Helmet Padding Hinge Mechanism for Secure Attachment and Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets with removable padding elements face difficulties in easy removal during emergencies and potential accidental detachment during wear, compromising user safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a padding element with reversible coupling means and restraining mechanisms that allow for secure attachment during use and easy release for removal, utilizing a hinge point and snap-fit coupling with a lever-activated mechanism to control the relative rotation between the shell and padding element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the padding element is firmly constrained to the shell during normal use, then the reliability of the helmet is improved, but the ease of operation for removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint mechanism transitions from a static constrained state to a dynamic released state through user activation. The padding element is initially firmly constrained by the restraint mechanism, and when the user activates the mechanism, it releases to allow easy removal, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint mechanism is designed to be self-activating through user input. When the user applies force to remove the helmet, the mechanism automatically transitions from constraining to releasing the padding element, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and making the removal process intuitive and easy.
2Ease of operation
If the padding element allows relative rotation with the shell for easy removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of secure attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two states: during normal wear, the restraint mechanism prevents relative rotation ensuring secure attachment; during removal, the mechanism releases to allow relative rotation between the padding element and shell, thus achieving both reliability and ease of operation at different times.
3Reliability
If the restraint mechanism is always engaged to prevent accidental detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint mechanism automatically responds to user removal attempts by transitioning from an engaged state to a disengaged state. This self-service behavior eliminates the need for separate manual release operations, making removal easy while maintaining reliability during normal use through automatic engagement.
4Reliability
If the padding element is firmly constrained during use, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component from the padding element and shell assembly. This allows the constraint function to be implemented through a dedicated simple mechanism rather than integrating complexity into the main structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet is disclosed having a padding element removably constrained to the shell and provided with a first seat so that a first protrusion integral with the shell is reversibly engaged, reversible male-female coupling members to reversibly couple the shell and the padding element, which are adapted to define a hinge point for the relative rotation between the shell and the padding element. The helmet has restraining members to selectively restrain and release the first protrusion in and from the first seat. The restraining members are movable between a first restraint position to restrain the first protrusion in the first seat, so that the relative rotation between the shell and the padding element is prevented. A second disengagement position of the first protrusion from the first seat is also provided so that the relative rotation between the shell and the padding element is allowed.