Head and Neck Restraint Tether Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head and neck restraining systems, such as those with stiff U-shaped shoulder yokes and high collars tethered to helmets, fail to effectively distribute and reduce the forces exerted on a user's head and neck during accidents, leading to inefficient load transfer and potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A head and neck restraining system comprising a helmet, a neck brace structure with a neck extension, and a tether system featuring a ring structure that splits the load from the helmet to the neck and shoulder extensions via a single tether material, allowing for even distribution and self-alignment to manage forces during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stiff U-shaped shoulder yoke with high collar is tethered to helmet by at least one tether in horizontal plane, then the head and neck are restrained, but lateral load transfer occurs and the helmet and restraint become cantilevered at tether-helmet attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system is segmented into multiple tethers (first tether from left side of helmet to right shoulder, second tether from right side of helmet to left shoulder) rather than a single horizontal tether. This segmentation creates multiple load paths that distribute forces differently, reducing lateral load transfer and eliminating the cantilever effect at attachment points.
2Device complexity
If a single tether attaches helmet to shoulder yoke, then the system is simple, but load distribution is uneven and forces are concentrated
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple tethers (first and second tethers) into a coordinated load-bearing system that works together to distribute forces. The tethers are combined with the neck brace structure and shoulder yoke to create an integrated restraint system that achieves even load distribution while maintaining reasonable simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If tethers are attached in horizontal plane, then installation is straightforward, but the restraint system creates cantilevered conditions at attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system transitions from a static horizontal attachment to a dynamic configuration where tethers can adjust their orientation and load distribution based on impact forces. The tethers are routed diagonally across the body (left side to right shoulder, right side to left shoulder), allowing the system to dynamically adapt to various impact directions and reduce cantilever effects.
Data Source
AI summary
A head and neck restraining system includes a helmet, a neck brace structure, and a tether system. The neck brace structure includes a neck extension that is attached to shoulder extensions. The tether system includes a single tether with double thickness terminal ends. The double thickness terminal ends have a plurality of pass-through openings that are adapted to receive a removable securing pin that threadably secures the tether to the neck brace. The tether also secures the helmet to the neck brace and limits its range of motion during an accident. The tether is removable secured to the neck brace on one side then extends from the neck brace to the helmet, then continues from the helmet to the back of the neck brace, then continues further from the back of the neck brace to the opposite side of the helmet, and then is removable secured to the other side of the neck brace. The tether may be slidably or fixedly attached to the helmet and neck brace.