Protective Helmet with Sinusoidal Springs and Elastomeric Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets fail to effectively absorb and slowly release both linear and rotational forces, which can lead to severe brain injuries such as concussions, particularly in contact sports and construction sites, as they passively transfer forces to the brain, neglecting the hazardous nature of rotational forces.
Innovation Solution
A protective helmet design featuring an inner and outer shell connected by elastomeric cords and fluid-filled bladders with elastomeric diaphragms, which dissipate forces through elastic deformation and hysteretic damping, preventing the transfer of rotational and linear forces to the brain, and includes sinusoidal springs and a transmission device to indicate impact severity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional passive helmet structures are used, then the helmet is simple in structure, but it fails to effectively absorb and slowly release linear and rotational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet is divided into multiple functional zones including an outer shell, inner shell, elastomeric zone with sinusoidal springs, fluid-filled bladders with elastomeric diaphragms, and energy storage mechanisms. Each zone handles specific aspects of force absorption and energy dissipation, allowing the complex protective function to be achieved through modular segmentation of the helmet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet utilizes materials and mechanisms that change their physical parameters under impact conditions. The elastomeric materials undergo elastic deformation, the fluid-filled bladders change volume and pressure, and the energy storage mechanisms transform kinetic energy into potential energy. These parameter changes enable dynamic force absorption that adapts to impact severity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing helmets are used, then they provide basic protection, but they passively transfer rotational and linear forces to the brain causing concussive injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet converts harmful kinetic energy from impacts into beneficial potential energy through its energy storage mechanisms. The sinusoidal springs and fluid-filled bladders transform the destructive linear and rotational forces into elastic potential energy and hydraulic pressure, which are then slowly released, preventing direct force transfer to the brain while utilizing the impact energy for protective deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric zone with sinusoidal springs and fluid-filled bladders acts as an intermediary between the outer shell and inner shell. This intermediate layer absorbs and dissipates forces before they reach the brain, mediating the force transfer through elastic deformation and hysteretic damping mechanisms that protect the wearer from both linear and rotational impacts.
3Reliability
If energy storage mechanisms are added to absorb and slowly release forces, then force dissipation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric zone with sinusoidal springs serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural connection between shells, absorbs impact energy through elastic deformation, dissipates energy through hysteretic damping, and slowly releases stored energy during the rebound phase. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid-filled bladders with elastomeric diaphragms utilize hydraulic principles to absorb and slowly release impact forces. The incompressible fluid transmits and distributes impact pressure throughout the bladder volume, while the elastomeric diaphragm provides flexible containment and gradual energy release, creating a pneumatic-hydraulic energy storage and dissipation system.
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 dissipates both linear and rotational forces via elastic deformation and hysteretic damping, reducing the risk of concussive injuries by converting kinetic energy into harmless heat, and provides a mechanism to remotely indicate impact severity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric zone between said first outer surface and said second inner surface, a plurality of sinusoidal springs positioned in said elastomeric zone
Implementation Method 2
dissipate forces through elastic deformation and hysteretic damping
Implementation Method 3
fluid-filled bladders with elastomeric diaphragms, which dissipate forces through elastic deformation and hysteretic damping
Data Source
AI summary
A protective helmet having multiple protective zones, including an inner shell having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, an outer shell having a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and at least one window defined by said outer shell, said outer shell functionally attached to said inner shell, an elastomeric zone between said first outer surface and said second inner surface, a plurality of sinusoidal springs positioned in said elastomeric zone, each of the plurality of sinusoidal springs including a first end, and a second end, a force indicator tab in operative contact with said second end of at least one of said plurality of sinusoidal springs, wherein said force indicator tab is displaced in said at least one window by said second end when said helmet is impacted with sufficient force, and a transmission device.