Inflatable Garment Bladders for Adjustable Thermal Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional athletic garments that provide thermal insulation often become heavy and lose effectiveness in wet conditions, restricting motion and reducing performance during athletic activities.
Innovation Solution
Inflatable bladder chambers integrated into garments, formed by laminated components with film and fabric layers, allow for adjustable thermal insulation by inflating or deflating, maintaining flexibility and comfort while providing insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heavy materials and insulation are used in garments, then thermal insulation effectiveness is improved, but garment weight increases and motion restriction worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the insulation system adjustable through inflatable bladders that can be inflated or deflated as needed. This allows the garment to transition between different insulation states, providing warmth when required without the constant weight of traditional insulation materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film layers (such as laminated membranes) to create inflatable bladders that provide insulation when inflated. These thin films weigh significantly less than conventional insulation materials like down or synthetic fills, while still providing effective thermal insulation when pressurized with air or gas.
2Temperature
If conventional insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation is provided, but the garment becomes heavier and loses effectiveness in wet conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bladder system uses impermeable or low-permeability film layers that resist water penetration. When inflated, these bladders maintain their insulation properties even in wet conditions, unlike conventional materials that lose effectiveness when damp.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of pressurized gas within sealed bladders creates a reliable insulation barrier that is not affected by external moisture. The pneumatic system maintains insulation effectiveness regardless of environmental humidity or water exposure.
3Temperature
If heavy materials are used for thermal insulation, then warmth is provided, but motion restriction and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The garment allows the wearer to dynamically adjust insulation levels by inflating or deflating bladders as needed for different activities. During high-motion activities, bladders can be deflated for maximum freedom of movement, while during low-motion activities, they can be inflated for warmth.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation system is divided into separate inflatable bladder chambers rather than using continuous heavy insulation. This segmentation allows localized adjustment of insulation in different body regions, providing warmth where needed while maintaining flexibility and motion freedom in other areas.
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 inflatable bladder chambers offer adjustable thermal insulation, maintaining performance and comfort across varying conditions without adding bulk, and can be washed and reused.
Implementation Method 1
garment components and garments including such laminates and bladders, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. In some aspects of this technology, the bladders will include inflatable bladder chambers configured to provide thermal insulation for a 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.