Helmet Padding System With Slots And Spacing Pad

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective headgear fails to adequately mitigate the negative health effects of high-force impacts experienced in contact sports, such as wrestling and football, due to insufficient impact absorption and distribution.

Innovation Solution

A helmet padding system comprising a rigid shell with slots and a spacing pad made from impact-resistant materials, including elastomeric layers and high tensile strength fibrous materials, designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces laterally, combined with absorption pads to further cushion impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional protective headgear is used, then basic impact protection is provided, but the negative health effects of high-force impacts are not adequately mitigated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protection effectivenessVSAvoidnegative health effects from head impacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite padding structures combining multiple materials with different properties - rigid shell material for structural integrity, elastomeric layers for energy absorption, and high tensile strength fibrous materials for force distribution. This multi-material composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of impact absorption and force mitigation that single-material conventional headgear cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The padding system is divided into multiple functional segments: a rigid shell providing structural protection, spacing pads creating controlled distance, and absorption pads for impact energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the spacing pad distributing forces and the absorption pads cushioning impacts, thereby reducing harmful effects beyond what conventional unified headgear provides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a rigid shell is used to provide structural protection, then impact resistance is improved, but comfort and fit may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidcomfort and fit

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid shell is designed with localized slots at specific positions rather than being completely solid, providing structural strength where needed while creating ventilation channels and reducing overall rigidity in non-critical areas. This local modification maintains impact resistance while improving comfort through breathability and slightly reduced weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spacing pad acts as an intermediary layer between the rigid shell and the user's head, decoupling the rigid protective structure from direct contact with the body. This intermediary element provides comfort and fit adjustment while allowing the rigid shell to maintain its protective function without compromising wearability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If spacing pads are added to distribute impact forces, then impact protection is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force distributionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacing pad and absorption pad functions are merged into a single integrated component that performs both spacing/distance maintenance and impact absorption. This consolidation achieves enhanced impact force distribution without proportionally increasing component count, as one element fulfills multiple protective functions that would otherwise require separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system effectively reduces the force of impacts on the user's head by distributing and absorbing mechanical energy, providing enhanced protection against high-force collisions in contact sports and other applications like military or construction helmets.

Implementation Method 1

designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces laterally

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

absorb and dissipate impact forces laterally

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Implementation Method 3

distributing and absorbing mechanical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce distribution: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11659882B2Helmet padding system

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 MATSCITECHNO LICENSING CO

AI summary

Helmet padding systems are disclosed. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell configured to cover a top of a user's head and be worn under a piece of headgear. The rigid shell includes a first pair of slots configured to extend in a direction from a back of the user's head toward a front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head. The first pair of slots define a central portion and opposed side portions of the rigid shell. The central portion includes at least one flap extending from the central portion across one of the first pair of slots and covering a first region of one of the opposed side portions of the rigid shell. A spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell.