Radiation Protection Garment with Cooling and Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation protection garments are heavy, causing neck and back strain, leading to discomfort and perspiration due to inadequate cooling and fitting issues, with exposed body parts vulnerable to radiation during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A radiation protection garment incorporating lead-based panels with a cooling system featuring air flow paths and vents for breathability, an expandable belt for adjustable sizing, and a support system to distribute weight away from the neck and lower back, ensuring effective radiation protection and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If lead-based panels are used for radiation protection, then radiation protection is improved, but weight increases causing neck and back strain
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple lead-based panels that can be selectively positioned and adjusted. The support system segments the weight distribution across multiple points (shoulders, back, waist) rather than concentrating it in one location, reducing localized strain while maintaining comprehensive radiation protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system acts as a counterweight mechanism by distributing the garment's weight away from vulnerable areas (neck and lower back) to more tolerant areas (shoulders and upper back). The adjustable straps and support structures create a counterbalancing effect that offsets the harmful weight concentration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lead-based panels are used for radiation protection, then radiation protection is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to heat buildup and perspiration
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates different material properties in different regions: lead-based panels for radiation protection in critical areas, and breathable, heat-transmitting materials in non-critical areas. The support system uses materials with varying thermal properties to create cooling channels that channel heat away from the wearer's body while maintaining lead protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system acts as an intermediary layer between the lead-based panels and the wearer's body. It provides a breathable interface that allows heat and moisture to escape while the lead panels maintain radiation protection. The support structures create air flow paths that mediate thermal management without compromising protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fitting methods are used, then radiation protection is ensured, but ease of operation deteriorates due to measurement requirements and adjustment difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The garment features dynamically adjustable components including expandable belts, movable support structures, and repositionable lead panels. The support system can be adjusted during wear to accommodate different body shapes and movements, eliminating the need for precise pre-measurement while ensuring continuous radiation protection through the adjustable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is designed to be universal, accommodating various body types and sizes without requiring specific measurements. The expandable belt and adjustable support structures allow the same garment design to protect different users effectively, eliminating the need for multiple sized garments or complex measurement procedures.
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 provides enhanced comfort by reducing strain and perspiration through cooling, accommodating various sizes without measurement, and ensuring comprehensive radiation protection while minimizing weight and pressure on the user.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling system includes one or more air flow paths and one or more air vents. The one or more air flow paths contain air. Movement of the radiation protection garment causes the air in the one or more air flow paths to flow through the one or more air flow paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation protection garment. The radiation protection garment includes one or more lead-based panels and a cooling system. The cooling system includes one or more air flow paths containing air and one or more air vents that provide fluid communication between atmosphere and the one or more air flow paths. Movement of the radiation protection garment causes the air in the one or more air flow paths to flow through the one or more air flow paths and exit through the one or more air vents. Additionally, or alternatively, the radiation protection garment includes one or more lead-based panels and a support system. The support system distributes a weight of the radiation protection garment away from at least one of a neck or a lower back of a user while the user is wearing the radiation protection garment.