Flexible Holding Element for Active Clothing Activation Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing active articles of clothing face challenges in securely and electrically connecting activation units, as previous solutions are specific to certain types of garments, leading to increased manufacturing costs and risks of unintentional power removal.

Innovation Solution

A flexible holding element with electrical terminals and conductive paths is affixed to the clothing at spaced locations, allowing secure and electrical connection of activation units, eliminating the need for loose wires and enabling use across various garment types without modifying manufacturing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pocket and terminals are provided on the vest, then the power source can be securely held, but the manufacturing process has to be modified leading to increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure holding of power sourceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holding element is designed as a universal component that can be affixed to different articles of clothing (vests, jackets, coats) without requiring garment-specific modifications. The element integrates both mechanical holding function and electrical connection function through its dual terminals and conductive paths, eliminating the need for separate pocket modifications and terminal integrations that would increase manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If electrical wires are extended from the power source in the pocket to the terminals on the vest, then electrical connection is achieved, but the wires risk getting caught in projecting objects so that the power supply is unintentionally removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidunintentional power removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding element merges the electrical connection function directly into the mechanical holding structure. The conductive paths are integrated within the holding element itself, eliminating the need for separate external wires that could get caught. The terminals on the holding element provide direct electrical contact when the element is affixed to the garment, ensuring reliable connection without exposed wire risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the holding element is made flexible, then it can shape itself around the activation unit for secure holding, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure holding of activation unitVSAvoidholding element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding element utilizes flexible materials and thin-film structures that allow the element to conform around the activation unit while maintaining its functional integrity. The flexibility is achieved through appropriate material selection and structural design that enables the element to adapt to different activation unit shapes and sizes without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution provides a versatile and secure method for attaching and connecting activation units to active articles of clothing, ensuring reliable functionality and reduced manufacturing complexity, while preventing unintentional power removal.

Implementation Method 1

the holding element is flexible so that it shapes itself around the activation unit when the activation unit is introduced between the holding element and the article of clothing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

electrically conductive paths between the first and second electrical terminals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10285850B2Holding element for an active article of clothing

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 INUHEAT AB

AI summary

A holding element is intended to be affixed to an active article of clothing at two spaced apart locations. It is provided with first electrical terminals for connection to an activation unit, which is to be secured to the article of clothing by the holding element, second electrical terminals for connection to a functional component of the active article of clothing and electrically conductive paths between the first and second terminals, the second electrical terminals being placed where the holding element is intended to be affixed to the article of clothing. The holding element is arranged to hold the activation unit between the holding element and the article of clothing between the two spaced apart locations and the holding element is flexible so that it shapes itself around the activation unit when the activation unit is introduced between the holding element and the article of clothing.