Helmet Face Shield Nesting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective helmets with movable face shields face challenges in design and assembly, particularly when space is limited, as the shield's exposure in the raised position increases damage risk and complicates integration with the helmet's components, often requiring a larger shell to accommodate the shield's movement.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a rod and rail assembly that guides the face shield between lowered and raised positions, allowing it to retract into the shell without rubbing against internal components, thus maintaining the shell's volume and simplifying assembly by using a compact, few-piece structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the face shield is located on the exterior of the shell in the raised position, then the shield is easily accessible and can be removed, but the risk of the shield being damaged is increased since it is exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The face shield is nested within the helmet shell when in the raised position, with the shield fitting into a dedicated space between the cap and the inner surface of the shell. This nesting arrangement protects the shield from external damage while maintaining easy accessibility for removal and installation.
2Reliability
If the face shield is located on the interior of the shell in the raised position, then the shield is protected from damage, but the design is complicated and assembly becomes tedious when space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly device is segmented into distinct functional components: a rod with articulated mounting points and a separate rail with guide surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly process, as the rail can be pre-installed on the shield and then mounted to the shell without requiring complex integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod acts as an intermediary element between the shield and the shell, providing articulated connection points that allow the shield to move between positions. The rail serves as a mediator that guides the shield's movement along a predetermined path, ensuring smooth transitions while protecting the shield from contacting the shell directly.
3Volume of stationary object
If the face shield is housed inside the shell in the raised position, then the helmet volume is maintained, but the shield movement must not interfere with the user's head or other helmet components
Solution Approach 1:
The shield mounting system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The rod provides articulated movement capability, allowing the shield to transition between raised and lowered positions. The rail with its guide surfaces creates a dynamic pathway that adapts to the shield's movement, ensuring smooth transitions while maintaining clearance from the user's head and other helmet components throughout the range of motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective helmet (1), including a shell (2), a cap (3) attached in the shell (2), and a movable face shield (4) attached to the shell (2) by at least one assembly arrangement, which includes: a rod (40) connected to the shell (2) in an articulated manner about a first substantially transverse axis (51) and a second substantially transverse axis (52); and a rail (55) positioned on the shield (4) and having at least one guide surface (59) that operates with at least one element (56, 58a, 58b) to guide the movement of the face shield (4) between a lowered and raised position and along, but spaced from, the shell (2).