Concentric Damper Headguard for Rotational Impact Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets fail to effectively absorb a wide range of impact forces due to added mass and bulk, which increases rotational and linear acceleration, and often provide only one level of compression suitable for low-impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A headguard system with multiple concentrically arranged compressible energy absorbers, or dampers, coupled to the helmet, providing multi-level compression and energy absorption for various impact magnitudes, including translational and rotational forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mass is added to a helmet to improve impact protection, then protection capability is improved, but rotational acceleration and linear acceleration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet protection system is segmented into multiple independent compression elements (foam blocks, gel layers, air bags) distributed throughout the helmet structure. Each element independently absorbs impact energy, providing comprehensive protection without requiring excessive mass in any single location, thereby reducing unwanted acceleration effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet employs composite material structures combining different compression elements (foam, gel, air-filled chambers) with varying mechanical properties. This allows the system to achieve effective impact protection through material diversity rather than mass, as each material type contributes differently to energy absorption while maintaining lower overall mass.
2Device complexity
If single-level compression is used in helmet padding, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different impact forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compression system is divided into multiple segments with different compression characteristics (soft foam for low-impact, medium-density foam for moderate impact, hard foam for high-impact). This segmentation allows the system to adapt to various impact levels without requiring a single complex adjustable mechanism, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet incorporates dynamic compression elements that automatically adjust their resistance based on impact magnitude. During low-impact events, softer layers compress first; during high-impact events, harder layers engage. This dynamic response provides adaptability to different impact forces without requiring active control systems or complex mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If foam padding is used for comfort and low-impact protection, then comfort is improved, but protection against severe impact forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The interior padding is segmented into multiple layers with progressively different compression characteristics. The innermost layer provides soft comfort contact with the head, while outer layers provide increasing levels of impact resistance. This layered segmentation allows the system to deliver both comfort and severe impact protection simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding system uses composite material construction combining soft foam for comfort with harder foam and gel materials for severe impact protection. This composite approach allows the helmet to provide tactile comfort through soft materials while maintaining protective capability against high-g impacts through harder materials in the same system.
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 system reduces the severity of impacts by absorbing and distributing energy across multiple damper elements, enhancing protection against both linear and rotational forces, thereby minimizing the transmission of forces to the head.
Implementation Method 1
a headguard for protecting a head of a user from impact forces... includes an inner layer defining an interior space that is occupied by the user's head, an outer layer joined to the inner layer and forming at least one chamber therebetween, and a plurality of separate and distinct dampers. At least one damper is at least partially disposed in the chamber. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis.
Implementation Method 2
The system reduces the severity of impacts by absorbing and distributing energy across multiple damper elements, enhancing protection against both linear and rotational forces, thereby minimizing the transmission of forces to the head.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A headguard for protecting a head of a user from impact forces includes an inner layer defining an interior space that is occupied by the user's head, an outer layer joined to the inner layer and forming at least one chamber therebetween, and a plurality of separate and distinct dampers. At least one damper is at least partially disposed in the chamber. Each damper extends into the interior space along a respective longitudinal axis. Each respective damper has a fixed outer end disposed at a fixed position relative to the outer layer and a free inner end disposed longitudinally opposite the fixed outer end in the interior space. Also, the headguard includes a plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers. Each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end of the corresponding damper and is configured to engage the head of the user. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of compressible damper elements include an inner conical damper element, a first cylindrical damper element surrounding the conical damper element, and a second cylindrical damper element surrounding the first cylindrical damper element and the conical damper element.