Helmet Panel Ventilation Slider Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Protective helmets for snow and ski activities face a challenge in balancing ventilation and impact resistance, as traditional ventilation methods can compromise the helmet's ability to maintain structural integrity during impacts.

Innovation Solution

The helmet features an outer shell with strategically placed vents, an energy dissipating padding assembly, and a slider system that allows for adjustable ventilation by moving panels to open and close vents, maximizing airflow while maintaining impact protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If vents are introduced in the helmet structure to provide ventilation, then ventilation performance is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation performanceVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements movable panels that can dynamically open or close vents based on ventilation needs. The panels are configured to move between an open position (allowing airflow) and a closed position (maintaining impact resistance), transforming the static vent structure into a dynamic system that adapts to different operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vent system is divided into multiple independent panels that can be individually positioned. Each panel can be independently opened or closed, allowing selective ventilation control while maintaining structural integrity in areas where panels remain closed, thus resolving the contradiction between ventilation and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sliders and panels are added to control vent opening, then ventilation adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation adjustabilityVSAvoidslider mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional elements into integrated components. The sliders are designed to simultaneously control multiple panels, and the panels themselves serve dual purposes as both ventilation controls and impact protection elements when closed. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The panels serve multiple functions: they act as ventilation openings when open, provide impact protection when closed, and can be controlled by sliders that also serve as structural elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4093230B1Helmet with panel ventilation system
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 BOLLE BRANDS INC
  • EP4093230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4093230B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4093230B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A helmet (10) is provided including an outer shell (12) defining a first plurality of vents (23); energy dissipating padding (16) located in an interior of the outer shell, the padding defining a plurality of openings (27); the energy dissipating padding assembly and the outer shell defining a space therebetween, a first slider (28) actuatable by the wearer to slide along a first direction that extends substantially parallel to the surface of the outer shell, the first slider defining first cooperating members (60); and a second slider (26) comprising a plurality of panels (40, 42, 44) configured to cover the first plurality of vents and second cooperating surfaces (54, 56), such that movement of the first slider along the first direction generates movement of the second slider along a second direction substantially normal to the surface of the helmet shell, thereby selectively moving the panels to cover and uncover the first plurality of vents.