Vented Lower-Body Garment With Overlapping Panels for Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lower-body garments lack strategic vent placement and construction to maximize air flow for cooling while preventing precipitation, and often require separate panels for inflow and outflow vents, increasing material waste and manufacturing time.

Innovation Solution

A lower-body garment design with overlapping panels forming both inflow and outflow vents across the front, medial, and back aspects of the leg portions, using the same set of panels to facilitate continuous air flow and reduce material waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate panels are used for inflow and outflow vents, then ventilation function is achieved, but material waste increases and manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of separate inflow and outflow vent panels into a single integrated vent panel structure. This vent panel includes a body portion with both inflow openings and outflow openings formed directly in it, eliminating the need for separate panels and reducing material waste while maintaining full ventilation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent panel is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as both an inflow vent and an outflow vent. The body portion of the vent panel contains multiple types of openings (inflow openings, outflow openings, and through openings) that perform different ventilation functions within a single panel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate panels are used for inflow and outflow vents, then ventilation function is achieved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent panel body portion is segmented into multiple functional zones with different types of openings (inflow openings, outflow openings, through openings) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows for optimized airflow paths while simplifying the overall manufacturing process by using a single panel instead of multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If vents are not strategically located, then manufacturing is simpler, but air flow efficiency for cooling decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevent construction simplicityVSAvoidair flow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vent panel is strategically positioned at specific locations on the lower-body garment (such as the thigh or knee areas) to optimize natural airflow patterns. The panel incorporates different types of openings at different locations - inflow openings positioned to capture incoming air, outflow openings positioned to expel hot air, and through openings to facilitate continuous airflow through the garment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The vent panel design incorporates movable or adjustable components that allow the opening configurations to adapt to different wear conditions and airflow requirements. This dynamic capability enables the vent system to optimize airflow efficiency while maintaining ease of manufacture through a standardized panel design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enhances cooling efficiency by allowing quick air exchange, minimizes material waste, and reduces manufacturing time by eliminating the need for separate vent panels.

Implementation Method 1

allowing quick air exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4057854B1Vented lower-body garment

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 NIKE INNOVATE CV

Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
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AI summary

Aspects herein are directed to a vented lower-body garment that includes a plurality of panels that extend at least partially across a back aspect of a first leg portion and a second leg portion, around a medial aspect of the first leg portion and a second leg portion, and at least partially across a front aspect of first leg portion and a second leg portion. Respective edges of the panels overlap each other to form vent openings that facilitate the flow of air into and out of the garment.