Helmet Visor Guide Element Water Channeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing helmet visors face challenges in preventing water penetration, especially in modular helmets where the chin guard is movable, leading to difficulties in maintaining a perfect seal and ensuring water does not enter the helmet.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a guide element, such as a rib or protrusion, on the internal surface of the visor to direct water flow along the shield's internal surface, utilizing surface tension and gravity to guide water away from the field of vision and towards an exit slit, where it can be sealed by a gasket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gasket is provided around the front opening to seal the gap between the helmet body and the visor, then water penetration is reduced, but a perfect seal cannot be maintained due to the movable nature of the visor and construction tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoidvisor movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element (protrusion or rib) is introduced as an intermediary structure on the visor's internal surface. This guide element directs water flow along a controlled path toward the gasket, ensuring that water is channeled to the sealing region rather than allowing uncontrolled penetration. The guide element mediates between the movable visor and the seal requirement by providing a structural feature that maintains water flow control despite visor movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is pre-formed on the visor during manufacturing, creating a predetermined water flow path before the visor is installed or moved. This preliminary structural feature ensures that water is directed toward the gasket region in advance, allowing the seal to function effectively without requiring active adjustment during visor movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the visor is made movable with respect to the helmet body to allow opening and closing, then ease of operation is improved, but water penetration increases due to difficulty in maintaining a perfect seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisor opening and closingVSAvoidwater penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element serves as a mediator that works in conjunction with the movable visor mechanism. It provides a structural feature that remains effective despite visor movement, channeling water flow toward the gasket region regardless of the visor's position during opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attempting to completely block water penetration (which becomes difficult with a movable visor), the guide element converts the harmful water flow into a beneficial controlled path. Water that would otherwise penetrate the helmet is redirected along the guide element's surface toward the gasket, where it can be effectively sealed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If a guide element is added to direct water flow along the internal surface of the visor, then water penetration is controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow controlVSAvoidvisor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is a localized feature formed only in the specific region of the visor where water flow control is needed. Rather than modifying the entire visor structure, the protrusion or rib is created in the area that interfaces with the gasket, providing water direction functionality with minimal additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is integrated into the visor structure itself, merging the water guidance function with the existing visor component. The protrusion or rib is formed as part of the visor during manufacturing, combining multiple functions (visor operation and water guidance) into a single integrated structure rather than adding a separate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution effectively directs water entering the helmet to exit through a controlled path, reducing the risk of water accumulation and misting, thereby improving visibility and safety for the rider.

Implementation Method 1

it is possible to exploit the generally negative characteristics associated with penetration of the water along an internal surface of the shield, such as the surface tension, capillarity and also effect of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillarity: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3925474B1Shield for helmet and helmet including said shield

Publication Date: 2025.04.09 DAINESE SPA

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AI summary

A shield (10) for a protective helmet (100) including a plate-shaped or foil-shaped body configured for association with a remaining portion of the protective helmet is described. The shield has an internal surface (17) intended to face an internal area of the remaining portion of the helmet (103). The internal surface (17) has a guide element (15) having at least one conveying wall, for conveying water arriving on said internal surface (17). A protective helmet (100) and a method for said helmet are also described.