Sensor-Integrated Protective Sleeves for Low-Profile Threat Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ordinary citizens and off-duty officers/soldiers are often unprepared for self-defense situations due to the impracticality of wearing bulky protective gear in daily activities, lacking both mental and physical readiness when threats arise.
Innovation Solution
Development of protective clothing and accessories with integrated sensors, pressure detection, and alarm systems that provide low-visibility defensive and offensive capabilities, including modular components like sleeves, headgear, and panic buttons for immediate threat response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bulky protective gear is worn to provide defensive capabilities, then protection level is improved, but visibility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into modular components including individual plates for different body areas (forearm, elbow, hand, collar), sensors, and output devices that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows protection to be distributed across multiple small elements rather than one bulky piece, maintaining low visibility while providing comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional fabric protection to three-dimensional rigid plates with integrated sensors and electronic components. This dimensional change enables the incorporation of advanced functionality (pressure sensing, alarm systems) while maintaining a compact, low-profile form factor that doesn't compromise visibility or comfort.
2Reliability
If sensors and alarm systems are integrated into protective gear, then threat detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it detects threats (primary function), triggers alarms, and can potentially monitor wear patterns or impact forces. The output device similarly provides multiple alert methods (visual and audible). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high threat detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sensor, processing unit, and output device into an integrated protective system where components work together as a unified whole. The sensor is embedded within or adjacent to the protective plates, and the output device is positioned to utilize the same structural elements, merging detection, processing, and alerting functions into a single cohesive system rather than separate independent devices.
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 individuals to respond effectively to threats with integrated protective garments that detect and alert emergency services, while maintaining a low profile for everyday wear, offering both defensive and offensive features.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be a pressure sensor configured to detect a threshold pressure and generate a corresponding signal
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a protective garment, includes a body, a pair of sleeves extending from the body, each sleeve having a cuff portion, a forearm portion, and an elbow portion, a plate connected to at least one of the cuff portion, the forearm portion, and the elbow portion, the plate having a plurality of layers and a sensor disposed between at least two of the plurality of layers, the sensor being a pressure sensor configured to detect a threshold pressure and generate a corresponding signal, and an output device in communication with the sensor and being configured to receive the signal and at least one of sound an alarm, call emergency services, and transmit a GPS coordinate when the threshold pressure has been reached.