EP3790421B1

EP3790421B1 - Support for carrying a sensor system of a fireman's helmet

Info

Publication number: EP3790421B1
Application number: EP19724334.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hermann Oberwalder
Original assignee: Leader Photonics GmbH
Current assignee: Leader Photonics GmbH
Priority date: 2018-05-08
Filing date: 2019-04-24
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-24
Also published as: WO2019213679A1; EP3790421A1; AT521239A1; AT521239B1; EP3790421C0

Description

The invention concerns a support for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging device, the support being adapted to be detachably connected to a headpiece, in particular a helmet like a fireman's helmet.
Furthermore, the invention concerns a method of mounting a support for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging system on a headpiece, for example a helmet.
Firemen are exposed to thermally heavy and dangerous conditions in firefighting missions. For such missions, firemen need a suited protective clothing which withstands temperatures of at least several hundred degrees. Beside shoes, a protective suit and fire resistant gloves, the protective equipment also comprises a fireman's helmet.
A fireman's helmet protects the head of a fireman with the exception of the face. In the face region, a breathing mask may be placed if additional safety is needed. The breathing mask is then positioned on the head before the helmet is put on.
In a fire emergency case, firemen have often to enter rooms without having any indications of the temperature in the rooms and/or special conditions. For example, in a closed room, exceptionally high temperatures could be given which are much higher than the temperatures in the surrounding rooms. Therefore, firemen often use thermal imaging systems in order to scan the temperature in a room before entering the same. Such thermal imaging systems usually comprise a thermal imaging camera and a display unit. The thermal imaging camera is connected with suited means to the display unit so that the temperature sensed by the thermal imaging camera is suitably displayed as an image or a numerical output on the display unit.
From the prior art, hand-held thermal imaging devices are known. However, such devices have the drawback that at least one hand of a fireman is at least for the time of a measurement blocked for any other operation. Although a thermal measurement with a hand-held thermal imaging device will usually take only a short time, this drawback is essential as in an emergency case an actually not dangerous situation can change within seconds.
For the reasons outlined in the foregoing paragraph, thermal imaging systems have been developed which are positionable on a fireman's helmet. Document WO 95/31909 A1 discloses such a thermal imaging system which can be mounted detachably on a fireman's helmet. The thermal imaging system is in top view generally u-shaped and mounted on a back side of the helmet. However, such a device needs a modification of the original helmet so that the device can be mounted on the helmet by a connector.
A modification of a helmet for mounting a thermal imaging device is a possible solution for providing a hands-free device. However, any modification of a helmet needs an approval of the helmet according to DIN EN 443. Therefore, each helmet which is modified for such a thermal imaging system has to be individually approved.
From the prior art, several further thermal imaging devices are known which avoid the foregoing problem of an approval of the helmet. For example, document WO 00/45211 A1 discloses a thermal imaging apparatus intended for mounting on a protective safety helmet. The device according to this document comprises a battery pack and a thermal imaging camera arranged in a u-shape form around the helmet. A so-called registration section is mounted centrally in a center region of the front of the helmet and can be pivoted to be positioned in front of a wearer's eyes. However, this device needs a brim adapted to fit an outer surface of the helmet. Moreover, the registration device is mounted centrally on the front side of the helmet which is a disadvantage for several reasons: Firstly, if pivoted down to be in the wearer's view of sight, the view of the surrounding room is limited for the wearer. Secondly, as the registration section is on the top of the helmet, it is in an inactive position outside the view of the wearer implicating the risk that hanging down cables may untangle the registration section. Moreover, as the registration device is mounted on the front top of the helmet, this leads to an unfavourable weight distribution of the thermal imaging device as the center of gravity is not in the center of the helmet. In addition, a thermal imaging camera fixed on the forehead as part of f a firefighter's helmet is exposed to very high temperatures. This induces a bigger thermal stress on the electronics as well as mechanical elements.
Document CN 106666909 A discloses a further thermal imaging system comprising a thermal imaging camera and a battery pack, the system being arranged in a u-shaped form around the helmet. The device is positioned with sucking caps on the helmet. Therefore, the helmet does not need any modification for positioning the device. However, the display unit has to be located in a breathing mask. Moreover, after positioning the device on the helmet, it seems not to be possible to easily move the thermal imaging camera for a measurement.
Also known are night vision systems which are detachably mountable on a helmet. Such devices are disclosed in documents US 5,467,479 , WO 94/01011 A1 and EP 1 832 189 A1 . However, these night vision systems use large cameras which are positioned on the front end of the helmet and, therefore, lead to an unfavourable weight distribution of the device acting on the wearer's head.
FR 2 934 474 discloses a support for carrying a sensor, being detachably connectable to a fireman's helmet. The support comprises a U-shaped base unit.
It is an object of the invention to provide a support for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging system which can be mounted on a headpiece like a helmet, in particular a fireman's helmet, in the original state of the headpiece and which provides a suited weight balance for the wearer together with a flexibility for components of the sensor system, e.g., of a thermal imaging camera as well as the corresponding display unit, during its use.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of mounting a support for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging system on a headpiece, for example a helmet. To achieve the foregoing objects, the invention provides a support for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging system, the support being adapted to be detachably connected to a headpiece, in particular a helmet like a fireman's helmet, the support comprising a securing unit adapted to be fastened to the headpiece, the securing unit comprising means for detachably fastening the securing unit to the headpiece, in particular without modifying the headpiece, a base unit connected to the securing unit or being part of the same, arms comprising first ends and second ends and extending laterally from the base unit in a generally u-shaped form so that the second ends are positioned around a wearer's ears wherein the arms comprise a mounting adapter for pivotably mounting components of the sensor system.
A support according to the invention can be detachably mounted on a headpiece, in particular a fireman's helmet. The securing unit, in turn, allows to connect a base unit.
This base unit carries and/or is connected with arms, the arms having first ends and second ends and extending laterally from the base unit in a generally u-shaped form. As the second ends of the arms are positioned around a wearer's ears, mounted elements like a thermal imaging camera and a display unit are optimally positioned as regards a center of gravity. Moreover, as adapters are provided in the region of the second ends of the arms which adapters allow pivotally mounting elements like a thermal imaging camera and/or a display device, much more flexibility is given in use than for prior art supports. For example, the thermal imaging camera can be pivoted to locate certain regions of a room like the floor or the ceiling. The same holds for the display unit which can be also pivoted. In addition, it is possible to pivot the display unit down towards the upper body so that a wearer has a full view in case no thermal imaging is desired. Moreover, the thermal imaging system is located around the wearer's ears, hence, relatively low. In this position thermal stress is reduced when compared with a position on the forehead of a fireman's helmet.
Generally, both arms are provided with adapters, although for certain applications it could be sufficient to provide only one of the arms with an adapter.
The securing unit may comprise means for detachably fastening the securing unit to the headpiece wherein these means are adapted to fasten the securing unit to the headpiece by a tensile force. In this context, means for detachably fastening the securing unit to the headpiece can comprise a securing band. Generally, the securing band is made of a woven textile, which is a heat, shock and abrasion resistant textile. The securing band can be fixed on different and opposing locations of the edges of a helmet and can be tensioned by a suitable tightener. The tightener may form a part of the securing unit. The tightener can be, for example, a tension latch which allows to adjust the length of the securing band and to fix the securing band close-fittingly to the helmet.
The securing unit may itself be fixed on a headpiece and the base unit may then be connected to the already secured securing unit. Alternatively, the securing unit can be connected to the base unit so that the base unit forms a part of the securing unit and is fastened together with the latter on the headpiece. In this case, the fastening force acts on the securing unit and the base unit connected with the securing unit. If, for example, a tensioning mechanism is applied, for example by a suited tensioning unit, the securing unit and the base unit are then fastened together by a tension force. In other words: As the base unit is part of the securing unit, the base unit is actively integrated in the fastening process and fastening forces are also acting on the base unit. If the base unit is mounted on the securing unit as a separate element, no fastening forces as regards the fastening of the securing unit together with the base unit on the headpiece are acting on the base unit.
Independently of the tensioning element or tightener, the securing band can comprise a first end and a second end wherein the first end is connected to hooks and the second is connected to the base unit, wherein the base unit comprises further hooks, the hooks are being adapted to enclose an edge of the headpiece. The securing band can then engage the headpiece on a first position, for example on a front side of the headpiece, and the further hooks of the base unit on a second position, for example on a back side of the headpiece. By adjusting a tensile force by the tensioning element or tightener, the securing band together with the base unit can be secured to the headpiece. In this respect but also in other embodiments, it is preferred that the securing band and the base unit are adapted to be fixed between a front edge of the headpiece and the lower back edge of the same. Further, in this embodiment, the base unit is preferably positioned at the lower back of the headpiece. The arms extend then in u-shape around a lower portion of the headpiece along towards a position of the wearer's ears. This allows for an optimum control of the weight distribution of the sensor system.
According to the foregoing, the invention also comprises a thermal imaging system comprising a support as described in the foregoing wherein components of the thermal imaging system are pivotally mounted on the mounting adapters. A first component like a thermal imaging camera can be mounted directly or indirectly on the first arm and a second component like a display unit can be mounted directly or indirectly on a second arm.
Preferably, the base unit, the first component and the second component are substantially balanced in a plane so that the center of gravity of the thermal imaging system is located generally on an axis of gravity of a wearer.
As mentioned, each of the components of the sensor systems may be indirectly coupled to the adapter, in particular detachably. Therefore, the least one of the components may comprise a further arm, the further arm comprising a first end and a second end, wherein a display unit is connected at the second end of the further arm. In one embodiment, the display unit is pivotally connected to the second end, in particular by a first pivot. This allows the display unit to be turned down by rotation around the adapter, but also allows to adjust the display unit for an optimal view.
In one embodiment, the further arm comprises at least two further arm parts which are connected pivotally. This embodiment is particularly useful for a display unit to be mounted on the further arm as a further degree of freedom is given for the adjustment of the display unit. For even more flexibility, the further arm can comprises at least two further arm parts which are connected pivotally and wherein a second pivot between the further arm parts comprises two axis of rotation.
Furthermore, the invention comprises a helmet, in particular a fireman's helmet, the helmet comprising a thermal imaging system as described before.
In a further aspect, the invention comprises a method of mounting a support for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging system on a headpiece, for example a helmet, the method comprising the steps of providing a headpiece, providing a support according to the invention, and fastening the securing unit to the headpiece.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a helmet with a thermal imaging system;
Fig. 2 shows a back side of the helmet according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a top view of the helmet according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of a portion of an edge of a back side of a helmet;
Fig. 5 shows an end of an arm engaging with an edge of the helmet;
Fig. 6 shows an example of a further helmet comprising an arm with a magnetically acting adapter;
Fig. 7 shows the helmet of Fig. 6 with a thermal imaging camera attached thereto;
Fig. 8 shows an exploded drawing of the adapter of the helmet according to Fig. 6 and 7 together with a thermal imaging camera;
Fig. 9 shows a further view of the adapter of Fig. 8 together with a thermal imaging camera;
Fig. 10 shows an exploded view of a component to be mounted on an adapter together with parts of the adapter;
Fig. 11 shows a component to be mounted comprising a mono-ocular display unit;
Fig. 12 shows a component to be mounted comprising a bi-ocular display unit.

In Fig. 1 a support 1 according to the invention is shown together with a thermal imaging system 2. The support 1 together with a thermal imaging system 2 is mounted on a headpiece 3. Furthermore, a breathing mask is shown.
The headpiece 3 according to Fig. 1 is typically a fireman's helmet. The fireman's helmet should generally not be changed by drilling or in any other ways for attaching devices. Otherwise, the fireman's helmet has to be approved individually in order to comply with DIN EN 443.
The support 1 comprises a securing unit 4. The securing unit 4 itself comprises a securing band 43. The securing band can be made of a heat resistant woven fabric. The securing band 43 is suited to be continuously positioned on the outer surface of the headpiece 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the securing band 43 has two parts which merge on the front side 11 of the headpiece 3 into one v-shaped part which carries a hook 8a. The hook 8a is adapted to engage with a front edge 9 of the headpiece 3. On the back side, which is shown in the Fig. 2, the securing band 43 engages with a base unit 5. The base unit 5 itself is connected to two further hooks 8b which engage with a lower back side edge 10 of the headpiece 3. In this way, as can be seen from Fig. 3, the support unit 1 extends from the front side 11 of the headpiece 3 over the top of the headpiece down to a lower back side 12 of the same. In order to fasten the support 1 securely to the headpiece 3, the support 1 further comprises a tensioning unit so that the securing band 43 can be tensioned as soon as the hook 8 on the front edge 11 of the headpiece 3 (see Fig. 1) and the two further hooks 8b on the lower back side 12 of the headpiece 3 (see Fig. 2) engage loosely with the corresponding front edge 9 and the lower back side edge 10 of the headpiece 3. The support 1 is then secured to the headpiece 3. This does not need any modification of the headpiece 3. Quite in contrast, by adapting the securing band 43 together with the base unit 5 to the shape of the headpiece 3, as exemplified in Fig. 1 and 3, the support 1 can be adapted to fit any fireman's helmet or generally headpiece 3. When fastened, a first end 41 and a second end 42 of the securing unit 4 engage with edges of the headpiece 3 and the securing unit 4 is positioned for mounting a first component 13 and second component 14 of a sensor system, for example, a display unit 21 and a thermal imaging camera 22 of the thermal imaging system 2.
As shown in Fig. 2, the base unit 5 serves to carry two arms 6, 7. The first arm 6 extends along a lower edge of the headpiece 3 from the base unit 5 towards about a position of a first ear of a wearer. The second arm 7 extends on the opposite lower side of the headpiece 3 to a position of the opposite ear of the wearer.
As shown in Fig. 3, the first arm 6 comprises a first end 61 and a second end 62. The second end 62 carries a mounting adapter 63, on which a first component 13 of the thermal imaging system 2 can be mounted. The first component 13 is usually a thermal imaging camera 22. The second arm 7 on the opposite side of the helmet comprises also a first end 71 and a second end 72 with an adapter 73 which allows a second component 14 to be mounted, usually a display unit 22. Both adapters 63, 73 are designed so that after mounting the components 13, 14 can be pivoted around a certain angle, for example from -60° to 60° from a horizontal base plane defined by the arms 6, 7.
Fig. 4 and 5 show the back side engagement of the hooks 8 with the lower back side edge 10 of the headpiece 3 (Fig. 5) and an engagement of the second end 62 of the first arm 6 by a hook 8c on a front side edge of the headpiece 3. Whereas the back side engagement is in any case necessary, the engagement of the hook 8c as shown in Fig. 5 is optionally. Whether this additional engagement is necessary depends on the rigidity of the arms 6, 7. If very rigid arms 6, 7 are used, it is not necessary to additionally engage the second ends 62, 72 additionally with hooks 8c. However, if for example a flexible material is chosen for the arms 6, 7, like spring steel, it may be beneficial to additionally secure the second ends 62, 72 of the arms 6, 7 additional by hooks 8c as depicted for example in Fig. 5.
Fig. 6 and 7 show perspective views of a headpiece 3 with a support 1 from below. As is clearly visible, the support 1 engages on the lower back side 12 the lower back side edge 10. Moreover, the position of the batteries mounted on the base unit 5 is seen.
The adapter 63 shown in Fig. 6 acts by a magnetic force. Fig. 8 shows the structure of this adapter 63 in more detail. The adapter 63 comprises a housing 631 which hosts a steel plate 632 and a steel bolt 633. The thermal imaging camera 22 or component 13 comprises on the matching side a recess equipped with a magnet so that a component 13 of the sensor system can be located with its recess on the steel bolt 633 and is then hold by the same. Moreover, the steel plate 632 can be pivoted so that the thermal imaging camera 22 is pivoted, too. Usually, an angle for pivoting is set to a maximum of 90°. Pivoting of the component 13 is easily achieved by a lever 635. For electrically connecting the thermal imaging camera 22 with connecting cables to the base unit 5, interacting sliding contacts 636 are provided on an inner side of the component 13. The sliding contacts interact with spring pins 634 which are in electrical contact with the base unit 5. For an opposite adapter 73 and a component 14, the same configuration can be used as regards the coupling between the adapters 63, 73 and the components 13, 14.
Alternatively, the adapters 63, 73 may be designed to receive the components 13, 14 by a force fit and/or a form fit without any magnetic force acting. In any case, the adapters 63, 73 provide a pivot so that the components 13, 14 can be pivoted about certain angles as outlined above. This allows pivoting the display unit against the upper body if the display unit is not used. Moreover, thermal imaging camera 22 can be pivoted which is necessary when a fireman has to crawl in a surrounding having a low height.
Moreover, the adapters 6, 7 are preferably designed so that the components 13, 14 detach automatically if a certain force acts on the same. This provides security in emerging situations when one of the components 13, 14 is for example entangled by a cable. In this case, the components 13, 14 detach automatically so that the risk of an injury of the wearer or an entanglement of the same is minimized.
In Fig. 10 an assembly 16 is shown. The assembly 16 allows for rotation of a further arm 15 of a second component 14 around an adapter 6, 7. The assembly 16 comprises a housing 165. The housing 165 takes up one or more pins 164, the latter comprising moving stops. On the pins 164 springs 163 are positioned. Furthermore, one or more breaks 162 are positioned at one end of the pins 164. In addition, the assembly 16 comprises one or more knobs 161. When assembled to the assembly 16, the springs 163 are acting on the breaks 162 which are pushed radially outward by the springs 163. With the knobs 161 the breaks 162 can be pressed down against the spring force of the springs 163. Hence, the breaks 162 can be radially moved by pushing the knobs 161 downwardly.
A ring 167 and a sealing member 166 for the ring 167 are positioned on an adapter 6, 7. On an inner surface, the ring 167 comprises a grip 168. This grip 168 interacts with an outer surface of the breaks 162 which comprise protrusions 169 on an outer surface of the breaks 162. When mounting the assembly 16 together with the further arm 15 and the display unit 21, the knobs 161 are pressed against each other so that the breaks 162 are moving radially inwardly. In this position, the assembly 16 can be inserted through the sealing member 166 into the ring 167 which is positioned on an adapter 6, 7. After releasing the knobs 161, the breaks 162 are moving radially outwardly so that the protrusions 169 of the breaks 162 interact with the grip 168 of the ring 167. The assembly 16 together with the arm 15 is then mechanically connected to the adapter 6, 7. The arm 15 can be moved radially against certain positions of the grip 168. However, principally it is also possible that the ring 167 is provided without the grip 168 and that the breaks 162 interact with the inner surface of the ring 167 only by a friction force.
Fig. 11 and 12 show a second component 14 comprising a display unit 21. In Fig. 11, the display unit is a mono-ocular unit. In Fig. 12, the display unit 21 is a bi-ocular unit. The bi-ocular unit in Fig. 12 is comprised of two individual units. Both units can be coupled together in a single bi-ocular display unit 21 if desired. Generally, each display unit 21 is a combination of a micro display with optical lenses. This allows a fire fighter to have a virtual image at a distance between 0.3 m at least and infinity which does not require any adaption time of the brain to focus on the display unit (quite near to the eye) and on the surrounding environment (several meters distance from the firefighter's eyes).
As shown in Fig. 11, the further arm 15 comprises a first end 151 and second end 152. On the second end 152, the display unit 21 is mounted pivotally. The further arm 15 provides several axes of rotation for the display unit 21. Firstly, the display unit 21 can be pivoted about a first pivot 155. The first pivot 155 is usually a ball joint. Secondly, a first arm part 153 and a second arm part 154 can be pivoted about a second pivot 156. The second pivot 156 is located at the connection between the first arm part 153 and the second arm part 154. Finally, the arm 15 can be pivoted about a cert pivot 157 which is provided by assembly 16 (see Fig. 10).
In use, the pivots 155, 156, 157 allow a maximum of flexibility to a just the display unit 21. The further arm 15 can be turned up and down by pivoting about the third pivot 157. This allows positioning the display unit 21 before the wearer's eyes but also to turn down the second component 14 towards an upper body of the wearer if the display unit 21 is not needed. Furthermore, the second pivot 156 allows pivoting the second arm part 154 about two axes X1, X2. This provides flexibility in particular with respect to the use of a breathing mask. As the second arm part 154 can be pivoted about the axes X1, X2, the second arm part 154 can be positioned in front of a breathing mask. Finally, the third pivot 157 allows a fine adjustment of the display unit 21 when the same is needed.
The pivots 155, 156, 157 are adjusted so that the first pivot 155 needs less force than the second pivot 156 and the latter less force than the pivot 157 for movement. Hence, a rough adjustment of the second component 14 or the arm 15 is provided by the second pivot 156 and the third pivot 157. A fine adjustment for an optimum imaging is then provided by the first pivot 155.
In any case, the support 1 and the thermal imaging system 2 are designed to withstand high temperatures during operation, in particular to be in conformity with the NFPA 1801 Heat Resistance Test.

Claims

Support (1) for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging system (2), the support (1) being adapted to be detachably connected to a headpiece (3), in particular a helmet like a fireman's helmet, the support (1) comprising:
a securing unit (4) adapted to be fastened to the headpiece (3), the securing unit (4) comprising means for detachably fastening the securing unit (4) to the headpiece (3), in particular without modifying the headpiece (3);

a base unit (5) connected to the securing unit (4) or being part of the same;

arms (6, 7) comprising first ends (61, 71) and second ends (62, 72) and extending laterally from the base unit (5) in a generally u-shaped form so that the second ends (62, 72) are positioned around a wearer's ears characterized in that the arms (6, 7) comprise a mounting adapter (63, 73) for pivotably mounting components (13, 14) of the sensor system.
Support (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for detachably fastening are adapted to fasten the securing unit (4) to the headpiece (3) by a tensile force.
Support (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for detachably fastening comprises a securing band (43).
Support (1) according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the means for detachably fastening further comprise a tensioning unit.
Support (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the securing band (43) comprises a first end (41) and a second end (42), wherein the first end (41) is connected to hooks (8a) and the second end (42) is connected to the base unit (5) and wherein the base unit (5) comprises further hooks (8b), the hooks (8a, 8b) being adapted to enclose an edge of the headpiece (3).
Support (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the securing band (43) and the base unit (5) are adapted to be fixed between a front edge (9) of the headpiece (3) and a lower back edge (10) of the same.
Support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the base unit (5) is positioned to be fixed on the lower back side (12) of the headpiece (3).
Thermal imaging system (2) comprising a support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein components (13, 14) of the thermal imaging system (2) are pivotably mounted on the mounting adapters (63, 73).
Thermal imaging system (2) according to claim 8, wherein a first component (13), notably a thermal imaging camera (22), is mounted on a first arm (6) and a second component (14), notably a component (14) comprising a display unit (21), is mounted on a second arm (7).
Thermal imaging system (2) according to claims 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the components (13, 14) comprises a further arm (15), the further arm (15) comprising a first end (151) and a second end (152), wherein a display unit (21) is connected at the second end (152).
Thermal imaging system (2) according to claim 10, wherein the display unit (21) is pivotally connected to the second end (152) of the further arm (15), in particular by a first pivot (155).
Thermal imaging system (2) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the further arm (15) comprises at least two further arm parts (153, 154) which are connected pivotally.
Thermal imaging system (2) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the further arm (15) comprises at least two further arm parts (153, 154) which are connected pivotally and wherein a second pivot (156) between the further arm parts (153, 154) comprises two axes (X1, X2) of rotation.
Helmet, in particular a fireman's helmet, comprising a thermal imaging system (2) according to one of claims 8 to 13.
Method of mounting a support (1) for carrying a sensor system like a thermal imaging system (2) on a headpiece (3), for example a helmet, the method comprising:
providing a headpiece (3);

providing a support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7;

fastening the securing unit (4) to the headpiece (3).