Pump-Conditioned Garment Vent Panel Adaptive Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current garments with air vents suffer from the inability to automatically adjust ventilation based on exertion levels, ambient conditions, and humidity, leading to discomfort due to overheating, over-sweating, and humidity buildup, especially when worn during exercise or in adverse weather.
Innovation Solution
A pump-conditioned garment with multi-layer vent panels that circulate air using a pump to provide adaptive ventilation, allowing for controlled air flow based on internal and external environmental conditions, using a combination of positive and negative pressure to manage temperature and humidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fabric shell with low air permeability is used to protect against wind and rain, then protection against adverse environmental conditions is improved, but heat and moisture venting is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer fabric shell for protection, an insulating layer for warmth, and a moisture-wicking layer for sweat management. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, solving the contradiction between protection and ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture-wicking layer uses porous or mesh materials that allow sweat vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water and wind. This enables the garment to maintain protection against adverse conditions while allowing heat and moisture to escape.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual vent control mechanisms like zippers are used, then ventilation adjustment is improved, but ease of operation during exercise is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The garment's venting system is designed to function automatically without requiring user intervention. The porous moisture-wicking layer continuously allows sweat vapor to escape based on the sweat gradient, and the pump system automatically activates when sweat detection sensors detect moisture, eliminating the need for manual adjustments during exercise.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors detect sweat moisture levels and automatically trigger the pump system to activate ventilation when needed. This feedback mechanism allows the garment to adapt to the wearer's physiological state without requiring manual input, solving the ease of operation problem.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If opened vents are used for moisture exchange, then heat and moisture venting is improved, but water penetration during rain is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture-wicking layer uses porous or mesh materials that allow vapor transmission but block liquid water penetration. This enables continuous heat and moisture venting while maintaining protection against rain, solving the contradiction between venting effectiveness and water resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the garment have different permeability characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The moisture-wicking layer has high vapor permeability for heat exchange while the outer shell maintains water resistance, allowing simultaneous achievement of both goals in different locations.
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 garment maintains a comfortable environment by actively circulating air, reducing humidity and temperature issues without manual adjustment, enhancing wearer comfort during exercise and in varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A pump provides a motive force to circulate the circulating fluid through each vent panel
Implementation Method 2
The diffusing layer is generally permeable to the circulating fluid to allow same to circulate therethrough
Implementation Method 3
using a combination of positive and negative pressure to manage temperature and humidity
Data Source
AI summary
To pump-condition a garment that covers at least a portion of an individual, at least one fluid-circulating vent panel circulates a fluid adjacent the garment in an effort to condition the individual. A pump provides a motive force to circulate the circulating fluid through each vent panel. A circulation layer within the vent panel defines a plurality of channels therethrough. The channels allow the circulating fluid to pass both laterally through an opening in a peripheral edge of the vent panel and directly through a diffusing layer of the vent panel.