Protective Eyewear Strap Connector and Diverter Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective eyewear for female players in contact sports like lacrosse and field hockey often causes discomfort and vision obstruction due to glare, fogging, scratching, and poor fit, especially with elastic straps that do not accommodate ponytails effectively, leading to instability on the head.
Innovation Solution
A protective eyewear design featuring a flexible strap with rotatable connectors and adjustable strap diverters that distribute elastic force evenly, preventing the eyewear from sliding up or down, and allowing for customization around ponytails, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic strap is used to secure the goggles over the player's eyes, then the goggles can be held in place, but the strap may slide over the player's head or pull the goggles upward or downward, causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The strap system is segmented into multiple functional components: an elastic strap for tension, a connector for attachment and rotation control, and strap diverters for force distribution. This segmentation allows each component to address specific issues - the elastic strap provides holding force while the connector and diverters prevent sliding and uneven pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary between the strap and the frame, mediating the force transmission. It controls the direction and distribution of elastic forces, preventing the strap from directly pulling the frame upward or downward. The strap diverters serve as intermediaries that redirect forces to distribute pressure evenly across the head.
2Reliability
If the strap is positioned above the ponytail, then the goggles can be secured, but the strap pulls the goggles upward on the player's face
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves as an intermediary that decouples the strap's upward pulling force from the frame. By allowing rotation and controlling force direction, it enables the strap to be positioned above the ponytail for securement while preventing the transmission of upward pull to the goggles frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates rotational freedom, allowing the strap to dynamically adjust its angle and position. This dynamic capability enables the strap to clear the ponytail while the connector redirects forces to maintain proper goggles positioning on the face.
3Reliability
If the strap is positioned below the ponytail, then the goggles can be secured, but the strap pulls the goggles downward on the player's face and ears
Solution Approach 1:
The connector acts as a mediating element that intercepts and redirects the downward pulling force from the strap. It prevents this force from being transmitted to the frame, allowing the strap to be positioned below the ponytail for securement while maintaining proper goggles position.
4Reliability
If a polycarbonate lens is used in the goggles, then protection is provided, but the lenses can produce glare, fog up, and be easily scratched or shattered
Solution Approach 1:
The optical properties of the lens are modified through parameter changes - applying coatings that alter light reflection, refraction, and absorption characteristics. These coatings reduce glare by controlling light reflection angles and reduce fogging by modifying surface tension and condensation properties, while maintaining the protective function of the polycarbonate material.
Data Source
AI summary
Protective eyewear includes a frame having a first and second opposing sides and an eye protector joined with the frame. A flexible strap is joined with the first and second sides of the frame. The strap extends around at least a portion of a player's head to position the eye protector over the player's eyes. A connector is rotatably joined with the first side of the frame so that the connector rotates in a plane generally parallel to a temple of the player. The connector is joined with the strap so that the strap can rotate relative to the frame and includes a limiter that limits the rotation of the connector. A strap diverter is adjustably positioned along the strap and divides the strap into first and second strap portions that extend at an angle relative to one another and define a space therebetween.