Vibration Damping Structure in Support Garments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support garments, such as bras, fail to effectively reduce medial-to-lateral sway and superior-to-inferior movement or vibration of breasts during athletic activities, as they lack a dedicated vibration damping mechanism to absorb and dissipate impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A support garment with a vibration damping structure positioned between breast contacting surfaces, composed of a material with a stiffness less than 15 N/mm and energy return of 70-90%, designed to occupy the space between the breasts and sternum, absorbing and dissipating forces through mechanical deformation and energy return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional support garments use encapsulation and compression to support breasts, then structural support is provided, but medial-to-lateral sway and superior-to-inferior movement are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the support garment by incorporating a vibration damping structure with specific material properties (stiffness less than 15 N/mm and energy return of 70-90%). This material parameter change enables the garment to absorb impact forces and reduce breast vibration during athletic activities, directly addressing the harmful effects that conventional encapsulation and compression methods fail to control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a vibration damping structure is added to the support garment, then breast movement and vibration are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damping structure is merged with the existing support garment components (positioned between breast contacting surfaces). Rather than adding a completely separate system, the damping function is integrated into the garment structure itself, reducing overall complexity while still achieving vibration reduction. The structure combines support and damping functions in a unified design.
3Loss of energy
If the vibration damping structure uses material with specific stiffness and energy return properties, then impact forces are absorbed and dissipated, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies target parameter ranges for the vibration damping material (stiffness less than 15 N/mm and energy return of 70-90%) rather than requiring exact values. This parameter range approach balances effective impact force absorption with practical manufacturability, allowing for normal manufacturing variations while maintaining the necessary vibration damping performance.
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 vibration damping structure effectively reduces breast movement and vibration during athletic activities by conforming to the breast shape and absorbing impact forces, enhancing comfort and support without increasing weight or altering aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
absorbing and dissipating forces through mechanical deformation
Implementation Method 2
energy return of 70-90%
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects herein provide for a support garment having a vibration damping structure that is positioned between the breast contacting surfaces of the support garment. The vibration damping structure has a shape and/or material characteristics that enable it to substantially fill the space defined by a medial aspect of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum. This positioning and placement facilitate the damping structure's ability to absorb and dissipate impact forces generated at least through the medial-to-lateral movement of the wearer's breasts during, for example, athletic activities.