Breathable Garment Fluid Drainage Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Garments face a tradeoff between strikethrough resistance and breathability, particularly at high-pressure areas, due to soil impingement from body oils and exudates affecting membrane performance, and existing solutions compromise comfort and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A breathable composite fabric comprising two nanofiber web layers with a porous fluid drainage layer in between, which reduces fluid pressure and facilitates quick drainage, maintaining breathability while enhancing strikethrough resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a waterproof membrane is incorporated into the garment to prevent fluid strikethrough, then strikethrough resistance is improved, but breathability deteriorates due to pore blockage by soil impingement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrikethrough resistanceVSAvoidbreathability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer shell layer, a breathable membrane layer, and a fluid drainage layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the membrane provides breathability while the drainage layer handles fluid management, resolving the contradiction between strikethrough resistance and breathability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A fluid drainage layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the outer shell and the breathable membrane. This intermediate layer captures and redirects fluids before they reach the membrane, preventing pore blockage while maintaining the membrane's breathability function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a polymer coating is applied to the membrane to protect against soil impingement, then durability is improved, but breathability deteriorates due to reduced pore passage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifetimeVSAvoidbreathability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid management function is extracted from the breathable membrane and assigned to a separate fluid drainage layer. This allows the membrane to maintain its original breathable structure without protective coatings that would block pores, while the drainage layer provides the necessary protection against soil impingement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid drainage layer serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs the impact of soil impingement and bodily fluids, preventing direct contact with the breathable membrane. This extends the membrane's lifetime without compromising its breathability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 composite fabric effectively reduces fluid strikethrough at high-pressure areas without compromising breathability, ensuring improved comfort and longevity of garments.

Implementation Method 1

reduces fluid pressure and facilitates quick drainage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

breathable composite fabric comprising two nanofiber web layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS8241729B2Breathable garment having a fluid drainage layer
Publication Date: 2012.08.14 DUPONT SAFETY & CONSTRUCTION INC

AI summary

A garment includes a breathable composite fabric between outer and inner fabric layers. The breathable composite fabric comprises two nanofiber web layers and a porous fluid drainage layer disposed therebetween.