Night Vision Goggle Mounting Mechanism with Translational Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field helmet-mounted night vision devices require adjustable and removable mounting systems to accommodate various user positions and anthropometric variations, as well as additional equipment like gas masks or glasses, to ensure optimal functionality and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that allows for translational adjustment of the night vision device along an axis, using a slideable coupling system with a lever that engages gear teeth to lock or unlock the position, enabling the device to move between extended and retracted positions relative to the helmet, and includes a spring-loaded lever for easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the night vision device is fixed to the helmet, then the mounting structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate different user positions, anthropometric variations, or additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable mechanism. The optical device mounting component can slide along the axis of translation between extended and retracted positions, allowing the system to adapt to different user positions, head sizes, and additional equipment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through controlled movement rather than multiple fixed configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a field helmet mounting component and an optical device mounting component connected by a slideable coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component while maintaining overall system stability, resolving the contradiction by distributing complexity across modular elements rather than requiring a completely complex integrated system
2Ease of operation
If the mounting mechanism allows free translation, then adjustability is maximized, but the device becomes unstable and difficult to position precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded lever automatically engages with the gear teeth to lock the optical device mounting component in place during translation, providing self-servicing locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. This maintains stability while preserving ease of operation through simple manual translation followed by automatic engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The gear teeth act as an intermediary mechanism between the slideable mounting components. They provide discrete positioning stops that guide the translation process and ensure precise, repeatable positions while the spring-loaded lever mediates the locking action, combining ease of continuous adjustment with reliable stable positioning
3Reliability
If the lever is always engaged, then the device is securely locked, but it cannot be adjusted or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded lever automatically engages with the gear teeth when the mounting components are brought together, providing secure locking without requiring separate manual intervention. Conversely, when the lever is disengaged, the components can be freely translated for adjustment or removal. This self-servicing mechanism maintains reliability through automatic engagement while preserving adaptability through easy disengagement and repositioning
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for adjusting the position of an optical device with respect to a field helmet along an axis of translation is provided. The mechanism comprises an optical device mounting component for coupling to the optical device. A field helmet mounting component for coupling to the field helmet is slideably coupled to the optical device mounting component along the axis of translation. A lever configured for selectively engaging a surface of either mounting component permits translation of the optical device mounting component along the axis of translation with respect to the field helmet. The optical device mounting component is configured to translate along the axis of translation with respect to the field helmet between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the optical device is proximal to the helmet in the retracted position and distal to the helmet in the extended position.