Elliptical Wire Face Guard Grid Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wire face guards for sports helmets, while providing strength and impact resistance, obstruct visibility due to their circular cross-section diameter requirements.
Innovation Solution
A face guard with a grid of wires having an elliptical or noncircular cross-section, where the minor axis is less than the major axis, and at least partially located within the wearer's field of view, offering improved visibility and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wires are made with a circular cross-section and sufficient diameter to meet strength and impact resistance requirements, then strength and impact resistance are improved, but visibility of the wearer deteriorates due to increased obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the wire cross-section from a symmetric circular shape to an asymmetric elliptical shape. The elliptical cross-section has a major axis and a minor axis, where the minor axis is oriented in the direction of the wearer's line of sight. This asymmetric configuration reduces the apparent width of the wire in the field of view, thereby improving visibility while maintaining sufficient strength and impact resistance through the elongated major axis dimension.
2Strength
If wires are made with a larger diameter to meet strength requirements, then strength and impact resistance are improved, but the grid placement can be positioned closer to the face, improving visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the wire cross-section from a circular diameter to an elliptical major and minor axis configuration. Specifically, the minor axis dimension is reduced compared to the diameter of an equivalent circular cross-section, allowing the wire to be positioned closer to the face while maintaining sufficient strength. This parameter change enables the grid to be placed at a closer distance from the face, thereby improving the wearer's visibility without compromising the strength and impact resistance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A face guard for a sports helmet, comprising a plurality of wires arranged as a grid and wherein at least one of the wires has a cross-section with a periphery having a first maximal dimension in a first direction and a second maximal dimension in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the second maximal dimension being less than the first maximal dimension. Each of the at least one of the wires may have an elliptical cross-section with a major axis and a minor axis, wherein a ratio of the minor axis to the major axis may be between 0.2 and 0.9. Each of the at least one of the wires may have a portion to be at least partially located within a field of view of a wearer wearing the face guard.