Helmet Non-Bursting Gas Cell Impact Layer Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current protective helmets fail to provide a complete cocoon of safety for the human head, lacking an outer layer of protection that can deform and dissipate force effectively, leading to potential concussions and rotational injuries due to their rigid structure.

Innovation Solution

A soft helmet design incorporating non-bursting gas cell impact layers, either as a standalone soft helmet or integrated into a hard shell helmet, which includes a base shell member and gas-filled bubbles that do not transfer gas between adjacent bubbles, providing a flexible and aerodynamic impact layer that can absorb and distribute force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid helmet structures are used to protect the head, then impact resistance is improved, but deceleration distance is reduced leading to increased concussion risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoiddeceleration distance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet shell is segmented into multiple rigid panels connected by flexible joints, allowing the structure to maintain strength while enabling controlled deformation and increased deceleration distance during impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The helmet transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the shell can deform controllably during impact, adjusting its rigidity based on the force applied to maximize deceleration distance while maintaining protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid helmet structures are used to protect the head, then structural integrity is improved, but rotational injury protection is worsened due to lack of deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidrotational injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet employs dynamic elements that allow controlled deformation during rotational impacts, reducing the transmission of rotational forces to the head while maintaining structural integrity for protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The helmet's structural parameters change during impact, transitioning from a rigid state during normal use to a more compliant state during rotational impact to reduce injury risk while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If foam material is used to increase deceleration distance, then concussion protection is improved, but the material fails to dissipate force effectively compared to tearing scalp

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeceleration distanceVSAvoidforce dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The impact layer is segmented into multiple discrete elements that can deform and fail independently, allowing progressive energy dissipation through controlled failure modes that mimic natural scalp tearing while maintaining deceleration distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design accepts and utilizes material failure as a beneficial energy dissipation mechanism, where controlled tearing or failure of the impact layer converts harmful impact energy into beneficial deformation work, extending deceleration distance while dissipating force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 non-bursting gas cell impact layers increase the deceleration distance and time, reducing the risk of concussions and rotational injuries by dissipating force through the deformation of gas bubbles, while maintaining the structural integrity of the helmet.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10278445B1Helmet having non-bursting gas cells

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 WHITCOMB JOHN E

AI summary

A helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell impact layer. The outside gas cell impact layer preferably includes at least one gas cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside gas cell impact layer includes the at least one gas cell layer. The inside and outside gas cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell inflatable impact layer. The inside gas cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable gas cell layer and a check valve.