Hardhat Fan Cover with Nesting and Intermediary Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioned hardhats with solar-powered fans are vulnerable to overhead damage and do not effectively protect the fan and wearer's head from injury, as the solar panels must be exposed to the sun, preventing the use of a fan cover.

Innovation Solution

A hardhat design with a top-mounted fan covered by a permanently attached fan-covering component, powered by a rechargeable battery pack, which includes a rocker or pushbutton switch and can be made from various materials like plastic, steel, or aluminum, with raised ridges for secure attachment, allowing for protection and efficient cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If solar panels are exposed on the top of the hardhat to power the fan, then the fan can be powered, but the fan and wearer's head are vulnerable to overhead damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan powerVSAvoidoverhead damage vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fan is nested within a protective cover that forms a canopy structure. The solar panels are mounted on the exterior surface of this cover, creating a nested arrangement where the fan is protected inside while the solar panels remain exposed on the outside for power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover acts as an intermediary structure between the solar panels and the fan. It provides a physical barrier that protects the fan from overhead damage while allowing the solar panels to be mounted on its exterior surface for power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fan cover is added to protect the fan, then the fan is protected from damage, but the solar panels cannot be exposed to the sun

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan protectionVSAvoidsolar panel power generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The solar panels are nested on the exterior surface of the protective cover, while the fan is nested inside the cover. This nested arrangement allows both the fan protection and solar panel exposure to be achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover is designed as a three-dimensional canopy structure with interior and exterior surfaces. The solar panels are mounted on the exterior surface, allowing them to be exposed to sunlight while the cover itself provides protection for the fan inside, utilizing different spatial dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If the fan is mounted at the top of the hardhat for cooling, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the wearer's head is vulnerable to overhead injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead coolingVSAvoidhead injury vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wearer's head is nested within the protective cover structure, which extends over the top of the hardhat. This nested arrangement provides overhead protection for the wearer's head while maintaining the fan's cooling function at the top position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover acts as an intermediary structure that positions itself between potential overhead hazards and the wearer's head. It provides a physical barrier for head protection while allowing the fan to remain mounted at the top for effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 safe and effective cooling system for the wearer's head while protecting the fan and head from overhead damage, with a rechargeable battery pack ensuring continuous operation and easy recharging, enhancing comfort and safety in high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

The power supply may be selected from the group consisting of a fuel cell, solar cell, multiple batteries and, most preferably, an externally connectible, rechargeable battery.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

A wire connects this power supply to the fan's motor that is mounted for rotating downwardly from the top of the main hat component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

This invention will provide a new and improved hardhat that protects its top mounted head fan yet still covers that fan to protect it from overhead damage while at the same time protecting the hardhat wearer from potential injury from above.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11272753B2Hardhat with protected overhead cooling fan and method

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 MURPHY KEVIN

AI summary

A hardhat with a protected overhead cooling fan comprises: a main hardhat body component having an upper aperture through which air is drawn and pulled down into a battery powered cooling fan; a fan cover component spaced at least about ¼ inch from and permanently adhered to the main hardhat body with a plurality of linear ridges; a battery pack for the cooling fan; and a plurality of connecting wires. A method of use is also disclosed.