Helmet-Mounted Multispectral Light Head With Safe Spectral Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmet-mounted illumination devices lack versatility and safety features, particularly in low-light conditions, and do not provide adequate night vision capabilities for military or tactical operations.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral illumination device mounted on a helmet with adjustable gooseneck fixture, featuring multiple light sources emitting in different spectral regions, including white, red, UV, NIR, and SWIR, controlled via a rotary knob with safety features and customizable via a mobile app, allowing selective activation and adjustment of light sources for various tactical needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources emitting in different spectral regions are integrated into a single helmet-mounted device, then versatility and functional capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (white light LED, red light LED, UV LED, NIR LED, and SWIR LED) into a single illuminator head assembly that is mounted on the helmet. This merging of multiple spectral regions into one integrated device provides versatility for various tactical operations while managing the complexity through unified housing and control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device is designed to perform multiple functions across different spectral regions: white light for general visibility, red light for maintaining dark adaptation, UV for forensic imaging and fluorescent detection, NIR for night vision illumination, and SWIR for extended-range night vision. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple separate illumination tools.
2Ease of operation
If a rotary selector with multiple positions is used to control different light sources, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary selector incorporates a safety feature where the knob must be pulled outward against spring resistance before it can be rotated to activate different light sources. This preliminary anti-action (the pulling motion) prevents accidental activation by requiring a deliberate two-step action, while still maintaining ease of operation for intentional selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the illuminator head is made retractable via a slidable stalk, then adaptability to different operational needs is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator head is mounted on a slidable stalk that allows it to be extended and retracted along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic positioning capability enables the light sources to be adjusted to different distances from the helmet, providing adaptability for various operational scenarios while managing complexity through a straightforward sliding mechanism with detent positions.
4Illumination intensity
If white light is used for general visibility, then illumination intensity is improved, but dark adaptation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device segments the lighting functions by providing separate light sources for different purposes: white light LEDs for general visibility when needed, and red light LEDs for maintaining dark adaptation in low-light conditions. This segmentation allows operators to select the appropriate light type for each situation, preventing the loss of dark adaptation when overall visibility is not required.
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
Enhances visibility in low-light conditions, maintains dark adaptation, supports night vision, and reduces the risk of accidental light emissions, providing a versatile and user-configurable lighting solution for military operations.
Implementation Method 1
The multispectral illumination device hosts a plurality of light sources which emit at different spectral regions. In certain embodiments, the multispectral illumination device has light sources which emit white light, red light, ultraviolet (UV) light, near infrared (NIR) light, and short ware infrared (SWIR) light.
Data Source
AI summary
A multispectral illumination device includes a main housing configured to be secured to a helmet and an illuminator head comprising a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources operable to emit light in multiple spectral regions. A selector is located on the main housing for actuating one or more of the light sources within the plurality of light sources that emit light in a selected one of the multiple spectral regions. A stalk passes through an opening in the main housing and has a first end coupled to the illuminator head and a second end opposite the first end received within the main housing. The stalk is slidable within the opening in the main housing to extend and retract the illuminator head toward and away from the housing, the stalk being slidable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.