for being combined with an inflatable member for protecting a user is described. The portion of the garment includes a covering surface suitable for forming a covering for the inflatable member. The covering surface comprises at least one insert made of elastic material.