Knee Pad Passageway Structure for Lasting Cushioning Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foam knee pads lose resilience over time, reducing their effectiveness in cushioning and comfort due to permanent compression, and lack breathability.
Innovation Solution
A knee pad made from solid material with longitudinal passageways that flex for cushioning, allowing air circulation and featuring a sheet member for additional rigidity and resilience, designed to fit around the knee for comfort and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foam material is used for knee pad cushioning, then initial cushioning comfort is provided, but compressive resilience is lost over time due to permanent compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from foam to solid material with a specific hardness range (20-60 Shore A), transforming the cushioning mechanism from compression-based to flexing-based, thereby maintaining resilience over time
Solution Approach 2:
The solid material structure with passageways acts as a flexible shell that bends and flexes under load rather than compressing permanently, providing sustained cushioning effectiveness through elastic deformation
2Reliability
If solid material structure with passageways is used, then compressive resilience is maintained over time, but breathability is improved (which was a drawback of foam)
Solution Approach 1:
The solid material is designed with longitudinal passageways running through it, creating a porous structure that allows air circulation while maintaining the flexing cushioning mechanism, thus improving breathability without sacrificing resilience
3Ease of operation
If passageways are added to allow air circulation, then breathability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solid material is segmented into a structured array of longitudinal passageways with defined cross-sectional areas, creating an orderly formation that facilitates air flow while maintaining structural integrity and relatively simple manufacturing
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 pad maintains compressive resilience over time, enhances breathability, and provides improved comfort and stability by flexing rather than compressing, ensuring effective cushioning and reduced bulkiness.
Implementation Method 1
the structure provides cushioning by flexing of the structure rather than by compression
Implementation Method 2
the passageways allow air to circulate next to the knee
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a knee pad and a knee pad assembly. A pad for cushioning the knee when kneeling on a surface comprises structure defining longitudinal first passageways with their longitudinal axes arranged to be positioned, in use, so that they intersect with the surface being knelt on.