Magnetic Goggle Latching for Secure Fit and Quick Helmet Removal
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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 can be cumbersome and insecure.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic mechanical latching attachment system comprising a goggle attachment portion with a mechanical latch member and perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractors, which mates with a helmet attachment portion on the interior surface of the helmet, providing a secure and removable connection that restricts axial movement of the goggles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic securing strap is wrapped around the helmet exterior to secure goggles, then the goggles can be retained on 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 conventional elastic mechanical strap system with a magnetic attachment system. The goggle strap incorporates magnetic elements that interact with corresponding magnetic elements on the helmet, providing secure retention without relying on friction or elastic tension. This magnetic field-based mechanism eliminates the strap movement problem while maintaining reliable goggle security.
2Reliability
If exterior engagement features are provided on the helmet to retain the elastic goggle strap, then the goggle strap can be held in a proper position, 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 simplified magnetic attachment system. The magnetic elements provide automatic alignment and secure retention without requiring precise manual positioning or complex mechanical interactions. Users can quickly attach and detach goggles by simply bringing them near the helmet, where magnetic attraction automatically secures them, greatly improving on/off efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attachment system provides self-aligning and self-securing functionality. When the goggle strap approaches the helmet, the magnetic fields automatically guide and secure the attachment without requiring user intervention for precise positioning. The system serves itself by using magnetic attraction to maintain proper positioning and secure retention automatically.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical latch member with protrusion is used to mate with the latch opening, then axial movement of the goggle attachment portion is restricted, but the connection may not be secure enough under various environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two attachment mechanisms into a unified system: the mechanical latch member with protrusion provides axial movement restriction and structural interlocking, while magnetic elements provide additional attractive force and secure retention. This combination of mechanical and magnetic attachment methods creates a redundant, highly reliable connection that maintains security under various environmental conditions while preserving ease of operation.
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 fit of goggles to the helmet, allowing easy on and off while maintaining a proper fit, even in various environmental conditions, by using magnetic attraction to lock the latch member in place.
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.