Tubular Impact Protector Structure for Flexible Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective garments for impacts, such as motorcycle limb and back protectors, are too heavy, bulky, and lack flexibility while failing to meet performance standards for impact absorption.
Innovation Solution
A connected array of tubular structures with partially discontinuous walls, featuring notches or gaps, that deform preferentially during impact, allowing for a thinner, lighter, and more breathable design that meets impact performance standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a relatively soft foam material is used to provide flexibility, then the protector can deform under impact, but the foam needs to be relatively thick which adds weight and visual bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material is segmented into an array of tubular structures with discontinuous walls, creating a cellular architecture that provides flexibility through structural design rather than material softness, thereby reducing the required thickness and overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a solid foam block to a three-dimensional array of tubular structures with controlled wall discontinuities, utilizing spatial arrangement and structural geometry to achieve flexibility without increasing thickness or weight
2Ease of operation
If a relatively soft foam material is used to provide flexibility, then the protector can deform under impact, but the foam needs to be relatively thick which adds visual bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The foam is divided into discrete tubular structures with discontinuous walls, creating a lightweight cellular framework that maintains flexibility while minimizing material volume and visual bulk
Solution Approach 2:
The discontinuous tubular wall structure acts as a flexible shell configuration that provides impact absorption and deformability with minimal thickness, reducing both volume and visual bulk
3Volume of moving object
If a harder material is used to reduce thickness, then the apparatus can be thinner and lighter, but it may not deform sufficiently under impact
Solution Approach 1:
The wall of each tubular structure has locally varied properties with discontinuities (gaps or reduced thickness) at specific locations, creating preferential deformation zones that enable sufficient impact absorption while maintaining overall structural integrity and using harder material
Solution Approach 2:
The discontinuities in the tubular walls, which could be seen as weaknesses, are actually designed features that create controlled deformation zones, converting potential structural failures into beneficial energy-absorbing mechanisms that allow harder materials to be used
4Reliability
If a thicker foam is used to meet impact standards, then impact absorption performance is improved, but the protector becomes heavier and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The foam is segmented into a connected array of tubular structures with discontinuous walls, creating a cellular architecture that provides effective impact absorption through structural design rather than increased thickness, thereby reducing weight while meeting performance standards
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structural system combining continuous and discontinuous wall portions within tubular structures, forming a heterogeneous architecture that optimizes both impact absorption performance and weight efficiency
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 design provides effective impact absorption, meeting EN 1621 standards while being lightweight, flexible, and breathable, enhancing user comfort and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the wall of each of a plurality of the tubular structures is at least partially discontinuous, such that said tubular structures preferentially deform in the region of the discontinuity during an impact
Implementation Method 2
An at least partial discontinuity acts like a crumple zone to absorb an impact, preferentially deforming and collapsing the tubular structure in the region of the discontinuity when force is applied along the axial direction or at an acute angle to the axial direction
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus (100) for absorbing an impact is disclosed. The apparatus (100) comprises a connected array of tubular structures (101) defining a surface. Each tubular structure (101) has a wall (103) defining an interior region (104) of the tubular structure (101) extending substantially along an axial direction of said tubular structure (101). The axial direction of each tubular structure (101) extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface. The wall (103) of each of a plurality of the tubular structures (101) is at least partially discontinuous, such that said tubular structures (101) preferentially deform in the region of the discontinuity during an impact.