Sliding Face-Shield Assembly for Protective Helmets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective helmets with pivoting face-shields are cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, require tools, and have limited space for ear protection due to the pivoting mechanism, which can compromise face protection, especially from upward projections.
Innovation Solution
A protective helmet with a face-shield that slides between raised and lowered positions using lateral slides, allowing for easier assembly and replacement without tools, reducing the risk of improper mounting and providing more space for ear protection by eliminating cumbersome external connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivoting face-shield mechanism is used, then the face-shield can be moved between raised and lowered positions, but the assembly and disassembly operations become cumbersome and require tooling
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arrangement is divided into separate lateral slides that can be independently assembled. Each slide contains specific connecting members (upper and lower) that engage with the face-shield, allowing modular assembly without complex pivoting mechanisms. This segmentation enables simpler, tool-free assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional pivoting mechanism that requires complex assembly, the invention inverts the approach by using lateral slides that guide the connecting members in a sliding motion. This inversion simplifies the assembly process and eliminates the need for tooling while maintaining the face-shield's movability between positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pivoting mechanism is located at the wearer's ear level, then the face-shield can pivot, but the space for housing ear protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arrangement moves from a vertical pivoting axis at ear level to a lateral sliding mechanism positioned lower on the shell. This dimensional change allows the face-shield to still move between raised and lowered positions while freeing up space at the ear level for ear protection housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting mechanism is extracted from the ear level position and relocated to a lower position on the shell where it can still control face-shield movement without interfering with ear protection space. The lateral slides are positioned to engage connecting members that extend from the face-shield, separating the movement function from the ear level region.
3Ease of operation
If the face-shield is positioned at a sufficient distance from the face to allow pivoting, then the pivoting movement is possible, but the face protection efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members are designed to slide within the lateral slides, allowing dynamic adjustment of the face-shield position. This sliding mechanism enables the face-shield to be positioned close to the face for effective protection while still allowing movement between raised and lowered positions, eliminating the need for excessive distance.
4Reliability
If traditional connecting arrangements are used, then the face-shield can be mounted on the shell, but the assembly requires tooling and experience
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral slides and connecting members are designed to self-align and self-engage during assembly. The sliding mechanism naturally guides the connecting members into proper engagement with the shell, eliminating the need for tooling or specialized experience. Users can perform assembly operations intuitively without requiring technical expertise.
Data Source
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AI summary
A protective helmet, including a shell (2) defining a face opening (4) and having left and right side portions (8), a slide (15) arranged on each of the side portions of the shell, wherein the slides are symmetrical relative to a longitudinal plane of symmetry (P) of the shell, a face-shield (3) having a central portion (11) and mounted on the shell and configured to move between a lowered position in which the face-shield extends opposite the face opening and a raised position in which the face opening is substantially bared, and two side wings (12) on the face-shield, each having at least one upper connecting member (16) and at least one lower connecting member (17). The connecting members are configured to engage in a corresponding slide of the shell to guide the movement of the face- shield between the lowered position and the raised position. Methods for placing a face-shield in position on a shell of a protective helmet are also provided.