Hinge Coupling Structure for Welding Mask Distance Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional welding masks have a fixed distance between the protective mask and the wearer's face, limiting adjustable rotation and radius of rotation, which restricts the lifting and positioning of the mask for optimal protection.
Innovation Solution
A hinge coupling structure with a rail and slider system that allows forward and rearward movement and adjustment of the protective mask's position relative to the head band, incorporating a hinge unit with a stator, rotator, and anti-rotation features for precise angle adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a head band is simply coupled to a protective mask about hinge shafts, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the distance between the protective mask and the wearer's face cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure transitions from a fixed hinge shaft connection to a dynamic adjustable system using a rail with multiple positioning holes and a slider mechanism. This allows the mask distance to be dynamically adjusted and locked at different positions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure is divided into separate functional components: a rail with positioning holes, a slider with buttons, and a hinge unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a protective mask is coupled to a head band with fixed hinge shafts, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the radius of rotation is limited which restricts lifting of the protective mask
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge unit is designed with a slider that can move along the rail and be positioned at different locations. This dynamic positioning capability increases the radius of rotation and allows greater lifting range of the mask, while the hinge mechanism itself maintains manufacturing precision through standardized components and positioning holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure adds a longitudinal dimension to the rotation mechanism by allowing the slider to move forward and rearward along the rail. This creates an adjustable radius of rotation, enabling the mask to be lifted higher and positioned more flexibly without compromising the precision of the hinge connection.
3Ease of operation
If distance adjustment recesses and stoppers are added to the rail and slider, then the adjustability of mask position is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider incorporates buttons that, when pressed, automatically release the stopper from the positioning holes. This self-service mechanism allows the user to easily adjust the mask distance without requiring tools or complex operations, maintaining ease of use despite the added complexity of the adjustment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail is equipped with multiple positioning holes at specific locations, and the slider has a stopper that engages with these holes. This localized feature provides discrete positioning options for mask distance adjustment, improving ease of operation while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through targeted additions rather than comprehensive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a hinge coupling structure usable with a welding mask, a face shield or a safety helmet, which serves to connect either side of a protective mask, configured to cover a welder's face along with a viewing window, to a corresponding end of a head band used to assist a welder in wearing the protective mask. The hinge coupling structure includes a rail longitudinally provided at the head band, a slider coupled to the rail so as to be moved forward or rearward in a longitudinal direction of the rail, and a hinge unit coupled to the protective mask while being coupled to the slider interposed therebetween. The hinge coupling structures enables distance adjustment between the protective mask and the welder's face in a state in which the head band is worn on the head, which provides more convenient wearing of the protective mask.