Modular Shoulder Pad System with Securing Garment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder pads often restrict range-of-motion and require frequent readjustment after impact, due to their bulky design and limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A modular shoulder-pad system comprising a base-layer garment, impact-attenuation sub-layer, impact-plate assembly, and securing garments that include an upper-body garment with adjustable fasteners and discrete shoulder sleeves, allowing for secure positioning and enhanced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional shoulder pads use a bulky design to provide impact protection, then impact attenuation is improved, but range-of-motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder pad system is divided into multiple independent components: a base layer garment, removable shoulder pad inserts, and an outer shell. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rigid inserts provide impact protection while the flexible base layer and outer shell maintain range-of-motion, resolving the contradiction between protection and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The base layer garment and outer shell are constructed from flexible, stretchable materials that conform to the wearer's body and allow natural movement. These flexible layers surround the rigid impact protection elements, enabling the system to provide both impact attenuation and unrestricted range-of-motion simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional shoulder pads use a fixed bulky structure for protection, then impact attenuation is maintained, but the system requires constant readjustment after impact
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder pad system incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including adjustable straps, buckles, and elastic components that allow the structure to adapt and return to its optimal position after impact. The flexible base layer naturally rebounds after compression, and the adjustable fastening system enables quick repositioning if needed, eliminating the need for constant readjustment.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional shoulder pads use a unified design for all body areas, then manufacturing is simplified, but customization and fit are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the standardized rigid shoulder pad inserts from the customizable soft goods components. The inserts can be manufactured uniformly for consistency, while the base layer garment, outer shell, and fastening systems can be customized in size, shape, and adjustment ranges to fit different body types and preferences, achieving both manufacturing efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the same rigid insert to be used across multiple garment sizes and configurations. The universal insert design simplifies manufacturing, while the adjustable fastening systems and flexible garment components provide customization options for different wearers, making the system universally applicable yet individually adaptable.
Data Source
AI summary
A shoulder-pad system includes various components, including an impact-plate assembly and one or more sub-layers. The shoulder-pad system may be substantially retained in an arrangement or configuration using one or more securing garments. An exemplary securing garment includes an upper-body garment that at least partially wraps over, and attaches to, the impact-plate assembly.