Modular Protective Pad System with Touch Fastener Connectivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection systems for sports like bouldering and gymnastics lack flexibility and versatility in configuration, making them less effective for various environments and transportation scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A modular protective pad system comprising modular pad units with broad-face and edge-face touch fasteners and removable patches that allow for multiple configurations, including side-by-side, face-to-face, and folded/semi-folded arrangements, enabling 360-degree connectivity and easy reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional non-modular fall protection pads are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility and versatility in configuration are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The protective pad system is divided into multiple modular pad units that can be independently manufactured and then combined in various configurations. Each pad unit has standardized connection interfaces (touch fasteners) that enable flexible assembly while maintaining simple individual component design, thus achieving both adaptability and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular pad units are designed with universal connection interfaces (broad-face and edge-face touch fasteners) that can be used in multiple configurations. The same basic pad unit can be connected in series, parallel, or stacked arrangements, allowing a single design to serve multiple protective needs across different sports and environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular pad units with multiple connection options are used, then the versatility and reconfigurability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch fastener system uses a single universal interface design that functions for both broad-face and edge-face connections. This universal connector type simplifies the overall system complexity while enabling multiple connection configurations, as the same fastener mechanism is used throughout the entire modular system regardless of which faces are being connected.
3Ease of operation
If removable patches with touch fasteners are added to enable selective engagement, then the ease of operation and reconfiguration are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into permanent pad unit interfaces and removable patches. The patches act as independent intermediate components that can be easily attached and detached, simplifying the assembly and reconfiguration process. This segmentation allows users to add or remove connections without dealing with complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable patches serve as intermediary components between pad units. Rather than directly connecting pad units with complex mechanisms, the patches act as simple mediators that can be easily attached to touch fasteners, facilitating quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular protective pad system includes a plurality of modular pad units that can be secured to each other in a variety of configurations in two or three-dimensions using a set of removable patches that selectively engage with touch fasteners of the modular pad units. Example configurations include side-by-side, face-to-face, and folded/semi-folded configurations, as well as any suitable combination of these configurations.