Modular Helmet Head Backing Cover for Custom Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helmet sizing methods assume a uniform elliptical head shape, leading to poor fit for individuals with unique head shapes, and existing adjustment solutions are cumbersome or damage-prone.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a cap-like head backing cover composed of multiple interchangeable cover components with connecting means such as slit-like holes and Hook-and-Loop fasteners, allowing for customizable size adjustment without requiring special tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plate-like adjusting pad is inserted in the neck pad pocket to decrease helmet size, then the helmet size can be adjusted, but the operation becomes cumbersome and the inner surface becomes coarse causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The head backing cover is divided into multiple detachable cover components (forehead part, vertex part, left temple part, right temple part, occiput part) that can be separately exchanged. This segmentation allows size adjustment by simply replacing specific components rather than inserting bulky adjusting pads, making the operation simpler and maintaining surface smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting function is extracted from the traditional pad insertion method and integrated into the modular cover component system. Each cover component is designed with connecting means that enable direct attachment and detachment, eliminating the need for separate adjusting pads and their associated cumbersome operations.
2Ease of operation
If the outer portion of the adjusting pad is tapered to be gradually thin toward the outer side to eliminate coarseness, then the inner surface becomes smoother, but the operation of inserting and removing becomes more cumbersome and the adjusting pad becomes damaged and broken easily
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single tapered adjusting pad that compromises durability, the invention segments the adjustment function into multiple standard-thickness cover components. Each component maintains uniform thickness for durability while the modular connection system provides the necessary adjustment capability without requiring tapering.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional elliptic shape calculation is used to determine helmet size, then the sizing process is simplified, but the helmet may not fit properly for individuals with unique head shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The head backing cover is segmented into multiple regional components (forehead, vertex, temples, occiput) that can be independently exchanged. This allows customization for different head shape characteristics in specific regions while maintaining a simplified sizing process based on overall head circumference, combining ease of manufacture with adaptability to diverse head shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cover components are designed to fit specific regions of the head with locally optimized characteristics. This allows the helmet to accommodate unique head shape features in specific areas (such as prominent forehead or occiput) while maintaining overall size compatibility determined by standard circumference measurements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of cover components with different thicknesses are prepared in advance, then optimal fit for diverse head shapes is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head backing cover is divided into 5 detachable components covering different head regions. This segmentation enables localized thickness adjustment to accommodate diverse head shapes while keeping each component relatively simple in design, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting means (such as Hook-and-Loop fasteners or insertion engaging portions) are designed to be universal across all cover components, allowing any component to be exchanged with any other. This universal connection system reduces the complexity of managing multiple component types compared to having specialized connection mechanisms for each component pair.
Data Source
AI summary
A cap-like head backing cover includes a plurality of types of cover components. The plurality of types of cover components include cover main body portions, and connecting means capable of separably connecting and combining the cover main body portions of one of the cover components to and with the cover main body portions of another at least one of the cover components. The cover main body portions of the plurality of types of cover components are connected to and combined with each other by the connecting means, to form the cap-like head backing cover which includes the plurality of types of cover components and is independent. With the helmet having this arrangement, even when a helmet wearer whose head shape is different from that of an average human head is to wear the helmet, the helmet can be matched to the head of the helmet wearer substantially optimally. The helmet size can be not only partially decreased but also partially increased. The cover component at an arbitrary portion of the cap-like head backing cover can be exchanged with a comparatively simple operation. Also, head backing cover can be attached to an impact-on-the-head absorbing liner or the like comparatively easily.