Wavy Superelastic Shock Absorber Grid for Impact and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbing devices for human body protection systems face challenges in balancing impact resistance with comfort, as rigid backing layers restrict deformation and air exchange, limiting the effectiveness of energy absorption and user mobility.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorbing device featuring wavy superelastic elements with crossing crests and troughs, restrained by connecting elements, allowing for high energy absorption and deformability, enabling integration into complex shapes and enhancing comfort by allowing air exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid backing layers are used to withstand and spread impact forces, then impact resistance is improved, but deformability and air exchange are reduced, worsening comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The backing layer is segmented into a grid of cells formed by connecting elements at regular intervals, creating a structured yet flexible framework that allows localized deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity for impact resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The backing layer uses flexible connecting elements and thin wall structures that can deform under impact forces, enabling the backing to adapt to deformation while still providing structural support and energy distribution across the grid framework
2Loss of energy
If rigid backing layers are used to spread impact forces, then energy absorption capability is improved, but freedom of movement is reduced, worsening comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The grid structure divides the backing layer into multiple independent cells that can deform individually, allowing the structure to absorb impact energy through distributed deformation while maintaining flexibility for user movement
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing the backing layer to dynamically adapt its stiffness based on applied forces - rigid during impact to maximize energy absorption, flexible during normal movement to ensure freedom of motion
3Stability of the object's composition
If crossing crests and troughs are restrained in a locking manner, then structural stability is improved, but deformability is reduced, worsening adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism restrains only specific crossing points (crests and troughs) while leaving other portions of the superelastic elements free to deform, creating a segmented constraint system that provides stability where needed while maintaining flexibility elsewhere
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the structure have different degrees of freedom - crossing points are locally restrained to provide structural stability, while the spaces between crossings remain free to deform, creating a gradient of rigidity that balances stability and adaptability
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 absorbs impact energy while being highly deformable, adaptable to complex shapes, and comfortable to wear, offering improved integration and mobility in human body protection systems.
Implementation Method 1
Impact energy is absorbed by exploiting the so-called buckling effect of slender structures
Implementation Method 2
Shock absorbing devices comprising a plurality of slender elements preferably made of a superelastic alloy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shock absorbing device incorporating a plurality of wavy shaped elements made of a superelastic material arranged in a crossing pattern, wherein pairs of crests or troughs of said wavy shaped elements made of a superelastic material are restrained to each other in a locking manner by way of connecting elements.