Palm-Mounted Mirror Glove for Rear Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gloves with integrated mirrors, typically mounted on the back of the hand, can be distracting and inefficient for activities that do not require continuous object grasping, as they provide constant reflections that can be harmful or obstruct the user's view, particularly for runners who need rear visibility without turning their head.
Innovation Solution
A glove design with a mirror positioned on the palm area, allowing the user to glance at the mirror without turning their head, and optionally equipped with a light source and a removably attached wiper for cleaning, ensuring comfort and safety by providing rear visibility without constant distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mirror is mounted on the back of the hand, then the wearer can see what is behind them when cycling or motorcycling, but the constant reflections can be distracting or harmful and obstruct the user's view
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror is positioned on the palm area during glove design and manufacturing, pre-configuring it to be viewable only when the wearer performs specific hand movements. This preliminary positioning prevents the harmful effect of constant reflections while maintaining the useful function of rear visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror's visibility is made dynamic rather than static. It is designed to be visible only during specific hand movements (such as swinging the arm backward), making the mirror appear or disappear based on the wearer's motion. This dynamic characteristic eliminates constant distracting reflections while preserving rear visibility when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the mirror is mounted on the back of the hand, then optimal utility is provided when gripping a handlebar, but it requires continuous object grasping and makes movements uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror-on-palm configuration serves multiple activities beyond cycling and motorcycling. It is particularly beneficial for runners and other activities involving arm swinging, providing universal applicability across different sports and movements without requiring continuous handlebar gripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror is pre-positioned on the palm area to be accessible during natural arm swinging motions. This preliminary placement ensures the mirror becomes visible during running and other movements without requiring the wearer to perform awkward or uncomfortable actions to view it.
3Reliability
If the mirror is positioned on the back of the hand, then rear view is provided, but the wearer must turn their head which is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror is pre-positioned on the palm area in a location that becomes visible during natural arm movements. This preliminary placement allows the wearer to view the rear scene without head-turning, as the mirror is already positioned to be viewable during normal activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The palm-mounted mirror acts as an intermediary between the wearer's line of sight and the rear scene. Instead of requiring direct backward viewing through head-turning, the mirror provides an indirect visual pathway that maintains forward-facing head position while still delivering rear visibility information.
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 palm-mounted mirror allows runners to maintain visibility behind them without turning their head, enhancing safety and comfort by eliminating the need for head-turning, while the light source and wiper ensure clear visibility and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror is disposed on the palm area
Implementation Method 2
a mirror which has an integrated light source
Data Source
AI summary
A glove includes a main body that defines an interior space that is operable to receive at least a portion of a hand of the wearer. The glove includes a palm area with upper, lower, interior, and anterior limits. A mirror is provided on the palm area of the glove.