Helmet Visor Seal Convex Profile Liquid Runoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective helmets face challenges in preventing liquid pooling, particularly during fire tests where petrol is poured over the helmet, as the existing rubber seal designs can allow petrol to gather and pool, failing to meet the requirement of self-extinguishing within 15 seconds.

Innovation Solution

A protective helmet design featuring an impact-resistant outer shell, a part-cylindrical visor with a flexible, stirrup-shaped seal that extends around the upper edge and rear of the visor, combined with a metal band and stops to prevent further downward movement, ensuring a smooth surface for liquid runoff and preventing pooling, regardless of the visor's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rubber seal is used above the visor to provide protection against liquids, then sealing protection is improved, but liquid pooling occurs in the concave area of the seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing protectionVSAvoidliquid pooling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal profile is inverted from a conventional concave shape to a convex shape. This inversion changes the surface geometry so that liquids naturally run off the convex surface rather than pooling in concave areas, while the seal still maintains effective contact with the helmet shell for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the seal have different geometries optimized for their specific functions: the convex upper portion prevents liquid pooling by promoting runoff, while the lower portion maintains sealing contact with the shell. This local differentiation of surface quality resolves the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and liquid accumulation prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the visor is designed to pivot open for protection, then operational flexibility is improved, but liquid can pool around the hinges and visor mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidliquid pooling around hinges

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal geometry around the hinges is designed with convex surfaces that slope away from the hinge area, inverting the conventional approach where seals might create凹陷 areas. This ensures that liquids flow away from the hinge mechanism rather than pooling around it, while the visor maintains full pivoting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal extends around the rear of the hinges in three dimensions, creating a continuous protective barrier that guides liquid flow away from the hinge area. This multi-dimensional sealing approach prevents pooling around the pivoting mechanism while preserving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If a substantial spherical shell is used for impact resistance, then protection against physical attacks is improved, but the surface may promote liquid pooling in certain areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidliquid pooling on shell surface

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining the substantial spherical shape for impact resistance, the shell surface incorporates controlled curvature variations that promote liquid runoff. The convex seal profile and associated surface geometry guide liquids away from potential pooling areas while preserving the overall spherical protective structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The design effectively prevents liquid pooling by maintaining a smooth surface for runoff, enhancing the helmet's ability to self-extinguish petrol within the required time frame during fire tests, while also providing improved protection against physical attacks and audio communication.

Implementation Method 1

all arranged so that whatever the position of the visor on the shell there is a smooth surface for liquid run-off

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension and gravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3302118B1helmet

Publication Date: 2019.08.21 LUPTON MICHAEL

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AI summary

A protective helmet has an outer shell (10) having a visor (20), a flexible seal (30) and a metal band (40), all held on oppositely-positioned hinges. The flexible seal (30) extends around the rear of the hinges and has a lower part (34) in contact with the outside of the visor and an upper part (33) lying at an obtuse angle to the lower part and in contact with the shell so that liquid run-off from the helmet is facilitated.