Helmet Head Mount Structure With Low-Friction Impact Sliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing helmets face challenges in ensuring easy assembly and manufacturing while maintaining sufficient relative movement between moving parts to effectively absorb and redirect impact energy, particularly addressing friction issues during impacts.

Innovation Solution

A helmet design featuring a head mount suspended within an outer shell with an air gap, a head mount cover providing a low friction interface, and layers that can move relative to each other, including energy absorbing and sliding structures to distribute and redirect impact energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If moving parts are implemented in a helmet to allow relative movement between layers for energy absorption, then impact energy can be effectively absorbed and redirected, but friction between moving parts increases making it difficult to overcome friction during impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidfriction between moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A lubricant layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the moving helmet layers (outer shell and inner liner). This lubricant reduces the friction coefficient at the interface, allowing the layers to slide more easily relative to each other during impact while maintaining effective energy absorption through the movement mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If moving parts are implemented in a helmet to enable relative movement for energy redirection, then rotational acceleration can be reduced, but the helmet assembly and manufacturing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational acceleration of headVSAvoidhelmet assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet is designed with a dynamic structure where the inner liner can move relative to the outer shell during impact. This dynamic capability allows the helmet to adapt to impact forces and redirect energy away from the head, reducing rotational acceleration. The movement is enabled through low-friction interfaces that allow controlled relative motion between layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design reduces rotational acceleration of the head by up to 90% and effectively distributes impact energy, mitigating injuries such as concussions and severe traumatic brain injuries.

Implementation Method 1

wherein a low friction interface is provided between the head mount cover and the first surface of the head mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the head mount is suspended within the outer shell such that, in use, an air gap is provided between head mount and the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4346481B1Helmet and device for helmet

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 MIPS

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AI summary

A helmet (1), comprising: an outer shell (2); a head mount (20), configured to be mounted on the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet, wherein the head mount is suspended within the outer shell such that, in use, an air gap is provided between head mount and the outer shell; a head mount cover (30), covering a first surface of the head mount and at least partially surrounding the head mount;wherein a low friction interface is provided between the head mount cover and the first surface of the head mount.