WELDING HELMET HAVING A FILTER ARRANGEMENT

• US 20140013479A1
• Filed: 11/28/2011
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Magnusson, Kristina, Jarefors, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 10,667,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/8.7
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/064 with two windows, one for viewing and one for use during the welding process
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/067 with variable transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers

Abstract

A welding helmet (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) having a filter arrangment is disclosed. The welding helmet is provided with a main filter (102, 202, 302, 402, 502) and at least one auxiliary filter (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) separate from and positioned next to the main filter. The at least one auxiliary filter comprises an electro-optic element (10, 20) adapted to attenuate the transmission of optical radiation incident on the auxiliary filter.

Claims

1. A welding helmet having a filter arrangement comprising:

a main filter; and

at least one auxiliary filter separate from and positioned next to the main filter;

wherein at least one auxiliary filter comprises an electro-optic element adapted to attenuate transmission of optical radiation incident on the auxiliary filter.

2. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element comprises an optically responsive medium disposed between transparent substrates.

3. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optically responsive medium comprises a liquid crystal material.

4. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optically responsive medium comprises an electrochromic material.

5. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main filter comprises an electro-optic element.

6. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electro-optic element of the main filter comprises a liquid crystal material and at least one auxiliary filter comprises an electrochromic material.

7. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element is adapted to switch between a first state and at least a second state, wherein the second state attenuates the transmission of optical radiation incident on the auxiliary filter.

8. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary filter is adapted to be switched independently from the main filter.

9. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary filter is adapted to be switched in coordination with the main filter.

10. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one auxiliary filter is adapted to be switched manually.

11. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two auxiliary filters, at least one being disposed at a side of the main filter.

12. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one auxiliary filter is disposed in a peripheral vision area at a side of the main filter.

13. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least two auxiliary filters are switched independently from each other.

14. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one auxiliary filter is disposed above the main filter.

15. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one auxiliary filter is disposed below the main filter.

16. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a face shield capable of being raised and lowered while worn, the main filter and the at least one auxiliary filter being positioned in apertures of the face shield.

17. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first face shield and a second face shield movably attached to the first face shield, wherein the main filter is disposed in an aperture of the second face shield.

18. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 17, further comprising at least one auxiliary filter disposed in an aperture of the second face shield.

19. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 17, further comprising at least one auxiliary filter disposed in an aperture of the first face shield.

20. A welding helmet as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first face shield is capable of being raised and lowered while worn.