Neck Brace Inflatable Chambers Gap Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neck protection devices for riders, such as motorcycle helmets, face a limitation in effectiveness due to a necessary gap between the helmet and the protective device, which reduces the transfer of compressive forces and increases the risk of neck injury during impacts, especially when the rider lands upside down.
Innovation Solution
A neck brace with a rigid structure that incorporates deployable means, such as inflatable chambers, to temporarily modify its shape and reduce the gap between the device and the torso, ensuring optimal contact with the helmet during impacts by using sensors to detect danger and deploy the inflation mechanism quickly, thereby creating a supplementary transmission path for compressive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a fixed rigid collar structure is used, then the device provides structural support, but it creates a gap between the helmet and the device that reduces load transfer effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The collar structure transitions from a fixed rigid state during normal use to an expanded rigid state during impact. The inflatable chambers remain deflated during riding, allowing head movement, and inflate rapidly upon impact detection to eliminate the gap and maximize load transfer to the torso.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system detects impact conditions before significant damage occurs and triggers the inflation mechanism in advance. This preliminary action ensures the collar is in the optimal load-bearing configuration at the critical moment of impact, maximizing protection effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If a gap is maintained between the helmet and the device, then head movement is allowed, but the transmission of compressive forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collar dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational conditions. During normal riding, the collar maintains a relaxed state with a gap that allows natural head movement. Upon impact detection, the collar rapidly transitions to an expanded state that eliminates the gap and maximizes compressive force transmission to the torso.
Solution Approach 2:
Inflatable chambers integrated into the collar structure use pneumatic pressure to dynamically adjust the collar's configuration. The chambers remain deflated during normal use to maintain head movement freedom and inflate rapidly upon impact to eliminate the gap and maximize load transfer effectiveness.
3Strength
If the device structure is made rigid, then protection is provided, but the device cannot adapt to different impact conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The collar structure transitions from a flexible state during normal use to a rigid expanded state during impact. The inflatable chambers provide this dynamic transformation, allowing the device to adapt its mechanical properties based on operational conditions while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system automatically detects impact conditions and triggers the inflation mechanism without user intervention. The device self-adjusts its configuration in response to detected conditions, providing adaptive protection without requiring rider action.
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 solution ensures minimal gap between the helmet and the neck brace at the time of impact, effectively reducing the risk of neck injury by providing a stable and immediate load transfer mechanism, enhancing protection while maintaining comfort and freedom of movement during normal riding conditions.
Implementation Method 1
able, after deployment, to reduce the gap between the brace and the torso, more specifically by inflating one or more inflatable chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A protective device for the neck, such as a neck brace, with a substantially rigid closed structure around the neck and adapted to sit on the user's torso includes means for temporarily changing the device's shape so as to reduce the natural gap between the upper brace surface and the lower rim of the helmet, thereby creating a supplementary transmission path for compressive forces exerted upon the device towards the torso.