Deformable Helmet Cheek Pad for Visor Fogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets fail to effectively prevent visor or goggles fogging due to inadequate breath vapor control, often requiring the use of air masks, which are uncomfortable, or breath guards that do not fit all users properly.
Innovation Solution
A deformable cheek pad made from polymeric materials is integrated between the helmet's inner liner and breath guard, extending upwardly or inwardly to block water vapor-laden air, forming an air-tight barrier with the user's face to prevent fogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If breath guards are used to limit breath vapor flow, then visor fogging is reduced, but the fit is inadequate for several users due to head, cheek, nose and/or chin configuration variations
Solution Approach 1:
The cheek pads are made of deformable material that can dynamically adapt to different user facial configurations. The pads deform under the pressure of the user's cheek to create a customized seal, allowing the same breath guard structure to effectively fit various users while maintaining reliable fogging prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the cheek pad material from rigid to deformable, allowing it to change shape and conform to different facial geometries. This parameter change enables the breath guard to adapt to various users while maintaining the hermetic seal necessary for preventing visor fogging.
2Reliability
If air masks are used for optimal breath control, then visor fogging is prevented, but user comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of breath control from the bulky air mask and implements it through a simplified cheek pad system integrated into the helmet. By removing the need for the air mask while retaining the breath vapor control function, the invention achieves both effective fogging prevention and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The cheek pads serve as an intermediary element between the breath guard and the user's face, creating a hermetic seal that controls breath vapor flow without requiring the user to wear an air mask. This intermediary structure provides the necessary breath control while maintaining comfort.
3Ease of operation
If breath vapor flows between breath guard and inner liner, then user comfort is maintained, but visor fogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by placing deformable cheek pads specifically at the critical interface between the breath guard and inner liner where breath vapor escape occurs. This localized intervention creates a hermetic seal at the problem area while maintaining overall system comfort and breathability where needed.
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 cheek pad effectively reduces breath vapor flow to the visor or goggles, preventing fogging without the need for an air mask, providing improved comfort and fit for various user head shapes.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable element is configured to be in contact with the face edge of the breath guard and the inner liner so as to block the passage of water vapour laden air between
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet having a cheek pad is provided. The helmet for use with the cheek air pad includes an outer shell having an inside surface, an inner liner surrounding the head of the user and operatively mounted to the helmet outer shell, a chin bar disposed below the face visor, the chin bar having an inside surface facing toward the person when wearing the helmet and a breath guard. The inner liner generally has an inner face and a transparent face visor is attached to the helmet outer shell. The cheek pad is preferably embodied as a deformable element extending upwardly and/or inwardly from the helmet inner liner on the right and/or left inner side of the face visor or goggles. The deformable element is configured to be in contact with the face of the user and the inner edge of the breath guard and the inner liner.