Shock Absorbing Device With Permeable Particle Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock-absorbing devices are inadequate for cushioning strong impacts and have reliability issues due to frequent depressurization and repressurization, with particles tending to accumulate under gravitational forces, leading to non-uniform load distribution and reduced longevity.
Innovation Solution
A shock-absorbing device comprising a flexible outer container with permeable primary and secondary inner containers filled with adaptable particles like cork, cherry stones, or polymers, allowing for compression and decompression to form a rigid unit that uniformly distributes impact forces, ensuring consistent performance and extended lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polymer spheres are used in a flexible container, then the device can adapt to the shape of the protected object and distribute localized loads, but the device is unable to adequately cushion particularly strong forces and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the filling into multiple discrete particles (cork granules, cherry stones, or polymer spheres) contained within separate permeable containers. This segmentation allows the filling to be compressed uniformly throughout the device volume while maintaining the ability to adapt to external shapes, resolving the contradiction between shape adaptability and strong impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite construction with multiple materials: an outer flexible container, inner permeable containers, and various filling materials (cork, cherry stones, or polymer spheres). This composite structure combines the flexibility needed for shape adaptation with the rigidity and strength of the particulate filling to cushion strong impacts.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the device undergoes frequent depressurization and repressurization, then it can be reused multiple times, but the device needs to be more reliable and long-lasting
Solution Approach 1:
The permeable container walls automatically filter and retain the filling particles during compression and decompression cycles. The filling self-regulates by being contained within the permeable structure, eliminating the need for additional retention mechanisms and reducing points of failure that could compromise reliability over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-positions the particulate filling within the permeable containers before use. This beforehand preparation ensures that the filling is already in place to absorb impacts, and the permeable container structure is pre-configured to contain the filling during repeated cycles, enhancing reliability from the first use onward.
3Force
If gravitational forces act on the spheres, then the spheres tend to pile up in certain parts of the device, but this causes non-uniform load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The permeable container structure creates a uniform distribution environment for the filling particles throughout the device volume. The container walls provide structural support that counteracts gravitational settling, maintaining equipotential distribution of the filling and ensuring uniform load distribution regardless of gravitational forces.
4Strength
If rigid portions are used, then the device can protect against strong impacts, but the device cannot adequately cushion particularly strong forces and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the particulate filling can move, compress, and rearrange in response to applied forces. This dynamic behavior allows the device to adapt to varying impact strengths and directions, providing effective cushioning for strong impacts while maintaining structural integrity.
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 device effectively absorbs strong impacts by uniformly distributing forces and maintaining elasticity over multiple cycles, providing both cushioning and rigidity while minimizing particle accumulation, thus enhancing reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one primary inner container (3) permeable to air housed in the outer container (2) and defining a primary inner volume (3c). The primary inner container (3) comprises, in turn, a plurality of secondary inner containers (3d) permeable to air
Implementation Method 2
a compressed configuration in which the particles (4) are compacted and form a rigid unit
Implementation Method 3
The shock-absorbing device 1 can be depressurized, so as to define a released configuration, in which the filling particles (4) are freely movable inside the inner containers (3)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A shock-absorbing device (1) comprising an outer container (2) which is flexible and impermeable to air, defining a primary outer volume (2a); a primary inner container (3) which is permeable to air, housed in the outer container (2), defining a primary inner volume (3c) and comprising a plurality of secondary inner containers (3d) which are permeable to air, defining secondary inner volumes (3a); a plurality of filling particles (4) housed in the secondary inner volumes (3a); at least one valve (5) arranged on said outer container (2) and suitable to make or interrupt an air-passage connection between the primary outer volume (2a) and the external environment and suitable to permit the depressurization of the primary volume (2a), so as to define a released configuration, in which the filling particles (4) are movable inside the inner containers (3a), and a compressed configuration in which the primary volume (2a) is depressurized and the distinct particles (4) are compacted; and in which each of the secondary inner volumes (3a) comprises filling particles (4) of a same type and in which at least two different secondary inner volumes (3a) are provided with filling particles (4) of different types.