Rotary Latching Mechanism for Helmet Visor Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmet visor attachment methods are inadequate for motocross helmets, as they often result in weak fastening forces, risk of the visor dropping off due to wind pressure or shocks, and potential damage to the helmet from misalignment or shock absorption issues, particularly with embedded fixtures.
Innovation Solution
A latching mechanism featuring a pedestal with locking holes on the helmet and congruent holes on the visor, utilizing a fastening member with leg and knob parts that intersect and rotate to securely attach and detach the visor without embedding fixtures into the helmet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a metal hook is used to attach the visor to the helmet, then the attachment method is simple, but the fixing force is weak and the visor easily drops off under wind pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening member is divided into multiple functional segments: a leg portion for insertion through holes, a body portion with a bar extending laterally that engages with the pedestal, and a knob portion for rotation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the leg provides insertion access, the bar provides lateral engagement strength, and the knob provides rotational control for securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism transitions from a static hook to a dynamic rotational system. The fastening member is designed to rotate about its longitudinal axis, transforming the attachment process from simple insertion to an active engagement where rotation locks the visor securely to the pedestal, significantly increasing fixing force under wind pressure.
2Strength
If the number of hooks is increased to increase fastening force, then the fixing force improves, but the male fitting embedded in the helmet drops off from the helmet during detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from the embedded male fitting and relocates it to the pedestal structure. The pedestal with its hole and lateral bar engagement system replaces the need for multiple embedded hooks, eliminating the problem of male fittings dropping off during detachment while maintaining strong fastening force through the lateral bar engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedestal serves as an intermediary structure between the helmet and the visor. Instead of directly embedding multiple male fittings into the helmet shell, the pedestal provides a stable mounting platform with a hole for fastening member insertion and lateral bar engagement, mediating the connection and preventing fixture loss.
3Strength
If a bolt and nut made of metal or hard plastic are used to fasten the visor, then the fastening strength is sufficient, but the fixture can be pushed into the helmet when given a small shock
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system uses localized engagement features rather than rigid throughout construction. The lateral bar engagement with the pedestal creates a specific localized locking point that distributes shock forces, preventing the entire fixture from being pushed into the helmet while maintaining sufficient fastening strength through the engaged bar-pedestal interface.
4Ease of operation
If a permanent magnet is used for attachment, then the attachment method is simple, but the visor may drop off unintentionally when force acts perpendicular to the magnetic force line or when sandy dust adheres to the magnet surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the magnetic field-based attachment system with a mechanical engagement system. The fastening member's lateral bar engages physically with the pedestal structure through insertion and rotation, providing reliable mechanical locking that is not affected by perpendicular forces or sandy dust contamination, while maintaining ease of operation through the rotation mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides for a latching mechanism, for attaching a visor (400) to a helmet (100), including a pedestal provided with a first hole (303) on the surface, a second member provided with a second hole (200) opened at a position overlapping with the first hole, and a fastening member (800) whose one end part is inserted into and pulled from the first hole through the second hole, so that the second member is engaged with the pedestal in an attachable and detachable manner. In the mechanism, the fastening member is inserted through the second hole into the first hole and then rotated such that an outer shape of the one end part intersects with one of the first hole and the second hole so that the second member is mounted onto the pedestal, and then it is rotated further or reversely so that the second member is separated from the pedestal.