Removable Chin Bar for Enduro Helmet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mountain biking helmets with removable chin bars are cumbersome to attach and detach, particularly during enduro racing, where riders need to switch between uphill and downhill modes, and provide limited protection against side and lower impacts.

Innovation Solution

A mountain biking helmet system with a chin bar that wraps circumferentially around the helmet, featuring a rear buckle and side buckles that engage with recesses and receivers, providing a secure, hoop-shaped design for improved impact resistance and easy on/off functionality without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a chin bar is added to a mountain biking helmet for downhill protection, then impact protection is improved, but helmet weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidhelmet weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The chin bar is designed as a separate, removable component that can be attached to or detached from the helmet shell. This segmentation allows riders to add protection only when needed for downhill sections, then remove it for uphill sections, avoiding the constant weight burden while maintaining protection when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chin bar attachment system uses dynamic fastening mechanisms (such as clips, latches, or buckles) that allow quick on/off transitions. This enables the helmet configuration to change dynamically during the race, adapting to the specific demands of uphill versus downhill portions without requiring the rider to carry or swap entire helmets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a full-face helmet with chin bar is used for downhill safety, then protection is improved, but ventilation is reduced causing heat buildup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidheat buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the chin bar as a removable component rather than a permanent full-face enclosure, the helmet maintains excellent ventilation during uphill sections when the chin bar is removed. When downhill sections require protection, the chin bar can be quickly attached to provide facial protection without compromising the overall ventilation design of the helmet shell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a removable chin bar is added to allow mode switching, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is designed to be self-contained and intuitive, requiring no external tools or complex procedures. Riders can attach and detach the chin bar using simple hand-operated fasteners that engage with corresponding receptacles on the helmet, making the system easy to use despite its adaptive functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If a tool-based bolt-on chin bar attachment is used, then connection strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to tool requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidattachment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual tool-based fastening system (screwdrivers, Allen wrenches) is replaced with a mechanical fastening system that operates through simple hand motions. Clips, latches, or buckles engage with receptacles through straightforward pressing or snapping motions, providing sufficient connection strength without requiring any tools, thereby dramatically improving ease of operation during race transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Ease of operation

If a plastic tab-based chin bar attachment is used for tool-less operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to limited impact resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool-less attachmentVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system combines multiple material properties and structural features to achieve both ease of operation and high reliability. Reinforced receptacles embedded in the helmet shell provide robust anchor points, while the chin bar fasteners use engineered plastics or metal components with integrated locking mechanisms. This composite approach ensures the connection remains secure under impact loads while maintaining simple tool-less operation for the rider.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11758967B2Enduro mountain biking chin bar

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 BELL SPORTS LLC

AI summary

A bicycle helmet system comprising a helmet and a chin bar is disclosed. The chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet and wrapped circumferentially around a portion of the helmet. The chin bar may include a rear buckle configured to tighten the chin bar around the helmet. The chin bar may also include two side buckles that engage with side recesses on the helmet when the chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet. The chin bar may also include two alignment protrusions positioned to engage with alignment recesses on the helmet when the chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet.