Headgear Mount Tilt-Flip Assembly for Imaging Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing field imaging devices, particularly those used by the military, are heavy and cumbersome when mounted on headgear, leading to physiological neck strain, pain, and reduced attentiveness. They are also difficult to adjust and stow, often requiring multiple monocular devices for different sensing modes.
Innovation Solution
A headgear mount system with a mechanical assembly that includes mount assemblies and tilt/flip assemblies, allowing for easy adjustment and stowing of imaging devices. The system features a bridge-like design that connects electro-optical assemblies, enabling binocular vision and allowing each assembly to be stowed separately for quick mode changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If imaging devices are mounted on headgear, then hands-free operation is achieved, but neck strain and weight burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into separate modular components including electro-optical assemblies, mount assemblies, and tilt/flip assemblies that can be independently adjusted and stowed. This segmentation allows the user to distribute weight and adjust positioning to reduce neck strain while maintaining hands-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount system incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including tilt/flip assemblies with pins and carriages that allow real-time repositioning of imaging devices. This dynamic capability enables users to adapt the weight distribution and positioning during use, reducing physiological strain while maintaining hands-free operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple monocular devices are used for different sensing modes, then sensing versatility is achieved, but handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mount system is designed to accommodate multiple types of electro-optical assemblies including monocular and binocular configurations, thermal and optical sensors. This universal mounting interface allows a single system to perform multiple sensing functions without requiring separate handling of different device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple sensing capabilities into an integrated mount structure that can hold and switch between different electro-optical assemblies. By merging the mounting infrastructure and control systems, the patent reduces the handling complexity while maintaining versatility across different sensing modes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If imaging devices are firmly locked on headgear, then stability is achieved, but adjustment and removal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt/flip assembly incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with pins and carriages that can transition between locked and unlocked states. This allows the system to maintain stable mounting during operation while enabling quick adjustment and removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary adjustment mechanisms including tilt/flip pins, carriages, and locking elements that mediate between the firmly locked state and the adjustable state. These intermediary components enable smooth transitions between stable mounting and easy reconfiguration without requiring complete removal of the imaging devices.
4Measurement precision
If collimation and IPD adjustment mechanisms are added, then imaging precision is improved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment system is segmented into separate collimation adjustment mechanisms and IPD (interpupillary distance) adjustment mechanisms. Each function has its own dedicated adjustment elements within the tilt/flip assembly, allowing precise control of imaging parameters while keeping the mechanical design modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt/flip assembly serves multiple functions including positioning, collimation adjustment, and IPD adjustment. By designing this single mechanical assembly to perform multiple adjustment functions, the patent improves imaging precision without proportionally increasing overall mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A headgear mount system includes a mechanical assembly comprising at least one mount assembly, at least one tilt/flip assembly, and at least one interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment assembly. The mount assembly connects the mechanical assembly to the headgear, while the tilt/flip assembly rotatably connects the IPD adjustment assembly to the mount assembly. The tilt/flip assembly includes at least one tilt/flip pin rotatably interconnecting the mount assembly and the IPD adjustment assembly. The tilt/flip pin allows rotation of the IPD adjustment assembly relative to the mount assembly to permit the electro-optical assembly mounted to the IPD adjustment assembly to be stowed out of the way when not in use.