Flexible Seam Protective Element for Abrasion-Resistant Clothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective clothing seams, such as those in motorcycle gear, are prone to premature tearing or damage due to friction and tensile forces, leaving body parts unprotected during accidents.

Innovation Solution

A protective element with a base element and spaced protrusions is integrated into the seam of clothing materials, designed to absorb frictional forces before the seam contacts the ground, ensuring durability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If seams are reinforced with safety seams according to ISO standards, then protection against tearing is improved, but the seams can still be damaged due to friction and tensile forces during contact with ground surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseam strengthVSAvoidseam durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element with protrusions is positioned to make contact with the ground surface before the seam does, thereby absorbing the initial frictional forces and preventing direct contact between the seam and the abrasive surface. This preliminary action protects the seam from damage before the harmful friction occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective element acts as an intermediary between the seam and the ground surface. The protrusions extend beyond the seam to create a protective barrier that absorbs frictional forces, preventing direct contact between the seam and the abrasive ground surface during sliding or falling movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective element with protrusions is added to protect the seam, then protection against friction is improved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction protectionVSAvoidprotective element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the base element provides attachment to the garment, while the protrusions provide friction protection. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate protective components and simplifies the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective element is designed with a flexible base element that can be attached to the garment, and the protrusions are configured to provide protection without adding significant bulk or rigidity. This allows the protective element to maintain a relatively simple structure while effectively reducing frictional forces on the seam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the protective element is designed to be rigid for maximum protection, then friction resistance is improved, but wearing comfort and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction resistanceVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element applies rigidity and friction resistance only where needed - at the protrusions that contact the ground surface - while the base element remains flexible to accommodate garment movement and body motion. This localized application of structural properties maintains wearing comfort while providing effective protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protective element is designed to be flexible in its base structure to adapt to dynamic body movements and garment deformation, while the protrusions provide static friction protection when contact with the ground occurs. This dynamic design allows the element to maintain both protection and comfort during various activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3797619B1Protective element, functional clothing and method for manufacturing the protective element
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 IXS AG
  • EP3797619B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3797619B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3797619B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Protective element (1) for protecting a connection (9) between a first cladding material (6) and a second cladding material (7), wherein the protective element (1) comprises: a base element (2) extending in a plate-like manner along a first direction and having a first side (4) and an opposite second side (5), and elevations (3) spaced apart at intervals on the first (4) and/or the second side (5) of the base element (2) such that the protective element (1) is flexible at least transversely to the first direction, wherein the protective element (1) has attachment areas (8) designed to be attached near and/or on the connection (9) to the first (6) and/or the second cladding material (7).