Segmented Protective Plates for Impact Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protective gear for contact sports, such as American football, often restricts movement and is uncomfortable, leading to resistance from athletes and inadequate protection against impacts.
Innovation Solution
A protective device comprising overlapping protective plates made of materials like nylon, polypropylene, and ABS, which can absorb and dissipate impact force, allowing for a full range of motion while providing enhanced protection. These plates are designed to be comfortable and ventilated, with connection points for assembly over the anatomy, and can be integrated into athletic garments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective gear is made of compressible materials such as foam, then impact protection is provided, but the gear becomes uncomfortable and restricts motion
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into multiple individual plates rather than using a single continuous foam structure. Each plate is separate and can move independently, allowing the material to compress for impact protection while maintaining flexibility and range of motion for the wearer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the protective material from continuous compressible foam to discrete rigid or semi-rigid plates. This parameter change allows the material to absorb impact forces effectively while reducing the restrictive effect on movement compared to traditional foam padding.
2Reliability
If protective gear is made of hard resilient materials, then impact force is dissipated, but the gear becomes uncomfortable and restricts motion
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the protective device into multiple individual plates, each plate can be optimized for impact protection while the gaps between plates provide flexibility and comfort. The segmented structure allows the hard resilient material to dissipate impact forces while preventing the cumulative restrictive effect of continuous hard material.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device applies hard resilient material locally in the form of individual plates only where impact protection is needed, rather than covering the entire area with continuous hard material. This local application maintains comfort and flexibility in areas where full protection is not required.
3Reliability
If protective gear covers large muscle areas, then impact protection is improved, but the gear increases in weight and bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device uses multiple individual plates that can be selectively positioned and attached to cover large muscle areas. The segmented design allows coverage of extensive areas without the weight and bulk of continuous material, as each plate is lightweight and only material is used where protection is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes from using thick continuous foam or padding to thin individual plates with varying thicknesses. This parameter change in material form and thickness allows coverage of large areas with minimal weight and bulk while maintaining impact protection effectiveness.
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 solution provides improved impact protection with minimal performance impact, enhancing comfort and temperature regulation, thus reducing the risk of injury during contact sports without the drawbacks of existing gear.
Implementation Method 1
Protective plates may comprise any type of material that can absorb an impact and dissipate the force of that impact across a wider surface area than the impact contact point
Implementation Method 2
Protective plates may be formed of various types of nylon, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or other relatively hard, resilient materials
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A plurality of overlapping protective plates (200) may form a protective device to protect a portion of a wearer's anatomy from impact. Each of the protective plates (200,600,801) may have at least one connection point (202,204,206,208,310,312,640,650,660,670,750,760) that retains the protective plate (200,600,700,701,801,802,803,804) in position over the portion of the wearer's anatomy to be protected in an as worn position. The connection points (202,310) may retain the protective plates (200,600,801) to a flexible plate that may be conformed to the portion of the wearer's anatomy to be protected. Alternatively/additionally, the connection points (202,310) on a protective plate (200,600,700,701,801,802,803,804) may connect that plate to another protective plate (200, 600,700,701,801,802,803,804), thereby allowing a structure of interconnected protective plates (200,600,801) to be formed.