Helmet Vent Bezel Reinforcement and Accessory Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional helmets face challenges in reinforcing vent openings while maintaining space for additional components, as these openings weaken the vent wall and limit the attachment of accessories due to structural constraints.

Innovation Solution

A bezel assembly is integrated into the helmet's energy management layer, encircling vent openings and featuring a hardware opening and anchor opening, coupled with a hardware retainer that includes a nut and anchor recess, allowing for the attachment of accessories and reinforcing the vent area, thereby reducing the need for separate components and enhancing structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If vent openings are distributed around the helmet body for ventilation purposes, then ventilation performance is improved, but the strength of the vent wall around the openings is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation performanceVSAvoidvent wall strength

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The vent wall is segmented into multiple regions: the original vent opening, the encircling bezel structure, and the integrated energy management layer. This segmentation allows the vent opening to maintain ventilation function while the bezel and energy management layer provide structural reinforcement to prevent wall blowout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution employs a composite structure combining the rigid outer shell, the energy management layer (typically foam material), and the bezel reinforcement structure. This composite construction provides both ventilation capability and enhanced structural strength around the vent opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If helmet components such as fit system and accessories are attached to the helmet body, then functionality is improved, but the usable surface space on the helmet body is crowded

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidusable surface space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bezel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reinforces the vent wall structure, provides attachment points for accessories through the hardware retainer, and integrates with the energy management layer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes space consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the vent reinforcement structure with the accessory attachment system by integrating the hardware retainer into the bezel. This combination eliminates the need for separate reinforcement plates and attachment mechanisms, thereby preserving usable surface space on the helmet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a part is attached to the helmet near a vent opening, then accessory functionality is improved, but the vent wall blows out from the force exerted by or through the part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory functionalityVSAvoidvent wall integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hardware retainer acts as an intermediary between the accessory and the helmet structure. It distributes the forces exerted by attached accessories across the reinforced bezel structure and energy management layer, preventing concentrated loads that would cause vent wall blowout while still enabling accessory attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If multiple separate components are used to reinforce vent openings and attach accessories, then structural integrity is improved, but the component stack height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcomponent stack height

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the vent reinforcement function and accessory attachment function into a single integrated bezel assembly. The hardware retainer is positioned within the bezel structure rather than as a separate external component, thereby maintaining structural integrity while reducing the overall component stack height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11672295B2Helmet vent bezel

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 BELL SPORTS LLC

AI summary

A helmet may include a helmet body, a fit system, a bezel, and a hardware retainer. The helmet body may have an outer shell and an energy management layer. The bezel may be separate from the outer shell and coupled to the helmet body at the vent opening of the helmet, encircle the vent opening, and have a hardware opening extending through the bezel and an anchor opening in the bezel adjacent the hardware opening. The hardware retainer may be positioned behind and coupled to the bezel. The hardware retainer may include a hardware receiving aperture aligned with the hardware opening and a hardware retainer cover coupled to a rear side of the hardware retainer. The hardware retainer may further include an anchor recess aligned with the anchor opening. The bezel may be in-molded into the energy management layer.