Wetsuit Rear Midportion Opening for Natural-Needs Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wetsuits require complete removal from the body for natural needs, especially problematic for female users wearing additional upper body garments like life vests, hindering convenience and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A wetsuit design with a rear mid-portion zipper that unzips in a C-shape from one leg's front to the other, allowing the mid-portion to fold back without compromising fit or functionality, featuring a neoprene strip for stress distribution and an inner protective layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a wetsuit is designed with a tight-fitting structure to retain body heat, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but ease of access for natural needs deteriorates (requiring complete removal)
Solution Approach 1:
The wetsuit is segmented into multiple panels (front panel, rear panel, side panels) that can be independently manipulated. The rear panel can be opened separately from the front and side panels, allowing users to access natural needs without removing the entire wetsuit or compromising the tight-fitting structure that provides thermal insulation.
2Ease of operation
If a zipper is added to the rear mid-portion for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity and fit deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper is localized to specific regions (rear mid-portion) rather than spanning the entire wetsuit. This localized approach allows the opening mechanism to be confined to a specific area, maintaining the tight-fitting structure and structural integrity of the rest of the wetsuit while providing the necessary access functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the zipper extends in a C-shape to allow folding, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The zipper is configured in a C-shape (curved path) rather than a straight line, allowing it to fold naturally when the rear panel is opened. This curved configuration enables the zipper to follow the contours of the wetsuit panels, facilitating easy opening and closing while distributing stress along the curved path, though it does increase manufacturing complexity compared to a straight zipper.
Data Source
AI summary
The present relates to a wetsuit, comprising an upper body portion, a lower leg portion, and a mid-portion arranged between the upper body portion and the lower leg portion, the lower leg portion comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the mid-portion each comprises a front side and a rear side, wherein the wetsuit comprises a zipper configured to unzip at least a portion of the rear side of the mid portion, the zipper extending from an upper position of the first leg's front side to an upper position of the second leg's front side, via the rear side of the mid-portion.