Padded Facemask Shield With Porous Impact-Absorbing Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmet facemasks do not adequately cushion against direct impacts, leading to potential neck and hand injuries, and lack a standardized, affordable solution that can accommodate various helmet designs and provide antimicrobial protection.
Innovation Solution
A releasably attachable padded facemask shield with shock-absorbing padding, made of lightweight, breathable material, featuring a flexible frame and urethane-based foam pads that harden on impact, and an adjustable fit to cover the facemask, incorporating antimicrobial air filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a facemask shield is added to provide impact cushioning, then protection against collisions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The facemask shield is divided into multiple independent shock-absorbing elements (spongy material segments) that can be individually positioned along the facemask bars. This segmentation allows the shield to provide comprehensive protection across different impact zones while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be attached to standard facemasks without complex assembly requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spongy material acts as an intermediary element between the rigid facemask bars and external impact forces. This intermediate layer absorbs and dissipates collision energy, protecting the player's face and head while maintaining compatibility with existing facemask designs without requiring fundamental structural changes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple springs, hinges, and clips are added to attach the shield, then shock absorption is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield utilizes inexpensive spongy material that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This approach avoids the high costs associated with complex mechanical components like springs and hinges, making the solution economically viable for widespread adoption in sports equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is integrated directly into the facemask structure using simple clips or straps that attach to existing facemask components. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate, complex mounting hardware and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining effective shock absorption functionality.
3Strength
If a rigid shield structure is used for protection, then impact resistance is improved, but breathing restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield employs flexible spongy material rather than rigid structures, allowing the material to deform and accommodate breathing movements while maintaining protective functionality. This flexibility ensures that players can breathe normally without removing the shield, as the material conforms to facial movements and does not obstruct airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The spongy material inherently possesses a porous structure that allows air passage while maintaining structural integrity for impact protection. This porosity enables breathing functionality without compromising the shock-absorbing capabilities of the shield material.
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 padded facemask shield effectively mitigates linear and rotational forces, reduces the risk of neck and hand injuries, and provides antimicrobial protection by deflecting forces and filtering airborne microbes.
Implementation Method 1
Pads can be formed of a urethane-based, rate-dependent non-Newtonian foam that hardens on impact. After the moment of impact, the pad(s) return to their original state.
Implementation Method 2
Pads can be formed of a urethane-based, rate-dependent non-Newtonian foam that hardens on impact.
Implementation Method 3
That is, at least one of the frame and the at least first resilient pad is sufficiently porous to pass air.
Data Source
AI summary
A padded facemask shield assembly is provided for a protective helmet having a facemask with an inboard surface and an outboard surface. The padded facemask shield assembly has a frame, including an elastic frame, at least one resilient pad connected to the frame, and a coupler connected to at least one of the frame and the at least one resilient pad, wherein the coupler is configured to releasably engage the facemask and locate the frame and the at least one resilient pad on the outboard surface of the facemask.