EP2428129A2 - Protective helmet; method for preventing or reducing head injury - Google Patents

Abstract

The protective helmet (6) comprises an outer shell (1) which is made of a hard material. The impact on a head (5), is received by an inner support unit which is arranged on an inner side of the outer shell. The inner support unit is divided in a shell-sided pad (7) and a head-sided pad (8). An independent claim is also included for a method for reducing or preventing a head injury.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a protective helmet, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for reducing or preventing a head injury, according to the preamble of claim 19.

There are a variety of protective helmets are known, which serve to protect the head of a wearer from injury. These protective helmets are adapted to the human head, which seen from above an oval shape, which can be distinguished in a "round oval" shape and a "long oval" shape. Conventional safety helmets take this form to be similar to the human head, but especially to look narrow. Only narrow helmets, which look small from the front, are on the market for sale. Round helmets look wide from the front and are not successful in the market.

As a rule, these protective helmets, which can be designed differently depending on the field of application, consist of an outer shell made of a hard material, which usually has an oval basic shape, and an impact on the head receiving, shock-absorbing internal support means on the inside the outer shell is arranged and on its human head facing side (inside) is also of oval shape. A disadvantage of these helmets, that although they protect against shocks that meet the helmet or his bump cap translationally, but not against rotational forces acting on impact, so it is e.g. In many accidents, despite the use of a protective helmet, severe head injuries occur.

In the European patent specification EP 0 790 787 B1 a protective headgear is described, on whose outer shell a sliding surface is arranged. On this sliding surface, a thin, tough skin is arranged, which slides on the hard outer shell of the protective helmet when impacted, thereby reducing a spin of the head caused by the impact, since the skin acts on the outside like the head of the human head. The disadvantage is that the external appearance of the protective helmet is negatively influenced by the skin.

In order not to adversely affect the appearance, is in the European patent specification EP 1 246 548 B1 a protective helmet is described in which a thin lubricious shell is inserted between the inner shell and the outer shell. Thus, the inner shell twists against the outer shell and reduces the introduced spins. Disadvantage of this solution is that the rotational movement is inhibited by the oval shape of the helmet in its general form.

In the European patent specification EP 696 34 862 T2 there is proposed a protective helmet in which the inside of the hard outer shell is disposed a synthetic resin foam inner support means, the inner support means being composed of a main insert part and a sub insert part fitted in a recess provided on the main insert part. The secondary insert part has a density that is 20% to 80% of the density of the main insert part. As a result, a good protective effect is achieved, this solution is very expensive.

The invention and its advantages

The protective helmet according to the invention, with the characterizing feature of claim 1, and the method according to the invention for reducing or preventing a head injury, with the characterizing feature of claim 19, have the advantage that by a division of the shock-absorbing or shock-absorbing and comforting internal support means, the liner , Comfort padding, protective padding, knobbed baskets and / or strapped carrying devices (eg spreaders, straps, headbands or the like) may have, in a shell-side insert and a head-side insert, which are rotatable against each other (preferably from a certain force) in at least one direction Sliding surface is present, which is the function assumes a rotational surface, so that the introduced by a blow rotational acceleration is greatly reduced or prevented, since the head-side insert and the shell-side insert and thus the head of the wearer and the helmet outer shell against each other quickly and without inhibition are preferably rotatable in all directions. The division may relate to the shock-absorbing and / or the non-shock-absorbing part of the inner support device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the sliding surface is a spherical surface, which may also be defined only over partial regions of the hemisphere body, and / or a rotationally symmetrical body (for example ellipsoids of revolution, etc.).

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the head-side insert and the shell-side insert have different densities. The inner support means may be made of closed cellular and / or open cellular foams. In general, all materials that are suitable for shock absorption of protective helmets are conceivable. Included here are also soft foams, which are only for comfort padding, knobbed baskets or other carrying facilities.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention different densities occur within the head-side insert and / or within the shell-side insert. This will allow, depending on the geometry of the helmet in its different regions, where different requirements for the Strength of the material used, the material is adapted to these special requirements. In this case, the use of liners made of foams, preferably particle foams (particle foams), in particular foamed polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), polyurethane (PU), or the like, is advantageous. Generally, separate segments are made for the different regions. The density of the individual components is adapted to the regional differences. Subsequently, the components are joined by means of plugging, gluing or foaming.

Furthermore, it is also possible to use components that are multi-zone foamed (multi-density) with up to 3 different densities in one component; preferably as a dual-density liner. In this case, the density is varied in a two-stage process within a component. For the production of these components, the individual zones are delimited by slides. The zones are filled and prefabricated separately. During the molding process, the slides are pulled out of the tool and the beads of the individual zones are welded together to form a component. This method can be used to produce precisely defined areas of different densities. Alternatively, a component with different densities can also be produced in the single-stage process by selectively filling the tool areas, in part by utilizing the filling pressure or by means of an air curtain. In this process, it comes at the borders to a mixture of different prefoamed beads. This creates components with transitional areas of medium density at the zone boundaries.

Another advantage is the combination of both technologies. In this case, large segments are produced by means of multi-density methods, in particular dual-density methods, and combined with smaller segments of simple design.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the head-side insert and / or the shell-side insert on a surface that have no bumps by the spraying of the EPS process, because a process with locally nozzle-free tool is used or because a tool with a porous surface used becomes.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the head-side insert and / or the shell-side insert have a structured surface (golf ball). to lower the footprints of the dies of the EPS forming process and to prevent unevenness of the surface.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, an intermediate layer is arranged between the head-side insert and the shell-side insert. The intermediate layer could, if it is particularly stiff and made of carbon fiber, for example, have a positive effect on the shock absorption. Should there be no complete interlayer, for example, punctual, star-shaped or crosswise mounted sliding points are conceivable. It is also conceivable that the intermediate layer may be a liquid or a gel. The viscosity of the liquid or gel is in this case adjusted so that you can achieve different coefficients of friction (shear values) and thus also various accelerations with their help. This sets the rotation acceleration curve.

According to a related advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the intermediate layer is firmly connected to the head-side insert or the shell-side insert.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the intermediate layer is harder than the head-side insert.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the head-side insert and the shell-side insert are connected to each other by at least one connecting means. It is conceivable that this connecting means can be a pressed-EPS body, which can also absorb energy for shock absorption (keyword: fixed storage). It is also conceivable that this connection means may be a spring damper system, which resets the system in its initial position. A preferred embodiment may be rubber bands (for example in double T form) (keyword: floating storage).

According to a related advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the connecting means has at least one predetermined breaking point.

This Sollbrauchstelle can also be a textile structure that ruptures at a controlled force. The predetermined breaking point can also be in the connecting means, preferably also an EPS cylinder or cone (dowel). This cylinder is preferably adjusted with respect to its breakaway force exactly to the respective test standard. Variations are conceivable on density, bead size and diameter of the predetermined breaking point, wherein the defined breakaway can also take place via a metal cutting plate.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the head-side insert on its side facing the shell-side insert at least one survey.

According to a related advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the survey has at least one predetermined breaking point. The execution of this predetermined breaking point can be such that a signal is triggered when breaking the predetermined breaking point. This can be used to signal that the system was in operation and the helmet is no longer usable. In addition, however, an SOS emergency call signal can also be sent

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the survey cooperates with a damping means. Preferably, a constructive element is arranged around the elevation which holds the trays in position and collapses in a controlled manner upon impact.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the survey projects into the shell-side insert.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, an indicator indicates a twisting and / or an existing rotation of the shell-side insert to the head-side insert. The indicator is preferably visible to the outside and / or inside and indicates that the system has been triggered. This is particularly important after an accident, because from the outside hard hats often look undamaged, even though they have to absorb high energy. The indicator indicates that the system has moved and therefore has taken up rotational energy.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the head-side insert and / or the shell-side insert as a carrying device a knobbed basket or the like. on.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention the protective helmet is a motorcycle helmet, car helmet, winter sports helmet (ski and snowboard helmet), riding helmet, bicycle helmet, mountaineering helmet, safety helmet, police helmet, fire helmet, jet fighter, military helmet or the like.

Preferably, a molded part can be joined to the shell, if at the edges of the two shells (the head-side insert and the shell-side insert), the wall thickness of the EPS Part is too small. This molding can support the smooth sliding of the system, but also in addition functional parts of the helmet (eg foams, belts, textile components) record.

Preferably, a chinstrap attachment point (KBP) may be located near the fulcrum of the rotation system (RDP), or at least on the bond line between a chinstrap attachment point (KBP) and a chinstrap support point (KAP). By means of an additional functional part, the position of the chin strap in the case of the rotational function can be brought to the connecting line of the (RDP) and the resting point of the chin strap (KAP).

In another advantageous arrangement, the chin strap may be mounted on a rotation line about the pivot of the rotation system. On this line, the chin strap can always remain at the same distance from the rotation pivot point. For particularly large displacements of the chin strap slips against a stop and then tightens controlled. This arrangement fulfills the function of a belt tensioner during impact with rotational movement.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention for reducing or preventing a head injury caused by a rotational movement causing impact, by means of a protective helmet, the protective helmet having an outer shell made of a hard material and an upside-down inner support device, which is arranged on the inside of the outer shell, and wherein the Innentrageeinrichtung is divided into a shell-side insert and a head-side insert, wherein the side facing away from the head side of the head-side insert at least partially has a spherical surface and the facing sides of the head-side insert and the shell-side insert at least partially correspond to each other, so that by the impending blow the When the tray-side insert is rotated with respect to the head-side insert, a protective helmet according to one of claims 1 to 18 is used.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention are the following description, the drawings and claims removed.

drawing

Fig. 1 und 2

Schnittzeichnungen eines herkömmlichen Schutzhelms,

Fig. 3 und 4

Schnittzeichnungen einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 5

eine Explosionszeichnung einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 6 und 7

Schnittzeichnungen des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 5,

Fig. 8 bis 10

die Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 5 bei einem Schlag von hinten,

Fig. 11

die Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 5 bei einem Schlag von vorne,

Fig. 12

eine Schnittzeichnung einer dritten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 13

die Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 12 bei einem Schlag von vorne,

Fig. 14

eine Schnittzeichnung einer vierten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 15

die Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 14 bei einem Schlag von vorne,

Fig. 16

eine Schnittzeichnung einer fünften Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 17

die Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 16 bei einem Schlag von hinten,

Fig. 18 und 19

eine Frontansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 20

die Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 18 bei einem Schlag von der Seite,

Fig. 21

eine Schnittzeichnung einer sechsten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 22

eine Explosionszeichnung einer Innentrageeinrichtung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes,

Fig. 23 bis 25

Detailansichten der Innentrageeinrichtung gemäß Fig. 22,

Fig. 26

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes mit einer Innentrageeinrichtung gemäß Fig. 22 und

Fig. 27

die Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzhelmes gemäß Fig. 22 bei einem Schlag von hinten.

Embodiments of the subject invention are illustrated in the drawing and are explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1 and 2

Sectional drawings of a conventional safety helmet,

3 and 4

Sectional drawings of a first embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention,

Fig. 5

an exploded view of a second embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention,

6 and 7

Sectional drawings of the protective helmet according to the invention Fig. 5 .

Fig. 8 to 10

the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention according to Fig. 5 in a blow from behind,

Fig. 11

the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention according to Fig. 5 in a blow from the front,

Fig. 12

a sectional view of a third embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention,

Fig. 13

the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention according to Fig. 12 in a blow from the front,

Fig. 14

a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention,

Fig. 15

the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention according to Fig. 14 in a blow from the front,

Fig. 16

a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention,

Fig. 17

the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention according to Fig. 16 in a blow from behind,

FIGS. 18 and 19

a front view of a protective helmet according to the invention,

Fig. 20

the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention according to Fig. 18 with a blow from the side,

Fig. 21

a sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a protective helmet according to the invention,

Fig. 22

an exploded view of an inner support means of a protective helmet according to the invention,

FIGS. 23 to 25

Detail views of the interior carrying device according to Fig. 22 .

Fig. 26

a perspective view of a protective helmet according to the invention with an inner support device according to Fig. 22 and

Fig. 27

the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention according to Fig. 22 in a blow from behind.

Description of the embodiments

The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show sectional drawings of a conventional safety helmet. This consists of a hard outer shell 1, on the inside 2 of the inner support means 3 is arranged. The inner support means 3 has an inner side 4, whose oval shape to a human head 5 (see Fig. 2 ) is adjusted.

The FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 Sectional drawings of a first embodiment of a protective helmet 6 according to the invention. The shock-absorbing or shock-absorbing and comfort-giving internal support device surrounded by the hard, outer shell 1 is subdivided into a shell-side insert 7 and a top-side insert 8, wherein the head 5 (see FIG Fig. 4 ) facing away from outer side 9 of the head-side insert 8 at least partially has a spherical surface and the outer side 9 of the head-side insert 8 with the inner side 2 of the shell-side insert 7 corresponds.

The shell-side insert 7 and the head-side insert 8 of the inner support device are preferably connected to each other so that they can move freely in all directions against each other, so that they form a movable system. It is preferably provided that after a shift, a return to the starting position. This can be done for example by a elastic layer or an elastic band can be effected. The release force of the system is always smaller than the force to return the system to the starting position.

Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of a protective helmet 6. According to this embodiment, an intermediate layer 10, which has an inner side 11 and an outer side 12 and is preferably made of a harder material disposed between the head-side insert 8 and the shell-side insert. The outer side 13 of the shell-side insert 7 corresponds to the inner side 2 of the outer shell 1. Similarly, correspond to the inside 2 of the shell-side insert 7 with the outside 12 of the intermediate layer 10 and the outside 9 of the head-side insert 8 with the inside 11 of the intermediate layer 10. Die Intermediate layer 10 is firmly connected to the shell-side insert 7 or the head-side insert 8.

The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show sectional drawings of the protective helmet 6 according to the invention Fig. 5 , The shell-side insert 7 is rotatable about a pivot point 14 on the head-side insert 8.

The Fig. 8 to Fig. 10 show the operation of the protective helmet 6 according to the invention Fig. 5 , In a blow from behind, the head-side insert 8 together with the outer shell 1 rotates about the pivot point 14 in the direction of arrow 15 forward. Likewise, the head-side insert 8 together with the outer shell 1 is at a take place in the direction of arrow 16 impact on a floor 17th and thus an associated force of force in the direction of arrow 18 in the direction of arrow 15 is rotated forward.

The Fig. 11 shows the operation of the protective helmet 6 according to the invention Fig. 5 , In a stroke from the front, the head-side insert 8 together with the outer shell 1 rotates about the pivot point 14 in the direction of arrow 19 to the rear.

Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of a protective helmet 6. According to the invention, the head-side insert 8 and the shell-side insert 7 are connected to each other by means of connecting means 20. The connecting means 20 have predetermined breaking points 21 which, for example, break when they strike from the front, so that the head-side insert 8 together with the outer shell 1 rotates about the pivot point 14 in the direction of the arrow 19 towards the rear ( Fig. 13 ).

Fig. 14 shows a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a protective helmet 6. According to the invention, the head-side insert 8 has a projection 22 which projects into the region of the shell-side insert 7 on. The elevation 22 is surrounded by a damping means 23 which is pressed together in a stroke from the front, while the head-side insert 8 together with the outer shell 1 rotates about the pivot point 14 in the direction of arrow 19 to the rear ( Fig. 15 ). In order to let the forces be equally strong in each direction of movement, the damping means 23 may preferably be a foam ring which is introduced, for example, cylindrically in the upper region of the protective helmet 6.

Fig. 16 shows a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a protective helmet 6. According to the invention, the head-side insert 8 has two elevations 22. The elevations 22 have predetermined breaking points 21, for example, break in a blow from behind, so that the head-side insert 8 together with the outer shell 1 about the pivot point 14 in the direction of arrow 15 rotates forward ( Fig. 17 ).

Fig. 18 and 19 It is clear that the head-side insert 8 and the shell-side insert 7 have a common pivot point 14, so that, for example, in a side impact, the head-side insert 8 together with the outer shell 1 about the pivot point 14 in the direction of arrow 24th twisted ( Fig. 20 ).

Fig. 21 shows a sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a protective helmet 6 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the head-side insert 8 and the shell-side insert 7 knobbed baskets.

The Fig. 22 shows an exploded view of an inner support means of a protective helmet 6. In this conceivable embodiment of the inner support means between the head-side insert 8 and the shell-side insert 7, an intermediate layer 10, which has an inner side 11 and an outer side 12 and is preferably made of a harder material arranged. The outer side 13 of the shell-side insert 7 corresponds to the inner side 2 of the outer shell 1. Likewise correspond to the inner side 2 of the shell-side insert 7 with the outer side 12 of the intermediate layer 10 and the outer side 9 of The inner layer 11 has the inner side 11 of the intermediate layer 10. The intermediate layer 10 has bands 25 fixed by pins 25, which preferably have a fastening means 27, and an edge 28, into which the shell-side insert 7 can be inserted. A holder 29, which has an edge 30 into which the head-side insert 8 can be inserted, serves to fix the head-side insert 8.

The FIGS. 23 to 25 show detailed views of the inner support device according to Fig. 22 , The fastening means 27 can be fixed to the holder 29 in holes 31.

Fig. 26 shows a perspective view of a protective helmet according to the invention with an inner support device according to Fig. 22 and Fig. 27 shows the operation of the protective helmet according to the invention Fig. 22 in a blow from behind.

All features shown here may be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Outer shell

2

inside

3

Internal support means

4

inside

5

head

6

helmet

7

Bowl-side insert

8th

Head-side insert

9

outside

10

interlayer

11

inside

12

outside

13

outside

14

pivot point

15

arrow

16

arrow

17

ground

18

arrow

19

arrow

20

connecting means

21

Breaking point

22

survey

23

damping means

24

arrow

25

pen

26

tape

27

fastener

28

edge

29

bracket

30

edge

31

hole

Claims (20)

Protective helmet (6) for a head (5), - With an outer shell made of a hard material (1) and - with an impact on the head (5) receiving internal support means (3) which is arranged on the inside (2) of the outer shell (1), characterized,
that the internal support means (2) in a shell-side liner (7) and a head-side liner (8) is divided, facing away from the head (5) side of the head-side liner (8) at least partially comprises a sliding surface and the mutually facing sides of the head-side Insert (8) and the shell-side insert (7) at least partially correspond to each other and the shell-side insert (7) in relation to the head-side insert (8) is rotatable in at least one direction. Protective helmet (6), according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding surface is a spherical surface and / or a rotationally symmetrical body. Protective helmet (6) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the head-side insert (8) and the shell-side insert (7) have different densities. Protective helmet (6), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different densities occur within the head-side insert (8) and / or within the shell-side insert (7). Protective helmet (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head-side insert (8) and / or the shell-side insert (7) have a surface without unevenness. Protective helmet (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head-side insert (8) and / or the shell-side insert (7) have a structured surface (golf ball). to lower the footprints of the dies of the EPS forming process and to prevent unevenness of the surface Protective helmet (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate layer (10) is arranged between the head-side insert (8) and the shell-side insert (7). Protective helmet (6), according to claim 7, characterized in that the intermediate layer (10) is fixedly connected to the head-side insert (8) or the shell-side insert (7). Protective helmet (6) according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the intermediate layer (10) is harder than the head-side insert (8). Protective helmet (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head-side insert (8) and the shell-side insert (7) by at least one connecting means (20) are interconnected. Protective helmet (6), according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting means (20) has at least one predetermined breaking point (21). Protective helmet (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head-side insert (8) on its side facing the shell-side insert (7) side facing at least one elevation (22). Protective helmet (6), according to claim 12, characterized in that the elevation (22) has at least one predetermined breaking point (21). Protective helmet (6), according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the elevation (22) cooperates with a damping means (23). Protective helmet (6) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the elevation (22) projects into the shell-side insert (7). Protective helmet (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an indicator indicates a twisting and / or an existing rotation of the shell-side insert (7) to the head-side insert (8). Protective helmet (6), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head-side insert (8) and / or the shell-side insert (7) or the like has a knobbed basket. having. Protective helmet (6), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective helmet (6) a car helmet, winter sports helmet, riding helmet, bicycle helmet, mountaineering helmet, safety helmet, police helmet, fire helmet, jet fighter, military helmet or the like. is. A method of reducing or preventing a head injury caused by a rotational impact, by means of a protective helmet (6), the protective helmet (6) comprising an outer shell (1) made of a hard material and an impact on the head (5) receiving internal support means (3) which is arranged on the inside (2) of the outer shell (1),
characterized,
that the inner support means (3) in a shell-side liner (7) and a head-side liner (8) is divided, facing away from the head (5) side of the head-side liner (8) at least partially has a spherical surface and the mutually facing sides of the head-side Insert (8) and the shell-side insert (7) at least partially correspond to each other, so that the shell-side insert (7) is rotated in relation to the head-side insert (8) by the impact striking. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that a protective helmet (6) according to one of claims 1 to 18 is used.

Images