Helmet Sliding Interface Reduces Rotational Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets face challenges in manufacturing and assembly due to friction issues between moving parts, which affect their impact protection efficiency and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a head mount suspended within a cavity with an air gap, and a sliding interface using low friction materials to allow relative movement between the head mount and protective layers under impact, reducing friction and improving ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moving parts are implemented in a helmet to allow relative movement under impact, then impact protection efficiency is improved, but friction between moving parts increases making assembly and manufacturing more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A low friction material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the protective layer and the head mount, forming a sliding interface that enables relative movement while minimizing friction. This mediator layer resolves the contradiction by allowing the moving parts function to work effectively without the friction-related manufacturing and assembly difficulties
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics of the interface between moving parts are changed by applying a low friction material layer. This parameter change (from high friction to low friction) allows the relative movement mechanism to function properly while eliminating the manufacturing and assembly difficulties associated with high friction interfaces
2Ease of manufacture
If a sliding interface with low friction material is added to reduce friction between moving parts, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thin low friction material layer is applied to the sliding interface surfaces. This thin film approach provides the friction-reducing function while adding minimal structural complexity. The thin film nature means it can be integrated into existing helmet components without significantly increasing overall device complexity
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 distributes impact energy, reducing rotational acceleration and enhancing protection against both radial and tangential impact components, while being easier to manufacture and assemble.
Implementation Method 1
an air gap is provided that separates the head mount and the at least one protective layer
Implementation Method 2
a sliding interface provided between the head mount and the at least one protective layer, configured such that the at least one protective layer is able to slide relative to the head mount
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet, comprising: at least one protective layer; a head mount, configured to be mounted on the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet, wherein the head mount is suspended within a cavity formed by the at least one protective layer such that, in normal use and under an impact to the helmet below a threshold force, an air gap is provided that separates the head mount and the at least one protective layer, and, under an impact above the threshold force, the one or more protective layers contacts the head mount; and a sliding interface provided between the head mount and the at least one protective layer, configured such that the at least one protective layer is able to slide relative to the head mount as the at least one protective layer contacts the head mount under an impact to the helmet above the threshold force.