Glove Cable Routing in Neutral Regions to Prevent Wire Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Articles of clothing with electric operational elements face issues due to the incompatibility between elastic clothing materials and inelastic electrical cables, leading to cable breakage and discomfort, especially in gloves where tensile stress is high.
Innovation Solution
Cables are routed and attached in 'neutral regions' of the glove that do not change length during hand or finger movement, using inelastic cables and a method of heat bonding to ensure a durable and cost-effective attachment, protecting the cables from strain and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional inelastic cables are used to connect electric operational elements to the glove circuit, then manufacturing costs are reduced and cable simplicity is improved, but the cables will break due to tensile stress when fingers move
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is divided into different functional regions: neutral regions where cables are routed (experiencing minimal strain) and active regions where fingers move (experiencing tensile stress). This segmentation allows inelastic cables to be placed in locations where they will not be subjected to damaging forces, resolving the contradiction between using simple inexpensive cables and maintaining cable reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Neutral regions act as intermediary zones between the electric operational elements and the highly stressed finger regions. By routing cables through these intermediate neutral areas, the transmission of tensile stress from moving fingers to the cables is prevented, allowing simple inelastic cables to function reliably without requiring expensive elastic alternatives.
2Reliability
If elastic cables are used to prevent cable breakage during finger movement, then cable reliability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and cable space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The glove structure is segmented into neutral regions and active regions. Cables are specifically routed through neutral regions where material elongation is minimal, allowing the use of simple inelastic cables instead of expensive elastic cables. This segmentation strategy achieves cable reliability without the need for costly elastic cable materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic property of cable elasticity is extracted from the system by placing cables in neutral regions where they experience minimal strain. This allows the use of simpler inelastic cables, eliminating the need for expensive elastic cables while maintaining reliability during normal glove use.
3Ease of operation
If cables are attached to the glove in regions that experience tensile stress during finger movement, then cable connection simplicity is improved, but the cables will be subjected to tensile stress and fracture
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the glove are assigned different functional qualities: neutral regions are designated for cable routing (providing mechanical stability and minimal strain), while other regions accommodate finger movement. This local differentiation ensures cables are attached in locations that maintain both attachment simplicity and cable integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The glove is segmented into neutral regions suitable for cable placement and active regions for finger movement. By attaching cables specifically to the neutral regions, the system maintains simple cable attachment procedures while preventing cable fracture, as the neutral regions do not experience significant tensile stress during normal use.
4Ease of operation
If the glove material is made highly elastic to accommodate finger movement, then wearing comfort is improved, but the difference in elasticity between glove and cable causes constrictions and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The glove structure is segmented into neutral regions where cables are embedded and active regions that accommodate finger movement. This segmentation allows the glove material to remain highly elastic for comfort while the cable-containing neutral regions maintain dimensional stability, preventing constrictions on the user's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
Neutral regions serve as intermediary zones between the highly elastic glove material and the inelastic cables. These intermediate regions allow the glove to stretch for comfort while preventing the elasticity mismatch from causing constrictions, as the neutral regions experience minimal dimensional change during finger movement.
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 approach extends the service life of the clothing while maintaining comfort by preventing cable breakage and reducing manufacturing costs, allowing for reliable operation of electric elements without the need for expensive elastic cables.
Implementation Method 1
a method of heat bonding to ensure a durable and cost-effective attachment
Data Source
AI summary
An article of clothing comprises a glove, at least one electric operational element attached to the glove, an electrical contact point for the electric operational element, and at least one cable that electrically connects the electric operational element to the electrical contact point. The cable is attached to the glove and runs mainly in at least one neutral region of the glove in a neutral direction with respect to a change in length upon a movement of a hand or of a finger. Further, a method of manufacturing such an article of clothing is shown.