Helmet Ventilation Reduces Wind Noise via Secondary Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets with air paths for ventilation generate uncomfortable wind noise due to air flow, particularly through communicative holes, which has not been adequately addressed in previous designs.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a hard shell with front and rear openings, a shock-absorbing liner with front ventilation holes, outside air paths, and communicative holes that connect to secondary flow paths, which redirect air flow to reduce noise by bending air flow 90 degrees from secondary to primary paths and exhausting it through a rear opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air paths with communicative holes are disposed in the helmet for ventilation, then ventilation performance is improved, but wind noise is generated due to air flow through the communicative holes
Solution Approach 1:
The air path is segmented into primary flow paths and secondary flow paths. The communicative holes connect to both types of paths, allowing air to flow through multiple routes. This segmentation enables the system to maintain ventilation while reducing noise by distributing airflow across different path types with different acoustic characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension to airflow management by creating a three-dimensional network of primary and secondary flow paths within the shock absorbing liner. This multi-dimensional path structure allows airflow to navigate through complex routes rather than direct linear paths, reducing turbulence and noise generation while maintaining ventilation effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If communicative holes are disposed to connect inner surface to air paths, then air flow ventilation is achieved, but sound is generated due to air flow through the holes
Solution Approach 1:
The communicative holes are integrated into a segmented flow path system with both primary and secondary paths. This segmentation allows the holes to serve ventilation purposes while the distributed path structure mitigates noise generation by preventing concentrated high-velocity flow through single holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary flow paths act as intermediary routes that connect the communicative holes to the primary flow paths and rear opening. These intermediary paths modify the airflow characteristics, reducing the direct connection between communicative holes and the exterior, thereby reducing noise while maintaining ventilation function.
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 design effectively mitigates the uncomfortable whistling sound of wind while maintaining good ventilation, enhancing the wearer's comfort and reducing noise pollution.
Implementation Method 1
secondary flow paths being disposed to connect the communicative holes to the primary flow paths
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet which performs good ventilation and which is capable of mitigating the uncomfortable feeling due to sound is provided. The shock absorbing liner includes front ventilation holes to communicatively connect the front openings to the inside of the shock absorbing liner, outside air paths disposed in a space on an outer side relative to an inner surface of the shock absorbing liner, and communicative holes to communicatively connect the inside of the shock absorbing liner to the outside air paths. The outside air paths include primary flow paths disposed to be connected to the rear opening and secondary flow paths. The communicative holes communicatively connects positions on an outer surface of the shock absorbing liner except positions of the primary flow paths, to the inside of the shock absorbing liner. The secondary flow paths are disposed to connect the communicative holes to the primary flow paths.