Universal Hard Hat Visor Mounting for Accessory Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard hats face challenges in accommodating various safety equipment accessories due to differences in size and style, leading to interference and the need for frequent adjustments, which affects user comfort and compliance with job-specific safety requirements.
Innovation Solution
A universal mounting system with auxiliary ridges and interchangeable visors that accommodate different hard hat styles, featuring flexible and modular designs to allow seamless attachment and detachment of accessories like earmuffs and face shields without requiring adjustments to the visor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed visor design is used on hard hats, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate various safety equipment accessories of different sizes and styles, leading to interference and the need for frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The visor is divided into multiple independent portions (first portion extending circumferentially and second portion positioned adjacent to accessory mounting location). This segmentation allows each portion to function independently, with the second portion being deformable to accommodate accessories while the first portion maintains the sun-blocking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion of the visor is designed to be deformable relative to the first portion, allowing it to dynamically adjust and deform to accommodate and cover portions of accessories coupled to the mounting location. This dynamic capability enables the visor to adapt to different accessory sizes and styles without requiring a completely new design.
2Reliability
If accessories are added to hard hats for safety protection, then safety protection is improved, but the accessories may interfere with each other and require frequent adjustments affecting user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The visor design serves multiple functions: it provides sun-blocking protection through the first portion, accommodates various accessories (earmuffs, face shields, lamps) through the deformable second portion, and allows reversible coupling to different hard hat styles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate protective devices and minimizes interference between accessories.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal mounting system is implemented to accommodate different hard hat styles, then versatility across hard hat styles is improved, but the mounting system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system utilizes the hard hat's existing auxiliary ridges and mounting locations, allowing the visor to be reversibly coupled without requiring additional complex mounting hardware on the hard hat itself. The visor's bracket engages with pre-existing features on the hard hat, enabling universal compatibility while keeping the added complexity minimal.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal mounting system for a hard hat is provided that includes front and rear mounting locations and auxiliary ridges on either side. A visor is coupled to the hard hat mounting system in such a way as to provide access with minimal interference from the visor to the equipment attached to the mounting locations and ports in the auxiliary ridges. Various embodiments of visors enable modular designs that incorporate different materials and features of the visor. Parallel stretch zones enable folding and holding opposite brims of the visor. Enclosed elastic areas along the inner sides of visor provide user access to auxiliary ridges. Combinations of various accessories on hard hat and how the accessories work together on the universal mounting system are discussed: such as the interaction between visors, earmuffs, face shields, and lamps.