Collapsible Helmet With Hinged Segmented Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective helmets for outdoor activities are bulky and awkward to store due to their rigid, hemispherical shape, which does not naturally collapse or fold, making them inconvenient for carrying or storage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible helmet design featuring a shell with hingedly connected components and living hinges, allowing it to be adjusted between a wearable and collapsed configuration, with integral ribs for maximum protection and magnetic locking mechanisms for secure configuration changes, enabling it to fold down to one-third of its original volume for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a helmet is made with rigid, thick impact absorbing materials to protect the head, then protection capability is improved, but the helmet becomes bulky and awkward to store
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet shell is divided into multiple rigid panels that are hinged together, allowing the helmet to be segmented into collapsible sections while maintaining the protective rigid structure during use
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet incorporates hinges and magnetic connectors that allow it to dynamically transition between an expanded protective configuration and a collapsed storage configuration, making the volume variable rather than fixed
2Ease of operation
If a helmet is made hemispherical in shape to conform to the head, then comfort and fit are improved, but the helmet cannot be collapsed or folded
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical shell is segmented into multiple rigid panels connected by hinges, allowing the curved protective shape to be maintained during use while enabling collapse when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet uses a polyhedral structure with hinge axes along edges, allowing it to fold by splitting between faces along selected edges, effectively adding the dimension of collapsibility to the traditionally rigid hemispherical form
3Strength
If a helmet is made bulky to provide adequate protection, then safety is improved, but it becomes inconvenient for carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet can dynamically change its volume from a bulky protective form to a compact portable form through the action of hinges and magnetic connectors, making it convenient to carry when protection is not needed
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet's volume parameter can be changed from large to small through mechanical folding action, while the protective capability parameter is maintained when in the expanded configuration
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 helmet provides effective head protection while significantly reducing its volume for convenient storage and carrying, maintaining structural integrity through a combination of foldable polyhedron design and internal/external cladding, similar to conventional helmets when in use.
Implementation Method 1
the helmet is provided with means for securing the first and second components together so that the shell is locked into its first configuration
Implementation Method 2
means are provided to urge the shell components towards each other. More preferably, said urging means are magnetic
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible helmet including a shell having two or more components which are hingedly connected together about fold lines extending across the shell. Each component includes a plurality of panels with each panel being hingedly connected to at least one adjacent panel. The shell may be adjustable between a first configuration in which the helmet may be placed over the head of the user and a second configuration in which the components are flattened and are arranged in a substantially overlying relationship.