Respirator Shield Snap-Lock Mechanism for Pilot Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective head equipment for pilots requires complex and unnatural movements to position and unlock the eye shield from the breathing mask, especially when the mask is already in place, which can be a hindrance in emergency situations like fires or smoke exposure.
Innovation Solution
A head protective equipment with a breathing mask and eye shield that uses snap-together lock elements and ergonomic grasping units, allowing for a two-step movement to secure and release the shield, where the shield is approached to the mask and then moved linearly to lock or unlock using guidance surfaces and flexible pins, facilitating natural finger placement and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to secure the shield to the mask, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent lock elements (first lock element on the shield, second lock element on the mask) that can engage separately through a two-step movement. This segmentation allows each lock element to be simple in structure while collectively providing reliable connection, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Guidance surfaces act as an intermediary element that facilitates the engagement of lock elements. The guidance surfaces on the mask and corresponding surfaces on the shield guide the shield into proper alignment during the two-step movement, enabling reliable locking without requiring complex alignment mechanisms, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the shield is designed to be quickly attached and removed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system uses a dynamic two-step movement mechanism where the shield first approaches the mask (first step) and then moves linearly to engage the lock elements (second step). This dynamic engagement process allows for quick attachment and removal while ensuring reliable connection when locked, as the lock elements engage positively during the linear movement phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance surfaces enable the shield to self-align with the mask during the approach phase, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures. This self-alignment feature allows users to quickly attach and remove the shield while maintaining reliable connection through the automatic engagement of lock elements guided by the surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If the mask is worn without a shield for comfort, then the ease of operation is improved, but the protection capability deteriorates when emergencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static state (mask worn alone for comfort) to a dynamic protected state (shield attached for emergency protection) through a simple two-step movement. The lock elements and guidance surfaces enable this dynamic transition to be quick and easy, allowing users to maintain comfort during normal operation while rapidly achieving full protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be attached to or removed from the mask as needed. This extraction design allows the mask to be worn alone for comfort during normal operations, while the shield can be quickly attached to provide eye protection during emergencies, resolving the contradiction between comfort and protection capability.
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
Enables easy and natural positioning and removal of the eye shield while maintaining the mask in place, enhancing user safety and efficiency during emergencies by simplifying the process of adding eye protection without compromising the mask's position.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second elements are adapted to engage and interlock with each other to create a snap-together connection
Data Source
AI summary
A head protective equipment comprises: —a breathing mask (2) connectable to a breathing-gas source and adapted to be applied, in a use position, around an user's nose and mouth, for supplying said user with breathing gas; —a shield (6) adapted to be applied around the user's eyes; and—first and second lock elements (28, 30, 38, 40), respectively located on said mask and on said shield, and adapted to cooperate with each other in order to secure said shield to said mask when said mask is in said use position around said user's nose and mouth, said first and second elements being adapted to create a snap-together connection, —said shield and said mask being adapted to be locked together by a two-step movement, the first step consisting in approaching the shield to the mask until said shield reaches said mask, and the second step being a substantially linear movement until locking.