Helmet Visor Pinch Lock Mechanism for One-Handed Glove Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing full face helmets with liftable visors face challenges in maintaining a secure closure, particularly when operated with one hand or while wearing gloves, due to high locking force requirements and variability in mounting adjustments, leading to inconsistent visor locking strength and potential accidental opening.
Innovation Solution
A closing device with locking means that pinch a pin on both sides to secure the visor in a closed position, featuring a spring-loaded mechanism with arms that can be spread apart to release the pin, allowing easy one-handed operation and adjustable locking force through design parameters like spring wire diameter and groove configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the interference between the tab and protrusion is significantly increased to obtain a sufficiently firm closure, then the locking force of the visor is improved, but it becomes difficult or impossible to open the visor when the helmet is on someone's head and the user is using only one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means are divided into two independent parts: a pin fixed to the chin guard and locking arms fixed to the visor. This segmentation allows the locking force to be applied independently from the opening action, resolving the contradiction between strong locking and easy opening.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of pushing a tab to release the lock (conventional approach), the invention requires pressing two opposite sides of the locking arms simultaneously to spread them apart and release the pin. This inverted approach provides mechanical advantage for easy opening while maintaining strong locking force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the locking force depends on the manner in which the visor is mounted and the adjustable anchor points, then the visor can be adjusted to compensate for tolerances, but the locking force is not carefully controlled and the visor can be opened too easily or with difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The spring automatically adjusts to different mounting positions and tolerances, maintaining consistent locking force without requiring precise adjustment by the user. The elastic element compensates for variations in anchor point positioning self-service style.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring's elastic properties and pre-load can be designed to provide consistent locking force across a range of mounting positions. By changing the spring parameters (wire diameter, coil spacing, material), reliable locking force is achieved regardless of minor mounting variations.
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
Enables secure, one-handed operation of the visor even with gloves, reduces accidental openings, and allows users without technical training to replace the visor securely, as the locking force is preset and not affected by helmet mounting variations.
Implementation Method 1
locking means comprising a spring fixable respectively on the visor or on the chin guard and ending with opposite arms that can be spread apart by overcoming an elastic return force of the spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A closing device for a full face helmet having a shell for protecting the head, a chin guard, a visor (2) hinged on the shell and configurable in a closed position when it is lowered to match an upper profile of the chin guard, comprises locking means (4, 5a, 5b, 6) which pinch a pin (3) when the visor is closed, and which must be pressed on two opposite sides at the same time so that they leave the pinch on a pin and allow the visor to be lifted. The closing device according to the present disclosure has a pin which can be fixed on the chin guard or on the visor so as to protrude from it, and locking means which comprise a spring which can be fixed respectively on the visor or on the chin guard and ends with opposite arms which can be spread apart by overcoming an elastic return force of the spring, the opposed arms being configured so as to pinch the pin at least when the visor is in a closed position.