Protective Helmet Shell With Functional Band For Accessory Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective helmets lack flexibility in attaching and replacing accessories like sunshields and head lamps, and their robustness is inadequate for impacts in the forehead and occipital regions, making them difficult to adapt to different use conditions and potentially risky to handle when replacing components.

Innovation Solution

A shell with a functional band that includes attachment seats and channels for accessories, allowing for secure and easy attachment and removal of accessories like sunshields and head lamps, and enhanced robustness through a design that includes a shell body with integral lateral band portions and locking mechanisms, improving impact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If accessories are fixed indirectly by means of straps passing through openings in the shell, then the fixing system allows some flexibility, but the stability of the accessory is insufficient and the shell structure is compromised due to required openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of accessory attachmentVSAvoidstability of accessory fixing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is divided into a main shell body and a separate functional band that can be attached to the shell. The functional band contains all accessory attachment features (openings, seats, channels), isolating these elements from the main shell structure. This segmentation allows the shell to remain closed and structurally intact while providing flexible accessory attachment through the detachable functional band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The functional band acts as an intermediary element between the shell and accessories. It provides the attachment interface for accessories while being detachably connected to the shell, thus mediating between the need for stable shell structure and the need for flexible accessory attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the shell is made as one piece incorporating both shell structure and sunshield, then the structure is simplified, but the sunshield cannot be removed or replaced without replacing the entire helmet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of shell structureVSAvoidreplaceability of accessories

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The functional band containing the sunshield and other accessories is made as a separate detachable component from the main shell body. This segmentation allows the sunshield and other accessories to be independently removed or replaced by simply detaching the functional band, while the main shell structure remains intact and reusable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The functional band is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable to the shell body through locking mechanisms. This dynamic connection allows the configuration of accessories to be changed as needed, providing adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity of the main shell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If accessories are fixed with straps and openings in the shell, then the attachment method is simple, but the shell is compromised structurally and cannot be used with closed shell designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of attachment methodVSAvoidintegrity of shell structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

All attachment features (openings, seats, channels) are concentrated in the separate functional band rather than being integrated into the main shell body. This allows the shell to be manufactured as a closed, structurally intact component while the functional band provides the necessary attachment points through its own structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The functional band serves as an intermediary that provides the attachment interface without requiring modifications to the main shell structure. It mediates between the need for simple attachment methods and the need to preserve shell integrity by containing all openings and attachment features within itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If the accessory fixing system requires handling the helmet when not worn, then the replacement can be performed, but the user faces safety risks when the helmet must be removed for accessory replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to replace accessoryVSAvoidsafety risks to user

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The functional band and accessory attachment system is designed to be dynamically operable while the helmet is worn on the user's head. The locking and unlocking mechanisms can be actuated by the user's hand without removing the helmet, enabling safe and convenient accessory replacement during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240156200A1Shell for protective helmet and associated protective helmet

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 U POWER GROUP SPA

AI summary

A shell for a protective helmet is described, the shell comprising a shell body and a functional band around at least a front part and/or a rear part of the shell body, wherein the functional band comprises a central wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, wherein the functional band comprises a seat for attaching an accessory formed by an opening in the upper wall, in the lower wall, or in the upper wall and lower wall of the functional band.