Helmet Visor Reflective Elements for Undistorted Image Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visor designs for helmets or headgear face challenges in combining and observing projected images with environmental images without distortion, while preventing chromatic dispersion and avoiding physical connection to the projection system, especially when the visor's shape and size vary.
Innovation Solution
A visor design featuring semitranslucent flat reflective elements on both surfaces, arranged parallel to the visor's curvature, with specific dimensions and inclination angles to minimize reflection angle differences and prevent chromatic dispersion, allowing for a non-distorted, combined image view without additional optical elements like lenses or mirrors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single reflective plane is used in the visor, then the structure is simple, but chromatic dispersion occurs and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single reflective plane is divided into multiple discrete reflective planes (first reflective plane, second reflective plane, third reflective plane) arranged at different orientations. Each plane reflects a portion of the projected image, and their combined effect eliminates chromatic dispersion while maintaining image quality without requiring complex additional optical elements
2Reliability
If the visor is physically connected to the projection system, then image projection is stable, but the visor cannot be universally applied to different helmet structures
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system is segmented into multiple independent reflective planes that can be integrated directly into the visor structure itself, eliminating the need for physical connection between separate projection system and visor. This allows the visor to maintain reliable image projection while being adaptable to various helmet structures
Solution Approach 2:
The visor is designed with multiple reflective planes that serve both as structural components of the visor and as optical elements for image projection. This multi-functionality allows the same visor design to be universally applied to different helmet structures without requiring physical connection to external projection systems
3Manufacturing precision
If additional optical elements like lenses or mirrors are added, then image projection quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective planes are merged directly into the visor structure, combining the functions of the visor (protection, transparency) and the optical projection system (image reflection) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate lenses or mirrors, maintaining image projection quality while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The visor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides physical protection, maintains optical transparency for environmental visibility, and acts as the projection screen through its integrated reflective planes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional optical elements while maintaining projection quality
4Ease of manufacture
If reflective elements are not arranged parallel to visor curvature, then manufacturing is easier, but image distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Each reflective plane is specifically oriented parallel to the visor's curvature at its local position. The first reflective planes are parallel to longitudinal curvature, while the second and third reflective planes are parallel to transverse curvature. This local adaptation to curvature ensures undistorted image reflection while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
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 the combination of projected and environmental images on any visor shape and size without defects, preventing chromatic dispersion and maintaining image quality, while being versatile for various helmet structures without physical connection to the projection system.
Implementation Method 1
a first assembly of semitranslucent flat reflective elements... is located on the first surface, and a second assembly of semitranslucent flat reflective elements... is located on the second surface
Implementation Method 2
the reflective elements... are arranged with their shorter side c parallel to the longitudinal curvature of the visor and with their longer side b parallel to the transverse curvature of the visor
Implementation Method 3
The substrate functions as a waveguide for propagating, on the basis of total internal reflection, the optical signal between the diffraction gratings
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the invention is a visor for a helmet or headgear comprising a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface and located on the opposite side of the visor relative to the first surface, formed in relation to the longitudinal curvature and transverse curvature of the visor, characterised in that, a first assembly (4) of semitranslucent flat reflective elements, composited with the first surface (3) of the visor (1) facing outwards from the first surface and opposite to the second surface (2), is located on the first surface (3), and a second assembly (5) of semitranslucent flat reflective elements, composited with the second surface (2) of the visor (1) facing outwards from the second surface and opposite to the first surface, is located on the second surface (2), and the reflective elements of the second assembly (5) of semitranslucent flat reflective elements are parallel to the reflective elements of the first assembly (4) of semitranslucent flat reflective elements, wherein the first (FRE4) and second (FRE5) semitranslucent flat reflective elements, forming the first (4) and second (5) assembly of semitranslucent flat reflective elements, have a shorter side c and longer side b and thickness d, and the shorter side c of the first (FRE4) and second (FRE5) reflective elements is at least 10 µm long, wherein the first (FRE4) and second (FRE5) semitranslucent flat reflective elements, forming the first (4) and second (5) assembly of semitranslucent reflective elements, are arranged with their shorter side c parallel to the longitudinal curvature KW of the visor and with their longer side b parallel to the transverse curvature KP of the visor (1), wherein the reflective elements (FRE4, FRE5), forming the first assembly (4) of semitranslucent flat reflective elements and the second assembly (5) of semitranslucent flat reflective elements have the same thickness d.