Variable Stiffness Underwire for Augmented Breast Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underwire bras often cause discomfort and inadequate support for women with breast augmentation due to inconsistent stiffness, lack of adaptability, and pressure on breast implants, leading to potential implant failure and unsatisfactory cleavage enhancement.
Innovation Solution
A brassiere design featuring memory foam fillers and under supports made from materials like plastic with varying thickness, flexibility, and radii to cradle and support breasts, positioned between the inner and outer fabric to provide uniform support and lift, while minimizing pressure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional underwire bras are used, then breast support is provided, but discomfort and inadequate support occur for women with breast augmentation due to inconsistent stiffness and pressure on implants
Solution Approach 1:
The underwire is designed with varying cross-sectional dimensions along its length, creating different stiffness zones. The larger cross-section provides greater stiffness and support where needed, while the smaller cross-section reduces stiffness to minimize pressure on breast implants and discomfort on the wearer's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The underwire's physical parameters (cross-sectional dimensions) are changed along its length to achieve varying stiffness. This gradient in dimensions allows the underwire to provide consistent support while adapting to different anatomical requirements and reducing harmful pressure points.
2Reliability
If conventional semi-circular underwires are used, then underwire support is provided, but the shape does not accommodate the non-perfect semi-circle shape of breast implants
Solution Approach 1:
The underwire's cross-sectional dimensions vary at different locations to match the specific shape requirements of the breast implant. This local variation in geometry allows the underwire to conform to the non-perfect semi-circle shape of implants, providing reliable support while adapting to individual anatomical differences.
3Ease of operation
If padding is added at the bottom of breast cups to push up breasts, then comfort and illusion of larger size are improved, but breasts overflow the cup and desired smooth round effect is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for traditional padding at the bottom of breast cups by providing support through the varying stiffness underwire. This extraction of the padding function eliminates the problem of breast overflow and achieves the desired smooth round shape through proper structural support rather than volumetric addition.
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 design ensures comfortable wear, proper positioning of breast implants, and enhanced cleavage without constricting or excessively squeezing the breasts, providing varying degrees of support and maintaining implant security.
Implementation Method 1
memory foam filler having varying thickness about the lower lateral portion of the breast cup to facilitate in supporting the breast upward and medially
Data Source
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AI summary
A brassiere formed of an inner garment base, memory foam, a pair of under supports, and an outer fabric cover. The under support is preferably formed from a piece of plastic material having rigidity from the distal edge to the proximal edge, flexibility and varying width from a medial end to a lateral end, and differing radii to accommodate the bottom portion shape of a breast implant, which is not a perfect semi-circle. The under support is set on a coronal plane to cradle, support, and hold the implant. The set positioning of the under support is such that the foam will encapsulate the under support keeping the proximal edge in proximity with bottom portion of the implant and the ribs. The under support has its largest width, thereby the largest contact surface with the implant, closest to the lateral end causing the implant to be supported upward and medially.