Helmet Vent Plug with Resilient Lip Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vented helmets used for biking, skiing, and skateboarding are uncomfortable in cold and rainy conditions due to cold air and moisture seeping through vents, with existing solutions like sliders or rain covers being ineffective or cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring removable plugs that provide an airtight seal for the vents, maintaining the helmet's aerodynamic shape, with resilient lower surfaces that compress and expand to securely fit within the vents, ensuring durability and easy installation/removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sliders or blades are used to cover the vents, then the vents can be closed to prevent cold air and moisture entry, but the sliders fail to effectively prevent moisture from seeping into the vents and sometimes get stuck in their opened or closed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the slider mechanism and implements it through a separate grommet component that fits into the vent opening. This grommet with protruding lips provides the moisture barrier while the slider simply covers the vent opening, separating the sealing function from the closing mechanism and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet acts as an intermediary component between the vent opening and the slider. It provides a reliable sealing surface that the slider can press against, ensuring effective moisture prevention while allowing the slider to move freely without getting stuck.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cloth rain cover with elastic perimeter is used, then the vents can be covered to prevent moisture entry, but the elastic perimeter becomes worn and inelastic with use so that it does not remain in place on the helmet
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the elastic retention function from the rain cover material itself and replaces it with a rigid structural retention mechanism. The grommet is retained on the helmet through structural features such as friction fit, interference fit, or attachment to the helmet shell, eliminating the need for elastic materials that degrade over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from elastic cloth to rigid or semi-rigid plastic/grommet material. This structural material maintains its retention properties indefinitely without becoming worn or inelastic, solving the durability issue while still providing effective vent coverage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cloth rain cover is used to cover the vents, then moisture entry can be prevented, but the cloth material increases drag due to air friction and it can be tedious to place on the helmet
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rain cover from being a separate cloth component and integrates the sealing function directly into the vent structure through grommets. These grommets are permanently attached to the helmet shell, eliminating the need for separate installation of cloth covers and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommets are pre-installed on the helmet shell during manufacturing, so that when the user purchases the helmet, the moisture protection is already in place. This eliminates the need for the user to install a separate rain cover, reducing complexity and installation effort.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sliders are used to cover the vents, then the vents can be closed, but they sometimes get stuck in their opened or closed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the slider mechanism and implements it through a separate grommet component. This allows the slider to be a simple covering element that moves freely along the vent, while the grommet provides the sealing action, improving slider movement ease.
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
The plugs effectively prevent air and water from entering the helmet while maintaining the helmet's aerodynamic performance, providing comfort and protection in various weather conditions without adding drag or wear issues.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient lower surface has a lower peripheral lip that compresses when the plug is pushed through the outer vent opening and the inner vent opening and that subsequently expands after the lower peripheral lip passes through the inner vent opening so that the lower peripheral lip engages a portion of the inner wall surface of the shell
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet that includes vents in the shell and removable plugs that may be positioned in the vents to provide an airtight seal while maintaining the aerodynamic shape of the helmet. The vent has an outer vent opening in the outer wall surface of the shell and an inner vent opening in the inner wall surface of the shell. The plug includes a resilient lower surface and an upper surface opposite the resilient lower surface. The resilient lower surface has a lower peripheral lip that compresses when the plug is pushed through the outer vent opening and the inner vent opening and that subsequently expands after the lower peripheral lip passes through the inner vent opening so that the lower peripheral lip engages a portion of the inner wall surface of the shell. The upper surface has an upper peripheral lip configured to conform to a portion of the outer wall surface of the shell when the plug is inserted in the vent.