Segmented Helmet Shell with Movable Bearings for Impact Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing helmets face challenges in impact protection and ease of removal, particularly in scenarios where head injuries require the helmet to be taken off quickly without straining the user's head and neck.

Innovation Solution

A helmet design featuring a segmented outer shell with independently movable segments and internal impact-absorbing layers, including hemispherically-shaped or torus-shaped gel nodes, which provide mobility and dispersion of impact forces, and a modular construction for easy disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional integrated helmet structure is used, then the helmet provides continuous protection, but it is difficult to remove without straining the user's head and neck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of removalVSAvoidprotection continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet is divided into multiple independently movable segments (first segment, second segment, third segment, fourth segment) that can move relative to each other and to the inner shell. This segmentation allows the outer shell to be detached or adjusted without requiring forceful removal from the user's head, thereby improving ease of removal while maintaining protective coverage through the coordinated movement of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a rigid outer shell is used, then the helmet provides strong impact protection, but it concentrates impact forces on specific points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidimpact force concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The outer shell segments are designed to be movable relative to the inner shell and to each other, allowing them to dynamically respond to impact forces. When impacted, the segments can shift, rotate, or deform independently, distributing the impact energy across multiple bearing points and preventing force concentration at single locations, thereby maintaining protection while reducing stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple bearings (first bearing, second bearing, third bearing, fourth bearing) are introduced as intermediary elements between the outer shell segments and the inner shell. These bearings act as mediators that absorb and distribute impact forces, allowing the rigid outer shell to maintain its protective strength while the bearings prevent direct force transmission to concentrated points on the inner shell and user's head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If multiple bearings and segments are added, then impact forces are dispersed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force dispersionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

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

Enhances impact protection through force dispersion and compression while allowing for easy removal without straining the user's head, facilitating emergency situations by enabling the helmet to be disassembled without exerting force on the head and neck.

Implementation Method 1

an impact-absorbing bearing positioned between the outer shell and the inner shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

provide impact protection via force dispersion and compression of the layers of the helmet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

each independently moveable segment moveably coupled to the inner shell such that the plurality of independently movable segments are movable upon impact to disperse impact forces applied onto the movable segments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce dispersion: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20200375300A1Multilayered helmet with independently movable segments

Publication Date: 2020.12.03 ENG DESIGNS LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a helmet that includes a segmented outer shell comprising a plurality of independently movable segments. The helmet also includes internal layers that comprise flexible bearings and other optional padding to provide mobility to the segmented outer shell and to provide impact protection via force dispersion and compression of the layers of the helmet. In a first embodiment, the bearing is a substantially hemispherically-shaped node. In a second embodiment, the bearing is a substantially torus-shaped pad.