Bicycle Helmet Internal Ventilation Fit System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bicycle helmets often suffer from heat build-up and retention due to impact attenuating materials directly contacting the wearer's head, which can lead to discomfort and increased risk of injury during prolonged activities in warm environments.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle helmet design featuring an internal ventilation system with a continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead strap, maintained by prongs that offset the strap from the inner surface, allowing airflow and reducing pinch points, along with an adjustable connector to customize the fit and ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If impact attenuating materials directly contact the wearer's head, then head protection is improved, but heat build-up and retention worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead protectionVSAvoidheat build-up

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The helmet interior is segmented into multiple zones: impact attenuating materials for protection, ventilation channels for heat dissipation, and a continuous gap region for airflow. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of head protection and heat reduction by assigning different functions to different spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible forehead strap with prongs acts as an intermediary element between the impact attenuating materials and the wearer's head. The prongs create a continuous gap that mediates between the need for direct protection (materials close to head) and heat reduction (gap for airflow), allowing airflow to pass through while maintaining protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a continuous gap is created between the inner surface and forehead strap, then heat retention is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat retentionVSAvoidventilation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible forehead strap functions as a thin, adaptable film that naturally conforms to the wearer's head shape while maintaining the continuous gap. This flexible structure achieves the ventilation function without requiring complex rigid frameworks or multiple adjustable components, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The prongs with sliding coupling points enable automatic adjustment of the continuous gap as the wearer's head moves or sweats. The system self-regulates the ventilation opening without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable fit system is implemented, then adaptability to different head sizes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit customizationVSAvoidfit system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible forehead strap with sliding prongs creates a dynamic fit system that automatically adapts to different head sizes and shapes. The sliding coupling points allow the prongs to move along the inner surface, enabling continuous adjustment without requiring multiple discrete size settings or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible forehead strap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the ventilation system, creates the continuous gap for airflow, enables adjustable fit through sliding prongs, and conforms to different head shapes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design effectively reduces heat build-up and retention, enhances airflow, and provides an adjustable fit to accommodate various head sizes, improving comfort and safety during cycling activities.

Implementation Method 1

A continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead strap may be provided by an offset created by the at least two prongs, the at least two prongs flexibly maintaining the offset

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230086118A1Protective bicycle helmet with internal ventilation fit system comprising expanded connectors

Publication Date: 2023.03.23 BELL SPORTS LLC

AI summary

A helmet for protecting the head of a user may include at least one liner comprising an inner surface and a lower edge surrounding the inner surface at a helmet opening configured to receive a head of a helmet wearer. At least two coupling points may be located on the inner surface proximal to the lower edge. At least one flexible forehead strap may follow the lower edge of the energy management layer and may be inwardly offset from the inner surface. At least two prongs may be coupled to, and slidably extend between, the flexible forehead strap and the at least two coupling points, respectively. A continuous gap between the inner surface and the flexible forehead strap may be provided by an offset created by the at least two prongs, the at least two prongs flexibly maintaining the offset.