Helmet Support Structure for Earmuff-Compatible Adjustable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective helmets with circumferential head support rings face challenges in accommodating removable earmuffs due to the difficulty in guiding the support band under the outer shell, leading to poor fit and inadequate adjustment for varying head shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A two-part support structure with a gap between the front and rear parts allows the support band of earmuffs to pass through, and an adjustable tensioning device ensures the force flow through the outer shell, providing a good fit and adjustability to different head shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a circumferential head support ring is used, then the helmet can be adjusted to different head sizes and shapes, but the support band of removable earmuffs cannot be guided through the helmet resulting in poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential head support ring is divided into two separate support elements: a front support element and a rear support element. This segmentation creates a gap between them that allows the support band of removable earmuffs to pass through, while each element independently maintains the adjustable fit function. The front support element includes an adjustable tensioning device that can be independently adjusted.
2Device complexity
If a circumferential head support ring is used, then the helmet structure is simple, but the force flow of tensioning force flows through the head support ring itself rather than through the outer shell
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into discrete front and rear support elements that are spaced apart, rather than a continuous circumferential ring. This segmentation forces the tensioning force to be transmitted through the outer shell between the two support elements, ensuring the outer shell bears the load as intended, while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support structure is made adjustable to fit different head shapes, then the fit is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front support element incorporates an adjustable tensioning device that can dynamically adjust its position and tension to accommodate different head shapes and sizes. This dynamic adjustability is achieved through a relatively simple mechanism involving a tensioning element that can be modified in length or tension, providing adaptability without significant complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a protective helmet includes an outer shell configured for distributing impact forces, a support structure spaced apart from and supporting the outer shell, the support structure placeable on a head of a wearer of the protective helmet, wherein the support structure is subdivided into a front support and a rear support spaced apart from the front support, and an adjustable tensioning device configured for exerting a tensioning force on the support structure so that a force flow of the tensioning force for fixing the outer shell on the head of the wearer flows completely through the outer shell and for varying the tensioning force by an adjustment.