Multi-Layer Impact Protection Structure for Concussion Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impact protection devices, such as helmets, rely on G-force measurements for testing, which are incomplete in determining concussion safety, as they do not account for impact pressure, leading to inadequate protection against severe injuries due to concentrated force on small areas.
Innovation Solution
A body impact protection system that incorporates a multi-layered structure with angled components and varying material compositions to distribute and dampen impact forces, increasing the impact area and reducing pressure on the body part, thereby mitigating the risk of concussion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional helmets use rigid outer shell and foam padding to protect against impact, then the helmet can pass G-force based testing by increasing impact distance, but the helmet fails to account for impact pressure and does not provide adequate protection against concentrated force on small areas
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet is divided into multiple functional layers: a rigid outer shell for structural integrity, a foam padding layer for initial impact absorption, and a novel intermediate layer with a grid-like structure that segments the impact force into multiple vectors. This segmentation allows the helmet to address both G-force reduction and impact pressure distribution simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet employs composite material construction combining rigid plastics for the outer shell, foam materials for padding, and a proprietary intermediate material with specific cellular structure. This composite approach enables the helmet to satisfy both G-force testing requirements and impact pressure distribution needs that single-material designs cannot achieve
2Force
If helmets are designed to increase impact distance to reduce G-force, then G-force based testing results improve, but the impact area remains concentrated and impact pressure is not adequately reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer introduces a third dimension of force distribution by using a three-dimensional grid structure that deflects impact forces in multiple directions rather than simply extending impact distance linearly. This dimensional approach simultaneously reduces both G-force magnitude and impact pressure concentration
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer is designed with dynamic cellular structures that change configuration during impact, transitioning from a compact state to an expanded state that increases impact distance while simultaneously distributing force across a larger area, addressing both G-force and pressure concerns
3Duration of action of moving object
If helmets use traditional foam padding to increase impact distance, then deceleration time increases and G-force reduces, but the padding does not distribute force over a larger area and impact pressure remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer's grid structure segments the concentrated impact area into multiple smaller impact zones distributed across a larger surface area. This segmentation extends both the temporal duration of impact and the spatial distribution of force, simultaneously addressing impact duration and impact area requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The three-dimensional grid structure of the intermediate layer adds vertical dimension to force distribution, creating a volumetric dispersion of impact forces rather than planar distribution. This enables simultaneous extension of impact duration and expansion of impact area
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 system effectively reduces the impact pressure on the body by spreading the force over a larger area, significantly lowering the risk of injury and severity of concussions compared to conventional protective gear, even when G-force measurements are within acceptable ranges.
Implementation Method 1
an impact force dampening and defusing structure 14 positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer
Implementation Method 2
The layer(s) of components function to reduce pressure on the head from a collision with an object by distributing the impact force over a larger area
Data Source
AI summary
A body impact protection system includes an inner layer and an impact force dampening and defusing structure. The inner layer includes a material composition and is adjacent to a body part when the body impact protection system is worn. The impact force dampening and defusing structure is juxtaposed to the inner layer and includes a plurality of components. The components function to reduce pressure on the body part from an impact force on a layer by layer basis. Each layer of the system dampens and defuses the impact force such that, by the time it reaches the body part, it has been substantially attenuated and spread over a large area.