Vented Elastomer Ring with Fluid Conduits for Breathability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional metal rings pose injury risks due to their strength, while silicone rings are nonporous, causing sweating and discomfort, and are prone to catching on objects.

Innovation Solution

A vented ring design featuring an outer and inner elastomer ring portion with an anti-stretch element and lateral grooves forming fluid conduits to facilitate airflow, reducing the risk of injury and discomfort by allowing breathability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal rings are used, then durability and appearance are improved, but injury risk increases due to inherent strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvering strengthVSAvoidinjury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from strong metal to breakable elastomer, fundamentally altering the strength characteristic to eliminate injury risk while maintaining ring functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ring is designed as a sacrificial protective element that can break rather than injure the wearer, prioritizing safety over permanent durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If silicone rings are used, then injury risk is reduced, but comfort deteriorates due to nonporous and occlusive properties causing sweating and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury riskVSAvoidwearability comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates channels and porous structures within the elastomer ring to enable breathability and fluid transport, eliminating the occlusive effect of solid silicone while maintaining the flexible, breakable properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The ring incorporates fluid channels that allow air and moisture to pass through, creating a breathable structure that prevents sweating and discomfort while maintaining the safety benefits of elastomer material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If existing silicone rings are used, then injury protection is provided, but device complexity increases due to bulky structure that catches on objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury protectionVSAvoidring bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin, flexible elastomer construction that maintains protective qualities without the bulk of traditional silicone rings, reducing the tendency to catch on objects while preserving the breakable safety feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 vented ring design minimizes injury risk by breaking upon force application, reduces sweating and discomfort through airflow, and prevents entrapment of liquids, enhancing wearability and safety for athletes and active individuals.

Implementation Method 1

the inner ring portion includes lateral grooves connected to inner grooves, the connected lateral grooves and inner grooves forming at least one fluid conduit from a first side of the vented ring to a second side of the vented ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow through grooves:

Implementation Method 2

the outer ring portion comprises a first elastomer... the inner ring portion comprises a second elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

an anti-stretch element positioned between the outer ring portion and the inner ring portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural reinforcement:

Data Source

PatentUS10383412B2Vented ring and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 GROOVE LIFE CORP

AI summary

A vented finger ring and its method of manufacture are provided. The vented ring includes an outer ring portion, an inner ring portion, and an anti-stretch element positioned between the outer ring portion and the inner ring portion. The inner ring portion includes lateral grooves connected to inner grooves, the connected lateral grooves and inner grooves forming at least one fluid conduit from a first side of the vented ring to a second side of the vented ring. The method includes injecting a first material into a first mold to form an outer ring portion, injecting a second material into a second mold to form an inner ring portion, and positioning an anti-stretch element between the outer ring portion and the inner ring portion. The second mold includes at least one feature on a surface thereof, the at least one feature corresponding to connected lateral grooves and inner grooves on an inner surface of the inner ring portion.