Sports Helmet Crown Padding for Fit Stability and Rotation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sports helmets fail to adequately accommodate anatomical differences among wearers and often allow helmet rotation during impacts, leading to inadequate protection against severe forces.
Innovation Solution
A protective sports helmet with an energy attenuating internal padding system featuring a face frame padding assembly, a crown pad with inflatable and un-inflatable sections, and an occipital locking pad to enhance stability and prevent helmet rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional padding assemblies are used, then the helmet can be manufactured simply, but the helmet allows rotation during impacts and does not accommodate anatomical differences
Solution Approach 1:
The internal padding assembly is divided into multiple independent pad elements (first pad element, second pad element, third pad element, fourth pad element) that can be individually adjusted. Each pad element can be independently inflated or adjusted to accommodate different anatomical shapes and provide stable contact points to prevent helmet rotation during impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding assembly incorporates inflatable pad elements that can dynamically adjust their volume and shape. By inflating or deflating the pads, the system adapts to different wearer head shapes and sizes, ensuring optimal contact and stability while preventing unwanted helmet rotation during play.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional padding assemblies are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the helmet does not fully accommodate anatomical distinctions among wearers
Solution Approach 1:
The padding system is segmented into multiple adjustable pad elements positioned at different locations (front, rear, sides) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows each pad to be adjusted to match specific anatomical features of different wearers, providing customized fit and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad elements incorporate inflatable chambers that allow adjustment of volume and pressure parameters. By changing the inflation level of each pad, the system adapts to various head sizes and shapes, enabling the same helmet to accommodate diverse anatomical distinctions among wearers.
3Reliability
If conventional padding assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but the padding may not prevent helmet rotation under severe impact conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The padding assembly is segmented into multiple strategically positioned pad elements that create distributed contact points across the wearer's head. This segmentation ensures that during severe impacts, multiple pads simultaneously engage to resist rotational forces, providing enhanced protection compared to conventional single-piece padding.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable pad elements are pre-positioned and can be inflated beforehand to create optimal cushioning contact points. This prior cushioning ensures that when impacts occur, the pads are already in place and properly pressurized to immediately absorb and distribute impact forces, preventing helmet rotation.
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 helmet provides enhanced stability and improved impact absorption, reducing the likelihood of helmet rotation and enhancing overall protection during contact sports.
Implementation Method 1
Air may be utilized as an inflation fluid to adjust the dimensions of the pad element
Implementation Method 2
an occipital locking pad that contacts the occipital portion of the wearer's skull to resist forward and/or rearward rotation of the helmet when an impact(s) is applied
Implementation Method 3
The internal padding assembly is secured to an interior surface of the shell to absorb a portion of energy received from a force applied to an exterior surface of the shell
Data Source
AI summary
A protective sports helmet including a crown energy attenuation assembly positioned within a crown region of the helmet shell. The crown energy attenuation assembly includes: a first energy attenuation element with a plurality of sidewalls arranged to form a hexagonal housing, wherein a first sidewall has a substantially planar configuration; a second energy attenuation element with a plurality of sidewalls arranged to form a hexagonal housing, wherein a first sidewall has a substantially planar configuration; and, a third energy attenuation element with a plurality of sidewalls that are arranged to form a hexagonal housing. A first crown gap is formed between the first and second energy attenuation elements. A second crown gap is formed between the second and third energy attenuation elements. A third crown gap is formed between an extent of the third and first energy attenuation elements. The crown energy attenuation assembly further includes a layer positioned adjacent to the plurality of sidewalls of the energy attenuation elements.