Helmet Strap Anchor Integration for Structural Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmet retention systems often require external strap bones that increase manufacturing complexity and clutter the external appearance of helmets, making it difficult to apply graphics and potentially compromising the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A strap anchor system that couples a helmet retention system to an in-molded support structure, such as a roll cage, within the helmet body, allowing for post-molding insertion of strap anchors, which reduces manufacturing complexity and eliminates the need for external strap bones, thereby enhancing the helmet's appearance and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If external strap bones are used to couple the retention system to the helmet, then the structural integrity during impacts is improved, but the external appearance is cluttered and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the strap anchor function from external strap bones and relocates it to internal attachment points integrated into the helmet's support structure. This eliminates external clutter while maintaining the load transfer function during impacts, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the strap anchor attachment function with the helmet's existing support structure by providing attachment points at the junctions of support structure members. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining structural strength during impacts.
2Strength
If external strap bones are used to couple the retention system, then structural integrity is improved, but the application of graphics to the outer surface is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external strap bones from the helmet's outer surface and relocates the attachment function to internal support structure junctions. This extraction eliminates visual clutter and creates a smooth external surface that facilitates graphic application while maintaining structural integrity through the internal attachment points.
3Ease of manufacture
If strap anchors are coupled after helmet body formation, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the coupling process must be precisely integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates attachment points into the support structure during helmet manufacturing, preparing the integration locations in advance. This preliminary action allows for precise coupling of strap anchors after helmet formation without requiring complex post-assembly operations, thereby reducing both manufacturing cost and complexity while maintaining coupling precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a strap anchor system and method are provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a helmet body, a support structure substantially disposed within the helmet body, and a strap anchor housing coupled to the support structure and substantially disposed within the helmet body. The strap anchor housing is operable to receive a strap anchor after formation of the helmet body. The strap anchor is operable to couple a strap to the strap anchor housing so that a load on the strap is transferred to the support structure before being transferred to the helmet body.