Rotational Impact Protection Device for Sports Helmets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sports helmets provide inadequate protection against rotational impacts, which can cause severe head injuries such as concussions and subdural hemorrhage due to angular acceleration of the brain within the skull.
Innovation Solution
A sports helmet design featuring a rotational impact protection device, including a floating liner that moves relative to the outer shell and inner padding to absorb rotational energy through friction and elastic deformation, with a coefficient of friction of at least 0.2 with the inner padding, allowing for adjustable fit and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid outer shell and inner padding are used to protect against radial impacts, then radial impact protection is improved, but rotational impact protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable rotational impact protection device that can rotate relative to the outer shell and inner padding. This dynamic component allows the helmet to absorb rotational energy through the movement and friction of the protection device, transforming the rigid static structure into a dynamic system that responds to rotational impacts by allowing controlled rotation and energy dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational impact protection device acts as an intermediary element between the outer shell and inner padding. It mediates the transmission of rotational forces to the wearer's head by providing a dedicated component that absorbs and dissipates rotational energy through friction and movement, preventing direct transmission of harmful rotational forces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rotational impact protection device is added to absorb rotational energy, then rotational impact protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational impact protection device is merged with the existing helmet structure by integrating it between the outer shell and inner padding. The device utilizes the existing cavity space and combines its rotational absorption function with the existing radial protection components, avoiding the need for completely separate protective systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational impact protection device serves multiple functions: it absorbs rotational energy, provides friction-based damping, and maintains compatibility with the existing helmet structure. The device is designed to work within the existing cavity constraints and interfaces with both the outer shell and inner padding, making it a multi-functional addition rather than a separate complex system.
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 helmet effectively reduces rotational energy transmitted to the head, minimizing angular acceleration and providing enhanced protection against rotational impacts while maintaining adjustability for a secure fit.
Implementation Method 1
a floating liner that moves relative to the outer shell and inner padding to absorb rotational energy through friction and elastic deformation, with a coefficient of friction of at least 0.2 with the inner padding
Implementation Method 2
a floating liner that moves relative to the outer shell and inner padding to absorb rotational energy through friction and elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A sports helmet for protecting a head of a wearer, that comprises: an outer shell comprising an external surface of the sports helmet; inner padding disposed between the outer shell and the wearer's head; an adjustment mechanism operable by the wearer to vary an internal volume of the cavity to adjust a fit of the sports helmet on the wearer's head; and a rotational impact protection device disposed between the external surface of the sports helmet and the wearer's head when the sports helmet is worn, the rotational impact protection device comprising a surface movable relative to the external surface of the sports helmet in response to a rotational impact on the outer shell to absorb rotational energy from the rotational impact, the surface of the rotational impact protection device undergoing displacement when the adjustment mechanism is operated by the wearer to vary the internal volume of the cavity.