Flip-Type Welding Visor Spring Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flip-type welding helmets face challenges in easily flipping the visor due to impediments, requiring improvements to reduce rotational forces and enhance the balance of forces applied to the visor mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A return mechanism that applies a predetermined force to a wireform spring between the welding visor and grinding shell, combined with an adjustable spring and slide stop for adjustable stopping positions, balances the forces and reduces the rotational force needed to flip the visor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wireform spring is used to provide rotational movement for the welding visor, then the visor can be flipped between positions, but excessive rotational force is required to overcome the spring's resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of visor flippingVSAvoidrotational force required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A return mechanism with a spring applies a counterbalancing force to offset the weight and resistance of the wireform spring, reducing the rotational force the user must apply to flip the visor. The spring provides a counteracting torque that compensates for the heavy wireform spring and cam mechanism resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The return mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's flipping action and the wireform spring resistance. It introduces a mediating spring force that reduces the net resistance the user must overcome, making the visor flipping operation easier without compromising the spring's structural function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the wireform spring is made stiffer to maintain structural integrity, then the spring provides better support, but more rotational force is needed to flip the visor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring structural integrityVSAvoidease of visor flipping

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The return mechanism spring provides a counterbalancing force that compensates for the increased stiffness of the wireform spring. This allows the wireform spring to be made stiffer for better structural integrity while the return mechanism simultaneously reduces the rotational force required by applying an opposing torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the force parameters by introducing a return mechanism spring that modifies the net force required for visor flipping. This parameter change allows the wireform spring stiffness to be optimized for structural integrity while the overall operational force is reduced through the return mechanism's counterbalancing action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the welding visor is positioned close to the grinding shell for compact design, then the helmet has a smaller profile, but the visor flipping mechanism has limited space for force application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehelmet profile sizeVSAvoidvisor mechanism space

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The return mechanism is nested within the compact space between the welding visor and grinding shell. The spring and associated components are arranged to fit within the limited volume, providing force application capability without increasing the overall helmet profile size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The return mechanism utilizes the rotational dimension and angular space between the visor and shell positions to provide force application. By operating in the rotational plane rather than requiring additional linear space, the mechanism fits within the compact profile while still providing adequate force for visor manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 allows for easier and controlled flipping of the welding visor, maintaining desired positions and reducing the force required, thereby enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A wireform spring is rotatably engaged to the grinding shell and extends to an interior surface of the welding visor. The wireform spring is received within a cam slot of the welding visor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A return mechanism applies a predetermined force to a wireform spring. The return mechanism applies a force between a welding visor and a grinding shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11285045B2Helmet assemblies with flip-type welding visors

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 A C E INT

AI summary

Improvements to helmet assemblies with flip-type welding visors are provided. In one embodiment, a return mechanism applies a predetermined force to a wireform spring. The return mechanism applies a force between a welding visor and a grinding shell, while concurrently reducing rotational forces needed to flip up the welding visor from the grinding shell. In another embodiment, a combination of an adjustable spring and a slide stop provides an adjustable stopping position for the wireform spring. The adjustable stopping position permits adjustable balancing of the forces that are applied to the wireform spring.