Helmet Impact Absorbing Layers Shifting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmet designs, such as those by VICIS, while improving impact absorption, lack innovative solutions for unique head protection that can effectively absorb and redirect impact energy through localized deformation and shifting of impact absorbing layers.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a non-rigid outer shell with impact absorbing layers that include displaceable adjacent pairs of layers and a resiliently stretchable interface, allowing for impact-driven shifting and energy absorption, with a return mechanism to restore the layers to their initial position, and optionally using gas-filled impact absorbing members with stretchable skins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid outer shell is used to protect the head, then head protection is improved, but impact energy cannot be effectively absorbed and redirected through localized deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shell is divided into multiple impact absorbing layers with displaceable adjacent pairs, allowing each layer to deform and shift independently during impact to absorb and redirect energy while maintaining overall head protection
Solution Approach 2:
The outer shell transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where layers can displace and shift relative to each other during impact, enabling energy absorption through controlled movement rather than rigid resistance
2Loss of energy
If impact absorbing layers are made displaceable to enable energy absorption, then impact energy redirection is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the helmet have different properties: the outer shell layers are designed to be displaceable for energy absorption, while the inner shell and connection mechanisms provide stability, creating local variations in rigidity and mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet combines materials with different properties - stretchable materials for the displaceable outer layers to enable energy absorption, and more rigid materials for the inner shell and connection structures to maintain structural stability
3Loss of energy
If multiple impact absorbing layers are added to improve energy absorption, then impact protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple impact absorbing layers are nested within each other, with each layer containing impact absorbing members within envelopes, creating a compact multi-layer structure that maximizes energy absorption within a confined space
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
Enhances impact energy absorption and redirection, reducing torque transferred to the head by enabling localized deformation and shifting of impact absorbing layers, while maintaining ventilation and comfort through aligned vent passages.
Implementation Method 1
an outer shell surrounding the inner shell in outwardly spaced relation therefrom, said outer shell being non-rigid to enable localized deformation thereof under impact
Implementation Method 2
impact energy is absorbed by the impact absorbing members within the plurality of impact absorbing layers
Implementation Method 3
stretchable material disposed among the plurality of impact absorbing layers and arranged to stretch during the impact-driven shifting between the adjacent pair of layers
Implementation Method 4
a balloon having a stretchable skin delimiting a gas-filled interior of said balloon
Implementation Method 5
a balloon having a stretchable skin delimiting a gas-filled interior of said balloon
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet features an inner shell, a non-rigid outer shell surrounding the inner shell in outwardly spaced relation therefrom, and a plurality of impact absorbing layers disposed between the shells. Each impact absorbing layer features an envelope, and a plurality of impact absorbing members disposed internally within said envelope. At least one adjacent pair of impact absorbing layers are displaceable relative to one another to enable impact-driven shifting between the adjacent pair, whereby impact energy is absorbed by the impact absorbing members within the impact absorbing layers, and absorbed and/or redirected by the impact-driven shifting between the adjacent absorbing layers. Resiliently stretchable material is attached to the adjacent layers at discrete locations such that, after being stretched by the relative shifting, the material returns to a relaxed state to reset the shifted layers back into a default positional relationship, in which ventilation passages in the absorbing layers are aligned.