Nested Shell Impact Protection with Elastomeric Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impact protection devices, such as helmets and pads, lose effectiveness when they reach their compression limit and can only absorb energy in a limited volume around the impact location, limiting their overall energy absorption capacity.
Innovation Solution
A personal impact protection device featuring nested mechanical members with elastomeric energy-absorption members spanning the distance between them, allowing for energy absorption from various directions and angles by stretching the elastomeric members, which are anchored to both shells and designed to absorb momentum, thereby reducing the force felt by the wearer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If compressive pads are used to absorb impact energy, then some energy is absorbed, but the pads lose effectiveness when they reach their compression limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic energy absorption through multiple shells that can move relative to each other, connected by elastomeric members. Instead of relying on static compression, the system dynamically responds to impact forces by allowing shell movement and elastomeric deformation, enabling continued energy absorption beyond what static compressive pads can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of energy absorption materials from static compressive pads to dynamic elastomeric members connecting movable shells. This parameter change allows the system to transition from compression-based absorption to tension and deformation-based absorption, maintaining effectiveness after traditional pads reach their compression limit.
2Loss of energy
If traditional compressive pads are used, then only the portion directly under the impact location is compressed, but this limits the pad volume involved in energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective structure into multiple segmented shells (inner shell, outer shell, intermediate shells) connected by elastomeric members. This segmentation allows different portions of the structure to deform and absorb energy independently during impact, significantly increasing the total volume participating in energy absorption compared to a single solid pad.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface pads to a three-dimensional multi-shell structure with elastomeric members spanning the space between shells. This dimensional expansion creates a volumetric energy absorption system where impacts are distributed throughout the entire structure, engaging much larger volumes in energy dissipation.
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 device effectively distributes and absorbs impact energy across a larger area, reducing the force transmitted to the body and providing comprehensive protection from impacts by utilizing elastomeric members that stretch and absorb energy, enhancing the protection beyond the initial compression limit of traditional pads.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elastomeric energy-absorption members mechanically coupled to and spanning the distance between both of the mechanical members
Implementation Method 2
The energy-absorption members may be thin, flat sheet members or elongated straps
Data Source
AI summary
A personal impact protection device (10) with a first mechanical member (12) that may be a shell, ring or housing, and a second mechanical member (14) that may also be a shell, ring or housing. The two mechanical members (12, 14) are nested and spaced from one another. One or more elastomeric energy-absorption members (16) are mechanically coupled to and span the distance between both of the mechanical members (12, 14) to absorb energy from impacts to the outer mechanical member (12) that displace the outer member (12) relative to the inner member (14).