Adjustable Lighting Support for Safety Helmets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety helmets with fixed lighting elements require users to adjust their head position or helmet placement to change the lighting direction, leading to potential injury and non-compliant helmet use, and often damage the helmet by drilling for mounting supports.

Innovation Solution

A support system for safety helmets that allows adjustable focus and direction of lighting elements without altering the helmet's position, using a plastic design with removable attachment slots and friction elements to secure the lighting, preventing damage to the helmet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lighting element is fixedly positioned on the front portion of the safety helmet, then the helmet structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the lighting direction cannot be adjusted without modifying helmet position or causing injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting direction adjustmentVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates multiple predetermined positions that allow the lighting element to be dynamically repositioned between different angular orientations (first angular position for forward illumination, second angular position for downward illumination). This dynamic adjustability enables lighting direction change without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms or modifying the helmet itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into distinct segments including the helmet body portion, support body, and support attaching portion. These segmented components work together to provide both structural support and positional adjustability, allowing the lighting element to be positioned at different angles while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If drilling is performed through the helmet body to mount the support, then the support can be securely attached, but the dielectric condition of the helmet is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport attachment securityVSAvoiddielectric condition damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support attaching portion is designed to engage with the helmet body without requiring drilling through the helmet shell. The attachment mechanism extracts the mounting function from the helmet body itself, using instead a separate support structure that can be secured through alternative means that preserve the helmet's dielectric integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support body acts as an intermediary component between the helmet and the lighting element. This intermediate structure provides the necessary mounting functionality while preventing direct contact between drilling operations and the helmet body, thereby protecting the dielectric condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the user positions their head to change lighting direction, then lighting focus can be adjusted, but repetitive effort may cause harmful injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting focus adjustmentVSAvoidrepetitive effort injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system provides dynamic adjustability through multiple predetermined positions on the support structure. Users can easily switch between the first angular position (for forward lighting) and the second angular position (for downward lighting) without physical effort, eliminating the need to repeatedly adjust head position and preventing repetitive strain injuries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the safety helmet position is modified to adjust lighting, then lighting direction changes, but correct helmet positioning is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting direction controlVSAvoidhelmet positioning compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure provides dynamic lighting direction control through selectable predetermined positions while maintaining the helmet in its correct, compliant position. The first angular position directs light forward for general activities, while the second angular position directs light downward for close work, all without requiring helmet repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10743599B2Support for a lighting element on a safety helmet, adjustable lighting system, and cable retention arrangement

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 MSA DO BRASIL EQUIPAMENTOS E INSTROS DE SEGURANCA

AI summary

A support for mounting at least one lighting element on a safety helmet, the support comprising a body having: (i) at least one helmet attaching portion configured for directly or indirectly connecting the support to a portion of the safety helmet, and (ii) a plurality of lighting element attaching portions configured for directly or indirectly connecting the at least one lighting element to the support, wherein the plurality of lighting element attaching portions are configured to facilitate the attachment of the at least one lighting element in a corresponding plurality of positions, such that light projected from the at least one lighting element is focused or directed at a plurality of corresponding angles. An adjustable lighting system and a cable retention arrangement for a safety helmet are also disclosed.