Helmet Impact Mitigating Structure Fracture Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helmets and body armor often fail to provide adequate protection against both linear and tangential forces during impacts, particularly oblique impacts, which can lead to head and brain injuries due to rotational acceleration and neck injuries.
Innovation Solution
A helmet with an impact mitigating structure comprising two layers, where the second layer is designed to fracture and move relative to the first layer upon impact, dissipating energy through partial fracturing and reducing the transmission of linear and rotational forces to the head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the second layer is designed to fracture and move relative to the first layer, then energy dissipation and protection against linear and tangential forces is improved, but the structural integrity and reliability of the helmet is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet shell (second layer) is designed with predetermined fracture lines that segment it into multiple sections. During impact, these segments fracture along the predetermined lines and can move relative to each other and to the first layer, dissipating impact energy while maintaining overall protective function
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the second layer are specifically engineered to have controlled fracture characteristics. The material is designed to fracture at specific stress thresholds during impact while maintaining integrity during normal use, allowing transition from rigid protection to energy-dissipating flexible structure
2Reliability
If the second layer is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then reliability is improved, but the ability to dissipate energy through relative movement between layers is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The second layer is segmented into multiple sections by predetermined fracture lines, allowing it to maintain rigidity during normal use while enabling controlled fragmentation and relative movement during impact to dissipate energy
Solution Approach 2:
The fracture lines are predetermined and prepared in advance during manufacturing. The second layer is pre-configured with weak planes that will fracture in specific patterns when impact forces are applied, enabling reliable energy dissipation without requiring complex real-time decision-making
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 design effectively reduces the likelihood of head and brain injuries by absorbing and deflecting impact energy, minimizing the forces transmitted to the head through controlled fracturing of the second layer, thereby preventing geometrical locking and enhancing movement of the layers relative to each other.
Implementation Method 1
at least partial fracturing of the second layer such that at least a portion of the second layer is able to move relative to the first layer
Implementation Method 2
dissipating energy through partial fracturing and reducing the transmission of linear and rotational forces to the head
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a helmet comprising an impact mitigating structure, the impact mitigating structure comprising: a first layer; and a second layer; wherein one or more of a material property, a mechanical property and a geometrical property of the impact mitigating structure is arranged to, when the impact mitigating structure is subject to an impact, facilitate at least partial fracturing of the second layer such that at least a portion of the second layer is able to move relative to the first layer.