Protective Pad Lattice Damping for Impact Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional protective pads, often made of foam materials, face limitations such as poor durability under repeated washing, inability to transfer moisture and air, and weight issues, which affect their effectiveness in absorbing and distributing impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A protective pad design comprising an impact shell and a damping component formed by interconnected joining members and extension members, which absorb and distribute impact forces through a lattice structure or sheet-like form, providing customizable impact attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional foam materials are used for protective pads, then impact absorption is provided, but durability under repeated washing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional foam to a lattice structure made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). This material substitution maintains impact absorption capabilities while significantly improving durability under repeated washing and high-temperature cleaning conditions, directly resolving the contradiction between impact protection and washing durability
Solution Approach 2:
The protective pad combines the rigid impact shell with a lattice-based damping component made of TPU/TPE materials. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both rigid protection and flexible damping, while the specific material selection ensures resistance to degradation from repeated cleaning cycles
2Force
If traditional foam materials are used, then impact force absorption is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping component is segmented into a lattice structure composed of interconnected struts and nodes rather than a solid foam mass. This segmentation maintains the volume necessary for impact absorption while removing excess material, thereby reducing weight while preserving the force absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure inherently creates a porous configuration with void spaces between the struts. This porous architecture reduces material density and overall weight compared to solid foam, while the remaining material is strategically positioned to maintain effective impact force absorption
3Force
If foam materials are used, then impact distribution is provided, but manufacturing flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology to create the lattice structure, which fundamentally changes the manufacturing approach from traditional foam molding. This enables complex geometries, variable strut thicknesses, and customized lattice patterns to be manufactured with high flexibility, directly addressing the manufacturing limitation while maintaining impact distribution capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure allows for dynamic adjustment of design parameters such as strut thickness, node configuration, and cell size to optimize impact distribution for specific application requirements. The manufacturing process can easily adapt these parameters without requiring new tooling, providing superior manufacturing flexibility compared to traditional foam
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 solution effectively reduces the perception of impact forces by distributing energy across a larger surface area and absorbing impact through a compressive function, enhancing protection while minimizing the drawbacks of traditional foam pads.
Implementation Method 1
The damping component absorbs a portion of an impact force that is distributed across the damping component by the impact shell
Implementation Method 2
The damping component absorbs a portion of an impact force
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a protective pad that is comprised of an impact shell and a damping component. The damping component may be formed by a plurality of connecting members that are separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping lattice and the impact shell. The damping component may also be formed by a sheet-like form that is separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping sheet and the impact shell. The damping component is formed from an elastomer that aids in absorbing a portion of an impact force that is distributed across the damping component by the impact shell. The geometry of the damping component may be configured to provide a difference of impact attenuation at specific locations of the protective pad.