LC Helmet Visor Assembly for Fast Uniform Light Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective helmet visors fail to provide rapid and uniform light adaptation to varying ambient conditions due to slow reaction times, mechanical stress-induced deformations, and interference with liquid crystals, leading to uncomfortable and ineffective sunlight protection.

Innovation Solution

A protective helmet with a variable transparency visor featuring a GH-type liquid crystal film controlled by an electronic board, combined with a depolarizing film to eliminate interference and mechanical stress effects, and a structural lens for optimal light transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If photochromatic lenses are used to filter light, then light filtering capability is improved, but reaction speed to brightness changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight filtering capabilityVSAvoidreaction speed to brightness changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces photochromatic lenses (chemical reaction-based) with liquid crystal lenses (electrical field-based) that can rapidly change optical properties when voltage is applied, achieving both effective light filtering and fast response to brightness changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If electrochromic lenses are used to adapt to ambient light, then light filtering capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight filtering capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity and energy requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses liquid crystal materials that respond to electrical fields with lower power requirements compared to electrochromic systems, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective light adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the liquid crystal layer by applying electrical voltage, enabling rapid and reversible adjustment of light transmission without the complex mechanisms required by electrochromic lenses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If TN-type liquid crystal screens are used for sunlight protection, then reaction speed to brightness changes is improved, but field of vision and transparency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction speed to brightness changesVSAvoidfield of vision and transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses GH-type liquid crystal that changes its optical properties (transparency and field of vision) in response to electrical voltage, maintaining a wide field of vision and high transparency in the relaxed state while providing rapid response to brightness changes when voltage is applied

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If GH-type liquid crystal LC layer is applied to helmet visors, then transparency is improved, but uniformity of transparency deteriorates due to mechanical stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoiduniformity of transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a pre-treatment to the liquid crystal layer before mounting it on the visor, which compensates for the mechanical stresses that will be applied during installation and use, preventing the formation of inhomogeneities and maintaining uniform transparency throughout the visor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 helmet provides rapid and uniform light adaptation, maintaining high transparency and comfort by using a GH-type liquid crystal film controlled by an electronic board, ensuring effective sunlight protection without mechanical stress-induced deformations.

Implementation Method 1

lenses that use layers of liquid crystals are known, and they are the only ones that are able to react quickly to changes in ambient light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal electro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

presence of unwanted polarizations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP4346484B1Protective helmet equipped with visor with LC layer and depolarizing layer

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 OUT OF SRL

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AI summary

A protective helmet (1) for practicing sports activities or using motorized vehicles, according to the present invention comprises a cap (2) equipped with a front opening (23), at the user's eye region, closed by a visor assembly (3). Said visor assembly (3) comprises: • - at least one at least partially transparent structural lens (41); • - a Guest-Host type liquid crystal LC film (43) adapted to modify its own transparency level, arranged behind the structural lens (41); • - at least one electrical source for powering the LC film (43); • - at least one depolarizing layer (42) arranged between the structural lens (41) and the LC film (43).