Knit Thermal Sleeve With Integrated Vent Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knit tubular sleeves for protecting elongate members face challenges such as complex assembly processes, increased labor and component costs due to the need for multiple sleeves or secondary cutting and sewing operations to accommodate protrusions, and inefficient heat management, which can lead to reduced durability and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A knit thermal sleeve with a foldable elongate flap and integrated thermal vent openings, constructed using a flat bed knitting machine, where the wall and flap have different knit stitch patterns, allowing for a multilayered structure that inhibits heat radiation in some areas while promoting heat expulsion in others, eliminating the need for secondary operations and ensuring uninterrupted yarns for enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If openings are formed in the closed wall to accommodate protrusions or members, then the sleeve can be installed without multiple components, but the yarns become frayed and loose resulting in unraveling and reduced useful life
Solution Approach 1:
The binding edges are formed during the initial knitting process rather than as a secondary operation. The knitting machine creates loops that are immediately secured by the knit structure, preventing yarn fraying and unraveling before the sleeve is even installed. This preliminary formation of secure edges eliminates the need for post-knitting reinforcement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical cutting and sewing operations with a knitting-based solution. Instead of cutting the wall and then mechanically sewing the edges to prevent unraveling, the knitting machine itself creates the openings with inherently secure edges through its loop-forming mechanism, substituting a more integrated process for separate mechanical operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple closed wall portions are overlapped to form a multilayered sleeve, then heat radiation outwardly is reduced, but heat is retained next to the covered item impacting its ability to be cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve applies different knit stitch patterns in different regions to create localized thermal properties. Some areas have denser stitching that blocks heat radiation outwardly, while other areas have more open patterns that allow heat to escape. This spatial variation in knit structure enables the sleeve to simultaneously protect from heat radiation in certain directions while permitting cooling in other directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is divided into multiple zones with different thermal characteristics through varying knit stitch patterns. Rather than a uniform multilayered structure that traps heat everywhere, the segmented approach creates regions with different permeability to heat flow, allowing heat management to be optimized for different parts of the covered item.
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 provides a seamless, durable thermal barrier that effectively manages heat radiation, preventing heat from escaping in desired areas while allowing heat to be directed outward, thus enhancing the sleeve's functionality and longevity by integrating vent openings within the knitting process.
Implementation Method 1
providing a thermal barrier to heat radiation
Implementation Method 2
inhibiting heat radiation outwardly from at least a portion of the protected member
Data Source
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AI summary
A knit protective sleeve and method of construction thereof provides a continuous and seamless sleeve wall knit from one or more yarns extending between opposite open ends of the sleeve. At least one heat vent opening is integrally knit within the wall between the ends.