Segmented Jacket with Free-Floating Sleeves for Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional jackets and coats with water-repellent or wind-repellent materials often lack sufficient stretchability and breathability, restricting movement during physical activities, and may not provide adequate noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

A jacket/coat design featuring a layered construction with a partial shrug-like portion made from elastic material and a vest portion, where the sleeves are free-floating to eliminate shoulder seams, allowing for enhanced range of motion and ventilation, and optionally incorporating perforations for water drainage and a composite sleeve for improved breathability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If water-repellent or wind-repellent materials are used in jackets, then protection from environmental elements is improved, but stretchability and breathability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental elementsVSAvoidstretchability and breathability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The jacket is divided into multiple functional layers: an inner layer with water-repellent material for protection, and an outer layer with elastic material for stretchability. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between protection and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The jacket uses composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties - water-repellent fabric for environmental protection and elastic fabric for stretchability. The layered composite structure integrates the benefits of both material types, achieving both protection and flexibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional jacket materials are used, then environmental protection is improved, but range of motion during physical activity is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoidrange of motion
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The jacket structure is segmented into protective and flexible zones. The body portion uses water-repellent material for protection, while the sleeve portions use elastic material to accommodate arm movement. This segmentation enables the jacket to provide environmental protection where needed while allowing full range of motion in active areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the jacket have different material properties tailored to their functional requirements. The sleeves and shoulder areas use highly elastic materials to accommodate arm movement, while the torso uses water-repellent material for protection. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between protection and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If stretchable materials are used in jackets, then range of motion is improved, but noise during movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of motionVSAvoidnoise during movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Stretchable elastic material is applied locally only in the sleeve portions where movement is required, rather than throughout the entire jacket. This localized application provides the necessary range of motion while minimizing the surface area that could generate noise during movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The jacket is segmented so that noise-sensitive areas (torso) use quieter water-repellent materials, while movement-required areas (sleeves) use stretchable materials. This segmentation isolates the noise-generating potential to minimal areas while maintaining overall functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If a loose fit jacket design is used, then comfort is improved, but protection from environmental elements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidprotection from environmental elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The jacket uses a segmented layered design where the inner layer provides a comfortable loose fit against the body, and the outer layer provides environmental protection. This segmentation allows the comfort function and protection function to be decoupled and optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The layered composite construction combines a comfortable inner layer with a protective outer layer. The composite structure integrates the comfort benefits of loose fit with the protection benefits of water-repellent materials, achieving both comfort and environmental protection simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 design provides a comfortable, protective garment that allows for increased mobility and ventilation while maintaining environmental protection, enhancing temperature regulation and reducing noise during movement.

Implementation Method 1

The first partial shrug-like portion may be constructed from an elastic and/or partially elastic type of material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a jacket/coat with enhanced range of motion... provides protection from environmental elements such as rain, wind, snow, temperature fluctuations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the jacket/coat may be provided with a plurality of perforations on the vest portion... to allow the water to drain out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3346860B1Freedom of movement jacket/coat
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP3346860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3346860B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3346860B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a jacket/coat designed to provide an enhanced range of motion. This is accomplished by having a layered construction comprising different fabric/textile materials where the enhanced range of motion is desired. The jacket/coat in accordance with the present invention particularly provides an enhanced range of motion for a wearer around the shoulders and arms. This enhanced range of motion may be especially beneficial when the wearer is engaged in a physically demanding activity or any activity benefitting from a wide range of movement by the wearer's arms and shoulders.