Flexible Cooling Garment with Composite Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cooling garments and icepacks are often rigid, fail to support the weight of icepacks adequately, and do not conform well to the body, causing discomfort during wear and activity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cooling garment system with pockets made from a combination of non-stretch and stretch materials, and icepacks with flexion areas and apertures that allow for better conformation to the body, along with shoulder straps to secure and maintain the icepacks in an upright position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional cooling garments use rigid materials to support icepack weight, then structural support is improved, but flexibility and body conformation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket is constructed with different materials in different regions: the rear portion uses non-stretch material for structural support and icepack stabilization, while the front portion uses stretch material to conform to body contours and accommodate movement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between rigidity for support and flexibility for conformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pocket combines two distinct materials (non-stretch and stretch materials) into a single composite structure. The non-stretch material provides the necessary strength to support icepack weight, while the stretch material adds adaptability for body conformation and movement, together resolving the technical contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional cooling garments use rigid structures to maintain icepack position, then positional stability is improved, but flexibility and range of motion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket uses non-stretch material at the rear to stabilize icepack position vertically and stretch material at the front to allow horizontal movement and body flexion. This localized functional differentiation maintains positional stability while preserving range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The pocket structure transitions from static rigidity to dynamic adaptability by using stretch material that can deform with body movement while the non-stretch rear portion maintains icepack orientation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
3Strength
If traditional cooling garments use non-flexible materials, then icepack support is improved, but comfort during activity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket places non-stretch material where structural support is needed (rear portion) and stretch material where comfort and movement freedom are needed (front portion). This spatial differentiation eliminates discomfort during activity while maintaining icepack support.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of non-stretch and stretch materials in the pocket creates a composite structure that simultaneously provides icepack support and comfort during physical activity, resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects herein are directed to a cooling garment. The cooling garment can include a vest configured to be worn by a wearer. One or more pockets on the vest may be configured to receive one or more icepacks. The one or more pockets may include a stretch material on a front portion of the one or more pockets. The one or more pockets can further include a non-stretch material on a back portion of the one or more pockets.