SPDI Shield Head Protection via Shape Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmet designs fail to adequately protect the head by allowing shape and volume changes during impacts, which can lead to unbalanced and shear forces causing additional damage, as they do not effectively apply hydrodynamic principles to preserve the head's shape and volume during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A rigid and inflexible SPDI shield, made of lightweight yet strong materials, is designed to precisely fit each wearer's head, preventing shape and volume changes during impacts by acting as an incompressible fluid, thereby attenuating unbalanced and shear forces and distributing hydrostatic forces uniformly across the head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid and inflexible shield is used to preserve head shape during impact, then head protection is improved, but helmet weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of a rigid outer shell combined with a viscoelastic inner layer. This composite structure allows the helmet to maintain head shape during impact (improving protection) while the viscoelastic material absorbs energy and reduces the overall weight compared to a fully rigid construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a fluid-filled bladder system that acts as a pressure reservoir during impact. The hydraulic fluid transmits pressure uniformly throughout the head, preserving head shape without requiring excessive rigid material, thereby reducing weight while maintaining protection reliability.
2Reliability
If a rigid shield molded precisely to each wearer's head is used, then shape preservation during impact is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-formed rigid shell with integrated viscoelastic layers and fluid bladder systems manufactured before deployment. This preliminary preparation allows the complex multi-layer structure to be produced once and then simply fitted to individual users, reducing on-site manufacturing complexity while maintaining shape preservation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal helmet structure that can accommodate different head sizes and shapes through adjustable positioning systems and compliant inner layers. This multi-functional design allows a single manufacturing process to produce helmets suitable for various users, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective shape preservation for each wearer.
3Ease of operation
If the head is allowed to change shape during impact, then comfort is improved, but unbalanced and shear forces cause additional damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a viscoelastic intermediary layer between the rigid outer shell and the head. This intermediate layer allows controlled deformation for comfort while transmitting forces uniformly to prevent unbalanced and shear forces. The viscoelastic material acts as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of comfort and force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials whose mechanical parameters (viscosity, elasticity) change in response to impact conditions. During normal wear, the material remains soft and compliant for comfort, but during impact, it stiffens to prevent harmful force concentrations, thus dynamically adjusting to balance comfort and protection requirements.
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 SPDI shield significantly reduces head damage by maintaining the head's shape and volume during impacts, minimizing the transmission of unbalanced forces and ensuring that all parts of the head accelerate together, thereby reducing the risk of tearing and damage to the brain tissue.
Implementation Method 1
The generally accepted fact is that the said head exhibits the general properties of an incompressible fluid. That fact means that the physics of the force fields that reach said head protected by said SPDI shield will be different and more benign
Implementation Method 2
the physics of the force fields that reach said head protected by said SPDI shield will be different and more benign... preserving the head shape and volume during an impact... distributing hydrostatic forces uniformly across the head
Data Source
AI summary
A method for protecting the human head during and after an impact. This is accomplished by fabricating a layer of material that fits precisely on each individual wearer's head, and yet is so rigid that upon impact, the head will not be allowed to significantly change shape or volume, even temporarily. The structure and properties of this protective layer can be easily adapted to most helmet designs. The preferred method of forming this protective layer is to map each wearer's head shape with laser scanning, and then form the layer by means of 3D printing. Said fitted and rigid layer in very close and uniform contact with each wearers head is called an SPDI shield. The SPDI label stands for “Shape Preservation During Impact”.