Variable-Height Firefighter Collar for Mobility and Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighter protective jackets with uniform-height collars are not ergonomically suited to the body shape and impede movement due to bulkiness, failing to provide adequate protection and comfort in extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A firefighter jacket with a variable-height collar that adapts to the body shape and equipment, featuring a concave upper edge and a straight lower edge, allowing for enhanced mobility and protection against heat, water, and elements, with a construction that includes a flame-retardant outer shell, thermal liner, and moisture barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a uniform-height collar is used in the firefighter jacket, then the collar provides consistent protection around the neck, but the collar impedes movement and does not adapt to the body shape
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with variable height differentiating front and back portions, where the front portion has lesser height and the back portion has greater height. This local differentiation allows the collar to conform to the firefighter's body shape and equipment contours, improving adaptability while maintaining protection standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is constructed as a flexible component that can dynamically adapt to the firefighter's movements and body contours. The variable height design allows the collar to flex and move with the firefighter during physically demanding tasks, rather than rigidly constraining movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a uniform-height collar is used, then the collar structure is simple, but the collar does not conform to body morphology and equipment contours
Solution Approach 1:
The collar features localized height variations with the front portion having lesser height and the back portion having greater height. This local quality differentiation enables the collar to conform to the firefighter's face, neck, and equipment contours without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire collar structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is segmented into distinct portions (front portion and back portion) with different height characteristics. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall collar integrity and protection.
3Ease of operation
If a variable-height collar is implemented, then the collar adapts to body shape and improves mobility, but the collar design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The variable-height collar achieves improved mobility through localized height differences rather than a complete redesign. The front portion's lesser height and back portion's greater height are implemented through controlled fabric arrangement and stitching patterns that maintain overall collar simplicity while providing functional adaptability.
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 variable-height collar provides improved mobility, comfort, and protection by conforming to the body and equipment, reducing fabric usage and weight, while maintaining or exceeding protection standards, thus enhancing the firefighter's ability to perform physically demanding tasks without hindrance.
Implementation Method 1
an outer shell retardant to the flames
Implementation Method 2
a thermal liner to reduce heat
Implementation Method 3
a moisture barrier to avoid water infiltration
Data Source
AI summary
A jacket of the type used by firefighters as protective garment. A collar of the jacket comprises a lower edge connected to a shoulder/torso portion of the jacket in a straight seam. An upper exposed edge is spaced apart from the lower edge. A given shape is provided to the upper exposed edge such that a variable height is defined between the lower edge and the upper exposed edge along the upper exposed edge.