Helmet Impact Pad with Deformable Structural Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional impact-absorbing pads in athletic helmets are inadequate for both high-energy and low-energy impacts, as they either fail to absorb lower energy impacts effectively or 'bottom out' after exceeding their energy capacity, potentially leading to long-term neurological issues like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a shell, a suspension chassis, and impact-absorbing pads with a membrane and structural members that deform to absorb forces, featuring a valve to control air flow and restrict deformation rate, allowing for dual-mode energy absorption suitable for both high-energy and low-energy impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a pad is designed to mitigate high-energy impacts, then it can absorb high-energy impacts, but it provides inadequate energy absorption for lower energy impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is divided into multiple foam layers with different densities and energy absorption characteristics. The high-density layer handles high-energy impacts while the low-density layer handles low-energy impacts, allowing the pad to effectively mitigate both high and low energy impacts simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pad have different material properties - the high-density foam provides structural support for high-energy impacts while the low-density foam provides compliance for low-energy impacts. This local differentiation of material quality enables the pad to address multiple impact energy levels
2Reliability
If a pad is designed to mitigate low-energy impacts, then it can absorb low-energy impacts, but it ceases to be effective after exceeding its energy absorbing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented foam structure allows the low-density layer to handle initial low-energy impacts while the high-density layer remains reserved for high-energy impacts. This segmentation prevents the entire pad from bottoming out after a single low-energy impact, extending its effective duration
Solution Approach 2:
The composite foam structure combines materials with different energy absorption thresholds. The low-density foam absorbs low-energy impacts without bottoming out, while the high-density foam provides a backup capacity for high-energy impacts, extending the overall operational duration
3Strength
If a pad is made hard to absorb high-energy impacts, then it can mitigate high-energy impacts, but it cannot effectively absorb lower energy impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is segmented into a hard high-density foam layer for high-energy impact resistance and a soft low-density foam layer for low-energy impact absorption. This segmentation allows the hard layer to maintain its strength while the soft layer provides ease of operation for low-energy impacts
Solution Approach 2:
The local quality principle is applied by positioning the soft low-density foam in contact with the head for comfort and low-energy absorption, while the hard high-density foam is positioned to handle high-energy impacts. This spatial differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between hardness and softness
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 configuration enhances the helmet's ability to mitigate a wide range of impacts, reducing peak forces and accelerations, and allows for repeated impact absorption without losing effectiveness, thereby reducing the risk of both immediate and long-term injuries.
Implementation Method 1
structural members can be at least partially deformed when the athletic helmet is worn by a user. When a force is applied to the pad, the structural members can deform
Implementation Method 2
A valve can restrict the flow of air from the interior volume to the exterior, which can decrease the rate at which the pad deforms
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments described herein relate to an athletic helmet. The athletic helmet can include a shell, a suspension chassis, and several impact-absorbing pads. The suspension chassis can be disposed within the shell and configured to couple the pads to the shell. Each pad can include a membrane defining an interior volume. A valve can place the interior volume in fluid communication with the exterior of the membrane. In some embodiments, two or more structural members can be disposed within the interior volume. One structural member can be at least partially deformed when the athletic helmet is worn by a user.