Magnetic Closure Housing with Extended Base for Adaptive Garment Placket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive clothing designs for individuals with diminished dexterity face challenges in manufacturing complexity and cost due to the need for precise alignment and construction of magnetic closures, which require higher sewing skills and increased time and resources.
Innovation Solution
The design involves a magnet housed in a container with a base extending beyond the housing, allowing for simplified attachment to the fabric, enabling the construction of a placket as a separate unit that can be attached to the garment independently, reducing the need to manipulate the entire garment during manufacturing and facilitating a single inventory for different models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnetic closures are used in adaptive clothing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic closure system is divided into separate components: a magnetic member with housing and base, and a separate button or engagement member. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and prepared independently, reducing overall construction complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A housing structure serves as an intermediary element between the magnet and the fabric. The housing contains the magnet and provides a standardized interface for attachment, simplifying the integration process and reducing the skill level required for assembly.
2Strength
If precise alignment and construction of magnetic closures is required, then strength of closure is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic member is pre-assembled with the housing and base in a standardized configuration before being attached to the garment. This preliminary preparation ensures proper alignment and structural integrity, allowing for strong closures without requiring high precision during the final garment assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustment of magnetic strength and housing dimensions to optimize closure strength without proportionally increasing alignment precision requirements. By changing physical parameters of the components, the system achieves strong closures through component design rather than manufacturing precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional button construction is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical button-and-buttonhole system is replaced with a magnetic attraction system. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually thread buttons through buttonholes, significantly reducing dexterity requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic closure system serves multiple functions: it provides fastening capability, maintains a conventional button appearance, and accommodates users with limited dexterity. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace traditional buttons while preserving aesthetic conventions and improving usability.
4Productivity
If separate placket construction is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The placket is constructed as a separate, modular unit that can be manufactured independently and then attached to the garment. This segmentation allows for specialized production of the placket component, improving overall manufacturing efficiency and enabling flexible division of labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The placket with magnetic closures is prepared in advance as a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary construction allows for optimized manufacturing processes on the placket itself and simplifies the final garment assembly process, thereby improving productivity despite the additional construction step.
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
This approach simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and allows for flexible division of labor, enabling efficient production of adaptive clothing with magnetic closures that are easy to use and strong enough to secure garments effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet is provided in a container. The container includes a housing for the magnet and a base extending beyond a housing of the container
Data Source
AI summary
In adaptive clothing, magnetic members engage to magnetically fasten a lower front layer and an upper front layer. A first magnetic member is provided in a housing having a base extending beyond the boundaries of the magnet. The base is sewn to fabric. The housing is secured in a placket to be affixed to a garment upper layer. A second magnetic member is placed in an interior enclosure of a lower front layer. A button or other component is secured to the exterior side of the upper front layer to provide the appearance of a buttoned placket. To close the garment, the first magnetic member is brought in proximity to the second magnetic member. The placket may be constructed as a separate unit and attached to the garment in a separate operation, allowing construction of the placket without manipulating the entire garment. Cuffs are prepared in a manner similar to the placket.