Protective Laminate Structures for Impact Energy Dispersion
Solution Overview
Problem
Current athletic helmets are bulky, rigid, and heavy, failing to effectively prevent concussions and rotational impacts, and are not well-suited for long-term use due to their complex manufacturing and limited impact absorption capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A protective laminate structure comprising an open fibrous lattice with loose fiber bundles or tubular elements, a continuous flexible layer, and high-elongation adhesives, which disperses energy and reduces impact forces through deformation, allowing for lighter, safer helmets that can absorb multiple impacts without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid shell structures are used in helmets, then skull fracture protection is achieved, but the helmets become bulky, heavy, and fail to prevent concussions and rotational impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible laminate structure composed of multiple layers including flexible adhesives, foam layers, and fibrous lattices. This flexible shell approach replaces the traditional rigid helmet shell, providing skull fracture protection through the distributed laminate structure while significantly reducing weight and enabling concussion and rotational impact prevention through controlled deformation and energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining multiple layers with different properties: flexible adhesives (e.g., polyurethane), foam layers (e.g., viscoelastic foam), and fibrous lattice structures (e.g., carbon fiber, aramid fiber). This composite laminate structure achieves both strength for skull fracture protection and flexibility for concussion prevention, while the composite nature allows weight reduction compared to traditional monolithic rigid shells.
2Strength
If traditional rigid helmets are designed with ribs and energy-absorption features, then impact protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and the helmets can take only one impact before replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the helmet structure into multiple discrete laminate layers including flexible adhesives, foam layers, and fibrous lattice structures. This segmentation allows each layer to independently absorb and dissipate impact energy through controlled deformation, enabling the helmet to withstand multiple impacts without damage. The modular laminate structure simplifies manufacturing compared to complex ribbed designs while maintaining superior impact protection capabilities.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional rigid helmets are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but whiplash effect increases and rotational impacts are not prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic laminate structure that can deform and adapt during impact events. The flexible adhesives and foam layers allow controlled movement and energy absorption, enabling the helmet to mitigate rotational impacts and reduce whiplash effects. The fibrous lattice structures provide dynamic reinforcement that maintains structural integrity during normal use while allowing necessary deformation during impacts to protect against concussions and rotational forces.
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 laminate structure reduces whiplash risk, provides effective protection against concussions and rotational impacts, and extends the helmet's useful life by distributing and absorbing impact forces, making it safer and more durable than conventional helmets.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible adhesion means such as high-elongation adhesives connecting the continuous flexible layer and the lattice elements of the open fibrous lattice. The flexible adhesion means can include a high-elongation adhesive, which can be useful to absorb energy.
Implementation Method 2
an open fibrous lattice (or network) comprising lattice elements defining an open (or void) area (or volume) between the lattice elements
Implementation Method 3
a continuous flexible layer adjacent to the open fibrous lattice
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a protective laminate structure that can be incorporated into a protective garment such as a sports helmet. The protective laminate structure includes lattice elements such as fiber bundles defining an open area between the lattice elements, a continuous flexible layer adjacent to the open fibrous lattice, and a flexible adhesion means such as high-elongation adhesives connecting the continuous flexible layer and the lattice elements of the open fibrous lattice. The protective laminate structures provide a structure in which energy from an impact is transferred/dispersed within the structure to limit and reduce both concussive and destructive/fracturing forces transmitted through the structure. Corresponding protective garments such as helmets are lighter yet safer relative to convention rigid-shell helmets, flexible yet prevent skull fracture, and small/conform closely to the head without transfer of impact forces.