Protective Suit Visor Frame Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current visor frames for protective suits, such as those used by firefighters, are heavy and uncomfortable, causing the hood to obstruct the user's field of vision due to their weight and often require counter-screwing means that can irritate the skin during use.

Innovation Solution

A visor frame design featuring an inner frame with an open hollow profile made of lightweight plastic, such as Stanyl, and an outer frame of aluminum, with stiffening ribs forming triangular cells to accommodate threaded shafts and reduce weight, along with a sealing material like foam rubber to ensure a secure and comfortable seal, and a receiving device for additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a double-frame construction with threaded bolts and nuts is used to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the weight of the visor frame increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidvisor frame weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the counter-screwing means (nuts) from the visible and contact area. The threaded shafts are integrated into the inner frame, and the outer frame is screwed directly onto these shafts without requiring external nuts that contact the user's skin. This removes the harmful component while preserving the sealing function through the sealing material interposed between the frames.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements a nested structure where the outer frame is screwed directly onto threaded shafts that are integrated into the inner frame. The sealing material is nested between the inner and outer frames. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for separate nuts and reduces the overall number of components, thereby reducing weight while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If counter-screwing means such as screw nuts are used to connect the frames, then connection stability is improved, but skin irritation occurs during putting on and taking off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing material acts as an intermediary between the inner and outer frames, providing the necessary sealing function without requiring additional fastening components that would contact the user's skin. The threaded shafts serve as intermediaries to transmit the connection force directly from the outer frame to the inner frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If the inner frame is made with a small wall thickness to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but stability and dimensional stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinner frame weightVSAvoiddimensional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite construction where the inner frame is made of a lightweight material (such as plastic) with integrated stiffening ribs. The outer frame is made of a different material (such as metal) providing additional structural support. This composite approach allows the inner frame to have thin walls for weight reduction while the outer frame and integrated ribs provide the necessary stability and dimensional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffening ribs integrated into the inner frame create a ribbed structure that provides structural reinforcement. This ribbed design adds stiffness and dimensional stability to the thin-walled inner frame without significantly increasing its weight, as the ribs are formed as integral features of the frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The design significantly reduces the weight and bulk of the visor frame, enhances stability, and allows for comfortable wear by minimizing skin contact with screwing means, while providing a secure seal and accommodating additional features like lighting or signaling devices.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing material is made of foam rubber, as a result of which a particularly long-lasting seal between the inner frame and the outer frame can be ensured

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the threaded shanks are formed by threaded bolts that are shot into the outer frame. As a result, a particularly stable connection between the threaded shafts and the outer frame can be achieved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical anchoring: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2392385B1Viewing pane frame for a protective suit

Publication Date: 2014.10.22 TESIMAX ALTINGER

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The ocular frame (2) has an external frame (10), which has an inner side (20), by which multiple thread shafts (18) are stick out, where an internal frame (12) is screwed at the inner side of the external frame by the thread shafts below intermediate layer of a sealing material (14). The internal frame has an outer wall (22), which forms an open hollow profile.