Helmet Inner Shell Elastic Damping for Multi-Directional Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection helmets lack effective damping capabilities for collision forces in both compression and transverse directions, leading to potential abrasions and inadequate impact absorption.
Innovation Solution
A protection helmet design featuring an outer shell and an inner shell with an elastic element housed in a recess, allowing for elastic deformation in multiple directions, including a conical helical spring or gel core configuration, to mitigate impact forces and friction at the user's head interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional protection helmets use only a stiff outer shell and deformable inner shell, then the basic impact absorption is achieved, but the capability to dampen collision forces in transverse directions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inner shell is divided into a first portion and a second portion, with the elastic element inserted between them. This segmentation allows the helmet to address both axial and transverse collision forces by enabling relative movement between the two portions while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an elastic element that changes the mechanical parameters of the helmet system by adding compliance in multiple directions. This elastic element allows the helmet to deform elastically in response to collision forces from any direction, improving energy absorption while reducing harmful friction at the head interface.
2Reliability
If multiple damping elements are added to improve collision damping, then the damping capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a damping element for axial collisions, provides transverse direction damping, and allows simple assembly between the two inner shell portions. This merging of functions into a single component avoids increasing device complexity while achieving comprehensive collision damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is designed to handle collision forces from multiple directions (axial and transverse) and serves as both a structural connector and a damping mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate damping components for different collision directions, maintaining structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If the inner shell is made more deformable to improve impact absorption, then the energy absorption capability increases, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is strategically positioned between the first and second portions of the inner shell, providing localized deformability only where needed for energy absorption. The rest of the inner shell maintains its original strength and rigidity, ensuring overall structural integrity while enabling controlled deformation at the elastic element location.
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 dampens collision forces in various directions, reducing the risk of abrasions and improving assembly efficiency while maintaining a lightweight and durable structure.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, which: is entirely housed in said recess, is equipped with a first end fastened to the first portion of the inner shell and with a second end fastened to the second portion of the inner shell, is configured to deform elastically both along a first direction of the second portion towards or away from/to the recess and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
the elastic element may comprise a pad, which comprises a gel core and a coating film that defines a gel holding bag
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A protection helmet (10,10') is described comprising: - an outer shell (20), and - an inner shell (40), which is housed in the outer shell (20) and has a stiffness lower than the outer shell (20), wherein the inner shell (40) comprises a first portion (45), which is directly in contact with the outer shell (20) and has a recess (70), and a second portion (65) at least partially housed in the recess (70), said helmet (10,10') comprising an elastic element (90,95), which: - is entirely housed in said recess (70), - is equipped with a first end (90A,95A) fastened to the first portion (45) of the inner shell (40) and a second end (90B,95B) fastened to the second portion (65) of the inner shell (40), - is configured to deform elastically both along a first direction (A) of the second portion towards or away from/to the recess and along a second direction (B) perpendicular to the first direction (A).