Telescoping Neck Support for Rotational Head Impact Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head, particularly with a rotational component, can cause shearing damage to brain tissue, leading to concussion symptoms and cervical spine injuries, as existing technologies fail to effectively mitigate these rotational forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a headpiece and a support harness with a telescoping member that allows three degrees of freedom through ball and socket joints, utilizing fluid intake and outflow to control movement, thereby dampening excessive head acceleration and deceleration, and includes an acceleration threshold detector to trigger fluid flow adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the neck is made flexible to allow natural head movement, then ease of operation is improved, but the neck becomes unable to effectively resist sudden loads during rapid acceleration or deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The neck support device transitions from a static flexible structure to a dynamic system that adapts its stiffness characteristics. The telescoping member with shock-absorbing elements (springs, dampers, or viscous fluid mechanisms) allows free movement during normal conditions but automatically engages to resist sudden loads during rapid acceleration or deceleration, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.
2Strength
If a rigid structure is used to resist sudden loads, then strength is improved, but the device complexity and restriction of natural motion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The neck support device is divided into multiple functional segments: a headpiece, a telescoping member with nested components (springs, dampers, fluid chambers), and a harness. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the springs and dampers handle shock absorption, the fluid mechanism controls motion, and the headpiece/harness provide attachment - reducing overall system complexity while maintaining strength.
3Reliability
If existing neck protection devices are used, then some level of protection is provided, but they fail to effectively mitigate rotational forces that cause brain and cervical spine injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping member acts as an intermediary element between the headpiece and harness, specifically designed to counteract rotational forces. The shock-absorbing mechanisms (springs, dampers, viscous fluid) within the telescoping member create resistance to rotational acceleration and deceleration, mitigating the harmful rotational shear forces that cause brain and cervical spine injuries while maintaining overall system reliability.
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 reduces the risk of brain and cervical spine injuries by dampening rapid head movements, preventing excessive strain on neural tissues and supporting structures, allowing unencumbered motion during normal activities while protecting against severe impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a telescoping member having a main tube and a series of progressively smaller diameter tubes nested within each other, wherein the smaller diameter tubes are adapted to extend and compress in a linear plane by the intake and outflow of fluid
Implementation Method 2
the first engaging member and the first attachment member form a ball and socket joint adapted to allow three degrees of freedom, permitting rotary movement in all directions through the movement of the first engaging member in the first attachment member
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a device for reducing brain and cervical spine injury includes a headpiece sufficiently designed to secure to a user's head, the headpiece having a first attachment member; a support harness sufficiently designed to secure to the user's torso, the support harness having a second attachment member; and a telescoping member having a main tube and a series of progressively smaller diameter tubes nested within each other, wherein the smaller diameter tubes are adapted to extend and compress in a linear plane by the intake and outflow of fluid, wherein the telescoping member has a first engaging member for engaging the first attachment member, and wherein the telescoping member has a second engaging member for engaging the second attachment member.