Polyurethane-Polyorganosiloxane Composite Foam Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible polyurethane foams used for impact protection are limited in their ability to effectively absorb a wide range of impact energies, as they either compress too quickly or not sufficiently, leading to excessive force transmission or resistance, making them unsuitable for various impact types.
Innovation Solution
A polyurethane foam material comprising a polyurethane formed from an isocyanate and a polyol, with a polymerization reaction initiator and accelerator, optionally combined with a cross-linked polyorganosiloxane polymer, creating a composite foam structure that enhances impact absorption and resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If flexible polyurethane foam is made softer to absorb impact, then impact energy absorption is improved, but the foam compresses too quickly and transmits excessive force to the impacted body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polyurethane foam with polyorganosiloxane to create a composite material that integrates the soft, energy-absorbing characteristics of polyurethane with the structural stability and controlled compression properties of polyorganosiloxane, resolving the contradiction between softness for energy absorption and compression rate control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition and cross-linking density of the foam material to adjust its mechanical properties, enabling the foam to maintain optimal compression characteristics across varying impact conditions while balancing energy absorption and force transmission
2Force
If flexible polyurethane foam is made harder to reduce compression speed, then force transmission is reduced, but the foam cannot compress sufficiently and decelerates the impacted body too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of polyurethane and polyorganosiloxane allows the material to exhibit hard-like resistance initially to prevent excessive compression speed, then transition to softer behavior to allow sufficient compression for energy absorption, resolving the contradiction between hardness for force control and softness for energy absorption
3Strength
If foam density is increased to improve impact resistance, then strength is improved, but weight increases reducing the lightweight advantage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite foam structure that achieves enhanced strength and impact resistance through the synergistic combination of polyurethane and polyorganosiloxane at optimized ratios, maintaining lightweight characteristics while improving mechanical properties beyond what either material could achieve alone
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 composite foam material provides improved impact absorption and resilience while being lightweight, capable of repeatedly absorbing shock without structural damage, and can be configured for various devices, including helmets and vehicle bumpers, to effectively manage different impact types.
Implementation Method 1
a polyurethane, a polymerization reaction initiator, and a polymerization reaction accelerator is provided. The polyurethane is formed from an isocyanate and a polyol.
Implementation Method 2
Flexible foams can only be customized to respond to a very specific range of impact energies and hence generally cannot perform well across a wide range of impact types. Such foams are lightweight and contain small pores that allow foam to deform elastically under impact so that energy is absorbed and dissipated as the material is compressed.
Implementation Method 3
optionally combined with a cross-linked polyorganosiloxane polymer, creating a composite foam structure that enhances impact absorption and resilience.
Data Source
AI summary
A polyurethane foam, a polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam, and a polyurethane foam polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam material are disclosed and described herein. The materials are formed in the presence of a polymerization reaction initiator (an isoprenoid compound), and a polymerization reaction accelerator. The polyurethane foam is formed from an isocyanate and a polyol. The polyurethane foam polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam material comprises the polyurethane foam which is cross-linked to the polyurethane backbone to a polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam. Optional gelling agents, emulsification control agents, reinforcement fillers, cross-linkers, reinforcement polymers, rubber reinforcers, silk proteins, emollients, stabilizers and colorants are also described. The polyurethane and polyurethane-polyorganosiloxane foam materials exhibit a high degree of flexibility, resilience and excellent impact absorption.