Protective Helmet Impact Absorption Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective helmets face challenges in balancing robustness and deformability to effectively absorb kinetic energy from impacts, which is crucial for protecting the head and cervical spine, while also ensuring comfort and preventing overheating.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an impact absorption device between the helmet shell and carrying basket, featuring a honeycomb structure of extruded copolymer tubes with plastic deformation behavior, which transfers kinetic energy and provides ventilation channels to prevent overheating, and a fastening device to secure the impact absorption device in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the helmet shell is made extremely robust to prevent breakage and penetration, then protection against head injuries is improved, but the ability to absorb kinetic energy from heavy objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented between the helmet shell and a separate impact absorption device. The shell provides structural protection while the dedicated absorption device ( positioned between the shell and carrying basket) handles kinetic energy dissipation through its deformable structure
Solution Approach 2:
An impact absorption device is introduced as an intermediary element between the helmet shell and the carrying basket. This mediator absorbs and dissipates kinetic energy through controlled deformation, preventing direct transmission of impact forces to the wearer's head
2Loss of energy
If the helmet shell is made deformable to absorb kinetic energy, then protection of the cervical spine is improved, but the robustness and protection against penetration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective functions are divided between two separate components: the helmet shell maintains structural integrity for penetration resistance, while the impact absorption device provides controlled deformability for kinetic energy absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The impact absorption device serves as a mediator that combines the desirable properties of both a robust shell and a deformable structure, allowing the shell to remain strong while still enabling energy absorption through the intermediate device
3Strength
If the helmet shell is made robust, then protection against head injuries is improved, but the comfort and ventilation for the wearer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The impact absorption device is positioned locally between the helmet shell and the carrying basket, providing impact absorption functionality in the critical impact zone without compromising the overall comfort and ventilation properties of the helmet shell for the wearer
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
Enhances protection against high-kinetic-energy impacts by optimizing the helmet shell's deformability and ensuring the impact absorption device handles energy absorption, while maintaining comfort and preventing overheating through effective ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
the impact absorption device exhibits essentially plastic deformation behavior in the event of an impact on the helmet shell
Implementation Method 2
A useful ventilation effect can be promoted in particular if these tubes have their ends facing the wearer's head on the one hand and away from the wearer's head on the other hand
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a protective helmet comprising a helmet shell (12), a support cage (14) and a securing device for securing the support cage (14) to the helmet shell (12). According to the invention, an impact absorption device (18) is arranged between the support cage (14) and the helmet shell (12).