Concentric Flexible Rings for Impact Energy Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for the human body, such as body armor and helmets, face challenges in effectively absorbing impact energy while maintaining shock resistance, as they often rely on rigid structures that do not efficiently dissipate impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A protective device featuring a flexible surface with protruding flexible elements comprising two concentric rings that deform upon impact, allowing energy dissipation through increased angle formation and sliding, providing a controlled deformation trajectory to absorb and disperse impact energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid structures are used in protective devices, then shock resistance is improved, but impact energy absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device uses flexible elements that can dynamically change their configuration from an initial state to a deformed state under impact load. The flexible elements include movable rings and arcs that can rotate and deform, allowing the structure to adapt its rigidity based on the applied force, thereby absorbing impact energy while maintaining shock resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device changes its structural parameters under impact load. The flexible elements undergo geometric transformation where the angle between arcs and rings changes, and the distance between components varies. This parameter change allows the device to absorb impact energy by deforming from its initial configuration to a compressed configuration.
2Loss of energy
If flexible elements are used to absorb impact energy, then impact energy absorption is improved, but shock resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device employs a composite structure combining flexible elements (rings, arcs) with a support surface. The flexible elements are made of materials that can deform elastically, while the overall structure maintains sufficient rigidity through the arrangement and connection of these elements, achieving both energy absorption and shock resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device is divided into multiple independent flexible elements (rings and arcs) that can deform individually. This segmentation allows each element to absorb energy through its own deformation while the collective arrangement maintains the overall structural integrity and shock resistance of the device.
3Loss of energy
If complex deformation trajectories are controlled, then impact energy dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elements use curved geometries (arcs and rings) that naturally guide the deformation trajectory during impact. The curved shapes allow for controlled energy dissipation through geometric transformation without requiring complex mechanical joints or constraints, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective energy absorption.
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 solution effectively dampens and dissipates impact energy, enhancing shock resistance and protection by utilizing the deformation of concentric rings to manage and distribute force, thereby improving the overall impact absorption capabilities of the protective device.
Implementation Method 1
the two rings deform. The common edge of the two rings, which is their most distant part from the surface and the part that is hit first by the external object, is pressed by the object toward the surface. Then the common edge gets closer to the surface and the rings spread apart (they spread and collapse also in a disordered way, sagging)
Implementation Method 2
Each protruding element 20 comprises two flexible and concentric rings 30, 40. The ring 30 is the external ring and the ring 40 is the internal ring. The two rings 30, 40 are attached to - and integral with - each other at a common edge 50.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An improved protection (MC) for part of the human body is described, comprising two flexible rings, an internal one and an external one, substantially equal and concentric. The external ring (30) surrounds the internal ring (40), extends from the surface orthogonally thereto, and at the edge opposite the surface is attached to and integral with the internal ring along a common edge. The internal ring (40) extends towards the surface orthogonally thereto and has an edge attached to and integral with the external ring along said common edge.