Movable Shell Portions for Reusable Airbag Helmet

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective helmets with airbags are prone to damage and become unusable after activation, as the airbag expands outside the helmet, leading to abrasion and potential tearing, and there is no effective protection for the airbag from external damage during activation.

Innovation Solution

A protective helmet design featuring a cap with movable external shell portions that remain connected, allowing the airbag to expand without complete detachment, and can be easily reassembled once the airbag has deflated, with the shell portions returning to their closed position to protect the airbag from damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the airbag expands completely outside the helmet cap, then the protective effect is maximized, but the airbag is damaged by abrasion and laceration from contact with ground surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective effectVSAvoidabrasion and laceration damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shell portions movable rather than fixed. The shell portions can dynamically transition between a closed position (protecting the airbag) and an open position (allowing airbag expansion), enabling the structure to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements while maintaining protection during both stored and deployed states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the airbag expands completely outside the helmet cap, then the protective function is activated, but the helmet becomes unusable after activation due to loss or detachment of shell portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective function activationVSAvoidhelmet reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shell portions movable rather than fixed. The shell portions can dynamically transition between a closed position (protecting the airbag) and an open position (allowing airbag expansion), enabling the structure to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements while maintaining protection during both stored and deployed states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by ensuring that the shell portions remain connected to the helmet structure and can be recovered after airbag deployment. Instead of being completely detached and lost, the movable shell portions return to their original positions, allowing the helmet to be reused after the airbag has performed its protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Volume of moving object

If the shell portions are completely detached from the cap, then the airbag can expand freely, but the detached portions cannot be reassembled on the fixed portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbag expansion volumeVSAvoidreassembly capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shell portions movable rather than fixed. The shell portions can dynamically transition between a closed position (protecting the airbag) and an open position (allowing airbag expansion), enabling the structure to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements while maintaining protection during both stored and deployed states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the shell into multiple movable portions that can independently move between closed and open positions. This segmentation allows each portion to be controlled separately while maintaining connection to the helmet structure, enabling flexible airbag deployment while preserving reassembly capability through the permanent connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 helmet can be reused after airbag activation, maintaining structural and functional integrity, and is manufactured with existing designs, offering improved safety and functionality at competitive costs.

Implementation Method 1

the airbag is activated, i.e. inflated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas expansion:

Implementation Method 2

an internal lining made of a resilient material, adapted to absorb and dissipate as much as possible an impact force acting on the helmet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force absorption: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS12096814B2Protective helmet with airbag

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 LOCATELLI SRL

AI summary

A protective helmet (1) comprises a cap (10) adapted to be fitted on and around the head of a user, wherein the cap (10) comprises an external shell (101) and at least one housing seat (102) for an airbag (2). At the at least one housing seat (102), the external shell (101) comprises at least a movable portion (103; 103a, 103b, 103c), which is permanently connected to a remaining fixed portion of the external shell (101) and is movable between a closed position, in which it covers the at least one housing seat (102) and an airbag (2) housed therein in a deflated condition, and an open position, in which it releases at least partially the at least one housing seat (102) allowing the airbag (2) to expand outside the cap (10) in an inflated condition.