Limb Protection Layers That Diffuse Impact Pressure
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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
The body impact protection system employs a multi-layered structure with angled components that diffuse and dampen impact forces, increasing the impact area and reducing pressure on the body part, utilizing materials like rubber, foam, and gel to distribute force over a larger surface, thereby reducing the risk of concussion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional helmets use rigid outer shells and foam padding to protect body parts, then impact protection is provided, but impact pressure is not adequately reduced because the impact area remains small
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer shell layer, an intermediate foam padding layer, and an inner conformal layer with geometric patterns. Each layer serves to progressively distribute and diffuse impact forces across increasing areas, transforming a concentrated impact into a distributed pressure field that protects the underlying body part.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces geometric patterns (such as pyramidal or domical structures) into the inner conformal layer, adding a dimensional element that increases the effective impact area. These three-dimensional structures diffuse impact forces across a larger surface area compared to conventional flat-padding designs, thereby reducing impact pressure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If helmets are designed to increase impact distance to reduce G-force, then G-force testing results improve, but impact pressure on small areas remains concentrated and inadequate protection is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The inner conformal layer features localized geometric patterns (pyramidal, domical, or other three-dimensional structures) that are strategically positioned to diffuse impact forces. These local structural variations create zones of force distribution that prevent concentration of impact pressure, addressing the local quality needed to reduce concussion risk while maintaining overall helmet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet combines multiple materials with different mechanical properties: a rigid outer shell for structural integrity, foam padding for energy absorption, and a conformal inner layer with geometric patterns for force diffusion. This composite structure integrates the benefits of each material to simultaneously address G-force reduction and impact pressure distribution.
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 approach significantly reduces the impact pressure on the body part, minimizing the risk of injury by spreading the force over a larger area, thus providing more effective protection against concussions compared to conventional helmets.
Implementation Method 1
The collision with the object creates an impact force on the outer layer in a given area. The layers of components dampen the impact force and diffuse it over a larger area layer by layer.
Implementation Method 2
The layers of components dampen the impact force and diffuse it over a larger area layer by layer
Implementation Method 3
utilizing materials like rubber, foam, and gel to distribute force over a larger surface
Data Source
AI summary
A body limb protection system includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a force dampening and defusing structure. The outer layer includes a first material composition and has an exterior surface that includes a substantially planer area. The inner layer includes a second material composition and has a shape corresponding to a body limb portion. The force dampening and defusing structure is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. The force dampening and defusing structure has a shape corresponding to a difference between the shapes of the inner and outer layers. The force dampening and defusing structure includes a plurality of components arranged to reduce pressure on the body limb portion when a force is applied to the substantially planer area.