Ventilated Jacket Wing Channels Airflow Into Underarm Vents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motorcycle riders face challenges with heat management due to traveling wind, especially when riding without a front fairing, as existing jackets lack effective ventilation systems to manage airflow efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A ventilated jacket with underarm vents, front vents, and rear vents, along with a boomerang-shaped wing that channels oncoming air into the underarm vents, enhancing airflow and ventilation by directing wind into the jacket, even when sleeves are extended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional jackets are used without specialized ventilation structures, then the jacket structure remains simple, but airflow management is insufficient and rider comfort deteriorates in warm weather

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverider comfortVSAvoidjacket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is segmented into multiple functional components: underarm vents, front vents, rear vents, and wings. Each vent is positioned at strategic locations to create localized airflow zones, allowing the jacket to manage temperature through distributed ventilation rather than a single complex system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wing structure extends outward from the jacket body at an angle, utilizing three-dimensional space to intercept airflow that would otherwise pass by the rider. This dimensional extension allows the wings to capture wind from the rider's forward motion and redirect it through the ventilation system, improving airflow without adding internal complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If underarm vents are positioned only on the jacket body or sleeve separately, then the ventilation system is simple, but airflow distribution is insufficient when sleeves are extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow rateVSAvoidventilation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wings are positioned in advance to intercept airflow before it reaches the underarm vent area. By extending outward from the jacket body, the wings preliminarily capture and redirect wind toward the vents, ensuring airflow is directed into the ventilation system even when sleeves are extended away from the body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wing acts as an intermediary structure between the external wind environment and the underarm vent. It mediates the airflow by capturing wind from the rider's forward motion and redirecting it through the vent, improving airflow rates without requiring direct connection between the vent and external environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If no airflow direction control structures are added, then the jacket design is simple, but oncoming air is not effectively channeled into the vents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidjacket design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wing is formed with a curved surface that follows the contour of the rider's arm and body. This curvature allows the wing to smoothly redirect airflow along its surface and into the underarm vent, utilizing aerodynamic principles to improve ventilation efficiency without adding mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 jacket provides improved airflow and ventilation, maintaining rider comfort by increasing airflow rates and distributing air more effectively across the underarm areas, even when riding without a fairing, through the strategic design of vents and wing configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a ventilation system including a plurality of vent openings configured to allow airflow into and out of the ventilated jacket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The wing extends outward from the underarm vent to channel oncoming air into the underarm vent when the sleeve portion is held in an extended orientation away from the body portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow channeling: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP4241598B1Ventilated jacket with a wing
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR CO INC
  • EP4241598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4241598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4241598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A ventilated jacket includes a body portion having a front side and a rear side, a sleeve portion extending from the body portion, and a ventilation system including a plurality of vent openings configured to allow airflow into and out of the jacket. The ventilation system includes an underarm vent having a first end and a second end, the underarm vent extends across a seam between the body portion and the sleeve portion. The jacket further includes a wing that follows a path established by a rear side of the underarm vent. The wing includes a first end adjacent the first end of the underarm vent and a second end adjacent the second end of the underarm vent. The wing extending outward from the underarm vent to channel oncoming air into the underarm vent when the sleeve portion is held in an extended orientation away from the body portion.