Radial Expanding Protective Pad for Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body protective padding is thick and bulky due to its reliance on foam and material layering for energy absorption, restricting movement and failing to provide adequate protection while being thin and unrestrictive.
Innovation Solution
A protective pad comprising an inner rigid elastomeric dome-shaped member and an outer ring of flexible rubber-like material, working as a spring, encapsulated in foam, allowing for radial expansion and contraction to absorb and displace impact energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If foam padding and material layering are used for energy absorption, then energy absorption capability is improved, but padding thickness and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the padding material from conventional foam to a viscoelastic material with specific temperature-dependent characteristics. This material exhibits shear-thinning behavior and undergoes phase transitions that enable high energy absorption in a thin profile, resolving the contradiction between energy absorption capability and padding thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining viscoelastic material with specific polymeric compositions that exhibit multiple protective mechanisms simultaneously. This composite approach allows the thin padding to achieve energy absorption levels comparable to or exceeding traditional thicker foam padding through combined viscoelastic damping, shear-thinning, and phase transition effects.
2Loss of energy
If foam padding and material layering are used for energy absorption, then energy absorption capability is improved, but player freedom of movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The viscoelastic material's temperature-dependent properties allow it to be soft and compliant at normal playing temperatures, enabling freedom of movement. Upon impact, the material's phase transition and shear-thinning behavior activate, providing immediate protective hardening. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction between comfort/mobility and protective capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding material dynamically changes its mechanical properties in response to applied stress and temperature. During normal activity, the material remains soft and flexible, but during impact events, it transitions to a stiffer, more protective state. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for thick, restrictive padding while maintaining both mobility and protection.
3Strength
If thicker foam padding is used to absorb powerful blows, then protection capability is improved, but padding weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The viscoelastic material exhibits impact-rate-dependent properties, remaining lightweight and compliant during normal use but providing exceptional protection during high-impact events. The material's ability to undergo rapid phase transitions and exhibit shear-thinning behavior allows thin, lightweight padding to achieve the protective performance of much thicker traditional foam padding.
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 provides effective protection against harmful forces while minimizing weight, allowing for greater freedom of movement and prolonged durability against repeated blows.
Implementation Method 1
an inner rigid elastomeric dome shaped member and an outer ring of flexible rubber like material, combined the structure works like a spring allowing for expansion and contraction
Implementation Method 2
combined the structure works like a spring allowing for expansion and contraction
Implementation Method 3
The inner layer of the pad consist of a plurality of rigid elastomeric dome shaped members combined with outer rings of flexible rubber like material that together work as a spring and are encapsulated by an outer layer of foam. Upon impact, the structure compress to absorb the shock of the blow while the foam layers cushion the blow additionally.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is an improved padding used by athletes and others to prevent or greatly reduce the instances of injury due to blows to the body. This is accomplished through the utilization of a radial expanding and contracting structure encapsulated in a foam type material.