Glove Vibration Damping Device with Segmented Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration damping devices for work gloves suffer from flexibility and comfort issues, particularly in the palm area, as they tend to bunch and lose damping effectiveness due to air displacement and cell arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damping device with a planar, hand-shaped body featuring discrete, resilient projections and projection-free webs, allowing for greater flexibility and preventing cell bunching, constructed from two layers of polyurethane film with cells arranged in arcuate rows and thin webs at joints for improved comfort and damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of pockets containing air or compressible fluid are interconnected, then vibration damping is achieved, but air is forced out of areas under maximum pressure reducing damping effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is divided into a plurality of separate, individual cells or pockets that are not interconnected. Each cell independently dampens vibrations in its local area, preventing air displacement between cells and maintaining consistent damping effectiveness throughout the glove palm area.
Solution Approach 2:
Each individual cell is designed to provide localized vibration damping in specific areas of the palm. The cells are distributed across different zones (high vibration areas, moderate vibration areas) to provide appropriate damping quality in each location without interfering with adjacent cells.
2Reliability
If separate individual cells or resilient projections are used in the damping device, then vibration damping is provided, but cells or projections bunch in the palm area when the hand grasps equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The cells are formed within a flexible foam structure that allows the material to deform and distribute cells evenly during hand grasping motions. The foam matrix provides a stable framework that prevents individual cells from bunching while maintaining the overall flexibility needed for hand movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device incorporates flexible joints in the finger and thumb areas that allow the structure to adapt dynamically to hand movements. This dynamic flexibility prevents cell bunching by allowing controlled movement and redistribution of cells during grasping actions.
3Reliability
If cells are arranged in the palm area to maximize damping, then vibration protection is improved, but flexibility and comfort in the palm area are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The palm area is divided into zones with different cell densities: high vibration areas have more cells for maximum damping, while areas requiring flexibility have fewer or no cells. This localized quality distribution optimizes both vibration protection and flexibility in different palm regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device is segmented into discrete cells separated by projection-free webs, creating distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows certain areas to provide maximum damping while adjacent areas maintain flexibility, resolving the contradiction between protection and comfort.
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 enhances flexibility and maintains effective vibration damping by preventing cell bunching and air displacement, ensuring consistent performance in the palm, thumb, and finger areas of the glove.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of discrete, spaced apart, resilient, vibration damping projections extending outwardly from at least one said surface of said body
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration damping device for use in a work glove includes a planar plastic body having palm, thumb and finger areas, and a plurality of resilient, compressible projections extending outwardly from at least one surface of the body. Planar areas or webs in the knuckle and finger joint areas of the body make the device flexible for easy grasping of a tool and bunching of projections in such areas. Bunching of the projections is also avoided or reduced by arranging the projections in parallel, arcuate rows extending from the thumb side rearwardly toward the wrist end of the body.