Helmet Shield Side Protrusions for Aerodynamic Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorcycle helmets struggle to effectively reduce wind noise and aerodynamic resistance, particularly due to swirling winds from the bottom part of the helmet, which increases noise near the ears and air resistance, and existing solutions like dimple processing on the entire surface or upper parts of the helmet are either ineffective or overly complex.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of depressions and protrusions on the side surfaces of the helmet or shield, specifically positioned to disturb airflow and move the separation point of the air flow rearward, reducing noise and air resistance by optimizing the shape and placement of protrusion members or recesses at the maximum lateral width positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ventilators or stabilizers are attached to the outer surface of the helmet, then air intake and exhaust functions are improved, but the device complexity increases and wind noise intensity increases remarkably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air intake and exhaust functions from complex mechanical ventilators and stabilizers, and instead implements them through strategically positioned depressions and protrusions on the helmet surface. This simplifies the structure while maintaining the air flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific depression and protrusion features at particular locations on the helmet surface (particularly around the lower rear portion) to control air flow locally. This targeted approach achieves air intake and exhaust without requiring complex overall structural modifications.
2Force
If dimple processing is performed on the entire surface of the helmet, then air resistance is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying dimple processing to the entire helmet surface, the patent applies it locally to specific regions (particularly the lower rear portion and side surfaces). This localized approach reduces air resistance effectively while significantly simplifying manufacturing compared to full-surface processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing dimple processing only in critical areas where it has the most impact on air resistance reduction, rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This achieves sufficient aerodynamic improvement with reduced manufacturing complexity.
3Force
If the shield and helmet have a streamlined shape, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but wind noise is generated when air flows upward along the helmet from the bottom part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses wind noise by applying local quality modifications (depressions and protrusions) specifically in the lower rear portion and side surfaces of the helmet. These localized features control the air flow separation and prevent upward swirling that causes noise, while maintaining the overall streamlined shape for low drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful upward air flow that causes noise into a beneficial controlled flow pattern. By strategically positioning depressions and protrusions, the air flow that would otherwise swirl upward and create noise is redirected to follow the helmet contour smoothly, reducing both noise and drag.
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
This configuration significantly reduces wind noise and air resistance by altering the airflow separation point, resulting in decreased drag, lift, and yaw forces, as well as lower sound pressure levels near the ears, as demonstrated by experimental results showing reductions in these forces and noise levels across various rider head angles.
Implementation Method 1
the position where the air flow separates from the helmet is moved rearward
Implementation Method 2
depressions and protrusions are provided in the surface of a helmet in order to reduce the fluid resistance acting on the helmet wearer as a result of a remarkable air resistance at the high speed running
Implementation Method 3
a drag force acting in parallel to the air flow such as to push the helmet in a direction opposite to a traveling
Implementation Method 4
a lift force which is a force acting in a direction at right angles to the air flow such as to lift up the helmet
Data Source
AI summary
A shield includes one or more protrusion members having shapes protruding from an outer surface of the shield are provided or, alternatively, one or more recesses having shapes depressed from the outer surface of the shield are carved. The one or more protrusion members or the one or more recesses are located at vicinities of both side positions on the shield for covering a face where the lateral width of the shield in right and left directions becomes a maximum.