Ventilation Insert for Apparel Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparel items, especially outerwear, face challenges in providing effective ventilation to high heat-producing areas during physical activities while maintaining structural integrity and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation insert is integrated between the front and back panels of an apparel item, utilizing a mesh panel and a releasable coupling mechanism, allowing for adjustable ventilation access and airflow to the wearer's back, underarm, and side regions, while maintaining the apparel's structure and aerodynamic silhouette.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ventilation features are added to apparel items for physical activities, then heat dissipation and breathability are improved, but the structural integrity and aerodynamic silhouette of the apparel are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is segmented into multiple components: a ventilation opening in the front panel, a mesh insert with specific attachment points, and strategic coupling locations. This segmentation allows the ventilation function to be isolated to specific areas without compromising the overall structural integrity of the apparel item.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh insert is selectively positioned and attached at specific locations (front panel, back panel, and/or sleeve panels) rather than uniformly across the entire garment. This local quality approach provides ventilation precisely where heat dissipation is needed while preserving the structural integrity and aerodynamic silhouette in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If ventilation openings are made accessible to the wearer, then ease of adjustment is improved, but the aerodynamic silhouette and fit of the apparel are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation accessibilityVSAvoidaerodynamic silhouette
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system incorporates a releasable coupling mechanism that allows the mesh insert to be dynamically adjusted between different states (attached and detached). This enables the wearer to easily open or close ventilation openings as needed while maintaining the aerodynamic silhouette when the ventilation is not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh insert acts as an intermediary element between the front and back panels, providing a controlled interface for ventilation. It can be selectively attached or detached without requiring the wearer to manipulate the entire garment structure, thus maintaining ease of operation while preserving the aerodynamic silhouette.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If mesh insert is attached at multiple locations, then ventilation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation effectivenessVSAvoidattachment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh insert is divided into multiple sections or panels that can be independently attached to different locations (front panel, back panel, sleeve panels). This segmentation allows ventilation to be distributed across multiple areas for enhanced effectiveness while keeping each individual attachment point simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh insert design provides multi-functionality by serving as both a ventilation element and a structural coupling element between panels. The same insert structure can be attached at multiple locations, reducing the need for separate components and thereby managing complexity while improving ventilation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively dissipates heat from high heat-producing areas, allows for easy adjustment of ventilation, and accommodates different body builds, enhancing comfort and performance during exercise without compromising the apparel's fit or aerodynamics.

Implementation Method 1

allowing ambient air to enter into the interior of the apparel item through the ventilation opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow through mesh: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3439497B1An apparel item with a ventilation insert
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP3439497B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3439497B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3439497B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An apparel item (100) having an insert (140) configured to provide ventilation to the wearer is provided herein. The apparel item is formed by at least a front panel (110, 120) having a posterior edge, a back panel (130) having an anterior edge, and an insert made for coupling the front panel and the back panel. An anterior edge of the insert is coupled to the posterior edge of the front panel while a posterior edge of the insert is attached to the back panel at a position posterior to the back panel's anterior edge.