Adjustable Sport Helmet Liner for Multi-Directional Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard protective sport helmets often fail to securely conform to the head of the wearer in the fore and aft, as well as side-to-side directions, due to limited adjustability, which can increase the risk of injury from improper fitting.
Innovation Solution
The helmet features an adjustable interior liner with a top and anterior portion that can pivot for fore and aft adjustment, and side liner portions that can move inward or outward via slider mechanisms for side-to-side adjustment, along with energy-absorbing grooves to enhance fit and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard pre-sized protective liner is inserted within a pre-sized outer shell, then the helmet can be manufactured efficiently with simple assembly, but the helmet cannot securely conform to different head sizes and dimensions in the fore and aft and side-to-side directions
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is divided into multiple independent sections: a top liner portion, an anterior liner portion, and at least one side liner portion. Each section can move independently relative to the others, allowing the liner to adapt to different head shapes and sizes without requiring a completely different liner for each head type.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner sections are connected through flexible connections that allow relative movement between sections. This dynamic capability enables the liner to shift and conform to the wearer's head in the fore and aft directions and side-to-side directions, transforming a static liner into an adaptable fitting system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the liner sections are flexibly connected to allow movement for fit adjustment, then the helmet can conform to different head sizes and shapes, but the structural integrity and stability of the liner may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connections between liner sections utilize flexible elements that can bend and deform to allow movement while maintaining continuous structural support. This flexibility enables the liner to conform to the head shape while the continuous material structure preserves overall stability and integrity during impact events.
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 adjustable design allows for a customized fit across multiple head sizes and shapes, improving the helmet's ability to secure the head in all directions, thereby reducing the risk of injury and enhancing protection during sporting activities.
Implementation Method 1
The liner can comprise a plurality of grooves to transfer energy across the liner material
Implementation Method 2
The outer shell typically covers the protective liner that lies between the outer shell and the wearer's head
Data Source
AI summary
A protective sport helmet having an interior liner capable of conforming to the head of the wearer in the fore and aft direction and/or the side-to-side direction is disclosed. The sport helmet can comprise a protective outer shell and an inner energy-absorbing liner. The liner can comprise a top portion and a base portion flexibly connected therebetween to adjust the fit of the helmet to the head of a wearer in the fore and aft direction. The liner can comprise a side liner portion and the outer shell can comprise a slider mechanism for engaging the side liner portion to adjust the fit of the helmet to the head of the wearer in the side-to-side direction. The liner can comprise a plurality of grooves to transfer energy across the liner material.