Laminated Gel Damper Structure for Wide-Area Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shock absorbers are not optimal in dissipating kinetic energy across a wide area, as they primarily rely on localized compression in foam or rubber layers, which limits their effectiveness in distributing impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorbing structure comprising a soft gel layer with a Shore OO hardness of 0-60, combined with a damper layer featuring geometrical shaped dampers, which compress and bend to distribute kinetic energy across the structure, enhancing absorption beyond the impact zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional foam or rubber layers are used for shock absorption, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the kinetic energy is not effectively distributed across a wide area
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing structure is divided into multiple functional layers: a gel layer (Shore OO 0-60) for initial impact absorption, a foam layer for intermediate compression, and a rubber layer for final energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different aspects of energy absorption, improving overall kinetic energy dissipation while maintaining manufacturability through standard layering processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines three different materials (gel, foam, and rubber) with distinct mechanical properties into a composite shock absorbing structure. The gel layer provides viscoelastic damping, the foam layer provides compressible energy storage, and the rubber layer provides resilient energy return. This composite approach enables effective kinetic energy distribution across the entire structure while remaining manufacturable using conventional multi-layer assembly techniques.
2Device complexity
If a single-layer foam structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the shock absorption effectiveness is limited to localized compression
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing structure is divided into multiple functional layers: a gel layer (Shore OO 0-60) for initial impact absorption, a foam layer for intermediate compression, and a rubber layer for final energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different aspects of energy absorption, improving overall kinetic energy dissipation while maintaining manufacturability through standard layering processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines three different materials (gel, foam, and rubber) with distinct mechanical properties into a composite shock absorbing structure. The gel layer provides viscoelastic damping, the foam layer provides compressible energy storage, and the rubber layer provides resilient energy return. This composite approach enables effective kinetic energy distribution across the entire structure while remaining manufacturable using conventional multi-layer assembly techniques.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional rubber layers are used, then the material is easy to source and manufacture, but the impact forces are not effectively distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing structure is divided into multiple functional layers: a gel layer (Shore OO 0-60) for initial impact absorption, a foam layer for intermediate compression, and a rubber layer for final energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different aspects of energy absorption, improving overall kinetic energy dissipation while maintaining manufacturability through standard layering processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from localized one-dimensional compression to three-dimensional energy distribution by incorporating a gel layer that flows and distributes impact forces laterally across the entire contact area. The gel's viscoelastic properties enable it to spread impact energy in multiple directions, significantly increasing the effective impact distribution area while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple layering.
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 combination of a soft gel layer and a damper layer significantly improves shock absorption by allowing kinetic energy to be absorbed and distributed across a larger area, providing enhanced protection against impacts.
Implementation Method 1
A shock absorbing structure comprising a soft gel layer with a Shore OO hardness of 0-60, combined with a damper layer featuring geometrical shaped dampers, which compress and bend to distribute kinetic energy across the structure
Implementation Method 2
geometrical shaped dampers, which compress and bend to distribute kinetic energy across the structure, enhancing absorption beyond the impact zone
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprised of a first portion comprising a generally flexible fabric, and a second portion or layer comprising a gel material formed in a generally planar rectangular shape. Positioned below the second layer is a third portion or a damping layer having a series of dampers positioned thereon, where the dampers are elastomeric flexible and compressible. The three portions are laminated together.