Flexible Printed Circuit Board Power Bus for Helmet Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of electronic devices in protective helmets faces challenges with power transmission, including space, weight, and ease of use, as well as the snag hazard and unnecessary space occupation of external cables, and the added weight of separate power sources for each device.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible printed circuit board as a power and data bus within the helmet, allowing for the delivery of electrical power and data without cables, reducing the number of separate power sources and enabling easy attachment and detachment of electronic devices through embedded connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If external cables are used to transmit power to electronic devices, then power transmission is achieved, but snag hazards and unnecessary space occupation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission function from external cables and relocates it to an integrated flexible printed circuit board system within the helmet. The FPCB extends along the interior surface of the helmet shell, eliminating the need for external cables that cause snag hazards and space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board is nested within the helmet structure, extending along the interior surface of the shell. This nesting approach allows power transmission infrastructure to be contained within the helmet's existing form factor, removing external cables while maintaining power delivery capability.
2Reliability
If separate power sources are used for each electronic device, then each device has dedicated power supply, but added weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power supply functions into a single centralized battery pack that communicates with and powers multiple electronic devices through the flexible printed circuit board network. This consolidation reduces the total weight compared to having separate power sources for each device while maintaining reliable power delivery through the integrated FPCB system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board serves as a universal power distribution network that can supply power to multiple different electronic devices. The FPCB acts as a multi-functional backbone that routes power to various components (night vision goggles, cameras, displays, sensors) from a single battery pack, eliminating the need for device-specific power sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electronic devices are integrated in the helmet, then functionality is enhanced, but space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board utilizes the three-dimensional interior space of the helmet by extending along the curved interior surface of the shell. This spatial arrangement allows the FPCB to route power and data connections to multiple electronic devices mounted at different locations without requiring additional linear space, effectively using the helmet's volumetric capacity.
4Reliability
If traditional rigid circuit boards are used for power distribution, then electrical connections are stable, but flexibility and adaptability to helmet contours are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board instead of a rigid circuit board. The FPCB can be formed into various shapes and contours to match the interior geometry of the helmet shell, providing both the electrical connection stability of a printed circuit board and the adaptability to conform to the helmet's specific form factor.
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
This solution reduces weight and space requirements, enhances electromagnetic shielding, and simplifies the addition or removal of electronic devices, while eliminating snag hazards and unnecessary weight, by using a single battery pack to power multiple devices and providing a modular system for power and data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a first contact to receive electrical power from the power source... the first contact being electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board to provide electrical power to the flexible printed circuit board
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
Integrated helmet systems provide convenient and modular use of electronic devices with a protective helmet. In addition to ease of use, weight savings and space savings also may be realized in certain embodiments. A flexible printed circuit board is used as a power bus to deliver electrical power from a battery pack to various electronic devices. Examples of devices used with protective helmets include: night vision goggles; helmet-mounted display units; ear phones; communication headsets; camera systems; biometric sensors; microprocessors; identify friend or foe devices (IFFs); and GPS devices.