Aviation Helmet Visor Locking Mechanism Prevents Wind Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aviation helmet visors often unintentionally retract due to sudden gusts of wind, leaving the pilot's eyes unprotected.
Innovation Solution
A helmet visor assembly with engagement structures that prevent movement from the down position to the retracted position under inward and upward forces, including a shoulder, shelf, tabs, guide pins, and a latching system, which engage only when such forces are applied to maintain protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the visor is made retractable to enable the wearer to access the wearer's eyes or to obtain an untinted view, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because sudden gusts of wind may unintentionally retract the visor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing engagement structures (shoulder, shelf, tabs, guide pins, latching system) that are pre-configured to prevent unintentional retraction. These structures create a mechanical lock that counteracts the upward force generated by wind gusts before the visor can retract, thus maintaining reliability while preserving the retractable function for intentional use.
2Reliability
If engagement structures are added to prevent unintentional retraction, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple engagement structures (shoulder, shelf, tabs, guide pins, and latching system) into a unified visor assembly that works together as an integrated locking mechanism. This combining approach achieves reliable prevention of unintentional retraction while managing overall device complexity through functional integration rather than separate independent components.
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet with a visor includes structures that engage to prevent inadvertent retraction of the visor. The visor may be pressed against a shoulder formed around the face opening of the helmet responsive to an inward force. Arms securing the visor the helmet may be include a slot permitting sliding to facilitate this movement. The arms may include an arcuate slot and a radial slot engaging a guide pin mounted to the helmet. With the visor down, the guide pin slides within the radial slot. A protrusion on the visor may be urged into a receptacle on the helmet in response to an inward force. A latch may engage the helmet when the visor is down and be releasable manually.