Folding Hat Elastic Ring with Rounded Flat Wire

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folding hats with elastomeric rings, especially those made of stainless steel, risk damaging the brim material due to angular edges and constant tension, leading to potential injury and reduced durability upon repeated folding and unfolding.

Innovation Solution

A folding hat design featuring an elastic ring formed by coupling both ends of a flat wire rod with a vertically long cross-section made from spring steel, rolled to eliminate angular corners and using a metal stop for coupling to prevent sharp edges, ensuring the ring is sewn in without sharp parts and maintaining high fixing force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a ring made of elastomeric thin wire with angular edges is used, then the hat can be folded and unfolded easily, but the angular edges may damage the brim material through friction and constant tension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding and unfolding easeVSAvoiddamage to brim material

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by rolling the round wire into a flat wire rod with a vertically long cross-section that has rounded corners instead of angular edges. This curved geometry eliminates the sharp edges that cause damage to the brim material during repeated folding and unfolding operations, while maintaining the elastic functionality of the ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the wire by rolling it to transform the cross-sectional shape from circular to flat with rounded corners. This parameter change modifies the surface characteristics of the wire, reducing friction and preventing damage to the brim material while preserving the elastic properties needed for folding and unfolding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If a thin stainless steel ring is used, then the hat maintains structural integrity, but the sharp edges can wound the user and damage the cloth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsharp edges causing injury

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by rolling the round wire into a flat wire rod with a vertically long cross-section that has rounded corners instead of angular edges. This curved geometry eliminates the sharp edges that cause damage to the brim material during repeated folding and unfolding operations, while maintaining the elastic functionality of the ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the wire by rolling it to transform the cross-sectional shape from circular to flat with rounded corners. This parameter change modifies the surface characteristics of the wire, reducing friction and preventing damage to the brim material while preserving the elastic properties needed for folding and unfolding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the ring is made with angular cross-section, then the hat can be folded into a compact circle shape, but the angular corners create friction that damages the brim outer periphery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolded sizeVSAvoidfriction damage to brim

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by rolling the round wire into a flat wire rod with a vertically long cross-section that has rounded corners instead of angular edges. This curved geometry eliminates the sharp edges that cause damage to the brim material during repeated folding and unfolding operations, while maintaining the elastic functionality of the ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the wire by rolling it to transform the cross-sectional shape from circular to flat with rounded corners. This parameter change modifies the surface characteristics of the wire, reducing friction and preventing damage to the brim material while preserving the elastic properties needed for folding and unfolding.

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 solution provides a durable and safe folding hat with no risk of damaging the brim material, maintaining resiliency over time and preventing corrosion, allowing for safe and long-term use as a sun or rain visor.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic ring is formed by coupling both ends of a flat wire rod with a vertically long cross section shaped by rolling spring steel round wire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9949520B2Folding hat

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 CHUO BOHSHI

AI summary

A folding hat that eliminates the risk of damaging the cloth by an elastic ring for a long life. The folding hat has the elastic ring sewn in an outer circumferential edge of a brim, and the elastic ring is formed by coupling both ends of a flat wire rod shaped by rolling spring steel round wire. Regarding the elastic ring, both ends of the flat wire rod are preferably coupled by: inserting both ends of the flat wire rod in both sides of a tubular metal stop, respectively; and crushing the metal stop. The metal stop has a pair of facing convex parts on which the tips of both ends of the flat wire rod can respectively abut at an inner center part that may be used.