Hexagonal Protective Components for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective sporting gear is bulky, hindering player mobility and leading to increased injury risks due to reduced use of protective equipment in fast-paced sports.
Innovation Solution
Development of wearable protective gear featuring hexagonal-shaped components with layered rigid and non-rigid materials, including lightweight composite and foam, integrated into compression/wicking fabric to provide impact protection while maintaining flexibility and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protective gear is used, then impact protection is provided, but player mobility is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The protective gear is divided into modular components that can be selectively positioned and attached to different body areas. Each component contains segmented rigid and non-rigid layers that can independently deform during impact, providing protection without restricting overall movement. The modular design allows players to wear only the necessary protective elements for their specific sport and position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible outer shells and thin film structures that conform to body contours while maintaining protective capabilities. These flexible layers allow natural range of motion while distributing impact forces across larger surface areas, reducing the bulk traditionally required for equivalent protection.
2Reliability
If bulky protective equipment is worn, then impact protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective components utilize composite material structures combining rigid impact-resistant layers with non-rigid energy-absorbing layers. This composite approach provides comprehensive impact protection across different impact types (direct blows, glancing contacts, compression forces) without requiring excessively thick or complex single-material constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs materials and structures with variable mechanical parameters - rigid layers provide structural integrity while non-rigid layers offer flexibility and energy absorption. The transition between rigid and non-rigid states occurs dynamically during impact events, allowing the gear to adapt its protective characteristics based on the nature and magnitude of applied forces.
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 player mobility and protection by absorbing impacts without hindering natural or athletic movements, offering customizable protection based on the degree of impact needed for various body areas.
Implementation Method 1
each protective component includes one or more layers of rigid material positioned on one or more layers of non-rigid material
Implementation Method 2
a type of fabric (e.g., a high-performance, microfiber, polyester fabric) that wicks moisture on an athlete's skin from an inner side of the fabric to an outer side of the fabric for evaporation
Implementation Method 3
a type of fabric (e.g., a high-performance, microfiber, polyester fabric) that wicks moisture on an athlete's skin from an inner side of the fabric to an outer side of the fabric for evaporation
Data Source
AI summary
A protective sporting gear is described with a plurality of polygon-shaped protective components interposed between a first layer of material and a second layer of material. The plurality of polygon-shaped protective components are attached to a top surface of the first layer of material. Each of the plurality of protective components includes one or more polygon-shaped layers of rigid material situated on one or more polygon-shaped layers of non-rigid material. A bottom surface of a first polygon-shaped layer of non-rigid material of the one or more polygon-shaped layers of non-rigid material is attached to the top surface of the first layer of material.