Integrated Rain Gear Slipper Seal for Tear-Resistant Walking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rain clothing and waterproof pantyhose designs are prone to tearing during walking and fail to effectively prevent water penetration from roads or snow, especially when shoes are submerged or buried, due to lack of reinforcement and separation between shoes and foot sole parts.
Innovation Solution
A rain gear design comprising a waterproof lower wear part with sealed leg openings by slipper parts, each with a domical or band-shaped instep member, joined seamlessly to the leg parts, and length adjusters for a secure fit, ensuring waterproofness and ease of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foot sole parts are made of thin waterproof material to maintain flexibility, then the rain gear is comfortable to wear, but the foot sole parts are prone to tearing during walking
Solution Approach 1:
The foot sole part is divided into a first foot sole part (thin waterproof material for comfort) and a second foot sole part (thick waterproof material for durability). The thick second foot sole part is positioned at the heel and toe areas where stress concentration occurs during walking, while the thin first foot sole part covers the remaining areas to maintain flexibility and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different thicknesses of waterproof material are applied to different locations of the foot sole part. The thick second foot sole part is specifically placed at high-stress areas (heel and toe) to provide localized reinforcement, while the thin first foot sole part is used in low-stress areas to maintain overall flexibility and comfort.
2Strength
If reinforcing material is added to the foot sole parts to prevent tearing, then the strength is improved, but the reaction force and shear force during walking are transmitted directly to the foot sole parts causing tearing
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member is introduced as an intermediary element between the wearer's foot and the waterproof foot sole part. This cushioning member absorbs and distributes the reaction force and shear force generated during walking, preventing direct transmission of these forces to the waterproof material and reducing the risk of tearing.
3Ease of operation
If the rain gear is made loose to allow freedom of movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but water can penetrate inside from the bottoms and wet clothes
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic band is used at the lower opening of the leg part to provide dynamic adjustment. The elastic band can expand to accommodate loose fitting for freedom of movement, yet contracts to seal the opening tightly to prevent water penetration when the leg is at rest or in tight positions.
4Reliability
If the foot sole parts are fixed tightly to the shoes to prevent separation during walking, then the reliability is improved, but the shoes and foot sole parts cannot move independently causing difficulty in walking
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism allows the foot sole part to be securely attached to the shoe when needed for reliability, but can be easily adjusted or released to allow independent movement when flexibility is required during walking activities.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a rain gear that is wearable with shoes on, that does not have a risk of tearing during walking, and that is easy to walk in.Provided is a rain gear at least including a waterproof lower wear part including a hip part and a pair of leg parts, and a pair of waterproof slipper parts each including a lower bottom member and an instep member, in which each of edge parts of the leg parts and an associated one of the slipper parts are joined in a waterproof manner and with no space therebetween, and lower openings of the leg parts are sealed from outside the rain gear by the slipper parts.