Moisture-Responsive Apparel Vent Structure for Adaptive Venting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional articles of apparel rely on mechanical structures or static vent states, lacking dynamic adjustment of vent openings in response to external stimuli, such as moisture, which limits their adaptability to changing conditions like exercise or rest.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating discrete overlay film structures affixed to panels forming vent openings, which swell in response to moisture, causing the underlying panel to decrease in dimension and dynamically transition the vent from a closed to an open state, and vice versa, without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mechanical structures (zippers, fasteners) are used to control vent openings, then the vent can be opened and closed, but it requires human manipulation and lacks dynamic adjustment capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic adjustment capabilityVSAvoidhuman manipulation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The overlay film structures are configured to automatically respond to moisture stimuli without human intervention. When moisture is detected, the film structures swell and cause the vent opening to transition from closed to open state, and when moisture is removed, the film structures return to their original state, closing the vent opening automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control systems (zippers, fasteners, buttons) with a moisture-responsive material system. The overlay film structures use moisture-induced dimensional changes to control the vent opening, substituting mechanical manipulation with a chemical/physical response mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If passive vent structures are used that open and close in response to air flow, then no human manipulation is needed, but the response is not adaptive to moisture conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture responsivenessVSAvoidstructural simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overlay film structures change their physical dimensions in response to moisture parameter changes. When exposed to moisture, the film structures increase in dimension, which mechanically triggers the vent opening to open. When moisture is removed, the film structures return to their original dimensions, closing the vent opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The vent structure combines multiple materials with different properties: the overlay film structures use moisture-responsive materials that swell when exposed to moisture, while the underlying panels and affixation structures provide mechanical stability. This composite approach enables moisture-responsive functionality while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If static vent structures are used that remain always open, then maximum ventilation is provided, but adaptability to different activity levels is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivity level adaptationVSAvoidvent structure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vent structure transitions from a static, always-open configuration to a dynamic system that automatically adjusts its state. The overlay film structures enable the vent to transition between closed and open states based on real-time moisture conditions, providing dynamic adaptability to the wearer's activity level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables adaptive venting based on the wearer's activity level, providing needed ventilation during exercise and reduced venting at rest, enhancing comfort and functionality without mechanical manipulation.

Implementation Method 1

upon exposure to moisture the plurality of discrete overlay film structures undergo an increase in dimension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (physical): Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240381960A1Apparel with dynamic vent structure

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 NIKE INC

AI summary

Aspects herein are directed to an article of apparel having a vent opening formed by overlapping the edges of a first panel and a second panel. A plurality of discrete overlay film structures are applied to the second panel adjacent to the vent opening. When the article of apparel is exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo a reversible increase in dimension in at least the z-direction which cause the second panel of material to undergo a reversible decrease in dimension in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vent opening thereby causing the vent opening to dynamically transition from a closed state to an open state.