Force Absorbing Helmet With Micro Hinges and Viscous Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets lack enhanced impact protection features, particularly in absorbing and dissipating energy from impacts to prevent injuries such as spinal, neck, skull, and concussion injuries across various activities.
Innovation Solution
The helmet design incorporates micro hinges on the outer shell, a viscous material-filled interstitial space, micro springs, standard air bags, and low-resilience polyurethane foam to absorb and dissipate impact energy, providing multiple layers of shock absorption and comfort cushioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional helmet structures are used, then the helmet provides basic head protection, but it lacks enhanced impact energy absorption and dissipation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet employs a nested multi-layer structure where the outer shell contains micro hinges, the interstitial space contains viscous material, the inner shell contains micro springs, and the interior layer contains low-resilience polyurethane foam. Each layer is nested within the previous one, creating concentric protective zones that progressively absorb and dissipate impact energy while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet shell is divided into multiple independent sections connected by micro hinges, allowing each segment to move and deform independently during impact. This segmentation enables distributed energy absorption across multiple joints and sections rather than concentrating stress in a single location, enhancing overall protection capability.
2Reliability
If multiple shock absorption layers are added, then the impact energy absorption is enhanced, but the helmet weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet utilizes thin flexible components including the outer shell with integrated micro hinges, the inner shell with micro springs, and the interior low-resilience polyurethane foam layer. These thin flexible elements provide significant shock absorption capability without adding substantial weight, as they rely on deformation and energy dissipation rather than massive rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The interstitial space between the outer and inner shells is filled with viscous material that provides shock absorption through fluid resistance and viscous damping. This hydraulic-like mechanism absorbs impact energy efficiently with minimal mass, as the viscous fluid dissipates energy through internal friction during compression and rebound cycles.
3Strength
If the outer shell is made rigid for protection, then impact resistance is improved, but the ability to absorb impact through deflection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shell is designed with micro hinges that enable dynamic movement and deformation during impact events. Rather than being completely rigid, the shell can deflect and redistribute forces through the hinged joints, allowing it to adapt to impact directions and magnitudes while maintaining overall structural integrity and protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet employs composite construction combining rigid shell materials with flexible hinge mechanisms, viscous damping material, spring elements, and foam insulation. This composite approach integrates both rigid and flexible properties, allowing the structure to resist impact forces while simultaneously absorbing energy through controlled deformation of the softer components.
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
This design significantly reduces the amplitude of impact energy, minimizing injuries from physical impacts, shocks, and vibrations, offering enhanced protection for the head during sports and other hazardous activities.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of micro springs each of which are attached to the inner surface of the outer shell at a first end of each of the micro-springs and to the outer surface of the inner shell at a second end of each of the micro-springs to provide additional shock absorbing capability
Implementation Method 2
an interstitial space disposed between the outer shell and the inner shell filled with a viscous material
Implementation Method 3
an interior layer of low-resilience polyurethane foam which allows for comfort cushioning against the head of a person to provide an additional layer of impact protection
Implementation Method 4
a hinge pin which is positioned between a pair of hinge plates. The hinge pin allows for motion along a rotational movement path for deflection between adjacent sections of the outer shell and transfer of energy to other portions of the impact protecting helmet
Data Source
AI summary
A force absorbing helmet has an exterior shell and an interior shell, the interior shell further has an interior lumen comprising a viscous liquid and a plurality of hard springs. A plurality of micro-hinges are located on the exterior surface of the exterior shell to deflect the portions of the exterior shell due to a blunt force exerted thereon.