Helmet Reactive Layer with Rolling Balls for Oblique Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helmets currently fail to provide adequate protection against oblique impacts, which can result in rotational acceleration of the brain, leading to injuries such as subdural hematomas and diffuse axonal injuries due to the inability to effectively mitigate tangential forces.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a reactive layer with rigid balls sandwiched between stiff outer and inner layers, allowing the balls to roll upon impact, thereby reducing rotational forces and absorbing energy to minimize brain and neck injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a helmet comprises only traditional impact absorbing layers, then linear impact forces are reduced, but tangential forces during oblique impacts are not adequately mitigated, resulting in rotational acceleration of the brain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reactive layer containing movable elements (balls or capsules) that can dynamically reposition themselves during impact. These elements shift from a static configuration to an active rolling motion when subjected to tangential forces, enabling the helmet to adapt its protective mechanism based on the impact type and direction
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive layer acts as an intermediary between the outer shell and the inner comfort layer. This intermediate layer with movable elements provides a mechanical interface that specifically addresses tangential forces by allowing controlled rolling motion, thereby reducing rotational acceleration transmitted to the brain while maintaining structural integrity
2Strength
If the helmet structure is made stiffer to reduce deformation during impact, then protection against linear impacts improves, but the ability to absorb and dissipate tangential energy through deformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet is divided into distinct functional layers: a rigid outer shell for structural strength, a reactive layer with movable elements for energy dissipation, and an inner comfort layer. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in specific protective functions, with the reactive layer's movable elements providing energy dissipation through rolling motion without compromising the overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive layer utilizes elements with specific physical parameters (size, material properties, distribution density) that can be optimized to control the threshold and characteristics of rolling motion. By adjusting these parameters, the helmet can be tuned to activate the energy dissipation mechanism at appropriate impact levels while maintaining stiffness for linear impact protection
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 the transmission of tangential forces to the brain, lowering the risk of severe injuries by facilitating the rolling of balls between layers, which helps in distributing and reducing the impact force, thus enhancing safety during oblique impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the reactive layer comprises a plurality of rigid balls, that particularly remain rigid during normal use of the helmet and are configured to roll at an impact threshold over an outer surface of the second layer
Implementation Method 2
absorbing energy to minimize brain and neck injuries
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a helmet (1) comprising: a first layer (10) forming an outer surface of the helmet (1), a second layer (30), and a reactive layer (20) sandwiched between the first layer (10) and the second layer (30), whereby said reactive layer (20) comprises a plurality of rigid balls (2) allowing the first layer (10) to roll upon the second layer (30) as soon as the helmet (1) undergoes an impact of an intensity greater than a predetermined threshold.