Protective Covering Transitioning Coupling Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective coverings for athletic activities face integrity issues due to unintentional separation of materials under strenuous conditions, compromising their effectiveness in reducing impact-related injuries.
Innovation Solution
A protective covering design incorporating a central rigid plate portion and a terminal edge portion made from pliable material, with a coupling region that transitions from higher pliable to higher rigid material concentrations, enhancing the bond between materials and preventing separation, while also featuring a curved bottom portion for improved conformity and bending stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple materials with varying properties are employed to provide a more robust protective covering, then the protective performance is improved, but the materials can unintentionally separate under strenuous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The protective covering employs a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties (rigid protective plate, pliable terminal edge, and transitional coupling materials) to achieve both protection and comfort while preventing material separation through proper material selection and bonding
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the protective covering are assigned different material properties: the central plate uses rigid material for impact protection, the terminal edge uses pliable material for comfort, and the coupling region uses materials with intermediate properties to bridge the transition and prevent separation
2Strength
If a rigid material is used for the protective plate to provide structural support, then the impact shielding capability is improved, but the comfort and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective covering applies rigid material only where impact protection is needed (central plate), while using pliable material at the terminal edge for comfort, and creates a transitional coupling region with intermediate material properties to bridge the two extremes
Solution Approach 2:
The protective covering is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid protective plate for impact shielding, a pliable terminal edge for comfort, and a coupling region to connect them, allowing each segment to optimize its specific function
3Ease of operation
If a pliable material is used for the terminal edge to provide comfort, then the wearability is improved, but the structural integrity and impact resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal edge uses pliable material optimized for comfort and wearability, while the central plate uses rigid material for structural strength, with a transitional coupling region that gradually transitions material properties to maintain overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The protective covering is segmented into a pliable terminal edge portion for comfort and a rigid plate portion for strength, connected through a coupling region that maintains structural continuity while allowing material property transition
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
A protective covering (202) is provided having a central protective plate portion (212) and a terminal edge portion (210) encircling the central protective plate portion. A coupling region (4A) is interposed between the terminal edge portion and the central protective plate portion. The coupling region transitions from a pliable material of the terminal edge portion to a rigid material of the central protective plate portion, where the coupling region extends from a first edge to a second edge. The first edge has a higher concentration of the pliable material than the rigid material and the second edge has a higher concentration of the rigid material than the pliable material. A first surface of the coupling region has a higher concentration of the pliable material than the rigid material and a second surface of the coupling region has a higher concentration of the rigid material than the pliable material.