Helmet Surface Reinforcing Component Embedded Anchors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing helmets are often bulky and heavy due to increased thickness and material to enhance durability, which compromises their lightweight and comfortable design, especially in active sports where ventilation features further contribute to weight and bulkiness.

Innovation Solution

Integration of surface reinforcing components with anchoring features embedded in a force-absorbing element, such as expanded polystyrene foam, to provide structural integrity while reducing material usage, allowing for thinner and lighter helmets with larger ventilation openings without sacrificing strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the thickness of the helmet is increased to enhance durability, then the strength and protection capability are improved, but the weight and bulk of the helmet increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehelmet strengthVSAvoidhelmet weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet shell is divided into multiple reinforcing components including anchor features, surface reinforcing components, and optional vent reinforcement components. These segmented elements are distributed throughout the shell structure, allowing strength to be achieved through strategic reinforcement rather than uniform thickness increase, thereby reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The helmet employs composite construction combining a base shell material with additional reinforcing components made of different materials. The anchor features embed into the shell while surface reinforcing components attach to the outer surface, creating a composite structure that achieves superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to solid thick shell construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If ventilation openings are added to cool the user's head, then the comfort and cooling performance are improved, but the thickness reduction around vents compromises structural strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead coolingVSAvoidstructural strength around vent

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The vent reinforcement component provides localized strengthening specifically at the vent opening area. This component features a configuration that reinforces the shell around the vent aperture, allowing large ventilation openings to be created without compromising the structural integrity of the surrounding shell material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If more material is used to enhance helmet durability, then the protection capability is improved, but the helmet becomes bulkier and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehelmet durabilityVSAvoidhelmet bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using bulk material throughout, the reinforcement is segmented into discrete anchor features and surface reinforcing components that are strategically positioned. This segmentation allows durability to be achieved through targeted reinforcement at critical stress points rather than uniform material distribution, reducing overall helmet bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11540580B2Helmet comprising surface reinforcing component with embedded anchors

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 SMITH SPORT OPTICS INC

AI summary

Described herein are helmets comprising at least one surface reinforcing component. In some embodiments the surface reinforcing component comprises at least one anchoring feature embedded in a structural feature of the helmet, such as a force absorbing element. In other embodiments, the surface reinforcing component comprises fasteners configured to mate with a respective fastener on a shell of the helmet.