Selectively Positionable Spacer With Intersecting Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garments often fail to provide adequate airflow and comfort due to friction and heat retention, particularly in areas prone to chafing and weight-induced discomfort, limiting user compliance with wearing recommended or required outer garments.
Innovation Solution
The development of selectively positionable spacers with concentric and intersecting channels that can be releasably coupled to attachment regions on garments, allowing for tangential and radial fluid communication between the wearer's body and the outer garment, promoting airflow and reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If garments are designed to fit closely to the body, then comfort and mobility are improved, but friction and heat retention increase causing discomfort in prone areas
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is segmented into different zones with varying fit characteristics. High-friction areas have relaxed fit or air channels while other areas maintain close fit, dividing the garment structure to address friction problems locally without compromising overall comfort
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the garment have different fit properties. Areas prone to chafing feature air channels, relaxed fit, or spacer materials while other areas maintain close body contact for comfort and mobility, applying local quality variations to resolve the friction-comfort contradiction
2Ease of operation
If garments are designed to fit closely to the body, then mobility is improved, but heat retention increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates air channels and venting features in specific high-heat areas while maintaining close fit in other regions, segmenting the thermal management approach to enable mobility without excessive heat retention in critical zones
Solution Approach 2:
The garment has varying fit and ventilation properties in different locations. Areas prone to heat buildup feature air channels, relaxed fit, or breathable materials while other areas maintain close contact for mobility, applying local quality to balance heat retention and mobility
3Reliability
If spacers are permanently attached to garments, then airflow structure is maintained, but adaptability to different body shapes and garment types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer system transitions from fixed to dynamic positioning. Spacers can be attached, detached, and repositioned on garments, allowing the airflow structure to be maintained when needed while enabling adaptability to different body shapes and garment types through reconfigurable placement
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer design serves multiple functions: it can be attached to various garment types, positioned in different locations, and removed when not needed. This universal applicability allows the same spacer to provide airflow structure across different contexts while maintaining adaptability to diverse body shapes and garment styles
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
This solution enhances airflow, thermal convection, and comfort by allowing for customizable fitment and increased airflow under the outer garment, reducing friction and heat retention, thereby improving user comfort and compliance with wearing recommendations.
Implementation Method 1
Various embodiments may advantageously provide tangential and/or radial fluid communication between a wearer's body and an outer garment disposed over the spacers
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to spacers configured to be selectively and releasably coupled to at least one attachment region on a garment. In an illustrative example, each spacer may be provided with successive concentric walls and corresponding channels. The spacer may, for example, be provided with intersecting concentric and lateral channels. An (under)garment may be provided with at least one attachment region configured to releasably couple to the spacer. Various embodiments may advantageously provide tangential and/or radial fluid communication between a wearer's body and an outer garment disposed over the spacers.