Conformable Lighted Visor With Opaque Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighted visors for protective suits face challenges such as obstruction of vision due to light reflection, mechanical damage from harsh chemicals, and inoperability after decontamination, while also requiring a solution that does not compromise chemical and physical properties of transparent materials.
Innovation Solution
A lighted visor with a conformable internal light source, such as LEDs, attached to the periphery of the visor using a flexible circuit and opaque light barrier to prevent light reflection, and a detachable design to avoid decontamination, ensuring hands-free operation and enhanced visibility without compromising chemical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lights are attached to the outside of masks or helmets, then a light source is provided for low light conditions, but the lights can become mechanically damaged or damaged due to exposure to harsh chemicals during use and decontamination
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is nested within the visor structure itself, specifically integrated into the head portion of the protective suit. This internal placement protects the light source from external mechanical damage and chemical exposure while still providing illumination through the visor or around its edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting function is segmented from the external protective equipment (helmet, mask) and integrated directly into the visor structure. This segmentation allows the light source to be positioned in a protected environment while maintaining its illuminating function.
2Illumination intensity
If lights shine light onto the surface of the visor, then illumination is provided, but light reflects back into the helmet and to the eyes of the wearer, reducing vision
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is positioned at specific locations within the visor structure where it can illuminate the external environment without directing light toward the wearer's eyes. Different regions of the visor have different optical properties - the light source region allows illumination while the viewer region maintains optical clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of illuminating from the front (directly toward the wearer), the light source illuminates from the periphery or rear dimensions of the visor structure. This dimensional change in light direction provides illumination while avoiding reflection into the wearer's field of view.
3Ease of operation
If a light source is integrated into the visor, then hands-free operation is enabled, but space around the head is needed to accommodate helmets, breathing apparatus, and face masks, leaving little room for lighting equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The visor structure serves multiple functions: it provides head protection, maintains clear vision, and now also houses the light source for illumination. By making the visor multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate lighting equipment that would require additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting function is merged with the visor structure itself. The visor becomes both a protective barrier and a lighting housing, combining previously separate functions into a single integrated component that eliminates space conflicts.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If transparent materials are used for visors to maintain clear lines-of-sight, then vision is maintained, but the materials become easily scratched, crazed from exposure to liquid chemicals, gaseous chemicals, ultraviolet light, and other environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The visor is constructed from composite materials that combine the transparency needed for vision with the chemical and physical resistance required for durability. The composite structure allows the visor to resist scratching, crazing from chemical exposure, and UV degradation while maintaining optical clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the visor are optimized by changing parameters such as chemical composition, cross-linking density, and additive content to achieve both transparency and resistance to environmental factors including chemicals, UV light, and mechanical stress.
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 solution provides unobstructed vision, extended life of the light source, and maintains chemical resistance, addressing the limitations of previous visor designs by integrating a flexible and detachable light source with an opaque barrier to prevent light reflection and mechanical damage.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for providing light to an external environment
Implementation Method 2
opaque barrier to prevent light reflection
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighted visor and method of fitting a protective suit with a lighted visor are disclosed. The lighted visor includes a shield and at least one light source that is conformable to the shape of the shield or visor on which is it disposed.