Radiation Protection Garment with Overlapping Convex Seams

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional personal radiation protection garments are ill-fitting and cumbersome due to their flat design, which fails to effectively shield the breast area from radiation, as they cannot be molded over the female form without compromising protection by creating seams that may allow radiation to penetrate.

Innovation Solution

A personal radiation protection garment with a specially constructed seam that uses multiple panels to create a convex 3D shape, featuring partially lapping radiation-protective panels that overlap at attachment zones to prevent radiation leakage through potential punctures, allowing a closer fit over the breast and axillary areas while maintaining protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flat 2D panel of protective core material is used, then the garment structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the garment cannot be molded over the breast area without seams, resulting in poor fit and potential radiation leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective core material is divided into multiple panels (front panel, back panel, and side panels) that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each panel to be shaped appropriately while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized panel production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The garment transitions from a flat 2D panel to a 3D molded structure by introducing curvature and volume in the breast area. The panels are shaped to follow the body contours, creating a convex form that provides both fit and protection without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If seams are applied to the core material to mold it over the breast, then the garment can follow body contours, but perforation occurs which allows harmful radiation to pass through

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An additional overlapping panel is positioned at the seam location to provide a backup protective layer. This overlapping panel is attached before the garment is worn, ensuring that any potential perforations or gaps at the seam are covered and blocked from radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The overlapping panel acts as an intermediary protective element between the radiation source and the wearer's body at the critical seam area. It mediates the potential failure point by providing an additional barrier that compensates for any defects in the primary seam construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a flat garment design is used, then the garment is easier to manufacture, but the garment is cumbersome and heavier for the wearer

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The garment panels are given curved shapes that match the body contours, particularly in the breast and side areas. This curvature allows the protective material to be distributed more efficiently, reducing the overall amount of material needed while maintaining protection and improving comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The garment design changes the spatial parameters of the protective material by molding it into a 3D form that follows body contours. This parameter change optimizes the distribution of protective material, reducing redundant material and overall weight while maintaining adequate protection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If a flat garment without shape is used, then the garment structure is simpler, but the garment must be very tight which crushes breast tissue or very loose which allows radiation penetration

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is segmented into multiple panels that can be independently shaped and positioned. This segmentation allows each panel to conform to specific body areas, providing a customized fit that protects sensitive areas like the breasts and armpits without requiring excessive tightness that would crush tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different panels of the garment are shaped with different local qualities to match specific body contours. The front panels are molded to follow the breast shape, while side panels follow the armpit contours, providing targeted protection in areas of high radiation risk without compromising overall comfort or tissue health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11302454B2Personal radiation protection garment using radiation protective layers

Publication Date: 2022.04.12

AI summary

A personal radiation protection garment apparatus is described. The garment is equipped with multiple layers, including a central protective layer, which helps to prevent the unwanted application of radiation to an individual when worn. Multiple sections of the garment are joined by overlapping seams. The protective layer includes a first and a second partially lapping radiation-protective panels, with the first panel attached to the first layer at a first attachment zone, and the second panel attached to the second layer at a second attachment zone. The first panel is configured to overlap the second panel across the second attachment zone, providing a continuous protective covering of the second attachment zone, and the second panel overlaps the first panel across the first attachment zone as well.