Segmented Pad Element with Apertures for Impact and Breathability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing padding technologies in various products, such as athletic apparel and mats, often compromise on breathability, flexibility, and launderability while providing impact protection, and lack customization for specific applications.
Innovation Solution
A pad element comprising a base member with apertures, covered by two textile layers and insert elements that are compressible and breathable, allowing for customizable thickness and shape to enhance impact attenuation, breathability, and ease of manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional padding materials are used to provide impact protection, then impact attenuation is improved, but breathability and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pad element is segmented into a base member with multiple apertures and separate insert elements that can be positioned within the apertures. This segmentation allows the padding structure to maintain impact protection while creating pathways for breathability and enabling flexibility through the distributed aperture architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member incorporates multiple apertures creating a porous structure that allows air flow for breathability while maintaining structural integrity for impact protection. The porous design enables flexibility and comfort without sacrificing the padding's protective function.
2Strength
If thick padding is used to enhance impact protection, then impact attenuation is improved, but mass and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The padding is divided into a base member with apertures and separate insert elements. This segmentation allows optimization of material distribution, placing protective material only where needed while reducing overall mass compared to solid thick padding.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad element combines a base member material with insert element materials to create a composite structure. This composite design provides enhanced impact protection through material synergy while managing mass by selecting materials with appropriate density and protective properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customizable pad elements are designed for specific applications, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad element is designed as separable components (base member and insert elements) that can be independently selected and configured. This segmentation enables customization for different applications by choosing appropriate base members and insert combinations without redesigning the entire structure, thus managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member with apertures serves as a universal platform that can accommodate various insert elements for different protective needs. This universal design allows the same base structure to be adapted for multiple applications by simply changing the insert elements, reducing overall system complexity.
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 pad element effectively attenuates impact forces while providing breathability, flexibility, and low mass, with the ability to be laundered without shrinkage, and can be tailored for specific applications through variations in dimensions and materials.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of insert elements is located within the apertures. The insert elements have a second thickness. The first thickness is less than the second thickness.
Implementation Method 2
Materials or elements that impart padding or cushioning (i.e., that attenuate impact forces) are commonly incorporated into a variety of products.
Implementation Method 3
The base member has a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a plurality of apertures. The apertures extend from the first surface to the second surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A pad element may include a base member, a pair of cover layers, and a plurality of insert elements. The base member defines a plurality of apertures. The cover layers are secured to opposite surfaces of the base member and extend across the apertures. The insert elements are located within the apertures and between the cover layers. As examples, the base member and the insert elements may be formed from polymer foam materials, and the cover layers may be formed from textile materials. The pad element may be utilized to attenuate impact forces and provide one or more of breathability, flexibility, a relatively low overall mass, and launderability.