Pivot-arm Assembly for Helmet Headset Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmet-mounted headsets face challenges such as added weight, limited functionality in dismounted operations, and inability to be removed from the helmet, leading to the need for multiple helmets for vehicle crew members.
Innovation Solution
A pivot-arm assembly that attaches an ear cup to a mounting feature on a helmet, featuring a hinge with two degrees of freedom and a spring bias, allowing for adjustable positioning and easy movement between deployed, locked, and stowed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the headset is permanently integrated into the helmet, then the structural stability and reliability are improved, but the adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate because the headset cannot be removed or adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The headset system is divided into separable components: a mounting feature integrated into the helmet and a pivot-arm assembly with ear cup that can be attached and detached. This segmentation allows the headset to be reliably fixed when mounted while maintaining the ability to remove and adjust it as needed, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot-arm assembly incorporates a hinge joint that enables dynamic positioning of the ear cup relative to the helmet. This dynamic mechanism allows the headset to transition between fixed mounted positions and adjustable/stowed positions, providing both structural reliability when mounted and operational adaptability when adjustment or removal is needed.
2Device complexity
If the headset is permanently integrated into the helmet, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because multiple helmets are needed for different operations
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot-arm assembly with hinge joint enables dynamic positioning of the ear cup, allowing it to be adjusted to different angles and positions while mounted on a single helmet. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for multiple helmets for different operations (vehicle vs. dismounted), improving ease of operation while maintaining simple single-helmet integration.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ear cup is fixed in position on the helmet, then the manufacturing precision and assembly ease are improved, but the adaptability deteriorates because the ear cup cannot be repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the fixed mounting feature (integrated into helmet with precise manufacturing) from the adjustable pivot-arm assembly. This segmentation allows the mounting interface to be precisely manufactured while the pivot-arm assembly provides post-assembly position adjustability, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joint in the pivot-arm assembly provides dynamic positioning capability after assembly, allowing the ear cup to be adjusted to optimal positions for different operational scenarios. This maintains precise manufacturing requirements for the mounting interface while adding operational adaptability through mechanical adjustability.
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 pivot-arm assembly provides improved situational awareness by restoring natural hearing while offering hearing protection, and allows for easy adjustment and positioning of the ear cup relative to the helmet, enhancing usability and reducing the need for multiple helmets.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member coupled to the arm and configured to spring bias the first end of the arm relative to the mount in a rotatable direction about the second axis of the hinge
Implementation Method 2
a hinge rotatable about a first axis and about a second axis, the hinge being coupled to the second end of the arm and disposed between the second end of the arm and the mount such that the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the first axis and the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the second axis
Data Source
AI summary
A pivot-arm assembly is provided for attaching an ear cup to a mounting feature on an exterior of a helmet. The pivot-arm assembly comprises a mount configured to releasably couple to the mounting feature. An arm has a first end configured to couple to the ear cup and a second end. A hinge is rotatable about a first axis and about a second axis. The hinge is coupled to the second end of the arm and disposed between the second end of the arm and the mount such that the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the first axis and the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the second axis. A biasing member is coupled to the arm and is configured to spring bias the first end of the arm relative to the mount in a rotatable direction about the second axis of the hinge.