Staggered Honeycomb Motorcycle Protection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection devices for shoulders, elbows, and knees in technical clothing, such as motorcycle gear, suffer from poor weight distribution, lack of flexibility, and inadequate breathability due to their single-plane structure and materials like polyurethane foam or semi-rigid polyurethane, which fail to effectively absorb and disperse impact energy.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with a complex honeycomb structure made of cross-linked polymers, featuring a two-plane design composed of repeated and staggered irregular heptagon base modules, providing enhanced energy absorption and dispersion capabilities while being lightweight, breathable, and flexible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single-plane structure made of polyurethane foam or semi-rigid polyurethane is used, then the protection device provides basic impact protection, but it results in poor weight distribution, lack of flexibility, and inadequate breathability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane structure to a multi-level three-dimensional honeycomb structure. The protective device comprises a first level and a second level with corresponding geometric figures that are offset relative to each other, creating a staggered configuration that enhances flexibility, breathability, and weight distribution while maintaining impact protection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a honeycomb-type geometric structure with numerous voids and channels throughout the protective device. This porous configuration improves breathability by allowing air circulation, reduces weight through material removal, and maintains structural integrity for impact protection, directly addressing the contradictions between protection strength and ease of operation
2Loss of energy
If a single-plane structure with alveolar-type geometry is used, then the device provides some energy dispersion, but it fails to effectively absorb and disperse impact energy compared to the multi-level honeycomb structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-level configuration where a first level and a second level are stacked with offset geometric figures. This vertical dimensionality multiplication creates more energy dispersion pathways and absorption zones, significantly enhancing energy loss capability while the modular honeycomb pattern keeps the structural complexity manageable through repetition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the second level is positioned within the overall configuration of the first level, with geometric figures offset and interlocking. This nesting approach maximizes energy absorption within a compact form factor, improving energy dispersion efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Reliability
If traditional materials like polyurethane foam are used, then the protection device provides basic protective function, but it lacks lightweight properties and breathability required for user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a honeycomb-type geometric structure that inherently creates a porous material configuration. This porosity reduces the overall density and weight of the protective device while maintaining sufficient structural strength for protection. The void spaces also facilitate breathability, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cross-linked polymers as the base material for the honeycomb structure. This composite approach combines the structural integrity needed for protection with the lightweight properties of polymer materials, achieving both reliability and reduced weight simultaneously
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 and disperses impact energy, meeting performance standards for personal protective equipment (PPE) and offering greater comfort and flexibility compared to prior solutions, ensuring compliance with regulations like UNI EN 1621-2 with a high level of performance.
Implementation Method 1
the protection device (10) is basically composed of a complex honeycomb structure... which is configured to disperse and absorb the energy from impacts and/or shocks
Implementation Method 2
the energy developed by impacts and/or shocks, in the event of road accidents
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4B
AI summary
A protection device (10) for technical clothing, in particular motorcycle clothing, comprising a complex honeycomb structure, which covers two planes or levels (2A, 2B) corresponding, respectively, to an outer side (11 A) and to an inner side (11 B) of the protection device (10). Each plane or level (2A, 2B) is composed of a plurality of base modules (1) formed by a plurality of polygons, in particular drilled irregular heptagons (1A, 1 B, 1 C), and said base modules (1) are repeated on each plane or level (2A, 2B) and are overlapped and staggered with respect to the planes (2A, 2B).