Overlapping Panel Vents for Garment Airflow and Weather Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing upper-body garments often have inflow and outflow vents that are not strategically located or constructed to maximize air flow, leading to retained heated air and increased material waste due to separate panels for each type of vent.
Innovation Solution
The design features overlapping panels that extend across the back and sides of the garment, forming both inflow and outflow vents, with undulating patterns to create efficient airflow routes and prevent precipitation, using the same set of panels to reduce manufacturing time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate panels are used for inflow vents and outflow vents, then each vent type can be independently optimized, but manufacturing time and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of separate inflow and outflow vent panels into a single integrated panel structure. The panel includes both an inflow vent portion and an outflow vent portion that work together as one unified component, eliminating the need for separate panels and reducing manufacturing steps while maintaining independent optimization of each vent type.
Solution Approach 2:
The single panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an inflow vent structure and an outflow vent structure, while also providing structural support and weather protection. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the manufacturing process.
2Loss of substance
If panels extend across back and sides to form both inflow and outflow vents, then material waste is reduced, but precipitation may enter through vent openings
Solution Approach 1:
The panel edges forming the vent openings are designed with curved or rounded contours rather than sharp angles. This curvature helps water droplets follow the contour of the panel and drip off at the lower edges, preventing precipitation from penetrating into the garment while maintaining effective air flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that vent openings exist and could allow precipitation entry, but converts this potential harm into a benefit by using the same panel structure to create controlled airflow paths. The undulating patterns and curved edges guide both air and water, allowing air to flow through while causing water to follow the contour and drip off harmlessly.
3Productivity
If undulating patterns are used in panel edges, then airflow efficiency is maximized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The undulating patterns in the panel edges are designed with smooth, continuous curves rather than sharp angles or complex geometric shapes. This curvature approach maximizes airflow efficiency by creating gentle transitions that guide air smoothly through the vent openings, while also being more tolerant of manufacturing variations and easier to produce using standard cutting and forming processes.
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 configuration allows for quick escape of heated air, reduces material waste, and prevents precipitation entry, enhancing cooling efficiency and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Inflow and outflow vents on typical upper-body garments may not be strategically located and/or constructed to maximize the flow of air into the garment and/or the flow of air out of the garment in order to cool a wearer
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects herein are directed to a vented upper-body garment (100) that includes a plurality of panels (128) that extend across a back aspect (120) of a torso region (110) of the garment, around first and second sides (124, 126) of the torso region, and at least partially across a front aspect (122) of the torso region. Respective edges of the panels overlap each other to form vent openings (138) that facilitate the flow of air into and out of the garment.