Segmented Sports Helmet with Flexible Interconnects for Compact Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective helmets for cyclists are difficult to handle and transport due to their size when not worn, as they are designed as single pieces that compromise between protection and compactness, making it hard to achieve both practicality and safety standards.
Innovation Solution
A protective helmet with reducible dimensions, featuring a cap structure composed of multiple independent sections connected by flexible interconnecting members, allowing for a compact configuration when not worn and expanding to fit the head for maximum protection and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the helmet is designed as a single-piece conventional structure, then protection and safety standards are ensured, but the helmet becomes difficult to handle and transport due to its size when not worn
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet cap is divided into multiple independent sections (front section, rear section, lateral sections) that can move relative to each other. These sections are connected by flexible interconnecting members allowing the helmet to collapse into a compact configuration for easy transport while maintaining structural integrity for protection when worn.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet transitions from a static single-piece structure to a dynamic multi-section structure with flexible connections. The sections can adapt their relative positions - expanding to fit the head shape for protection and collapsing to a compact form for portable storage, enabling the helmet to change its configuration based on usage state.
2Ease of operation
If the helmet is designed with multiple parts connected by flexible straps to reduce size, then transport convenience is improved, but the protective function and safety requirements may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into multiple protective sections that maintain their protective function independently while allowing relative movement. Each section retains sufficient rigidity and protective capability, and when assembled on the head, they form a complete protective shell meeting safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet uses composite construction combining rigid protective cap sections (made from protective materials meeting safety standards) with flexible interconnecting members. This composite structure allows the rigid parts to provide protection while the flexible connections enable compact folding for transport.
3Strength
If the cap sections are made with high rigidity for protection, then safety is improved, but the ability to reduce dimensions and fold compactly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into discrete rigid sections that can be connected by flexible elements. The rigid sections maintain their strength and protective function, while the flexible connections between them enable the overall structure to fold and collapse into a compact configuration for portable storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnecting members between rigid cap sections are made flexible, allowing the rigid protective sections to maintain their strength while the flexible connections enable the helmet to collapse into a compact form factor for easy transport when not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective sports helmet includes a cap structure having a plurality of structurally independent cap portions and mutually connected to flexible interconnecting members such that the helmet has at least one overall configuration of minimum dimensions when not worn, with the parts of the cap mutually adjacent to each other, separate from an operating condition having maximum dimensions when worn. The parts of the cap are held together by interconnecting members in positions at a suitable distance from each other configured to enclose a user's head. The portions include corresponding sections each extending continuously between the frontal and occipital extremities, of longitudinal extent between those extremities which predominates in comparison with their transverse extent, the sections extending substantially parallel and at a distance from each other so that in the configuration having the minimum dimensions adjacent sections abut each other along lateral sides which transversely bound each section.