Hat Protective Shield Pivoting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hat designs with pivotable protective shields face issues such as requiring excessive force to pivot and gaps between the shield and hat when not in use, with increased complexity and manufacturing costs in previous solutions.
Innovation Solution
A hat design featuring connectors with angular arms and resilient members that allow smooth pivoting of the protective shield, ensuring it remains close to the hat when folded, using balls and stops for resistance control and a flange for contact with the visor to prevent foreign objects from entering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivotable structure with curve rod and straight rod is used, then the protective shield can be pivoted relative to the hat, but excessive force is required to pivot the shield and gaps form between the shield and hat when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional components: resilient members (springs) for providing pivoting force, balls for rotation, stops for limiting movement, and a flange for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the force needed to pivot while eliminating gaps between the shield and hat.
2Ease of operation
If a pivotable structure with two curved links, first rail, second rail, guide wall, curve slot and path is used, then the protective shield can be smoothly pivoted, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the pivotable structure. Instead of using multiple rails, guide walls, curve slots, and paths, the solution uses a simplified mechanism with resilient members, balls, stops, and a flange. This extraction of redundant elements maintains smooth pivoting functionality while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective shield is positioned in front of the user's eyes to protect from foreign objects, then eye and face protection is achieved, but gaps may form between the shield and hat when the shield is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The flange acts as an intermediary component between the protective shield and the hat. It creates a sealing interface that prevents gaps from forming when the shield is in the retracted position, while not interfering with the protective function when the shield is deployed in front of the user's eyes.
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
Enables easy and secure pivoting of the protective shield with reduced manufacturing complexity and cost, ensuring effective protection without gaps between the shield and hat.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (204) which is located in the connector (3) and is biased between the inner end of the recess (323) and the first ball (321)
Implementation Method 2
uses balls and stops for resistance control
Data Source
AI summary
A headwear includes a hat having two connection portions formed to two opposite sides of the hat. Two connectors are respectively connected to the two connection portions of the hat by two respective first end parts thereof. Two first arms are respectively and pivotably connected between two respective second end parts of the two connectors and a protective shield. Two second arms are respectively and pivotably connected between two respective second end parts of the two connectors and the protective shield. The first and second arms form a link mechanism to smoothly pivot the protective shield between its operation position and its folded position relative to the hat.