Helmet Impact Diffusing Apparatus with Collapsible Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Helmets often fail to adequately diffuse impact forces, particularly when users cannot react to falls, as the back of the head is unprotected, leading to insufficient force reduction and potential concussions.

Innovation Solution

An impact diffusing apparatus with collapsible structures made from composite materials, such as carbon fiber and epoxy, designed to absorb and redirect impact forces by collapsing and allowing air to escape, mounted to helmets to distribute and dissipate energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional helmets are used, then basic head protection is provided, but impact forces are not adequately diffused and concussions may still occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force diffusionVSAvoidprotection against concussion

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet is divided into multiple collapsible structures (first and second collapsible structures) that can independently deform during impact. These segmented structures allow different regions to absorb and redirect impact forces in specific directions, improving overall force diffusion while maintaining reliable concussion protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The helmet incorporates collapsible structures that dynamically change their structural properties during impact events. The structures transition from a rigid state during normal use to a deformable state during impact, allowing the helmet to adapt its protection mechanism based on the impact conditions, thereby enhancing both force diffusion and concussion protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If rigid structures are used for protection, then strength is improved, but impact force diffusion is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact force concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the helmet structure have different mechanical properties. The collapsible structures are designed with specific local geometries and material characteristics that allow them to deform preferentially in certain directions during impact, concentrating strength where needed while enabling force diffusion in other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The helmet utilizes composite materials that combine rigid and compliant properties. These composite structures provide the necessary structural strength for protection while simultaneously enabling the collapsible behavior needed for effective impact force diffusion, resolving the contradiction between strength and force concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If collapsible structures are added to diffuse impact, then force reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force reductionVSAvoidhelmet structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible structures are integrated within the existing helmet framework in a nested manner. The first and second collapsible structures are positioned and configured to work together within the helmet's overall structure, allowing complex impact diffusion functionality to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The impact diffusion functionality is merged with the protective helmet structure itself. The collapsible structures serve dual purposes: providing the necessary protection while simultaneously diffusing impact forces. This integration reduces overall complexity compared to adding separate diffusion mechanisms to a traditional helmet.

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 apparatus effectively reduces impact forces by up to 70% and increases duration by 100%, providing enhanced protection against concussions and helmet damage during impacts.

Implementation Method 1

the collapsible structures are designed to absorb and redirect impact forces by collapsing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

air passages communicating between the interior cavity of the collapsible surfaces and an external environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow through passages:

Data Source

PatentUS10228036B2Impact diffusing apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 BEYER ALBERT A

AI summary

There is provided an impact diffusing apparatus for diffusing force on an object being impacted, the apparatus having a body intersected by a plane having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The body has a first collapsible structure on the first side of the plane and a second collapsible structure on the second side of the plane, each collapsible structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surfaces of the collapsible structures are shaped to define an interior cavity. The apparatus has air passages communicating between the interior cavity of the collapsible surfaces and an external environment, as well as a mounting structure for mounting the body to the object.