Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The global push for Industry 5.0 emphasizes human-centric automation, where technology augments human capabilities rather than replacing them. This trend, coupled with increasing regulatory scrutiny on workplace safety and ergonomics, drives demand for advanced wearable solutions. Companies are seeking ways to reduce occupational injuries, improve employee retention, and boost overall productivity, making comfortable and effective assist devices a critical investment for maintaining a competitive edge.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Reduces discomfort and work interruption by ~50%

02

Improves assist force transmission efficiency by 1.2x

03

Lowers user fatigue by ~30%

Market Opportunity
Manufacturing and Logistics
$500M–$1B globally (AI est.)
Rapidly increasing demand for reducing physical strain (e.g., back pain) and improving work efficiency in environments with heavy labor and repetitive tasks.
Industrial automation equipment manufacturers Large-scale logistics operators Ergonomic safety equipment suppliers
Elder Care and Medical Fields
$300M–$500M globally (AI est.)
Growing market due to the increasing adoption of assist devices aimed at reducing physical burden on caregivers and improving patient quality of life.
Medical device manufacturers Elder care technology providers Rehabilitation equipment developers
Rehabilitation Support
$100M–$150M globally (AI est.)
Increasing demand for effective and comfortable rehabilitation support devices, driven by the growing importance of extending healthy lifespans in aging societies.
Physical therapy equipment companies Wearable health technology firms Sports medicine product developers
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects a garment for body movement assist devices, specifically its two-layer structure with a flexible inner layer and a non-stretch outer layer, and the integrated fastener placement. The claims were refined during examination to ensure clear scope and strong validity, differentiating it from seven prior art documents.

Competitive White Space

This patent focuses on the garment's structure and fastener integration. Adjacent white space could include novel sensor integration for biometric feedback, advanced material composites for enhanced durability, or AI-driven adaptive fit systems not explicitly claimed here.

Economic Impact
~$200K/year estimated productivity improvement and cost reduction per facility (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

Assuming 100 workers using body movement assist devices in manufacturing or elder care improve work efficiency by 5% and reduce leave/turnover due to physical strain by 2% with this technology. With an annual labor cost of ~$33,500/person (AI est.), productivity improvement is ~$33,500/person × 100 people × 5% = ~$167,500 (AI est.). Additionally, if replacement and retraining costs for leave/turnover are ~$16,500/person (AI est.) annually, a 2% improvement for 100 people is 100 people × 2% × ~$16,500/person = ~$33,000 (AI est.). Total economic impact is estimated at over ~$200K per year (AI est.).

Speed to Market
4× faster than in-house development
This technology features a clear design philosophy, including a two-layer garment structure and fastener placement, with detailed structural and mechanistic descriptions in the patent specification. This allows licensees to avoid greenfield R&D, focusing instead on adapting the established design to existing body movement assist devices, selecting materials, and prototyping. Leveraging patent information to identify optimal materials and manufacturing processes could significantly accelerate product development and market entry.
Competitive Positioning

X: Wearing Comfort & Fatigue Reduction
Y: Assist Force Transmission Efficiency

Business Models & Applications
⚙️ OEM Device Supply
Supply garments incorporating this technology as OEM to existing body movement assist device manufacturers. This could enhance product value and strengthen market competitiveness.
🤝 Service Provider Partnership
Partner with companies offering rental or subscription services for assist devices equipped with this technology to elder care facilities and logistics operators.
🏥 Medical & Rehabilitation Solution Licensing
License this technology as a comfortable wearable rehabilitation device to medical institutions and rehabilitation centers, supporting patients' early recovery.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
👷‍♂️ Construction & Infrastructure
Safety Harness for High-Altitude Work
Apply this technology to safety harnesses for prolonged high-altitude work. It could reduce pinching and pressure on the body, decreasing worker fatigue. It also has the potential to mitigate impact forces on the body in case of a fall.
🎒 Outdoor & Sports
High-Performance Backpacks & Apparel
Apply to shoulder harnesses of backpacks carrying heavy loads or sports apparel with integrated protective gear. This could reduce physical burden, contributing to enhanced comfort and improved performance for users.
🤖 Robot Control Interfaces
VR/AR Haptic Feedback Devices
Integrate into close-fitting VR/AR devices or haptic feedback systems. This could provide realistic haptic experiences without discomfort during extended use, significantly enhancing immersion.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 18-Month Deployment
Technology Evaluation & Compatibility Verification
Duration: 3 months
Evaluate the technology's compatibility with the licensee's existing assist devices and target applications. This includes material selection, basic design adjustments, and initial prototype creation.
Prototype Development & Validation
Duration: 6 months
Develop a practical prototype based on selected materials and design. Conduct internal testing and limited field validation to assess effectiveness and identify challenges.
Productization & Market Rollout
Duration: 9 months
Finalize product design based on validation results and establish mass production capabilities. Develop marketing strategies and initiate product deployment into target markets.
Technical Feasibility
This technology serves as an auxiliary "garment" for body movement assist devices, requiring no fundamental redesign of existing assist device hardware. The patent claims specify a structure that connects the assist device to the garment via a coupling, allowing integration through design adjustments to existing device interfaces. Material selection for the flexible layer and fastener placement can be achieved with general manufacturing techniques, enabling implementation without significant capital investment.
Success Scenario
Implementing this technology could reduce physical strain on manufacturing workers during long shifts, potentially sustaining concentration. This is estimated to improve work efficiency by 10-15% compared to current levels and reduce defect rates caused by human error. In elder care, it could decrease caregiver back injury risks, contribute to improved retention rates, and support stable staffing.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2020-091317
REGISTRATION NO.
7493222
FILING DATE
2020/05/26
GRANT DATE
2024/05/23
EXPIRATION DATE
2040/05/26
PATENT HOLDER
学校法人　中央大学
Examination History
2023年05月26日
出願審査請求書
2024年01月30日
拒絶理由通知書
2024年04月01日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2024年04月01日
意見書
2024年04月16日
特許査定