Helmet with Elastomeric Cords and Fluid Bladders for Force Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets fail to effectively dissipate both linear and angular forces, leading to inadequate protection against traumatic brain injuries, as they either rely on slow viscous friction or passive transfer of forces to the brain, rather than actively mitigating momentum.
Innovation Solution
A protective helmet design featuring a hard outer shell and inner shell connected by elastomeric cords and fluid-filled bladders, where the outer shell can move independently to dissipate forces through elastic deformation and hysteretic damping, directing energy away from the brain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fluid filled chambers are used to dissipate force through viscous friction, then energy dissipation increases, but the time to dissipate energy increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
A viscoelastic material is introduced as an intermediary between the fluid-filled chambers and the brain. This material directly absorbs and dissipates concussive forces through its viscoelastic properties, eliminating the need for fluid displacement and providing immediate energy dissipation without time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic fluid displacement mechanism with a viscoelastic material that dissipates energy through mechanical deformation. The viscoelastic material converts kinetic energy directly into heat through internal friction, eliminating the hydraulic transfer mechanism that causes time delays.
2Reliability
If the outer shell is allowed to move independently to dissipate forces, then protection against linear and angular forces improves, but the mechanism for returning shells to resting position is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The viscoelastic material serves a dual function: it dissipates concussive forces during impact and automatically returns the outer shell to its resting position after impact. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional active components while maintaining both protection and reset functions.
3Force
If apertures are provided in the hard outer shell for cushion material expansion, then some force is dispersed, but some force is directed toward rather than away from the head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hard outer shell with apertures from the design and replaces it with a unitary viscoelastic material that provides both protection and force dispersion without creating harmful force directions. The viscoelastic material absorbs forces uniformly throughout its volume rather than directing them through apertures toward the head.
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 effectively dissipates both linear and angular forces by using elastomeric cords and fluid-filled bladders to convert kinetic energy into heat, providing enhanced protection against concussive forces and reducing the risk of brain injuries.
Implementation Method 1
the outer shell can move independently to dissipate forces through elastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
the outer shell can move independently to dissipate forces through elastic deformation and hysteretic damping
Implementation Method 3
energy is dissipated only through viscous friction as fluid is restrictively transferred from one pocket to another
Data Source
AI summary
A protective helmet, including a hard outer shell, a hard inner shell slidingly connected to, and spaced apart from, the outer shell, and a leaf spring including a center portion, a first end, and a second end, the leaf spring anchored only at the center portion onto the hard outer shell, the first end unattached to, and in sliding contact with the hard inner shell, and the second end unattached to, and in sliding contact with the hard inner shell. In a neutral position, the first end is spaced from the second end by a first distance, and when a force strikes the helmet, the first end is spaced from the second end by a second distance, the second distance being different from the first distance.