Helmet Patch Antenna Impact Detection and Pad Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current helmets, despite advancements, still struggle to effectively mitigate rotational forces and internal strains caused by sudden impacts, which can lead to concussions and other head injuries, particularly in sports and traumatic events, due to limitations in padding thickness and density, as well as fit and coverage.

Innovation Solution

A wireless sensing system integrated into helmets that uses patch antennas and processing units to detect impending impacts, activating inflatable/deflatable helmet and shoulder pads to stabilize and absorb the force, thereby reducing rotational acceleration and impact severity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If padding thickness is increased to absorb impact energy, then impact protection is improved, but helmet weight and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidhelmet weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs rate-sensitive foam material that changes its mechanical properties based on impact severity. The foam is compliant for low-speed impacts but stiffens for high-speed impacts, allowing thin padding to provide both comfort and protection without increasing weight or bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The helmet combines multiple materials with different properties: rate-sensitive foam for impact absorption, rigid shell for structural integrity, and energy-dissipating layers. This composite structure achieves superior protection with reduced overall thickness and weight compared to uniform padding designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If padding density is increased to improve impact absorption, then crash energy absorption is improved, but rotational force mitigation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrash energy absorptionVSAvoidrotational force

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet padding is divided into multiple layers with different functions: outer rigid shell, middle energy-dissipating foam layers, and inner comfort lining. This segmentation allows each layer to address specific aspects of impact protection, including both linear and rotational forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rate-sensitive foam material dynamically adjusts its stiffness based on impact conditions. During high-speed impacts with rotational components, the foam's nonlinear response helps dissipate energy more effectively, reducing rotational forces transmitted to the head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If helmet coverage is increased to protect more head areas, then injury prevention is improved, but fit and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury preventionVSAvoidfit and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet provides enhanced protection at critical impact zones (front, back, sides) while maintaining appropriate coverage elsewhere. The rate-sensitive foam and strategic layering concentrate protection where it's most needed, allowing comprehensive coverage without excessive bulk or discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless sensing and active pad activation systems are added to detect and respond to impacts, then concussion prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcussion preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless sensing system continuously monitors for impact conditions and can activate protective mechanisms before full impact occurs. This preliminary detection and response capability enhances concussion prevention while using modern compact sensors to minimize added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely passive mechanical protection with an active system using wireless sensors, microprocessors, and controlled pad activation. This substitution enables intelligent response to impact conditions, providing superior concussion prevention despite increased electronic system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9007217B1Helmet with patch antennas to detect, prevent, and minimize head concussion

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 KIOMARS ANVARI

AI summary

A helmet with wireless sensor system for monitoring of surrounding objects. The helmet with wireless sensor system comprises a wireless transceiver connected to a number of patch antennas to transmit a particular signal and receive reflected signals from surrounding objects, a processing unit that uses the information from reflected signal received by wireless transceiver to calculate the speed, distance, and direction of the object to determine when and where an impact will occur, and a number of inflatable/deflatable pads installed on the helmet and external to the helmet that will be activated prior to an impact.