Helmet Aerodynamic Control Device with Void Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmets face challenges in reducing drag, lift, and side force at high speeds, particularly when equipped with various cowls, leading to instability and increased risk of accidents during super high-speed racing.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic control device featuring a void opening behind the center of the helmet, combined with a rear spoiler and thin plate members, which create an air flow channel to decrease turbulence resistance and improve stability by positioning the thin plate members behind the rear spoiler and forming void openings such as slits or elongated holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the helmet shape is made streamline to decrease air resistance, then drag is reduced, but lift increases causing the helmet to be raised up
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic control device is divided into multiple functional segments: a rear spoiler portion for generating downforce, wake stabilizer portions for flow control, and a void opening for pressure management. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aerodynamic issues independently, reducing overall drag while maintaining stability through coordinated action of separate elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension element through the void opening that penetrates through the helmet shell, creating a pressure management pathway in the vertical direction. This dimensional addition allows pressure equalization between upper and lower surfaces, counteracting the lift force generated by the streamline shape without compromising the horizontal aerodynamic efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rear spoiler is attached to reduce lift, then helmet stability improves, but drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple aerodynamic functions into a single integrated device: the rear spoiler portion and wake stabilizer portions are combined with the void opening to create a unified aerodynamic control device. This integration allows the structure to generate downforce while simultaneously managing pressure distribution to minimize drag, achieving both stability and aerodynamic efficiency in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The void opening parameters (size, position, shape) are optimized to control pressure differential across the helmet shell. By adjusting these parameters, the device can regulate the magnitude of downforce generated by the spoiler portion while minimizing the overall drag penalty, allowing flexible tuning of the stability-drag tradeoff.
3Stability of the object's composition
If wake stabilizers are added to prevent helmet swing, then side force resistance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wake stabilizer function is segmented into discrete portions positioned at strategic locations on the helmet. These segmented stabilizer elements work independently to control airflow separation and reduce side forces, while their modular nature keeps the overall device complexity manageable through standardized, repeatable components.
4Force
If multiple aerodynamic components are added to handle various forces, then aerodynamic performance improves, but the helmet structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple aerodynamic functions (spoiler, wake stabilizer, pressure management) are merged into a single integrated aerodynamic control device that attaches to the helmet. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and attachment points compared to traditional multi-component systems, simplifying the overall helmet structure while maintaining comprehensive aerodynamic control.
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 effectively decreases drag, lift, and side force, enhancing driving stability even under varying conditions, as demonstrated by wind tunnel experiments showing significant reductions in these forces, thereby improving rider safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
decrease the turbulence resistance generated by a component part located behind the center of a longitudinal width of a helmet and protruded backward from the helmet
Implementation Method 2
The drag can be defined as the pressure caused by a fluid flowing in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the motorcycle
Implementation Method 3
The lift can be defined as the force which acts in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the motorcycle so as to raise the helmet up in the air
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic control device includes a void opening. The void opening decreases a resistance of a turbulence generated by a component part located behind a center of a longitudinal width of a helmet and is formed so that one end is connected to the helmet and the other end protrudes backward from the helmet.