Vision Mount Hinge Assembly for Tilt-Independent Stow Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vision device mount systems fail to provide consistent stow and deployment positioning, durability, and positional stability for night vision goggles and other vision devices, especially when exposed to environmental factors and varying helmet sizes/shapes, and struggle to accommodate heavier devices like fused panoramic goggles.

Innovation Solution

A vision mounting system comprising a gantry, carriage, and a selectable stow position sub-assembly that includes a shaped aperture and a hinge axle with a cam mechanism, allowing for multiple stow positions and tilt adjustments, along with a floatable interlock member for secure locking and release, ensuring consistent positioning and durability across different configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional mount system is used, then the structure is simple, but the stow position is inconsistent and positional stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidmount system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mount system incorporates a dynamic carriage that can rotate between stow and deploy positions, and a tilt mechanism that allows adjustment of the vision device angle. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining consistent stow positioning through the rotation mechanism's defined rest position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mount system is divided into distinct functional segments: a gantry attached to the helmet, a carriage that rotates on the gantry, and a vision device mounting portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the carriage rotation providing consistent stow positioning and the tilt mechanism allowing angle adjustment without affecting the stow position consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mount system is made more adjustable for different helmets and devices, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different helmets and devicesVSAvoidmount system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gantry-carriage assembly serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting structure for different helmet types, enables rotation between stow and deploy positions, and supports the vision device with adjustable tilt. This multi-functionality allows a single mount system design to accommodate various helmets and vision devices without requiring multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tilt mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the vision device to be angled to different positions while maintaining a consistent stow position when not in use. This dynamic adjustment enables adaptation to different user preferences and device types without compromising the fundamental stow positioning consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Weight of moving object

If the mount system is designed for heavier devices, then device weight capacity increases, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevision device weight capacityVSAvoidmount system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation mechanism is designed with a defined rest position that automatically returns the carriage to a consistent stow position regardless of the vision device weight. This preliminary design consideration ensures that even heavier devices like fused panoramic goggles will return to the same stow position, maintaining consistency while supporting increased weight capacity through the robust rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the stow position varies with tilt orientation, then tilt adjustment flexibility improves, but stow position consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilt adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidstow position consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the tilt adjustment function from the stow positioning function. The carriage rotation mechanism handles stow positioning and returns to a defined rest position, while the tilt mechanism independently adjusts the vision device angle. This segmentation ensures that tilt adjustments do not affect stow position consistency, as each function operates in its own mechanical domain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12253665B2Mounting systems suitable for mounting vision systems

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 SWIFT UNIVERSAL OPTICAL SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Mounting systems configured to mount vision systems such as goggles to target devices such as helmets include a gantry and carriage assembly having a hinge assembly with a pill and a tilt adjustment assembly that cooperates with the pill to move the carriage between various tilt positions and between a deploy and a stow position that is agnostic of deployed tilt setting. The tilt adjustment assembly includes a tilt member that moves in a front to back direction. The gantry and carriage assembly also includes a bore in an upper portion of the carriage and a stow insert that also cooperates with the pill to lock the pill into a stow detent and secure the gantry and carriage assembly in the stow position.