Helmet Chin Guard Coupling for Stability and Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle helmets with movable chin guards suffer from instability in the raised position, leading to unwanted lowering or breakage, high wind drag causing the 'sail effect', and mechanical components losing elastic memory, resulting in excessive clearance and reduced protection.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design with a coupling portion in the back of the shell for the chin guard, featuring first and second locking means for secure attachment and detachment, minimizing aerodynamic disruption and weight imbalance, allowing easy transformation between full-face and open configurations without additional mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the chin guard is made movable to allow removal and repositioning, then the field of vision and convenience are improved, but the stability and protection are worsened due to unwanted lowering or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The chin guard is divided into separable components that can be independently positioned. The chin guard assembly includes a chin guard proper and a coupling portion that can be detached from the shell, allowing the chin guard to be segmented into functional states (attached for protection, detached for vision) while maintaining structural integrity through defined coupling interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The chin guard transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic reconfigurable position. The coupling mechanism enables the chin guard to move between an operating position (attached to shell for chin protection) and a separation position (detached for expanded vision), with the system adapting its configuration based on operational needs while maintaining stability through controlled coupling and locking.
2Reliability
If the chin guard is kept in the lowered protective position, then the protection is improved, but the field of vision and convenience are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The chin guard is designed to dynamically change position between protective and visionary states. The coupling mechanism with locking means enables the chin guard to be securely positioned in the lowered protective position when needed, and easily removed or repositioned when expanded field of vision is required, thus adapting protection to operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the chin guard is made variable rather than fixed. The coupling portion and locking means enable the chin guard to change its spatial parameter (position) between two stable states: attached in the operating position for chin protection, and detached in the separation position for expanded vision, allowing the system to optimize performance based on operational requirements.
3Reliability
If additional locking mechanisms are added to maintain chin guard stability, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling and locking functions are merged into an integrated coupling portion. The locking means are incorporated as part of the coupling mechanism itself, combining multiple functions (coupling, locking, positioning) into a single unified component assembly that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining chin guard stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it couples the chin guard to the shell, provides locking capability through integrated locking means, enables positioning in operating and separation positions, and facilitates easy attachment and detachment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
4Ease of operation
If the chin guard is removed completely, then the field of vision is improved, but the protection and aerodynamic performance are worsened due to high wind drag
Solution Approach 1:
The chin guard configuration dynamically adapts to operational conditions. When removed or detached, the chin guard can be repositioned to the coupling portion at the back of the shell, creating a streamlined configuration that reduces wind drag and sail effect while maintaining the ability to provide protection when attached in the operating position.
Solution Approach 2:
The chin guard is repositioned from the front (operating position) to the back (coupling portion) of the shell, changing its spatial dimension relative to the oncoming airflow. This dimensional repositioning moves the chin guard away from the primary wind drag zone, reducing aerodynamic interference while preserving the option for front-positioned protection when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a protective helmet (1) comprising a chin guard (11) removable from an operating position, for protecting the chin, characterized in that the shell (21) of the helmet (1) is provided with a portion (31) for coupling with the chin guard (11) when removed.