Inflatable Garment Bladders for Adjustable Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic garments for warmth often restrict motion and lose effectiveness in wet conditions, leading to decreased performance.
Innovation Solution
Inflatable bladder chambers integrated into garments, formed by laminated components, provide thermal insulation and can be deflated or inflated to adjust thermal resistance, using film layers and fabric layers bonded with adhesives or adhesive-free methods to maintain flexibility and air impermeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heavy materials and insulation are used to provide warmth, then thermal insulation is improved, but motion restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inflatable bladder chambers that can dynamically adjust between deflated and inflated states to provide thermal insulation only when needed. This dynamic approach allows the garment to transition from a flexible, motion-friendly state to a warm, insulated state, resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation and motion restriction
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation parameter is changed by introducing or removing air from the bladder chambers. When inflated, the chambers create insulating air pockets that trap heat; when deflated, the insulation is minimized. This parameter change allows the garment to adapt thermal properties without permanent structural constraints on motion
2Temperature
If conventional insulation materials are used, then warmth is provided, but effectiveness decreases in wet conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses laminated film layers with adhesive bonds to create water-resistant bladder chambers that prevent moisture ingress. These flexible films maintain their structural integrity and insulating properties even in wet conditions, unlike conventional insulation materials that lose effectiveness when damp
Solution Approach 2:
The garment employs composite construction combining multiple film layers bonded together to create a laminated structure. This composite approach provides both water resistance and thermal insulation, maintaining reliability in wet conditions while the inflatable chambers preserve thermal properties
3Temperature
If heavy materials are used for warmth, then thermal insulation is improved, but garment weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic inflation of bladder chambers with air to provide thermal insulation without adding significant weight. The inflated chambers create insulating air pockets that trap heat effectively, replacing heavy conventional insulation materials with a lightweight pneumatic system
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation parameter is adjusted by changing the inflation state of the chambers rather than using heavy materials. When inflated, the chambers provide maximum insulation with minimal weight; when deflated, the garment remains lightweight and flexible, eliminating the need for permanent heavy insulation
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 allows for adjustable thermal insulation without restricting motion and maintains effectiveness in various conditions, including wet environments.
Implementation Method 1
bonded with adhesives or adhesive-free methods
Implementation Method 2
provide thermal insulation for the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
Garments include one or more fluid-filled bladder chambers for providing thermal insulation to a wearer. The bladder chamber(s) may be convertible between a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The bladder chamber(s) may be integrally formed with the fabric forming the garment, e.g., with the bladder chamber(s) defined between an exterior laminated component (e.g., formed from a fabric layer and a film layer) and an interior component (e.g., including at least a film layer). The film layers are selectively fixed together, e.g., at a perimeter bond and/or one or more internal bonded regions, to form fluid-tight bladder chamber portions within the overall garment structure. The garments may be equipped with a pump (for adding air to the garment bladder chamber(s)) and/or a release system (for removing air from the garment bladder chamber(s)). In this manner, a wearer can change the garment between the deflated condition and the inflated condition.