Inflatable Garment Insulation Using Welded Membrane Air Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing garments with thermal insulation do not effectively address the need for evolving thermal properties to adapt to varying user needs during physical activity, particularly in regulating temperature and perspiration.

Innovation Solution

A method involving seamless knitting of tubular textile sleeves with airtight and weldable membranes to form a thermal insulation network, where membranes are folded and partially welded to create air gaps between layers, allowing for adjustable thermal insulation through air bladders with inflation/deflation valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air bladders are integrated into the garment to provide thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the air bladder integration method with the garment manufacturing process itself. The tubular textile sleeve is knitted with membranes that form air bladders directly during production, rather than adding separate insulation components. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining thermal insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses membranes integrated into the textile structure to form air bladders. These thin film structures provide the necessary thermal insulation through trapped air pockets while maintaining flexibility and conformability to the body, avoiding rigid insulation components that would increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the garment structure is made complex to enable thermal property adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal property adjustabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic thermal adjustment through air bladders that can be inflated or deflated. The membranes are integrated into the knitted structure with valves that allow users to adjust the air volume, thereby changing the thermal insulation properties. This dynamic system provides adaptability while the integration into the knitting process maintains ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular textile sleeve with integrated membranes serves multiple functions: it provides the garment structure, creates air bladders for thermal insulation, and incorporates valves for adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving thermal adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If membranes are fully welded to form sealed air tubes, then thermal insulation reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair seal integrityVSAvoidwelding precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses partial welding of the membranes rather than complete sealing. The membranes are associated with the textile layers and partially welded to form air gaps, which provides sufficient thermal insulation reliability without requiring extremely precise welding throughout the entire membrane surface. This partial action approach reduces manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining adequate seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables a garment with evolving thermal properties that can be adjusted to provide enhanced comfort by insulating or ventilating based on user needs, improving temperature regulation and perspiration management during sporting activities.

Implementation Method 1

form a thermal insulation network comprising at least one air gap extending between the layers of the overlap section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

adjustable thermal insulation through air bladders with inflation/deflation valves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4247200B1Method for manufacturing an item of clothing with changeable thermal property

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 DECATHLON SA

Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3b~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an item of clothing with changeable thermal property, the method providing for: producing a tubular textile sleeve comprising a main portion and an adjacent complementary portion; attaching an airtight membrane on the outer walls of the portions; hitching up the complementary portion on the mean portion by placing their outer walls opposite one another in order to form a section (1) covering a part of the body comprising the main portion as inner layer and the complementary portion as outer layer (4), at least a part of the respective membranes of the portions being arranged facing one another between the layers; partially welding the membrane parts on top of one another in order to form between them a thermally insulating network (5) comprising at least one sausage-shaped airbag which extends between the layers of the section (1); producing the item of clothing comprising the section (1).