Helmet Eyewear Lever Locking for Low-Force Secure Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety helmets with frictional locking mechanisms for eyewear require significant operating force and are prone to failure due to wear and tear, leading to unwanted drops of the eyewear.
Innovation Solution
A safety helmet design featuring an outer shell, inner block, pivotally mounted eyewear, and a lever system that allows easy transition between stowed-in and stowed-out positions using a lever mechanism with a stopper and spring system to secure and deploy the eyewear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frictional locking principle is used to secure eyewear to the helmet, then the eyewear can be held in position, but significant operating force is required to shift the eyewear and it is prone to failure due to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic lever mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The lever pivots between a first position (locked) and a second position (unlocked), enabling easy transition of the eyewear between stowed-in and stowed-out positions without requiring excessive force. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both secure holding and easy release through state changes rather than continuous frictional force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the frictional locking principle with a lever-based mechanical locking system. Instead of relying on friction between contact surfaces, the invention uses a lever with stopper protrusions that engage with corresponding features on the helmet, creating a positive mechanical lock. This substitution eliminates wear-related failures while maintaining ease of operation through simple lever actuation.
2Device complexity
If a frictional locking mechanism is used for eyewear, then the structure can be simple, but the mechanism is prone to failure after repeated wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical system with a positive mechanical locking system using levers and stopper protrusions. This substitution maintains relative structural simplicity while dramatically improving durability by eliminating wear-related failures associated with friction. The lever mechanism with defined stop positions provides reliable, repeatable locking action that does not degrade with use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the lever element, stopper protrusions, and engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the lever provides motion control, the stoppers define positional limits, and the engagement features provide secure locking. This modular approach improves reliability while keeping the overall structure manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the eyewear is allowed to rotate freely on the rotational axis, then the eyewear can be positioned flexibly, but accidental movement and drops may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where the eyewear can rotate freely during adjustment but becomes statically locked in the desired position. The lever mechanism transitions from an unlocked state (allowing rotation) to a locked state (preventing accidental movement). This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by providing flexibility when needed and stability when required, without compromising either attribute.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's manual positioning action and the eyewear's final locked position. During adjustment, the lever remains in an unlocked state, allowing free rotation. Once positioned, the lever engages to lock the eyewear in place. This intermediary mechanism enables both flexible positioning and stable retention, preventing accidental movement while maintaining adaptability.
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 secure and efficient deployment of eyewear, preventing accidental movement and enhancing user safety by ensuring reliable protection for the eyes without the need for excessive force, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing failure rates.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring coupled to the eyewear. Further, the first spring is configured to push the eyewear from the stowed-in position to the stowed-out position
Implementation Method 2
at least one lever having a push protrusion and a stopper protrusion, an eyewear pivotally mounted to the inner block and positioned between the outer shell and the inner block, at least one lever pivotally mounted to the inner block and positioned proximate to the eyewear
Data Source
AI summary
A safety helmet is disclosed. The safety helmet comprises an outer shell, an inner block coupled to or monolithic with the outer shell, an eyewear, at least one lever. Further, the at least one lever is configured to move from a first position to a second position. Further, the inner block protrusion acts as a stopper for the at least one lever. Further, the eyewear is configured to move from a stowed-in position to a stowed-out position. Further, when the eyewear is in the stowed-in position and the at least one lever is in the first position, the at least one lever locks the eyewear in the stowed-in position. Further, when the eyewear is in the stowed-in position and the at least one lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the eyewear is allowed to move to the stowed-out position.