Dynamic Modelling of Soft Body Protector

Taekwondo is a martial art recognized as an Olympic sport since 2000. During competitions athletes wear the typical protective garment composed by head, foot and chest protectors. This latter has been faced with several modifications during history adding electronic devices to help referees in the points assignment. The most recent technologies adopted in body protectors will be analysed with the purpose of modelling an innovative soft body protector specific for Taekwondo competitions. Three different versions of the new Hogu will be proposed with embedded pneumatic actuators to increase safety from injuries. Making use of Comsol Multiphysics, several actuator geometries and their disposition inside the bodice will be examined to guarantee a high protection level. Using Matlab, Daedo’s electronic body protector will be represented as a 1 DOF system composed by a mass, a spring and a damper in order to analyse its stiffness and damping properties and compare the results with our Hogu versions.