Printed Elastic Modulus Gradient Bra Cup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports bras often fail to provide adequate support for women with larger breasts during high-impact activities, leading to discomfort and excessive breast movement, and typically require additional components that increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A sports bra design featuring a cup structure with a fabric layer and a printed polymer layer that creates a discontinuous layer with varying elastic modulus, providing targeted support by varying the density and arrangement of openings in the polymer layer to enhance stretch and support in different regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components are added to increase support for larger breasts during high-impact activities, then support and comfort are improved, but production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cup is constructed with a printed layer having spatially varying properties - different regions of the cup have different patterns of openings and different polymer densities, creating locally optimized support zones without adding overall component complexity. The printed layer integrates multiple functional zones (support, compression, breathability) into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup combines a fabric layer with a printed polymer layer to create a composite structure. The printed layer contains polymer material with controlled opening patterns that provide both structural support and breathability, merging multiple functions into integrated material layers rather than separate components.
2Reliability
If uniform compression is applied to flatten breasts against the chest, then support is provided, but comfort and adaptability to different breast shapes are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The printed layer features region-specific patterns with varying opening densities and polymer distributions tailored to different anatomical zones. High-support areas have denser polymer patterns while areas requiring breathability and flexibility have more openings, allowing the cup to adapt to individual breast shapes and provide localized support rather than uniform compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed layer's patterned structure allows dynamic adaptation to breast movement and deformation during exercise. The varying polymer density and opening patterns enable different regions to stretch and compress at different rates, accommodating natural breast motion while maintaining support.
3Manufacturing precision
If a discontinuous printed layer with varying elastic modulus is used to provide targeted support, then support precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printed layer varies physical parameters (polymer density, opening size, opening pattern, elastic modulus) across different regions of the cup. This creates zones with different mechanical properties optimized for specific anatomical locations, achieving precise support targeting through material property gradients rather than complex structural assemblies.
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
The bra effectively reduces breast movement and discomfort during high-impact activities while maintaining a minimal component count, ensuring adequate support and comfort for women with larger breasts without significantly increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic modulus of the covered fabric areas is different than an elastic modulus of the noncovered fabric areas. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer in a pattern configured to provide the cup with an elastic modulus gradient.
Data Source
AI summary
A brassiere includes a front portion configured to be positioned along a front of a torso, a back portion coupled to the front portion, and a shoulder strap extending from the front portion to the back portion. The front portion includes a cup for supporting a wearer's breast. The cup comprises a fabric layer and a printed layer. The fabric layer includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer and forms a discontinuous layer defining covered fabric areas and noncovered fabric areas exposing the fabric layer. An elastic modulus of the covered fabric areas is different than an elastic modulus of the noncovered fabric areas. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer in a pattern configured to provide the cup with an elastic modulus gradient.