Garment Grip Coating Offset Arrays Friction Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garments lack effective frictional interfaces between the wearer's skin and external contact surfaces, leading to discomfort, sweat accumulation, and irritation due to relative movement, particularly in sports and performance apparel.
Innovation Solution
A garment with grip coatings on both inner and outer surfaces, featuring offset arrays of grip elements that interpose with each other to create uniform friction, reducing movement and enhancing comfort, using silicone materials like Momentive (RTM) 830 or SLR2650 applied through printing or extrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grip elements are placed on both inner and outer surfaces of the garment, then friction and grip are improved, but comfort deteriorates due to bulkiness and uneven sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The grip elements on the inner and outer surfaces are arranged in an asymmetric, offset pattern rather than direct alignment. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that when the garment is worn, the grip elements create a uniform, comfortable sensation across the skin while maintaining effective friction on both surfaces without creating bulkiness or uneven pressure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-surface grip arrangement to a dual-surface three-dimensional arrangement. By placing grip elements on both the inner and outer surfaces in an offset pattern, the system creates a distributed friction interface that maintains comfort while improving overall grip reliability through multi-dimensional contact.
2Reliability
If grip elements are positioned to maximize friction, then grip performance is improved, but relative movement between wearer and garment increases causing sweat and irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The grip elements are strategically positioned at specific locations on the inner and outer surfaces to create localized friction zones. This local quality arrangement ensures that friction is concentrated where needed to prevent relative movement and reduce sweat, while leaving other areas comfortable and free from excessive pressure that would cause irritation.
3Strength
If grip elements overlap or overlie each other, then structural integrity is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to accentuated bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The grip elements are arranged in an asymmetric offset pattern rather than direct alignment, creating a distributed structural framework that maintains integrity without concentrating bulkiness at overlapping points. This asymmetric arrangement ensures comfort by preventing localized pressure points while preserving overall structural strength through the interconnected array.
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 significantly reduces sweat and irritation by maintaining consistent frictional contact, improving comfort and preventing unnecessary movement between the wearer and external surfaces, while allowing for customizable grip levels and therapeutic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
generate in use friction between a wearer's skin and the garment and friction between the garment and an external contact surface
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A garment (10) comprising a grip coating located on inner and outer surfaces of a garment section (12) so as to generate in use friction between a wearer's skin and the garment (10) and friction between the garment (10) and an external contact surface. The grip coating includes a first array of grip elements (14) located on the inner surface of the garment section (12) and a second array of grip elements (16) located on the outer surface of the garment section (12). The first and second arrays are arranged relative to each other so that the grip elements (14,16) of the first and second arrays are offset relative to each other and do not overlie or overlap each other.