Multi-Position Visor With Magnetic Locking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle helmets with visors face challenges in providing a secure, multi-positional solution that prevents unintentional dislodging during rides while allowing for airflow, sweat evaporation, and unobstructed vision, as previous attempts at removable or multi-positional visors have been insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A helmet with a visor system featuring a magnetic locking mechanism using neodymium magnets and iron plates, allowing the visor to be securely positioned at multiple locations along a series of detents on the helmet shell, preventing unintentional repositioning and providing shading adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable visor is used, then the visor can be adjusted and stored, but the cyclist must stop to safely remove and stow the visor during rides
Solution Approach 1:
The visor is designed to be dynamically repositionable along a rotational arc between multiple locked positions (fully down for shading, partially up for ventilation, fully up for storage) without requiring removal. The magnetic locking system enables instantaneous positioning at any point along the arc, eliminating the need to stop for visor adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-positional visor is used, then the visor can be positioned at multiple locations, but the visor can be easily dislodged by ordinary motion and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical detent-and-spring locking system is replaced with a magnetic locking system. Magnets embedded in the helmet shell create magnetic fields that hold the visor at multiple positions along its rotational arc. This magnetic holding mechanism is smoother, more reliable, and resistant to dislodging by ordinary motion and impacts while maintaining multi-positional capability.
3Strength
If the helmet shell is made rigid to absorb impacts, then impact protection is improved, but body heat becomes trapped and sweat evaporation is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The visor's multi-positional design enables dynamic adjustment of the helmet's effective enclosure. The visor can be positioned partially or fully raised to create ventilation channels that facilitate airflow and sweat evaporation, while maintaining the rigid helmet shell structure for impact protection. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt between thermal management modes without compromising structural integrity.
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 magnetic locking system ensures the visor remains securely in place during cycling, preventing interference with the cyclist's vision and allowing for easy adjustment and stowing of eyewear, while maintaining airflow and sweat evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element disposed at a base of the detent; a visor magnetic element disposed in the recess; wherein when the visor is rotated, the sliding element travels along the outer surface through a plurality of positions; and wherein, in a first position in the plurality of positions, the boss is received within a first detent of the plurality of detents such that the visor magnetic element is disposed at the first detent base in proximity to the first detent magnetic element, resulting in an attractive force between the visor magnetic element and the first detent magnetic element effective to lock the visor in the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-positional helmet visor system in which the visor can be repositioned to a plurality of positions. Cooperating structures in the visor and helmet inhibit the unwanted changes in visor position. The helmet uses a magnetic source disposed on a boss in a sliding element of the visor, which cooperates and mates with a series of ferromagnetic elements disposed in detents along the medial front to assist in holding the visor in place. The magnetic force and boss-detent structures inhibit unwanted movement of the visor. The visor may be inhibited from being lowered into the cyclist's field of view by sets of cooperating stops on the visor and helmet.