J-Shaped Fold Elbow Pad for Military Garment Comfort and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing upper body garments, particularly for military use, face challenges in balancing comfort, durability, air and moisture permeability, and thermal suitability at the elbow area, while also requiring flame resistance, stretchability, and a stable platform for extended wear and equipment use.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates elbow pads with a J-shaped preferential fold line and multiple layers, including an inner, intermediate, and outer layer, where the intermediate layer can be open cell foam, providing breathability and abrasion resistance, and the outer layer can be flame-resistant, attached in a non-planar, cupped orientation to enhance convex shape and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple similar layers are added at the elbow area, then comfort and protection are improved, but durability and strength are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and comfortVSAvoiddurability and strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The elbow pad combines multiple materials with different properties: a foam core layer for cushioning, an intermediate layer for breathability, and an outer abrasion-resistant layer for durability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the protective benefits of soft materials with the strength of tough materials in a single unified component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The elbow pad features varying thickness and material density at different locations - thicker and denser at high-wear areas, thinner and softer at contact areas. This localized variation optimizes both protection and durability specifically where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire pad.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If thick padding material is used for abrasion resistance, then durability is improved, but comfort and permeability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidcomfort and permeability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elbow pad uses varying thickness and material density at different locations - thicker and denser at high-wear areas for abrasion resistance, thinner and softer at contact areas for comfort. This localized variation optimizes both durability and comfort specifically where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate layer of the elbow pad is made from porous or mesh material that allows air and moisture passage. This maintains breathability and comfort even in thicker pad sections, resolving the contradiction between abrasion resistance and permeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Strength

If reinforcement is added for durability, then strength is improved, but comfort and thermal suitability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcomfort and thermal suitability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elbow pad integrates multiple materials with different properties: a foam core layer for cushioning, an intermediate layer for breathability, and an outer abrasion-resistant layer for durability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the protective benefits of soft materials with the strength of tough materials in a single unified component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate layer is made from porous or mesh material that allows air and moisture passage, maintaining thermal suitability and comfort even in reinforced, thicker pad sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Reliability

If stable platform is created for equipment use, then reliability is improved, but adaptability and comfort worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable platform for equipmentVSAvoidcomfort and adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elbow pad incorporates a preferential fold line that allows the pad to dynamically adjust its shape and position based on the wearer's elbow movement and the equipment being held. This creates a stable platform when needed while maintaining comfort and adaptability through controlled flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elbow pad features a curved, cupped shape that conforms to the natural contour of the elbow joint. This curvature provides a stable platform for equipment while adapting to different elbow positions and movements, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8661563B2Elbow pad and upper body garment with elbow reinforcement

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 SAM TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An elbow pad is provided for an upper body garment with a sleeve portion having a shoulder end and a wrist end. The elbow pad includes padding material and a substantially J-shaped preferential fold line. The preferential fold line is configured so that the padding material bends along the preferential fold line to cup the wearer's elbow. The elbow pad may have multiple layers. The elbow pad may be attached to an upper body garment, and may be done so as to fill an opening in a sleeve portion of the garment.