Zoned Functional Fabrics With Segmented Performance Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric performance characteristic materials, such as reflective and cooling materials, often compromise on breathability, moisture transfer, and drape due to their uniform layer structure, which can impede the functionality of the underlying base fabric.
Innovation Solution
A pattern of performance characteristic elements is coupled to a base fabric, allowing for noncontinuous arrays that expose sufficient base fabric for desired properties like stretch and breathability while providing heat management, wicking, or absorbance, with the elements strategically positioned in different zones to enhance specific performance characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a uniform layer of performance characteristic material is attached to the base fabric, then heat management or wicking performance is improved, but breathability and moisture vapor transfer are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The uniform layer is divided into discrete performance characteristic elements arranged in a noncontinuous pattern. This segmentation allows heat management functionality to be provided at specific locations while leaving gaps for breathability and moisture vapor transfer through the base fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fabric are assigned different functions: areas with performance characteristic elements provide heat management or wicking, while areas with exposed base fabric provide breathability and moisture vapor transfer. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to optimize its specific function.
2Reliability
If a uniform layer of performance characteristic material is used, then specific performance characteristics are enhanced, but the desired properties of the base fabric such as drape and stretch are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous uniform layer is segmented into discrete elements distributed across the fabric surface. This reduces the overall coverage area of the performance material, allowing the base fabric to maintain its natural drape and stretch properties in the exposed regions while still providing performance functionality where elements are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric structure transitions from homogeneous to heterogeneous, with local regions containing performance elements and local regions consisting of pure base fabric. This allows the base fabric's inherent mechanical properties to be preserved in the exposed areas while achieving performance enhancement in the element-containing areas.
3Reliability
If performance characteristic materials are applied to manage heat or moisture, then thermal or moisture performance is improved, but air passage and overall fabric functionality are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is segmented into functional zones where performance characteristic elements are distributed rather than continuous. This creates pathways through the exposed base fabric areas that allow air passage and maintain overall fabric functionality while still providing thermal and moisture management where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The base fabric serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural integrity, breathability, moisture vapor transfer, and air passage in the exposed regions, while the performance characteristic elements provide heat management or wicking where attached. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the fabric system to deliver both performance enhancement and maintained 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
This approach maintains the desired properties of the base fabric while effectively managing performance characteristics like heat regulation, moisture management, and breathability, optimizing the fabric's functionality without adverse effects on drape or stretch.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible matrix containing a phase change material (PCM) that can be used to heat or cool the body of a wearer
Implementation Method 2
heat-directing elements are coupled to a base material such that the placement and the spacing of the heat-directing elements help enable the base material to perform the element transfer property
Implementation Method 3
wicking materials... to enhance wicking
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3E
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to body gear having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses that utilize an array of performance characteristic elements coupled to a base material to direct heat, absorb heat, emit heat, and/or wick moisture while also maintaining the desired transfer properties of the base material. In some embodiments, two, three, four, or more performance characteristic elements may be included in a piece of body gear, for example in desired zones of the body gear.