Support Garment with Lock Down Strut Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support garments, such as sport bras, often provide inadequate localized support, leading to discomfort and restricted movement, as they compress the entire chest area or use underwires that can be uncomfortable.
Innovation Solution
A support garment with engineered strut areas and lock down zones in a single layer of material, featuring alternating struts and openings to distribute tensioning forces and incorporate high modulus of elasticity reinforcement materials like thermoplastic polyurethane, providing localized support without the need for underwires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional support garments compress the entire chest area, then support is provided, but comfort deteriorates and movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The support garment divides the chest area into multiple zones with different support requirements. The engineered strut areas provide targeted support where needed, while other areas maintain flexibility and comfort. This segmentation allows the garment to provide support without compressing the entire chest area uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support garment have different structural properties. The engineered strut areas with alternating struts and openings provide localized support and compression, while other areas use different material configurations to allow movement and comfort. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between support and movement freedom.
2Strength
If underwires are used to provide support, then structural support is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the underwire component entirely from the support garment design. Instead of using rigid underwires that cause discomfort, the support is achieved through engineered fabric structures with alternating struts and openings that provide the necessary support without the harmful effects of underwires.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical support system of rigid underwires is replaced with a flexible engineered fabric structure. The alternating struts and openings create a mechanical support effect through the fabric's structural configuration rather than through rigid components, eliminating discomfort while maintaining support.
3Strength
If reinforcement materials with high modulus of elasticity are incorporated, then localized support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support garment uses composite construction with alternating struts and openings in the engineered areas. This composite structure combines different material configurations to achieve localized support with high modulus of elasticity where needed, while maintaining simplicity in other areas. The patterned structure allows complex functionality to be achieved through repetitive simple units.
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
This design offers improved comfort, flexibility, breathability, and aesthetic appeal by providing targeted support, reducing bulkiness and weight, while eliminating the discomfort associated with underwires, and simplifying construction.
Implementation Method 1
incorporate high modulus of elasticity reinforcement materials like thermoplastic polyurethane, providing localized support
Data Source
AI summary
A support garment that provides upper and lower support for the breasts of a wearer through the use of alternating struts and openings to create a webbed configuration is provided. The first support area comprises an upper support portion made up of a first structural configuration comprising a plurality of alternating struts and openings. The upper support portion is located above breast cup portions of the support garment. The second support area comprises a lower support portion located below the breast cup portions. The lower support portion includes a second structural configuration comprising a plurality of alternating struts of openings.