Supplemental Helmet Shells for Position-Specific Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional helmets fail to adequately protect against the specific types and velocities of impacts experienced by players in different positions, leading to a higher risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) due to inefficient absorption of both high and low-velocity impacts.

Innovation Solution

A helmet design incorporating position-specific supplemental protection components, featuring a supplemental shell and impact mitigation layers with varying stiffnesses to optimize impact absorption, including flexible materials and structures such as domes, filaments, and foam, tailored to absorb common impact forces and velocities for each player position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional helmet design with uniform protective padding is used, then the helmet can be manufactured simply and used for all players, but it fails to adequately protect against position-specific impact forces and velocities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protection effectivenessVSAvoidhelmet structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet is divided into multiple impact mitigation zones with different stiffness characteristics. The first impact mitigation layer has a first stiffness and the second impact mitigation layer has a second stiffness different from the first, allowing each zone to be optimized for specific impact velocities and directions experienced by different player positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the helmet incorporate layers with different stiffness properties tailored to position-specific impact risks. The supplemental protection component includes impact mitigation layers with varying stiffness to address local impact characteristics at different helmet regions, providing optimized protection where needed rather than uniform protection everywhere

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If supplemental protection components with position-specific impact mitigation are added, then protection against high and low-velocity impacts is improved, but the helmet structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of layers and components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supplemental protection component is nested within the existing helmet structure. The first impact mitigation layer is coupled to the inner surface of the outer shell, while the second impact mitigation layer is positioned between the outer surface of the outer shell and the inner surface of the supplemental shell, creating a nested multi-layer configuration that maximizes space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a single stiffness level is used throughout the helmet, then manufacturing is simpler, but the helmet cannot efficiently absorb both high and low-velocity impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-velocity impact mitigationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet structure incorporates impact mitigation layers with different stiffness parameters. The first impact mitigation layer has a first stiffness and the second impact mitigation layer has a second stiffness different from the first, enabling the system to respond differently to high-velocity versus low-velocity impacts by activating appropriate layers based on impact severity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 protection by efficiently mitigating both high and low-velocity impacts, reducing the risk of concussions and TBIs by optimizing helmet design for individual player positions, thereby improving safety in sports like football and other activities.

Implementation Method 1

The supplemental shell is configured to flex from a first position to a second position upon impact to the supplemental shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexing: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a first impact mitigation layer coupled to an inner surface of the outer shell and having a first stiffness; a second impact mitigation layer positioned between an outer surface of the outer shell and an inner surface of the supplemental shell and having a second stiffness different from the first stiffness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS12408720B2Supplemental impact mitigation structures for a helmet

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 VICIS IP LLC

AI summary

A helmet includes an outer shell with an inner and outer surface, a first impact mitigation layer of a first stiffness coupled to the inner surface of the outer shell, a supplemental shell coupled to the outer surface of the outer shell, and a second impact mitigation layer having a second stiffness positioned between the outer surface of the outer shell and an inner surface of the supplemental shell. The supplemental shell can flex from a first position to a second position upon impact to the supplemental shell. A difference between the first stiffness and second stiffness allows the first and second impact mitigation layers to absorb impacts of different impact force. The supplemental protection component can be optimized for protection against impacts experienced by a particular position, including the location on the helmet, shape, materials, and impact mitigation structures.