Magnetic Goggle Attachment With Mechanical Latch Against Strap Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for securing goggles to helmets often result in an unsecured fit and difficulty in putting on or taking off goggles while wearing a helmet, as conventional methods like elastic straps or exterior engagement features either shift or complicate the process.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic mechanical latching attachment system comprising a goggle attachment portion with a mechanical latch member and a helmet attachment portion, both featuring perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractors that facilitate a secure and removable connection, allowing for easy donning and doffing while maintaining a proper fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastic securing strap is wrapped around the helmet exterior to secure goggles, then the goggles can be attached to the helmet, but the strap tends to move on the helmet causing the fit to become unsecured and improper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the elastic mechanical strap system with a magnetic attachment system. The goggle strap includes a magnetic attachment portion that magnetically attaches to a helmet attachment portion, eliminating the need for friction-based elastic straps while maintaining secure attachment and allowing easy donning and doffing through magnetic attraction and release.
2Reliability
If exterior engagement features are provided on the helmet to retain the elastic goggle strap, then the goggle fit security is improved, but it becomes difficult for the user to readily and efficiently put goggles on and off while wearing a helmet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical engagement features with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic attraction provides secure retention without requiring complex mechanical interlocks, while the simple magnetic connection allows users to easily attach and detach goggles with minimal effort, improving both security and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a mechanical latch member with protrusion is used to mate with a latch opening, then axial movement of the goggle attachment portion is restricted, but the attachment must still allow for easy removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic attraction with a simple mechanical latch protrusion. The magnetic force provides continuous holding force to prevent accidental detachment, while the latch protrusion engages with the latch opening to prevent axial movement. For removal, the user simply overcomes the magnetic attraction and withdraws the protrusion, eliminating the need for complex release mechanisms.
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 magnetic mechanical latching attachment ensures a secure and stable fit of goggles to a helmet, allowing for easy attachment and detachment while preventing axial movement, thus addressing the issues of fit and usability in existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion is located such that it is magnetically attracted to the at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the helmet portion, wherein the magnetic attraction of the perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion to the perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the helmet portion facilitates a holding of the mechanical latch member
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic mechanical latching attachment for connecting goggles to a helmet includes a goggle attachment portion configured to mechanically and magnetically attach to a helmet attachment portion. The goggle attachment portion and helmet attachment portion include complimentary interlocking features that mechanically lock the portions together when attached and magnetic features that assist engagement of the complimentary interlocking features in a locked position. A related method of coupling goggles to a helmet, as well as a helmet-goggle attachment system, is provided.