Nano-metal coating shin guard for sports and preparation method of nano-metal coating shin guard

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of personal protection equipment for sports, and discloses a nano-metal coating shin guard for sports and a preparation method.The nano-metal coating shin guard comprises a shin guard plate, a shell assembly is installed outside the shin guard plate, a lining is connected to the outside of the shell assembly, the outside of the shell assembly is coated with a nano-crystal metal coating, and the nano-crystal metal coating is coated with a nano-metal coating. The shell assembly comprises a base material, a middle bonding coating and a gap, the base material is installed in the shell assembly, the side, close to the shin guard plate, of the shell assembly is coated with the middle bonding coating, and the gap is formed in the outer portion of the shell assembly. A shell assembly of the shin guard plate with holes is coated with a middle bonding coating, a nanocrystalline metal coating is selected, the average grain size of metal ranges from 5 nanometers to 500 nanometers, the shell assembly of the shin guard plate is coated with the nanocrystalline metal coating, the middle bonding coating is covered with the nanocrystalline metal coating, and the shin guard plate is formed. Therefore, the purposes of impact resistance and good heat dissipation effect are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of personal protective equipment for sports, in particular to a nano-metal coating shin guard for sports and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Sports personal protective equipment (PPE), such as sports armour, particularly bone protectors, are subject to impact forces that may cause component breakage and / or failure.

[0003] Shin guards are typically composed of polymer-based materials such as thermoplastics, fiber-reinforced plastics, and foams, designed to provide impact protection and disperse and / or absorb impact energy. Typically, such devices are worn close to the body, which, particularly for shin guards, can lead to heat buildup within the microclimate between the skin and the guard without adequate ventilation. Manufacturers have traditionally overcome these issues by increasing material thickness for structural strength, increasing density for improved energy absorption, and / or providing ventilation apertures.

[0004] Manufacturers generally consider: increasing shell thickness to improve structural strength, generally increasing component weight; increasing component density to improve force energy absorption, generally increasing mass; and increasing the frequency and / or size of apertures to improve ventilation. Traditional shin guard manufacturers limit the frequency and size of apertures to maintain structural integrity. Generally, lightweight shin guards can reduce the athlete's energy expenditure. The strength of the shin guard shell determines the impact protection provided. Perforated shin guards can dissipate heat more effectively. Therefore, there is a need to reduce weight, increase strength, and enhance ventilation in shin guards without compromising the safety standards of sports personal protective equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (1) Technical problems solved

[0006] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a nano-metal coated shin guard for sports and a preparation method, which has the advantages of good impact protection and convenient heat dissipation, and solves the problems of existing bone protection equipment, such as the impact force may cause component breakage and / or failure, and poor heat dissipation effect.

[0007] Technical Solution

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose of good impact protection and convenient heat dissipation, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a nano-metal coated shin guard for sports, comprising a shin guard plate, a shell assembly mounted on the outside of the shin guard plate, an inner lining connected to the outside of the shell assembly, and the outside of the shell assembly coated with a nanocrystalline metal coating;

[0009] The shell component includes a base material, an intermediate adhesive coating, and a gap. The base material is installed inside the shell component, the side of the shell component close to the shin guard is coated with the intermediate adhesive coating, and the outer surface of the shell component is provided with a gap.

[0010] Preferably, the method for preparing the nano-metal coated shin guard for sports comprises the following steps:

[0011] Step 1: Applying an intermediate bonding coat to the outer shell component of the shin guard having the aperture;

[0012] Step 2: Select a nanocrystalline metal coating with an average grain size between 5 nanometers and 500 nanometers;

[0013] Step 3: Apply the nanocrystalline metal coating to the outer shell component of the shin guard, overlying the intermediate bonding coating.

[0014] Preferably, the housing component is made of a thermoplastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyurethane, polyamide, polypropylene or fiber reinforced plastic, such as carbon fiber.

[0015] Preferably, the nanocrystalline metal coating and the intermediate bonding coating are selected from the following metal group: cobalt, copper, nickel, nickel alloys, titanium and / or combinations thereof.

[0016] Preferably, the step of applying the intermediate bonding coating comprises plating the intermediate bonding coating on the shin guard plate assembly using an electroless plating process.

[0017] Preferably, the step of applying the intermediate bonding coating further comprises applying a nanocrystalline metal coating on the intermediate bonding coating of the shin guard assembly by an electroless plating process.

[0018] Preferably, the step of applying the intermediate bond coating further comprises applying the intermediate bond coating to a thickness between 0.00005 inches and 0.001968504 inches.

[0019] Preferably, the step of applying the nanocrystalline metal coating further comprises applying the nanocrystalline metal coating to a thickness between 0.001 inches and 0.02 inches.

[0020] Preferably, the nano-metal of the nano-crystalline metal coating is selected to have an average grain size between 10 nanometers and 35 nanometers, and a top coating is selectively applied to completely encapsulate the intermediate bonding coating and the nano-crystalline metal coating of the shin guard assembly.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a nano-metal coating shin guard for sports and a preparation method thereof, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The nano-metal-coated shin guard for sports and its preparation method are characterized by coating an intermediate bonding coating on the outer shell component of a shin guard having pores, selecting a nanocrystalline metal coating with an average grain size of 5 nanometers to 500 nanometers, and coating the nanocrystalline metal coating on the outer shell component of the shin guard, covering the intermediate bonding coating, thereby achieving the purpose of achieving good impact resistance and heat dissipation effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is an isometric front view of the shin guard of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 an isometric side view of the shin guard shown;

[0026] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 1 an isometric rear view of the shin guard shown;

[0027] Figure 4 This is an isometric front view of the shin guard shell of the present invention, which is used Figure 1 Shin guards shown;

[0028] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Isometric side view of the shin guard housing shown for Figure 1 Shin guards shown;

[0029] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of the shin guard housing shown;

[0030] Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of the shin guard shell shown, showing the core with fused edges;

[0031] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 11 a schematic cross-sectional view of the shin guard shell shown with the top coating added;

[0032] Figure 9 An isometric front view of another shin guard shell of the present invention having varying apertures for Figure 1 Shin guards shown are used;

[0033] Figure 10 This is an isometric front view of another shin guard shell of the present invention, having a larger aperture for Figure 1 Shin guards shown are used;

[0034] Figure 11 For the present invention and Figure 4 A similar view showing the Figure 1 Another example of a housing for the shin guard shown.

[0035] In the figure: 10 shin guard, 20 shell component, 30 lining, 40 nanocrystalline metal coating, 21 base material, 22 intermediate bonding coating, 23 shin guard weak point, 24 gap, 26 medium gap, 28 large gap, 41 top coating, 120 shin guard shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] See also Figure 1-11 A nano-metal coating shin guard for sports includes a shin guard plate 10, a shell component 20 is mounted on the outside of the shin guard plate 10, an inner lining 30 is connected to the outside of the shell component 20, and the outside of the shell component 20 is coated with a nano-crystalline metal coating 40;

[0038] The shell component 20 includes a base material 21 , an intermediate adhesive coating 22 , and a gap 24 . The base material 21 is installed inside the shell component 20 , the side of the shell component 20 close to the shin guard 10 is coated with the intermediate adhesive coating 22 , and the gap 24 is opened outside the shell component 20 .

[0039] Figure 1 A shin guard 10 is shown, specifically a shell component 20 having apertures 24 and an inner liner 30, wherein the hard shell component 20 provides protection from external impact forces, the apertures 24 provide ventilation, and the inner liner 30 provides cushioning to absorb impact energy, as described below.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 , shows a side view of a shin guard 10. The shin guard 10 has a hard outer protective shell component ("shell" / "external shell") 20 having a plurality of apertures 24 therein and attached to an inner lining 30 component. In this example, the shin guard 10 is comprised of the shell component 20, the shell component having a substrate 21 that may be, but is not limited to, a material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) (although other suitable polymer-based thermoplastic materials such as polyurethane, polyamide, polypropylene, or fiber-reinforced composite materials may be used), and the shell component 20 is coated with a nanocrystalline metal coating 40 ("nanocoating") that overlies the intermediate adhesive coating 22.

[0041] Additionally, the shin guard shell assembly 20 may not have pores (not shown) and / or may not be connected to the liner 30. The application of the nanocoating is intended to improve the overall impact resistance, strength, structural integrity, and weight reduction of the shell assembly 20. The nanocrystalline metal coating 40 is applied to the substrate 21 to improve the impact resistance, strength, and structural integrity of the substrate 21. The increased strength and reduced weight can be achieved by using a thinner shell core and using more complex three-dimensional shapes with pores that are not limited by other manufacturing methods previously used to manufacture shin guards.

[0042] Reference Figure 3 , shows a rear view of the shin guard 10, which has a lining 30 component with holes 34 on the lining 30 for ventilation. The lining 30 is connected to the shell component 20 by adhesive and / or bonding agent and / or other connecting methods.

[0043] In a specific embodiment, referring to Figure 4 , shows a front view of a shell component 20 of a shin guard 10 having pores 24 and coated with a nano coating 40 but without a liner 30 component.

[0044] Reference Figure 5 ,This is Figure 4 A side view of the shin guard shell assembly 20 is shown.

[0045] Reference Figure 11 , showing a Figure 4 The shell assembly 20 is shown as a front view of a shin guard shell 120 similar to the shell assembly 20, coated with a nanocoating 40 and having an additional protective topcoat 41. The entire shell assembly 20 has a plurality of pores 24, is made of a thermoplastic fiber reinforced polymer or similar material, and can be partially or completely coated with the nanocoating.

[0046] The presence of the nanocoating 40 may improve the corrosion resistance and erosion resistance of the shin guard shell substrate 21, increase its structural strength, or allow the substrate 21 to be thinner than the shell of an uncoated shin guard 10 because the nanocoating 40 can provide additional strength to meet design requirements (e.g., impact forces typically encountered during sports). In this way, the shin guard 10 can be lighter than designs using only an uncoated substrate, while the shell assembly 20 can also provide stronger protection. For example, it is common practice for the shell of existing state-of-the-art designs to be thicker than is actually necessary to ensure that the shell meets the EN13601 impact protection standard. The current design method allows the shell assembly 20 to be strengthened without significantly increasing the thickness of the core 21 and the proportions or size of the shell assembly 20, thereby maintaining the optimal protection design of the shin guard.

[0047] In certain embodiments, reference Figure 7 , shows a front view of a shin guard shell assembly 20 , the core 21 of the shell can be made thinner (and therefore lighter) by varying the core thickness 23 .

[0048] In another example, the presence of the nanocoating 40 may increase the strength of the shin guard shell assembly 20, allowing the substrate 21 to have more or larger pores, such as Figure 9 The pores 26 and Figure 10 The nanocoating provides additional strength, maintaining the core's strength and structural integrity, by creating pores 28 in the core that would not be possible in an uncoated shin guard shell.

[0049] In another example, Figure 4 The fully coated shin guard shell assembly 20 shown utilizes a substrate material that is not typically used for shin guard shell assemblies 20 having pores 24, such as a carbon fiber reinforced polymer or fiber reinforced plastic composite material as the shell substrate.

[0050] Thus, the shell portion 20 of the shin guard 10 is comprised of a two-material structure, including a core made of a first substrate material, an intermediate bonding coating, and a coating composed of a nanocrystalline metal 40. The core of the shell can be any thermoplastic material, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or can be a fiber-reinforced composite material, such as a carbon fiber composite. To enhance the adhesion of the nanocoating 40, an intermediate coating can be applied to the core substrate, and then the nanocrystalline metal coating can be applied directly thereon, in which case the resulting shell is a three-material structure. Regardless, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 covers the entire protective shell assembly 20. The nanocrystalline metal coating 40 can be applied by a coating process, as described below, and may form a molecular bond, thereby increasing the strength and durability of the protective shell assembly 20.

[0051] The shin guard shell substrate 21 with the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 may increase the material strength, yield strength and toughness compared to a substrate without the nanocrystalline coating, while also reducing the amount of thermoplastic substrate required to meet the same strength requirements.

[0052] The nanocoating is a nanocrystalline metal deposit that, in at least one embodiment, is applied directly to the substrate of the shin guard shell assembly 20. In another example, the process includes using a layer of conductive material between the substrate and the nanocoating to improve the adhesion of the coating to the protective shell (not shown). In this alternative embodiment, an intermediate bonding coat is first applied to the thermoplastic substrate of the shell assembly 20, and then the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 is applied. The intermediate bonding coat helps to enhance the adhesion between the nanocrystalline metal coating and the shin guard shell substrate, thereby improving the coating process, bond strength and / or structural performance of the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 bonded to the core substrate 21 of the shin guard shell assembly 20. The nanocoating 40 forms an outer layer that strengthens and reinforces the core substrate 21 as a structural element, and due to its nanocrystalline grain size, the nanocoating improves the structural performance and overall performance of the shin guard shell assembly 20.

[0053] The nanocrystalline metal coating applied to the shin guard shell assembly 20 has a fine grain size, which helps improve the structural performance of the shell assembly 20. The nanocrystalline metal coating 40 is a fine-grained metal with an average grain size of at least 1 nanometer and up to 5000 nanometers. The nanocrystalline coating tends to reduce the stress and deflection of the substrate when a load is applied. As the thickness of the coating increases, the stress and deflection of the substrate may decrease. Conversely, the stiffness of the substrate may have a significant impact on the overall deflection and stress levels of the nanocrystalline coating 40. The designer can adjust (among other factors) the relative thickness and strength of the two components to provide the desired properties.

[0054] In one particular embodiment, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 has an average grain size between about 5 nanometers and about 500 nanometers. More specifically, in another embodiment, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 has an average grain size between 10 nanometers and 50 nanometers, and even more specifically, between 10 nanometers and 15 nanometers.

[0055] The thickness of the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 applied to the shin guard shell assembly 20 can range from about 0.0005 inches (0.0127 mm) to about 0.125 inches (3.175 mm). However, in one specific embodiment, the thickness of the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 is between 0.001 inches (0.0254 mm) and 0.02 inches (0.508 mm). In another more specific embodiment, the thickness of the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 is about 0.012 inches (0.3048 mm).

[0056] In a particular embodiment, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 may be composed of a pure metal, such as one selected from the group consisting of silver, aluminum, gold, cobalt, copper, nickel, titanium, and zinc, and the metal is pure (i.e., not alloyed with other elements). More specifically, in another embodiment, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 may be composed of an alloy selected from the group consisting of cobalt, copper, nickel, titanium, and zinc, and intentionally alloyed with other elements to achieve specific desired material properties.

[0057] Adjusting the metal grain size, when processed as described below, can produce enhanced mechanical properties suitable for the shin guard shells described herein. In one particular embodiment, the pure metal of the nanocrystalline metal coating is nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), although other metals may be used, such as copper (Cu) or other metals mentioned above. When applied to the shin guard shell assembly 20, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 can be a metal such as nickel, cobalt, or copper at the nanoscale. In the above example, the nanocrystalline coating 40 is applied to the shin guard shell assembly 20 by a plating process in which the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 is deposited in an electroplating bath. However, any suitable electroplating or other coating process may be used.

[0058] Any suitable number of electroplated layers (including one or more electroplated layers of varying grain sizes, and / or macrolayers having graded average grain sizes and / or graded compositions) may be provided. In another embodiment, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 may be applied to the substrate core 21 of the housing assembly 20 by other suitable application processes, such as evaporative deposition of the nanocrystalline metal coating 40. As previously mentioned, if needed or desired, a non-conductive substrate surface, such as a fiber-reinforced polymer composite, may be made conductive, for example, by coating with a thin layer of silver, nickel, copper, or using a conductive epoxy or polymer adhesive material prior to applying the coating.

[0059] The deflection of the shin guard, particularly the deflection of the shin guard shell assembly 20 made of a polymeric substrate, after subsequent full treatment with the nanocoating 40, may increase the impact protection and structural strength of the shell assembly 20 without increasing weight.

[0060] In a particular embodiment, the polymer substrate may be a thermosetting polymer, such as, but not limited to, epoxy resin, or a thermoplastic polymer, such as, but not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide, and the like.

[0061] In another embodiment, Figure 11 As shown, the reinforcing fibers may be high modulus carbon fibers, medium modulus carbon fibers, low modulus carbon fibers, E glass fibers, S glass fibers, or polymer fibers.

[0062] In one example, the shin guard shell 120 is completely encapsulated by the nanocoating 40, and a topcoat 41 is added to provide a barrier between the nanocoating 40 and the athlete's skin, particularly in the absence of the liner 30. The composition, thickness, etc. of the nanocoating 40 are selected to provide appropriate enhancements to the shin guard shell performance, such as strength, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance.

[0063] Alternatively, the short fiber reinforced polymer composite material may be injection molded and then treated with the nanocrystalline coating 40 to form the shin guard shell. Figure 4 The coating thickness shown may be varied depending on location on the shin guard shell to minimize weight, locally increase strength, stiffness or resistance, etc.

[0064] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 The cross section of the shin guard shown in FIG. 4 shows a nanocrystalline metal coating 40 on the substrate 21 of the shin guard shell assembly 20. More specifically, Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG, the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 has a uniform thickness, providing additional strength to reinforce the substrate 21. The thickness of the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 can be adjusted by the designer to increase or decrease strength.

[0065] Reference Figure 7 In another example, the thickness of the shin guard 10 may be thinner 23 in certain portions as shown, which allows the designer to control the structural properties of the shell at specific locations on the surface. These structural properties include stiffness, hardness, lightness, flexibility, and toughness.

[0066] Reference Figure 8 , showing Figure 4 The cross section of the shin guard shown in FIG. 4 shows a nanocrystalline metal coating 40 on the substrate 21 of the shin guard shell assembly 20. More specifically, Figure 8 As can be seen in FIG, the nanocoating 40 has a uniform thickness, providing additional strength to reinforce the substrate 21 , and a protective topcoat 41 is added to encapsulate the nanocoating 40 .

[0067] In summary, the nano-metal coating shin guard for sports and the preparation method thereof include the following steps:

[0068] Step 1: Applying an intermediate adhesive coating 22 to the outer shell component 20 of the shin guard 10 having the pores 24;

[0069] Step 2: Select a nanocrystalline metal coating 40, wherein the average grain size of the metal is between 5 nanometers and 500 nanometers;

[0070] Step 3: Apply the nanocrystalline metal coating 40 to the outer shell component 20 of the shin guard 10 , overlying the intermediate bonding coating 22 .

[0071] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply the existence of any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0072] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A nano-metal-coated shin guard for sports, comprising a shin guard plate (10), characterized in that: The outer surface of the shin guard (10) is provided with a shell component (20), the outer surface of the shell component (20) is connected with an inner lining (30), and the outer surface of the shell component (20) is coated with a nanocrystalline metal coating (40); The shell component (20) comprises a base material (21), an intermediate adhesive coating (22), and a gap (24). The base material (21) is installed inside the shell component (20), the side of the shell component (20) close to the shin guard (10) is coated with the intermediate adhesive coating (22), and the outside of the shell component (20) is provided with a gap (24).

2. A method for preparing a nano-metal coated shin guard for sports, the method comprising the following steps: Step 1: Applying an intermediate adhesive coating (22) to the outer shell component (20) of the shin guard (10) having the aperture (24); Step 2: Selecting a nanocrystalline metal coating (40) having an average grain size between 5 nanometers and 500 nanometers; Step 3: Applying the nanocrystalline metal coating (40) to the outer shell component (20) of the shin guard (10) over the intermediate adhesive coating (22).

3. The method for preparing the nano-metal coated shin guard for sports according to claim 2, characterized in that: The housing component (20) is made of thermoplastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyurethane (PE), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) or fiber reinforced plastic, such as carbon fiber.

4. The method for preparing the nano-metal coated shin guard for sports according to claim 2, characterized in that: The nanocrystalline metal coating (40) and the intermediate bonding coating (22) are selected from the following metal group: cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), nickel alloy, titanium (Ti) and / or combinations thereof.

5. The method for preparing the nano-metal coated shin guard for sports according to claim 2, characterized in that: The step of applying the intermediate bonding coating (22) includes applying the intermediate bonding coating (22) to the shin guard (10) component using an electroless plating process.

6. The method for preparing the nano-metal coated shin guard for sports according to claim 2, characterized in that: The step of applying the intermediate bonding coating (22) further includes applying a nanocrystalline metal coating (40) on the intermediate bonding coating (22) of the shin guard (10) component by an electroless plating process.

7. The method for preparing a nano-metal coated shin guard for sports according to claim 2, characterized in that: The step of applying the intermediate bond coating (22) further includes applying the intermediate bond coating (22) to a thickness between 0.00005 inches (0.00127 mm) and 0.001968504 inches (0.05 mm).

8. The method for preparing a nano-metal coated shin guard for sports according to claim 2, characterized in that: The step of applying the nanocrystalline metal coating (40) further includes applying the nanocrystalline metal coating (40) to a thickness between 0.001 inches (0.0254 mm) and 0.02 inches (0.508 mm).

9. The method for preparing a nano-metal coated shin guard for sports according to claim 2, characterized in that: The invention comprises selecting a nanocrystalline metal coating (40) having a nano-metal with an average grain size between 10 nanometers and 35 nanometers, and further comprises selectively applying a top coating (41) to completely encapsulate the intermediate bonding coating (22) and the nanocrystalline metal coating (40) of the shin guard (10) component.

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