Expandable Joint Headband With Low-Friction Sleeve

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headbands with elastic material around the entire circumference often cause hair pulling and bunching due to shrinkage, resulting in an uncomfortable fit for both smaller and larger head sizes, as they are either too loose or too tight.

Innovation Solution

An expandable joint design incorporating a length of elastic material affixed between two pieces of fabric, with a low-friction sleeve and a tube to prevent fabric bunching, ensuring a consistent fit across different head sizes by encasing the elastic end in a semi-rigid plastic sleeve and attaching it away from the fabric end, allowing for even pressure distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If elastic material is used around the entire circumference of the headband, then the headband can automatically adjust to different head sizes, but it causes hair pulling and bunching due to shrinkage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment to different head sizesVSAvoidhair pulling and bunching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headband is divided into two distinct segments: an elastic portion for the back of the head and a non-elastic fabric portion for the hair-contact area. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the elastic portion provides size adjustment while the non-elastic portion prevents hair bunching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the headband are assigned different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The front portion uses non-elastic material to prevent hair bunching, while the back portion uses elastic material for size adjustment, creating local quality optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the length of elastic material is limited, then the headband can prevent hair pulling, but it becomes loose on smaller heads and tight on larger heads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair pulling preventionVSAvoidfit across different head sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The headband is divided into two distinct segments: an elastic portion for the back of the head and a non-elastic fabric portion for the hair-contact area. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the elastic portion provides size adjustment while the non-elastic portion prevents hair bunching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic portion is designed with adjustable length and elasticity parameters to accommodate different head sizes. By optimizing the elastic material's stretch characteristics and length, the headband achieves consistent fit across small to large heads while the non-elastic portion maintains its hair-friendly properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the headband is tight on larger heads, then it secures the headband, but it becomes uncomfortable for wearers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadband securityVSAvoidwearer comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the headband are assigned different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The front portion uses non-elastic material to prevent hair bunching, while the back portion uses elastic material for size adjustment, creating local quality optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic portion is designed with adjustable length and elasticity parameters to accommodate different head sizes. By optimizing the elastic material's stretch characteristics and length, the headband achieves consistent fit across small to large heads while the non-elastic portion maintains its hair-friendly properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design provides a more comfortable and secure fit by maintaining even tension across varying head sizes, preventing hair pulling and ensuring the headband feels tighter on smaller heads and looser on larger heads, thus enhancing overall wearability.

Implementation Method 1

a low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

Many items that are intended to fit on objects of different sizes use elastic to achieve that feat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10302111B1Expandable joint and universal fit headband

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 LIGHTBULB LLC

AI summary

An expandable joint for use in, for example, a headband, includes elastic material, a low-friction sleeve, and a tube. The low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the low-friction sleeve at a first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The length of elastic material extends beyond a second end of the low-friction sleeve opposite the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The tube substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve. The low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube at the first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve, and the length of elastic material extends beyond a first end of the tube.