Retractable Tile Helmet Shell for Impact Dispersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmets, particularly football helmets, are inadequate in addressing both jarring hits and sub-concussive impacts, which can lead to traumatic brain injuries and long-term damage, as well as rotational hits that cause head or neck snapping, due to their inability to effectively disperse and absorb impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A helmet system featuring a retractable tile layer with elastic cords that allows tiles to move and deform upon impact, dispersing force over a larger surface area and extending the duration of impact, combined with a face mask and dual-layer padding system for enhanced protection and shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fixed padding is used in helmets, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively disperse impact forces and provides inadequate protection against rotational hits
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet shell is divided into multiple movable tiles that can independently move and rotate upon impact. Each tile is separated and connected by elastic cords, allowing individual tiles to respond to impact forces independently, thereby dispersing the impact across multiple segments rather than concentrating it on a single fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet structure transitions from a fixed, static design to a dynamic system where tiles can move, rotate, and adjust their positions in response to impact forces. The elastic cords enable the tiles to dynamically respond to rotational and linear impacts, adapting the structure to the direction and magnitude of the applied force.
2Duration of action of moving object
If rigid shell structure is used, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but it cannot extend the duration of impact and increases the risk of brain injury
Solution Approach 1:
The tiles are designed to move and rotate dynamically upon impact, extending the duration of the impact event. The elastic cords allow the tiles to oscillate and return to their original positions, effectively lengthening the impact duration compared to a rigid structure that would transmit force instantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the helmet structure during impact. The tiles transition from a fixed position to a moving state, changing their position, orientation, and velocity parameters dynamically in response to impact forces, thereby extending the impact duration.
3Reliability
If tiles are made movable to disperse impact, then protection against rotational hits is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of detecting tile position increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are introduced as intermediary elements between the movable tiles and the helmet's control system. These sensors detect the position and movement of individual tiles, providing data about impact forces and tile displacement, thereby enabling the system to monitor and respond to rotational hits while managing the complexity of tracking multiple moving parts.
4Ease of operation
If elastic cords are used to retract tiles, then the tiles can return to original position after impact, but the device complexity increases compared to fixed padding
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cords are designed to automatically retract the tiles to their original positions after impact without requiring external intervention. The elastic potential energy stored during tile displacement is converted back to kinetic energy, causing the tiles to return to their initial positions autonomously, thereby providing self-service functionality.
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 system effectively reduces the force of impacts by dispersing and extending the duration of the impact, providing improved protection against both jarring and sub-concussive hits, and rotational forces, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of long-term injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of tiles mounted on the exterior of the shell tethered by elastic cords through a plurality of holes to the interior of the shell; and wherein the tiles are capable of moving from their original position to a second position upon impact and being retracted back to the original position by the elastic cords
Implementation Method 2
a first padding layer having head stabilizing components with a plurality of flexible compression components; and a second padding layer mounted on the interior of the shell and having a plurality of flexible mechanisms configured to correspondingly mate with each of the plurality of flexible compression components
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a protection helmet which has exterior moveable tiles to move upon impact and then retract to their original placements. The system prolongs the impact time by de-accelerating it and minimizing its damaging effects by spreading out the impact force over a larger surface area. A system and method for a helmet's face mask to absorb impact and return back to its original state whether impacted on its bars, interior/exterior assembly, or any part of the face mask. A system and method for a football helmet's padding to be multi-layered and have multiple ancillary cavities that compress and retract back to their original state.