Helmet With Movable Padding For Rotational Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helmets often provide inadequate protection against rotational impacts, which can cause severe head injuries, and existing technologies may not be optimal for both high- and low-energy impacts.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring movable inner padding relative to a frame, allowing for enhanced absorption of both linear and rotational impact energies, with a combination of shock-absorbing materials and an adjustable mechanism to improve fit and protection across various impact types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional rigid padding is used in helmets, then protection against linear impacts is adequate, but protection against rotational impacts is deficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inner padding movable relative to the outer shell and frame members. The padding can shift position in response to impact forces, allowing it to better absorb and distribute both linear and rotational impact energies. This dynamic capability enables the helmet to adapt to different impact types and directions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural strength and providing rotational impact protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the padding system into multiple segments including inner padding, outer shell, and frame members that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to respond differently to impact forces, with the inner padding capable of moving independently to absorb rotational energy while the outer shell maintains structural integrity for linear impact protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single padding system is used, then the helmet structure is simple, but it cannot optimally protect against both high- and low-energy impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic padding system allows the helmet to adapt its protection characteristics based on impact energy level. During low-energy impacts, the padding moves minimally providing comfort and basic protection. During high-energy impacts, the padding can shift more significantly to absorb and distribute the higher forces, optimizing protection across the full range of impact energies without requiring entirely separate systems for each energy level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the padding system's mechanical properties. The padding material and its mounting allow for changes in stiffness, damping characteristics, and movement range depending on the magnitude of applied forces. This enables a single padding system to effectively handle both low-energy impacts through minimal movement and high-energy impacts through greater displacement and energy absorption.
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 reduces angular acceleration from rotational impacts and provides improved protection against a range of impact energies, enhancing safety in sports and other activities.
Implementation Method 1
The helmet may comprise an outer shell and inner padding disposed within the outer shell. The inner padding may comprise a plurality of pads configured to move relative to one another in response to an impact on the helmet.
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet for protecting a head of a wearer, such as a hockey, lacrosse, football or other sports player. The helmet may have various features to protect the wearer's head against impacts, such as linear impacts and rotational impacts. For example, pads of the helmet may be movable relative to one another in response to an impact on the helmet. The helmet may comprise a frame comprising a plurality of frame members carrying respective ones of the pads and configured to move relative to one another in response to the impact to allow relative movement of the pads.