Helmet Visor Controls for Dust-Resistant Filter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Welding helmets with auto-darkening filters require manual adjustment through buttons that are often inaccessible when the helmet is in use, prone to accidental actuation, and susceptible to dirt buildup, leading to potential malfunction.

Innovation Solution

Integration of depressible visor buttons or tabs on the helmet or visor that directly adjust controllable settings of the welding filter, allowing for secure and dust-proof operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual buttons are mounted to the helmet shell for adjusting filter settings, then the filter settings can be adjusted, but the buttons are prone to accidental actuation, breakage, and dirt buildup when the face-protecting member is in the closed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of filter settingsVSAvoidsusceptibility to accidental actuation, breakage, and dirt buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a face-protecting member with integrated actuators that serves as an intermediary between the user and the filter adjustment mechanism. When the user presses buttons on the face-protecting member, these actuators transmit the mechanical force through a linkage system to adjust the filter settings without exposing the main control buttons on the helmet shell to contaminants or accidental actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the face-protecting member contains integrated actuators that are themselves nested within or coupled to the helmet shell structure. The actuators on the face-protecting member are positioned to cooperate with corresponding mechanisms on the helmet shell, creating a layered control system that protects the primary controls while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the face-protecting member is configured in the closed position to protect the welding filter, then the filter is protected from contaminants, but the user cannot access the buttons on the helmet shell to adjust settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of welding filter from contaminantsVSAvoidaccessibility of control buttons

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into two separate segments: primary control buttons mounted on the helmet shell and secondary actuators integrated into the face-protecting member. This segmentation allows the face-protecting member to remain closed and protective while the user can still access and operate the secondary actuators through the visor structure to adjust filter settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the control interface into a new dimension by integrating actuators directly into the face-protecting member structure itself. Instead of requiring the user to access buttons on the external surface of the helmet shell, the control interface is embedded within the visor structure, allowing operation while the visor remains in the closed protective position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If buttons are made accessible on the helmet shell for easy adjustment, then the settings can be modified conveniently, but the face-protecting member must be opened exposing the welding filter to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of setting modificationVSAvoidexposure of welding filter to damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces face-protecting member integrated actuators as intermediaries that allow users to adjust filter settings without opening the visor. These actuators transmit user input through the closed visor structure to the filter control mechanism, eliminating the need to expose the welding filter for adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates the adjustment actuators directly into the face-protecting member structure beforehand, so that the control capability is pre-integrated into the protective barrier itself. This preliminary integration of control functions into the protective structure allows users to modify settings while maintaining the closed protective configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12415228B2Integrated vizor controls for a helmet and corresponding helmets

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 WALTER SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A protective helmet having a shell which at least partially delimits a head-receiving cavity is provided. The helmet includes an electronic assembly mounted to the helmet shell and having at least one controllable setting. A face-protecting member is mounted to the helmet shell; wherein the face-protecting member comprises at least one panel tab. The panel tab is selectively depressible to cooperate with an actuator mounted to or formed integral with the helmet shell and operatively coupled to the electronic assembly to adjust the at least one controllable setting upon depression of the at least one panel tab.