Groin Shield Arch Wings Impact Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic cups for protecting the groin area are uncomfortable, impede leg movement, and may not effectively distribute impact forces, leading to painful injuries in athletic competitions.
Innovation Solution
A protective shield with an arch portion and laterally extending wings, secured to compression shorts, which transfers impact forces to the thighs, providing increased stiffness and comfort through raised ribs and flexible attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid cup is used to protect the groin area, then protection from impact is improved, but comfort and leg movement are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective shield is divided into multiple segments: a central arch portion for genital protection, lateral wings for thigh protection, and optional corner portions. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the arch can be rigid for protection while the wings can be more flexible for comfort and movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield incorporates flexible attachments (such as elastic bands or flexible materials) that allow the device to adapt dynamically to the wearer's movements. This enables the rigid protective portions to remain effective while the flexible portions accommodate leg movement and maintain comfort during athletic activities.
2Reliability
If a contoured shield extending above and below the testicles is used, then testicular protection is improved, but leg movement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the shield have different levels of rigidity and protection. The central arch portion provides rigid protection for the genitals, while the lateral wings provide more flexible protection for the thighs. This local differentiation of protective quality allows adequate genital protection without the excessive rigidity that would impede leg movement.
3Reliability
If forces are applied to the upper portion of the shield, then abdominal muscle wall must absorb the force, but this may cause painful injury
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful impact force is extracted from the vulnerable abdominal and genital areas and redirected to the more resilient thigh muscles. The lateral wings of the shield intercept forces that would otherwise travel upward to the abdomen, channeling them laterally to the thighs where they can be better absorbed without injury.
4Reliability
If forces are applied to the lower portion of the shield, then tendons and ligaments may be driven into, but this may cause painful injury
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral wings serve as intermediary structures that intercept and redirect impact forces before they can reach the vulnerable tendons and ligaments. By positioning the wings laterally, they act as a mediator that captures forces from various angles and channels them to safer areas, preventing direct contact with the sensitive anatomical structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An athletic garment for protecting genitals of a user includes shorts having a pair of leg receiving portions and a flap defining a pocket centered in a groin region. The pocket extends in front of a portion of each of the leg receiving portions. A protective shield is disposed within the pocket and includes an arch portion and left and right wings extending laterally outward from opposing sides of the arch portion. The left wing extends over a portion of one of the leg receiving portions and the right wing extends over a portion of the other of the leg receiving portions.