Garment Elastomer Reinforcement for Comfort and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing clothing and bandages often compromise between comfort and load-bearing capacity, as they either prioritize one over the other, and require complex reinforcement elements like metal rods or springs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a layer of fabric bonded to a composite of elastomer and reinforcement material, where the reinforcement material is applied in a liquid or soft state and hardens within the elastomer, creating a structure with enhanced tensile strength without direct skin contact and adjustable application for customized reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement elements such as metal rods or springs are introduced to increase load-bearing capacity, then the tensile strength is improved, but the wearing comfort deteriorates due to direct skin contact and structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using an elastomer layer as a flexible shell that completely encases the reinforcement material. This elastomer shell provides the necessary tensile strength while maintaining flexibility and comfort against the skin, eliminating the need for direct skin contact with rigid reinforcement elements like metal rods or springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer layer serves as an intermediary between the reinforcement material and the skin. It transfers and distributes the mechanical loads to the reinforcement material while preventing direct contact between the rigid reinforcement elements and the skin, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort.
2Manufacturing precision
If reinforcement material is applied in a liquid or soft state and hardens within the elastomer, then the manufacturing precision is improved for customized reinforcement, but the device complexity increases due to the multi-step application process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by changing the physical state of the reinforcement material from liquid/soft to hardened through controlled curing. This allows the material to be easily applied and shaped in its soft state, then fixed in the desired configuration once hardened, enabling precise customization of reinforcement patterns without requiring complex positioning devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer layer is applied first as a base layer, creating a prepared substrate that guides and contains the subsequent reinforcement material application. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by establishing a defined workspace and ensuring proper adhesion before the reinforcement material is applied and cured.
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 method results in clothing and bandages that are both comfortable to wear and capable of withstanding greater loads, with adjustable reinforcement distribution and improved wearing comfort due to the elastomer encasing the reinforcement material.
Implementation Method 1
The reinforcement material has a higher strength than the elastomer, so that in this way a composite of the elastomer and the reinforcement material is obtained which has a significantly higher tensile strength than the elastomer without reinforcement material
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
In a process for manufacturing garments (1) or bandages, a layer of fabric (2) is combined with a composite of elastomer and reinforcing material (6), which is produced by applying the reinforcing material (6) in a liquid or soft, deformable state to an elastomer layer (4), which hardens after application.