Variable Durometer Knee Pad for Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee pads often fail to provide adequate comfort and protection by uniformly distributing pressure, which can lead to stress and damage on the knee joint, especially the patella bone and surrounding cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
Innovation Solution
A knee pad design featuring a shell with a single integral padding sheet that includes a central portion with a lower durometer and an outer portion with a higher durometer, providing asymmetrical zones of softness and firmness to reduce pressure on specific areas of the knee, along with a shell that is flexible and durable, allowing for improved comfort and trauma absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform padding is used in conventional knee pads, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but pressure distribution is inadequate causing stress and damage to the knee joint
Solution Approach 1:
The padding sheet is designed with varying durometer values across different regions - a softer central portion (lower durometer) for direct knee contact and a firmer outer portion (higher durometer) for structural support. This local variation in material property optimizes pressure distribution to protect the knee joint while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through single-sheet construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the padding material by using a single integral padding sheet with non-uniform durometer values. The central portion has a lower durometer (softer) while the outer portion has a higher durometer (firmer), creating optimized pressure distribution across the knee joint without requiring multiple separate components.
2Ease of operation
If softer padding material is used throughout, then comfort is improved, but trauma absorption capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The padding sheet implements local quality differentiation with a softer central portion for comfort during kneeling and a firmer outer portion for trauma absorption. This spatial variation in material softness allows the knee pad to simultaneously provide comfort where needed and protection where structural support is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention effectively creates a composite structure within a single integral sheet by combining regions of different durometer values. The softer central region and firmer outer region work together like a composite material system, providing both comfort and trauma absorption capabilities in a unified structure.
3Strength
If firmer padding material is used throughout, then trauma absorption is improved, but comfort and pressure distribution are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The padding sheet provides local quality optimization by placing softer material in the central portion that directly contacts the knee for comfort, while the firmer outer portion provides trauma absorption. This localized material property variation resolves the contradiction between comfort and protection.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If asymmetrical padding design is used, then pressure distribution on specific knee areas is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical design implements local quality by creating a concave central portion with specific geometric features (apex, peripheral region) that optimize pressure distribution across different areas of the knee joint. The varying depth and shape characteristics target specific anatomical regions while maintaining a single-sheet construction approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dimensional variation within the padding sheet by creating a three-dimensional concave central portion with varying depth from the front surface. This dimensional change allows optimized pressure distribution without adding lateral complexity or requiring multiple components.
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 knee pad effectively reduces pressure and stress on the knee joint by distributing force more evenly, providing comfort and protection through its variable stiffness and flexible design, even after multiple uses.
Implementation Method 1
The central portion has a first durometer and the outer portion has a second durometer. The first durometer is different than the second durometer... effectively reduces pressure and stress on the knee joint by distributing force more evenly
Data Source
AI summary
A protective clothing equipment is provided that is comfortable, stabilizing, and compatible with varying types of surfaces. One embodiment of the protective clothing equipment includes a shell, padding disposed in front of the knee of the wearer, the padding including a non-uniform stiffness.