Eyewear Strap with Energy-Absorbing Material for Head Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Protective eyewear, such as goggles, typically does not provide adequate protection for the rest of the head in the event of an impact, leaving individuals vulnerable, especially in activities like snowboarding, skiing, or military applications where head injuries can occur.
Innovation Solution
A flexible strap integrated with an energy-absorbing material, such as tubes or foams, is used to retain protective eyewear on the head, which deforms to absorb kinetic energy upon impact, reducing the energy transferred to the wearer's head by being sandwiched between outer layers and bonded using adhesive layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If protective eyewear is worn without additional head protection, then the eyewear remains simple and lightweight, but the head receives full impact force during accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the eyewear retention strap with energy-absorbing material, merging two separate protective functions into a single integrated component. The strap serves both to secure the eyewear and to absorb impact energy, eliminating the need for separate helmets or head protection while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible strap is designed to perform multiple functions: retaining the protective eyewear on the wearer's head, absorbing impact energy during falls or accidents, and providing cushioning protection. This multi-functional design addresses the contradiction by making a single component serve several protective roles.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If energy-absorbing material is added to the strap, then impact protection is improved, but the strap weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film energy-absorbing materials that provide effective kinetic energy absorption while maintaining flexibility and minimal bulk. The energy-absorbing material is integrated as a thin layer within the strap structure, allowing it to deform and absorb impact energy without adding significant weight or volume that would compromise wearability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the energy-absorbing material is made thicker, then impact protection increases, but the strap flexibility and comfort decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the energy-absorbing material to a specific range (1-6mm) that balances impact protection with flexibility. By carefully controlling this physical parameter, the strap achieves sufficient energy absorption capability while maintaining the flexibility needed to conform to the wearer's head and remain comfortable during extended wear.
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 flexible strap with energy-absorbing material reduces peak acceleration and Head Injury Criteria (HIC) values by up to 30% when used in conjunction with a helmet, providing enhanced protection against head impacts and minimizing the risk of severe injury.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorbing material configured to deform to absorb kinetic energy on impact
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses a flexible strap for retaining protective eyewear on a wearer's head. The strap includes an energy absorbing material which is configured to deform to absorb kinetic energy on impact and which is held in contact with a first outer layer. A method of manufacture of the strap is also disclosed.