Synthetic Neck Muscle System for Impact Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current personal protective equipment (PPE) for the musculoskeletal system, such as neck protection, often fails to adequately absorb and dissipate impact forces, leading to a high risk of injuries in occupational and sports-related activities.
Innovation Solution
A synthetic neck muscle system comprising a shell frame with a fiber-reinforced putty material and an impact-absorbing layer containing microspheres, which is molded into a C-shaped structure with a skin-side memory foam layer for enhanced comfort and protection, effectively reducing impact forces and injuries by distributing and dissipating kinetic energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional personal protective equipment is used for neck protection, then the equipment structure is simple, but the impact force absorption and injury prevention capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials comprising a fiber-reinforced putty material combined with an impact-absorbing layer containing microspheres. This composite structure provides superior impact force absorption and energy dissipation capabilities while maintaining a manageable device complexity. The fiber-reinforced putty material offers structural integrity and customizable mechanical properties, while the microsphere layer enhances impact attenuation through controlled deformation and energy absorption.
2Reliability
If a synthetic neck muscle system with fiber-reinforced putty and microspheres is used, then impact force reduction is significant, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The synthetic neck muscle system is divided into distinct functional layers: a fiber-reinforced putty material layer and an impact-absorbing layer containing microspheres. This segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured and optimized independently, then assembled into the final C-shaped structure. The fiber-reinforced putty material can be produced using standard composite manufacturing techniques, while the microsphere layer can be fabricated separately and bonded to the core material, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the advanced functionality.
3Reliability
If conventional neck protection equipment is used, then the equipment is easy to manufacture, but the neck displacement reduction during impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the fiber-reinforced putty material and microsphere composition to achieve superior neck displacement reduction. The fiber reinforcement ratio, putty material viscosity, and microsphere size distribution can be adjusted to optimize the mechanical response during impact. These parameter modifications enable the system to provide 30-50% neck displacement reduction while maintaining a relatively simple C-shaped structural form factor.
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 synthetic neck muscle system reduces neck displacement by 30-50% and peak force by 30-50% while increasing the time to reach peak force by 180-200%, providing significant protection against impact injuries compared to traditional PPE.
Implementation Method 1
The putty material comprises a fiber reinforcement and a putty material. The fiber reinforcement and putty material work together to absorb and dissipate forces that act upon the user.
Implementation Method 2
The putty material comprises a fiber reinforcement and a putty material. The fiber reinforcement and putty material work together to absorb and dissipate forces that act upon the user.
Implementation Method 3
The core material comprises a fiber-reinforced foam and a plurality of microspheres located therein.
Implementation Method 4
The skin-side memory foam layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method utilizing a synthetic neck muscle system for minimizing risk of an injury when the system is worn by a user. An impact-absorbing layer of the system is constructed from a core material having a fiber-reinforced foam with a plurality of microspheres located therein. A shell frame of the system has a shell material having a fiber-reinforced putty. The system is molded into a C-shaped structure to be wrapped around the user's neck.