Thoracic-Supported Helmet Impact Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional helmets do not effectively distribute impact forces, leading to concentrated force on the head, which can result in traumatic brain injuries and other injuries such as neck and spine injuries during high-risk activities like sports and military operations.

Innovation Solution

An impact diffusing system comprising a helmet portion attached to a thoracic portion, where the helmet is designed to rest on the thoracic region rather than the head, with pillars connecting the helmet to the thoracic portion to distribute impact forces across the shoulders and chest, thereby reducing the force on the head and brain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional helmets are designed to rest on the head, then the helmet provides head coverage, but impact forces become concentrated on the head causing traumatic brain injuries and neck injuries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force concentration on headVSAvoidhelmet positioning and support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet is inverted from the conventional design by resting on the thoracic region (shoulders and chest) rather than on the head. The headpiece cage surrounds the head without bearing weight, reversing the traditional support structure to transfer impact forces away from the head and neck to the thoracic region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective system is segmented into distinct components: a headpiece cage that surrounds the head, a thoracic portion that bears the weight and absorbs impacts, and connecting pillars. This segmentation allows the head and thoracic region to be protected independently with optimized structures for each zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the helmet rests on the thoracic region with pillars connecting to the head, then impact forces are distributed across the thoracic region, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force distributionVSAvoidhelmet and thoracic portion connection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headpiece cage and thoracic portion are merged into a single integrated structure through connecting pillars, creating a unified protective system that functions as one unit. This merging ensures that impact forces are automatically transferred from the headpiece to the thoracic portion without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective system extends into a third dimension by adding vertical pillars that connect the headpiece cage to the thoracic portion. This dimensional extension creates a three-dimensional force distribution network that disperses impact forces across multiple points and planes, reducing concentration at any single point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the helmet portion is fixed to the thoracic portion to prevent movement, then impact force transfer is improved, but the adjustability and comfort for different users is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force transfer reliabilityVSAvoidfit adjustment for different users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the headpiece cage and thoracic portion incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the structure to adapt to different users while maintaining reliable force transfer. The system can be adjusted and reconfigured for different head sizes and thoracic dimensions, providing both stability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system effectively reduces the severity of head injuries by distributing impact forces across the thoracic region, providing enhanced protection against traumatic brain injuries and other head and neck injuries.

Implementation Method 1

By 'resilient', 'resilience' or like words is meant capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilience: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

pillars connecting the helmet to the thoracic portion to distribute impact forces across the shoulders and chest, thereby reducing the force on the head and brain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force distribution: Force

Data Source

PatentUS11272751B2Protective headgear, impact diffusing systems and methods

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 POPEJOY WILLIAM

AI summary

An impact diffusing system for protecting a user's head includes a headpiece cage coupled to a thoracic framework. In one aspect, the headpiece cage includes at least two support bars, a plurality of rigid bars surrounding at least a portion of the forehead, top, and sides of the head, and a face mask that encloses at least a portion the user's face. The thoracic framework covers at least a portion of a chest, upper back, and shoulders of the user, and the thoracic framework is attached to the support bars of the headpiece cage in a manner that prevents movement of the headpiece cage relative to the thoracic framework. In another aspect, the system includes a helmet component (formed of e.g., carbon fiber) coupled to a thoracic cage, wherein the helmet component is a solid, unitary piece that surrounds the top, back, and sides of the user's head.