Impact Absorbing Panel With Staged Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact-absorbing surfaces, such as playgrounds and athletic mats, are limited in their ability to effectively distribute and dissipate impact forces, leading to potential injuries from falls, as they rely on materials that can only spread the load over a limited area.
Innovation Solution
The impact absorption panel features a top surface with drainage channels and a bottom surface with projections having distinct spring rate characteristics, allowing for a load absorption gradient over a larger area, with the first stage compressing more than the second stage, and interconnected drainage channels to manage water and distribute impact loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional impact-absorbing surfaces use uniform material layers, then the structure is simple, but the impact load cannot be effectively distributed over a large area
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is segmented into multiple functional layers: a top surface layer, a core layer with protrusions, and a bottom surface layer. The core layer is further segmented into multiple protrusions arranged in arrays, each capable of independent deformation. This segmentation allows the impact load to be distributed across numerous discrete elements over a large area, resolving the contradiction between large area coverage and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the panel have different structural properties. The core layer features protrusions with varying geometries (different heights, cross-sectional areas, and wall thicknesses) that create localized variations in stiffness and energy absorption characteristics. This local quality variation enables optimized impact distribution across the entire panel area while maintaining overall structural coherence.
2Force
If the panel uses a single-layer structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the impact force absorption capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The panel employs a composite structure with a top surface layer, a core layer with protrusions, and a bottom surface layer. These layers work together to provide enhanced impact force absorption: the top layer distributes the applied load, the core layer's protrusions deform to absorb energy, and the bottom layer provides structural support. This multi-layer composite approach significantly improves impact force absorption compared to single-layer structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The core layer protrusions are designed to deform dynamically under impact loading. The protrusions exhibit non-linear deformation behavior where the stiffness changes during compression, allowing the panel to adapt its force absorption characteristics based on the magnitude of the applied load. This dynamic response enhances overall impact force absorption capability.
3Stress or pressure
If the projections have uniform spring rate, then the structure is simple, but the deflection under load is insufficient for effective impact absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions in the core layer are designed with varying spring rates through different geometries. Some protrusions have higher spring rates (greater resistance to compression) while others have lower spring rates (greater deflection capability). This local variation in spring rate allows different regions to deflect by different amounts under load, creating a gradient that enhances overall impact absorption while maintaining structural integrity.
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
This design significantly enhances impact force absorption and dissipation, providing greater resistance to impact loads and distributing energy over a wider area, thereby increasing the critical fall height and reducing injury risk, as demonstrated by HIC test results.
Implementation Method 1
The projections have a first stage that defines a first spring rate characteristic and a second stage defining a second spring rate characteristic. The first stage is configured to collapse initially when subjected to an impact load, the second stage is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first stage
Implementation Method 2
The first spring rate characteristic provides for more deflection under load than the second spring rate characteristic. The first stage is configured to compress and telescopically deflect, at least partially, into the second stage
Implementation Method 3
The top side includes a plurality of drainage channels that are in fluid communication with a plurality of drain holes. The plurality of drain holes connect the top side drainage channels with a plurality of bottom side channels
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~5
AI summary
An impact absorption panel is adapted for playground use and comprises a panel section and a plurality of projections. The panel section is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface. The plurality of projections extend from the bottom surface of the panel section. The plurality of projections have a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is configured to collapse initially when subjected to an impact load. The second stage is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first stage. The panel section is configured to provide greater resistance to the impact load than the first and second stages. The first stage can also be distinguished from the second stage by virtue of having a comparatively smaller volume.