Impact Resistant Pad with Segmented Raised Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective pads in sports gear lack comfort while maintaining high protection levels due to uniform material configurations, failing to adequately cushion high-force impacts.
Innovation Solution
Impact-resistant pads featuring a base layer with raised portions and high tensile strength fibrous materials, designed to correspond to anatomical shapes, providing enhanced protection and comfort by varying thickness without compromising bendability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective pads are configured from continuous layers of uniform materials, then protection coverage is improved (no gaps), but comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is segmented into a base layer and multiple raised portions that extend upward from the base layer. Each raised portion has a specific geometry with primary sides and secondary sides, creating distinct zones for impact protection while maintaining comfort in non-impact areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pad have different thicknesses and material densities. The raised portions provide enhanced protection where impacts are most likely to occur, while the base layer provides uniform support across the entire pad area, optimizing both protection and comfort.
2Strength
If pad thickness is increased to improve protection, then impact resistance is improved, but bendability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pad structure is divided into a thin base layer and separate raised portions. This segmentation allows the raised portions to provide thick impact protection only where needed, while the overall pad remains flexible due to the thin base layer connecting the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure transitions from a two-dimensional uniform layer to a three-dimensional structure with raised portions extending upward. This adds vertical dimension for protection while maintaining horizontal flexibility through the base layer.
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 solution effectively increases protection levels while maintaining user comfort, allowing for customizable thickness and improved energy absorption and dissipation of impact forces.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer material having a base layer and a plurality of raised portions extending upward from the base layer
Implementation Method 2
effectively cushioning participants from the forces of impacts
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods thereof for employing impact resistant materials, pads, and layers are disclosed. Aspects of the invention include, an impact resistant material including an elastomer material having a base layer and a plurality of raised portions extending upward from the base layer, wherein each of the plurality of raised portions has a top surface and at least three primary sides. Each of the at least three primary sides having a middle region positioned closer to a center of the respective raised portion than either end region of the respective primary side.