Helmet Impact Monitoring With Electret Sensors and Alert Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for monitoring head impacts in sports lack cost-effective, practical systems that can be widely installed on teams to accurately measure and alert players to different types of impacts, as they are either too expensive or impractical for widespread use.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising in-helmet units with sensor assemblies, including electret film sensors, that monitor physiological parameters like pressure and acceleration, generating alerts when thresholds are exceeded, and a portable alert unit to display information to users, utilizing a weighted principal component score (HITSP) for impact severity assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional impact monitoring systems are implemented, then measurement precision of head impacts is improved, but device complexity and cost increase making widespread installation impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the monitoring function into separate independent components: sensor assemblies embedded in helmet pads, signal processing units, and communication modules. Each component performs a specific function and can be independently manufactured and installed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through specialized design of each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor assemblies are designed to monitor multiple physiological parameters simultaneously (acceleration, pressure, impact force) using a single integrated unit. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate monitoring devices for each parameter, reducing device complexity and cost while improving comprehensive impact assessment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If comprehensive impact monitoring is implemented, then reliability of injury detection is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex sensor integration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury detection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Sensor assemblies are pre-integrated into helmet pad structures during helmet manufacturing, rather than being added as separate components. This preliminary integration ensures proper positioning and connection before the helmet reaches the athlete, improving injury detection reliability while simplifying the overall manufacturing process by combining steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses flexible sensor assemblies that can be conformally integrated into the curved surfaces of helmet pads. These thin-film sensors maintain comfort and proper fit while reliably detecting impacts, and their flexible nature allows for simplified manufacturing compared to rigid sensor mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensor types are used for comprehensive monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to more materials and components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological parameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensor types (accelerometers, pressure sensors, impact sensors) are merged into single integrated sensor assemblies that are embedded within helmet pad structures. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate components and materials required compared to using individual sensors, while maintaining comprehensive measurement precision through the combined sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system provides reliable, cost-effective monitoring and alerting of head impacts, enabling teams to identify atypical impacts and potential injuries, improving player safety by providing timely alerts to sideline staff.

Implementation Method 1

sensor assemblies, including electret film sensors, that monitor physiological parameters like pressure and acceleration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectret: Electret

Data Source

PatentUS12594004B2Systems and methods for monitoring a physiological parameter of persons engaged in physical activity

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 RIDDELL INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides system and method for monitoring of at least one physiological parameter of a person engaged in a physical activity, for example, an impact received by a player engaged in a contact sport such as football. The system includes a monitoring unit that actively monitors the physiological parameter of the person, wherein the monitoring unit generates an alert event when the monitored physiological parameter exceeds a threshold of the parameter. The monitoring unit determines whether the parameter exceeds an over-exposure threshold, wherein said threshold is based upon both a single incidence or cumulative incidences.