Segmented Shock-Absorbing Helmet Liner Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock-absorbing liners for protective helmets are complex to manufacture and lack design flexibility without compromising shock-absorbing performance.

Innovation Solution

A shock-absorbing liner design featuring integrally moulded parts with ribs and channels that can be easily assembled, allowing for greater design freedom and improved shock absorption by optimizing the orientation and arrangement of protuberances and recesses, which can be made from different materials and densities to suit specific helmet designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If shock-absorbing liners are manufactured using traditional multi-part moulding and overmoulding processes, then the structural integrity and shock-absorbing performance are maintained, but the manufacturing complexity increases and design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidliner structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is divided into multiple separate parts (first part with protuberances, second part with recesses) that can be manufactured independently using simple integral moulding processes, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each part to be produced with straightforward manufacturing while the combination provides the desired complex functionality and shock-absorbing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional integral moulding processes are used for the liner, then manufacturing steps are reduced, but design freedom and adaptability for different helmet configurations are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the liner into separable first and second parts with complementary protuberances and recesses, the design can be adapted to different helmet configurations by modifying individual parts independently. The assembly process remains simple due to the self-aligning nature of the protuberance-recess engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If shock-absorbing materials are oriented with protuberances normal to the inner curved surface, then compressive strength is optimized for impact absorption, but manufacturing complexity and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is segmented into a first part containing the shock-absorbing materials with protuberances oriented for optimal compressive strength, and a second part that can be简单地 assembled. This allows the critical shock-absorbing components to be manufactured with proper material orientation using simple integral moulding, while avoiding complex multi-step overmoulding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If multiple sub-parts are assembled and overmoulded to form the liner, then structural integrity is achieved, but manufacturing time and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The liner uses segmented first and second parts that are assembled through simple protuberance-recess engagement without requiring time-consuming overmoulding operations. The structural integrity is maintained through the mechanical interlocking of the segmented parts, achieving reliability with reduced manufacturing cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplified manufacturing process and increased design flexibility do not compromise shock-absorbing performance, enabling the creation of lighter, more flexible helmets with enhanced impact absorption capabilities across various impact zones.

Implementation Method 1

the ribs of said at least one primary group and the channels of所述至少一个 secondary group being sized and shaped so that, by translating said first part and said second part one towards the other in a direction parallel to the demoulding direction, the second part matches the first part and said ribs engage into said channels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

This particular orientation of the conical protuberances and conical recesses, with an axial direction normal to an inner curved surface of the liner, is aimed to make the shock-absorbing materials of the parts to work mainly at compression when the helmet receives an impact on its outer shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3764829B1Shock-absorbing liner for a protective helmet and protective helmet comprising said liner
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 STEFFENS JORN
  • EP3764829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3764829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3764829B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shock-absorbing liner for a protective helmet, comprising at least an integrally moulded first part (2) shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a primary group (72) of ribs (6) extending in height along a same demoulding direction (X2) of said first part (2) and in length along a side (3) of said first part (2), and at least an integrally moulded second part (42) shaped as a curved thin body and comprising a secondary group (92) of channels (8) extending in depth along a same demoulding direction (X1) of said second part (41) and in length along a side (5) of said second part (42). By translating the two parts (2, 42) one towards the other in a direction parallel to the demoulding direction (X2) they fit together, with said ribs (6) engaging into said channels (8). The invention also comprises a protective helmet provided with said liner.