Helmet Nape-Rest Spring Mechanism for Automatic Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sports helmets face challenges in adhering optimally to the nuchal area of the head due to the occipital protuberance, requiring manual adjustments that can be complex and prone to breaking, and do not provide spontaneous automatic fitting.
Innovation Solution
A protective helmet with a nape-rest element and spring mechanism that automatically transitions from a fitting position to a use position without manual operation, ensuring secure adherence to the nuchal area, using a C-shaped leaf spring to retract and adhere to the nape of the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a helmet is designed to pass over the occipital protuberance, then it can be worn easily, but it cannot adhere to the nuchal area correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The nape-rest element is designed to be movable between two positions: a first position where it contacts the inner rear wall to allow passing over the protuberance, and a second position where it contacts the nuchal area for secure adherence. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between ease of fitting and reliable adherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded to automatically force the nape-rest element from the first position to the second position after the helmet is placed on the head. This preliminary action ensures proper adherence without requiring manual adjustment, resolving the contradiction between ease of fitting and secure fit.
2Reliability
If a manual adjustment mechanism is added to tighten the helmet on the nape, then optimal adherence to the nuchal area is achieved, but the helmet complexity increases and the mechanism may break
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element automatically performs the tightening function by forcing the nape-rest element into contact with the nuchal area. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment systems while maintaining reliable adherence, resolving the contradiction between secure fit and device simplicity.
3Reliability
If a manual adjustment mechanism is added to tighten the helmet on the nape, then optimal adherence to the nuchal area is achieved, but the fitting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded to automatically force the nape-rest element into the correct position as soon as the helmet is placed on the head. This preliminary action eliminates the time-consuming manual adjustment step while ensuring optimal adherence, resolving the contradiction between secure fit and quick fitting.
4Ease of operation
If the nape-rest element is kept loosened to allow easy wearing, then it can be put on quickly, but it does not provide secure adherence during use
Solution Approach 1:
The nape-rest element dynamically transitions from a loosened state during putting-on to a tightened state during use, automatically adapting to the user's needs at different stages, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of wearing and security of fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically performs the tightening action immediately after the helmet is placed on the head, ensuring secure fit without requiring manual intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of wearing and security of fit.
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 helmet achieves greater safety, stability, comfort, and ease of use with automatic and fast closure, ensuring secure fitment without manual adjustments, enhancing adherence to the nuchal area and overall head protection.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (13) that is configured so as to force the nape-rest element (12) into its use position
Implementation Method 2
The spring 13 comprises a C-shaped leaf 15 in which the central portion 16 is in substantial contact with the inner rear wall 14 of the shell structure 11 and the lateral portions 17 are separated from the inner rear wall 14 and are directed towards the inside of the shell structure 11
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Protective helmet (10), in particular for sports use, comprising : a shell structure (11) shaped so as to at least partially cover the head of a user and configured to protect it from bangs at the cranium portion substantially starting from the eye arch up to the nuchal area both on top and laterally; and a nape-rest element (12) fixedly connected to said shell structure at the nuchal area of the user; said nape-rest element (12) being constrained to said shell structure (11) in a movable manner between a fitting position of said helmet (10), in which it is in substantial contact with the inner rear wall (14) of said shell structure (11) to allow the occipital protuberance of the cranium to be passed over, and a use position of said helmet (10) in which it is separated from said inner rear wall (14) of said shell structure (11) and in substantial contact with the nuchal area of the user wearing said helmet (10), said helmet (10) comprising a spring element (13) to force said nape-rest element (12) in said use position in which it is separated from said inner rear wall (14) of said shell structure (11) and in substantial contact with the nuchal area of the user wearing said helmet (10).