Segmented Elastic Belt Zones for Wearable Fit and Comfort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pant-type wearable articles face challenges in providing a balanced fit, comfort, preventing sagging, and leakage, especially for young children, while maintaining breathability and economic manufacturing, as existing designs often compromise on these aspects.
Innovation Solution
A wearable article featuring a ring-like elastic belt with distinct zones of varying tensile stress, where the front proximal tummy zone has higher tensile stress than other zones to anchor securely and accommodate the larger front waist area, and the back distal tummy zone has higher tensile stress to provide better fit and comfort, while the leg zone has lower stress for ease of movement, all integrated into a design that allows for economical production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pant is extended to cover the higher portion of the torso to accommodate the bigger front waist area, then the fit is improved, but the breathability and manufacturing cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable article is divided into a main body portion and a separate elastic belt portion. The elastic belt is further segmented into different zones (front waist zone, front proximal tummy zone, front distal tummy zone, back waist zone, back proximal tummy zone, back distal tummy zone, leg zones) with different tensile stress characteristics. This segmentation allows the high-stress zones to provide secure fit for the bigger front waist area while the main body can be optimized for breathability and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the elastic belt are designed with different tensile stress properties to match the local requirements of the wearer's body. The front proximal tummy zone and back distal tummy zone have higher tensile stress to accommodate the bigger front waist area and provide secure fit, while other zones have lower stress for comfort and breathability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between fit and breathability/cost.
2Manufacturing precision
If elastic elements are positioned along the entire periphery of the waist and leg openings to ensure full elastic fit, then the fit is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform elastic elements along the entire periphery, the patent applies elastic bodies only in specific zones where they are most needed. The elastic belt has different tensile stress characteristics in different zones, with higher stress in the front proximal tummy zone and back distal tummy zone to accommodate the bigger front waist area, and lower stress in other zones. This localized approach achieves full elastic fit where necessary while reducing overall complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the elastic belt has uniform tensile stress throughout, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the fit and comfort are worsened due to inability to accommodate body shape variations
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic belt is designed with non-uniform tensile stress distribution, with different zones having different stress characteristics. The front proximal tummy zone and back distal tummy zone have higher tensile stress to securely anchor the article and accommodate the bigger front waist area, while the leg zones and other areas have lower stress for comfort and ease of movement. This local differentiation maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving fit and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensile stress parameter of the elastic belt is varied across different zones rather than being uniform. By changing the tensile stress parameter locally in different zones (higher in front proximal tummy zone and back distal tummy zone, lower in other zones), the patent achieves better fit and comfort while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
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 article provides a secure fit, comfort, and effective prevention of sagging and leakage, while maintaining breathability and economic manufacturing, as evidenced by improved consumer acceptance and performance metrics compared to prior art.
Implementation Method 1
each front belt and back belt are formed by an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a plurality of elastic bodies sandwiched therebetween and running in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other
Implementation Method 2
the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone is higher than the tensile stress of any of the front waist zone, the front distal tummy zone, or the front leg zone
Implementation Method 3
each front belt and back belt are formed by an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a plurality of elastic bodies sandwiched therebetween and running in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other
Implementation Method 4
the tensile stress of the back distal tummy zone is higher than any of the tensile stress of the back waist zone, the back proximal tummy zone, or the back leg zone
Implementation Method 5
each front belt and back belt are formed by an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a plurality of elastic bodies sandwiched therebetween and running in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other
Implementation Method 6
the leg zone has lower stress for ease of movement
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a wearable article comprising a main body and a ring-like elastic belt comprising a front belt and a back belt, where the entirety of the length of the belt side edge of the front belt may be seamed with a certain length of the belt side edge of the back belt to define a seam length LS. The front and back belts may be each divided into 4 zones, where the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone may be higher than the tensile stress of any of the front waist zone, the front distal tummy zone, or the front leg zone, and the tensile stress of the back distal tummy zone may be higher than any of the tensile stress of the back waist zone, the back proximal tummy zone, or the back leg zone.