Torus Vent Structure for Breathable Insect-Protective Clothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothing designs for insect and rain protection suffer from inadequate air circulation, leading to increased sweating, body temperature, and condensation, while existing ventilation elements either compromise material efficiency or fail to provide sufficient protection.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation element with a flat part and a curved part featuring a torus-shaped inner surface, allowing air exchange through non-coaxial openings, which directs airflow efficiently and prevents rain ingress, while maintaining material thickness and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clothing is designed for rain and insect protection with minimal air circulation, then protection against rain and insects is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to increased sweating and body temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation element is divided into distinct functional parts: a flat part with inlet opening, a curved part with outlet opening, and internal partition walls. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - inlet for air entry, curved surface for flow direction, partition walls for channel separation - achieving effective ventilation while maintaining protection
Solution Approach 2:
The curved part with torus surface acts as an intermediary element between the inlet and outlet openings. It mediates the airflow by receiving air from the inlet, directing it through the curved path, and expelling it through the outlet, while also serving as a barrier that prevents direct rain ingress into the ventilation channel
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation elements are inserted in garment to ensure air circulation, then comfort is improved, but material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved part of the ventilation element features a torus (doughnut-shaped) surface geometry. This curved design efficiently directs airflow around the element, creating smooth flow paths that maximize ventilation effectiveness. The curvature also allows the element to be compact, reducing the overall material needed compared to straight or angular designs
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation element is designed with thin-walled construction, utilizing flexible shell structures that provide sufficient mechanical strength while minimizing material consumption. The element can be made from thin plastic or polymer materials that form the flat part, curved part, and partition walls with minimal thickness
3Loss of energy
If ventilation channels point upwards with perpendicular airflow, then air resistance is low, but side airflow causes significant air resistance and energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The curved part with torus surface is specifically designed to handle airflow from various directions. The curved geometry naturally guides air entering at angles toward the outlet direction, reducing turbulence and energy losses. The outlet opening is positioned and oriented to expel air efficiently regardless of the exact entry angle
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation element features asymmetric geometry with the outlet opening positioned offset from the inlet opening (non-coaxial arrangement). The curved part has asymmetric curvature that is optimized for the specific flow direction requirements, creating efficient flow paths while minimizing resistance from side airflow
4Reliability
If curved walls with non-coaxial openings are used to prevent rainwater entry, then rain protection is improved, but air circulation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The curved part is segmented into distinct regions: the inlet opening area, the torus surface flow path, and the outlet opening area. Internal partition walls further segment the internal volume into separate channels. This segmentation allows rain protection function to be maintained by the curved barrier while air circulation function is maintained by the segmented channels that guide airflow efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The curved part acts as an intermediary structure that reconciles the conflicting requirements of rain protection and air circulation. It provides a physical barrier against rain while simultaneously creating a controlled pathway for air flow, mediating between the external environment and the internal garment space
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 element ensures effective air exchange and insect protection with minimal material consumption and ergonomic benefits, enhancing comfort and functionality, and reduces production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the shape of the inner surface of the curved part comprises at least one segment of the torus surface obtained by a horizontal cross-section of the torus, a vertical circular cross-section parallel to the centroidal axis of the torus, the curved part being connected to the flat part so that all flat part inlet openings are covered by a wall of the torus segment of the curved part and are in communication with the outlet or outlets of the curved part with an air exchange possibility
Data Source
AI summary
An element for providing air exchange between the internal microenvironment and the external environment and can be used in the production of air-permeable clothing for anti-insect's protection. The element includes: a flat part with at least one air inlet opening and a curved part with at least one air outlet that is not coaxial with the inlet opening of the flat part; the inner surface of the curved part having at least one segment of the surface of the torus obtained by a horizontal cross-section of the torus, a vertical circular cross-section parallel to the centroidal axis of the torus; the curved part is connected to the flat part so that all the inlet openings of the flat part are covered by a wall of the torus segment of the curved part and are in communication with the outlet or outlets of the curved part with the air exchange possibility.