Helmet Locking Mechanism Prevents Subsidiary Cap Upward Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional full-face-type helmets serving as jet-type helmets experience accidental upward movement of the subsidiary cap portion due to elastic deformation or biasing forces, leading to unintended disengagement of the lock pin from the locking recess during high-speed driving or impacts.
Innovation Solution
The helmet design incorporates a locking mechanism with a lock pin and lock lever, where the angle between the lock pin disengagement direction and the axial support means is optimized to fall within specific ranges (65° to 85°, preferably 40° to 60°, and most preferably 5° to 15° downward from the second straight line, ensuring the lock pin remains engaged even under elastic deformation or biasing forces, and the pivot fulcrum is positioned to prevent accidental upward movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock pin and lock lever are provided to lock the subsidiary cap portion in the backward state, then the reliability of preventing upward movement is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional locking mechanism components
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever is designed to automatically engage with the lock pin when the subsidiary cap portion is in the backward state without requiring manual intervention. The elastic biasing means automatically pushes the lock lever into the engaged position, making the locking mechanism self-activating and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic biasing means acts as an intermediary element between the lock lever and the locking recess, providing the necessary force to ensure reliable engagement while simplifying the overall locking mechanism design by eliminating the need for complex spring systems or multiple locking points.
2Reliability
If the angle of the lock pin disengagement direction is optimized to prevent accidental upward movement, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the angle parameter of the lock pin disengagement direction to fall within a specific range (65° to 85°) relative to the axial support means. This parameter optimization ensures reliable locking while accounting for normal manufacturing tolerances, balancing reliability with manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic biasing means provides a cushioning effect by maintaining constant pressure on the lock lever, ensuring that minor variations in the lock pin angle due to manufacturing tolerances do not cause accidental disengagement. This beforehand cushioning compensates for potential angle deviations.
3Reliability
If the pivot fulcrum is positioned to prevent accidental upward movement, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to reduced unlocking responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The release button is positioned and configured to preliminarily activate the unlocking process by pushing the lock lever forward before the actual upward movement of the subsidiary cap portion. This preliminary action ensures that the lock pin is disengaged in advance, making the unlocking process smooth and responsive despite the optimized pivot fulcrum position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed with dynamic characteristics where the lock lever can pivot freely in the unlocking direction when force is applied to the release button. The pivot fulcrum position is optimized to provide mechanical advantage during normal operation while allowing rapid movement during intentional unlocking, balancing reliability with ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet in which a subsidiary cap portion hardly pivots forward about an axial support means thereof as a fulcrum to undesirably move upward accidentally when a comparatively large impact acts on the helmet. A subsidiary cap portion locking mechanism which locks the subsidiary cap portion at a lower position includes a lock pin on a main cap portion and a locking recess for a lock lever on the subsidiary cap portion. While the subsidiary cap portion is in a backward state, an angle that a third straight line, which extends in a direction along which the lock pin starts to disengage from the locking recess, forms with a second straight line obtained by extending a first straight line, which extends from the axial support means of the subsidiary cap portion to the lock pin, falls within a range between an angle which is upward from the second straight line by 65° (preferably 40° and more preferably 15°) and an angle which is downward from the second straight line by 85° (preferably 60° and more preferably 35°).