Helmet Pin Assemblies for Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sports helmets inadequately attenuate impact forces to the head, posing risks of immediate and latent brain injuries from collisions during sports.

Innovation Solution

A safety helmet design featuring inner and outer shells with deformable pin assemblies between the shells and a head seating structure, which elastically deform to absorb impacts, providing superior protection through lattice construction and adjustable pin placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional sports helmets use rigid shell structures, then structural strength is maintained, but impact force attenuation to the head is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact force attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet is divided into an outer shell, inner shell, and head engagement structure, with deformable pins connecting these segmented components. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function: the outer shell provides structural strength, while the inner shell and deformable pins provide impact attenuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable pins are designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow them to elastically deform under impact forces. The pins can be selectively located at different positions and have varying degrees of deformability, changing the mechanical parameters of the helmet system to optimize both strength and impact protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If deformable pin assemblies are added between shells and head seating structure, then impact protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable pin assemblies serve multiple functions: they connect the outer shell to the inner shell, provide impact attenuation through elastic deformation, and allow for selective positioning at various locations on the helmet. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pin assemblies have a lattice-type construction with interstitial spaces, creating a porous structure that accommodates deformation during impacts. This porous design allows the pins to compress and expand while maintaining structural integrity, providing impact protection without requiring solid, heavy materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If pins and pin assemblies are selectively located using extra holes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepin placement adaptabilityVSAvoidhole alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet shell includes a plurality of holes at different locations, allowing deformable pins to be selectively positioned at specific areas where impact protection is most needed. This local adaptability allows customization of protection zones without requiring precision holes at every possible location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pin assemblies can be dynamically positioned and configured based on specific sport requirements and impact patterns. The selective placement capability allows the helmet design to adapt to different usage scenarios while the manufacturing process accommodates this flexibility through standardized hole patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 absorbs and distributes impact forces, offering enhanced protection against head injuries by allowing for varying levels of deformation and resistance, thus improving safety for athletes.

Implementation Method 1

The pin assemblies elastically deform responsive to impacts, thereby providing impact protection superior to conventional sports helmets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the interstitial spaces further accommodate temporary displacement and compression of the pin assemblies during impacts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20210022429A1Protective Helmet

Publication Date: 2021.01.28 OSTERGARD DOAK

AI summary

A safety helmet, for example, usable in sports such as football, is shown and described. The safety helmet includes an outer shell, an inner shell, and an inner head seating structure. The latter encircles a head of a wearer of the safety helmet. The inner head seating structure is coupled in spaced apart relation to the inner shell by elastically deformable pin assemblies and associated deformable pins engaged by the pin assemblies. The pins protrude through the inner shell to the inner head seating structure, and outside the inner shell to the outer shell. The pin assemblies may have lattice construction providing openings further accommodating deformation responsive to impact forces. Inner and outer shells may have holes to accept ends of pins of pin assemblies. The number of holes may exceed those actually occupied by ends of pins, thereby providing adjustability in number and location of pin assemblies and pins.