Pivoting Cap Fan Mount for 360° Airflow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headwear with battery-driven fans for cooling lacks robust mounting, allowing limited movement and exposes wiring, leading to entanglement and functionality issues, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cap design with a pivotably mounted cooling device that can rotate 0 to 360 degrees, featuring a through hole and mounting ring for secure attachment and protection from moisture, debris, and a guard to prevent entry of elements, along with concealed wiring for reduced entanglement and improved functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fan is rigidly attached to the visor or lid, then the mounting is simple and robust, but the fan cannot be moved or adjusted to different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the rigid, fixed mounting into a pivotable, adjustable mounting mechanism. The fan assembly is mounted to rotate about an axis, allowing it to be positioned at different angles and orientations while maintaining a secure connection. This dynamic mounting enables the fan to be adjusted to different positions without requiring disconnection and reattachment, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the fan is made movable by the wearer, then the fan can be repositioned, but it requires disconnecting or detaching the fan from the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pivotable mounting mechanism that allows the fan to be repositioned continuously without disconnection. The fan assembly can be rotated and adjusted to various positions while remaining mechanically connected to the cap, eliminating the time-consuming process of detaching and reattaching the fan. This dynamic connection resolves the contradiction between repositionability and time loss.
3Ease of manufacture
If exposed wiring is used to connect electrical components, then the connection is simple, but it results in entanglement of wires and electrical shorts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) to replace traditional exposed wiring. The FPC provides a rigid yet flexible connection path that is resistant to entanglement and damage. It maintains electrical connectivity between the fan, switch, and power source while being protected within the cap structure, thus improving reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the electrical wiring within the cap structure, integrating the FPC and connections into the existing cap components. This nesting approach protects the wiring from external damage and entanglement while maintaining simple electrical connections, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and connection reliability.
4Device complexity
If electrical components are exposed to the elements, then the cap structure is simple, but the functionality is compromised in rain, snow, sleet and misty conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the FPC as a protective shell that encloses and protects the electrical wiring and components from environmental elements. The FPC acts as a barrier against moisture, snow, and other weather conditions, ensuring reliable electrical connections and fan functionality in adverse weather while adding minimal structural complexity to the cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the electrical components within the cap's existing structure, integrating them into protected spaces. This nesting approach shields the components from direct exposure to elements like rain and snow, improving weather resistance without requiring a completely redesigned cap structure.
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 allows for full-range pivoting of the cooling device, preventing entanglement and ensuring functionality in various weather conditions, while reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing user control over air direction.
Implementation Method 1
a mounting ring received at the through hole which mounts the cooling device to the headwear body at the through hole to permit selective manipulation of the cooling device about a horizontal axis in a range between 0 to 360 degrees relative to the headwear body and the mounting ring
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device bracket concentrically received in the mounting ring hole and pivotally connected to the mounting ring; and a cooling device mounted to the cooling device bracket, the cooling device bracket including a pair of terminals which permit activation of the cooling device and rotation of the cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
An article of headwear having a body with a hole extending completely through bottom and top surfaces thereof and a cooling device mounted to the article of headwear. The cooling device is mounted via a mounting ring received at the hole which mounts the cooling device to the body at the through hole to permit selective manipulation of the cooling device about a horizontal axis in a range between 0 to 360 degrees relative to the headwear body and the mounting ring.