Helmet and accessory thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a helmet and an accessory thereof. Information is transmitted to a wearer of the helmet through a simple structure. The helmet (1) is provided with a cap body (4) covering the head of a wearer and a shield (46) arranged on the front side of the cap body (4), light emitting bodies (55, 56) are arranged on the periphery of the shield (46) and at the positions which can be visually confirmed by the wearer, and the light emitting bodies (55, 56) are composed of belt-shaped lighting devices and are divided into a plurality of light emitting parts (55A-55C, 56A-56C) which emit light independently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a helmet and its accessories. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide vulnerable people in traffic with access to sustainable transportation systems have been actively pursued. To achieve this, research and development related to preventive safety technologies to further improve traffic safety and convenience has attracted attention.

[0003] As a development related to preventive safety technology, the development of helmets equipped with electronic devices such as speakers, cameras, and head-up displays (so-called "smart helmets") is underway. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a helmet display configured to reflect light emitted from an information projection device toward the eyes of the wearer of the helmet through a visor.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-85445 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In Patent Document 1, the information projection device includes a light source, a pair of left and right liquid crystal display panels, and a pair of left and right optical components. In addition, each optical component includes a concave lens, a prism, and a convex lens. Thus, the structure of the information projection device is complicated, which may lead to an increase in the unit price of the helmet.

[0008] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to transmit information to a helmet wearer by a simple structure and further aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one embodiment of the present invention is a helmet 1, which comprises: a cap body 4, which covers the head of a wearer W; and a shield 46, which is arranged on the front side of the cap body, and around the shield, at a position where the wearer can visually confirm, there are light-emitting bodies 55 and 56, and the light-emitting bodies are composed of strip-shaped lighting devices and are divided into a plurality of light-emitting parts 55A~55C, 56A~56C that emit light independently of each other.

[0011] According to this method, information can be transmitted to the wearer through a simple structure. Therefore, the increase in the unit price of the helmet can be suppressed and the convenience of the helmet can be improved. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0012] In the above aspect, an attachment 5 detachably mounted on the cap body may be provided, and the protector and the light emitter may be provided on the attachment.

[0013] According to this aspect, information can be conveyed to the wearer without performing special processing on the cap body.

[0014] In the above aspect, the attachment may include a frame 47 that supports the cover, and the light emitter may be attached to the frame along the upper edge and the lower edge of the cover.

[0015] According to this aspect, the light emitter can be arranged at a position that is easy for the wearer to observe.

[0016] In the above aspect, the frame may be provided with partition walls 60 and 61 for partitioning light emitting areas of the plurality of light emitting units.

[0017] According to this aspect, mixing of lights from a plurality of light emitting units can be suppressed with a simple structure.

[0018] In the above aspect, the edge of the shield may be provided with engagement recesses 51 and 52 , and the partition wall may be engaged with the engagement recesses.

[0019] According to this aspect, the partition wall can suppress positional deviation of the shield relative to the frame.

[0020] In the above aspect, the frame may be provided with light reduction structures 63 and 64 for reducing the amount of light directed from the light emitter toward the eyes of the wearer.

[0021] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent strong light from the light source from directly striking the wearer's eyes.

[0022] In the above aspect, the light reduction structure may be formed of a thin plate-shaped resin material provided between the light emitter and the wearer's eyes.

[0023] According to this aspect, the structure of the light reduction structure can be simplified, and an increase in the unit price of the helmet due to the provision of the light reduction structure can be suppressed.

[0024] In the above aspect, the strip-shaped lighting device may be an LED strip light.

[0025] According to this aspect, the structure of the light-emitting body can be simplified, and an increase in the unit price of the helmet due to the installation of the light-emitting body can be suppressed.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the helmet may include: a communication device 87 that receives a light emission signal for causing each of the light emitting parts to emit light; and a control device 88 that controls the light emission of each of the light emitting parts according to the light emission signal received by the communication device.

[0027] According to this aspect, the light emission state of each light emitting unit can be changed according to various information received by the communication device from external equipment.

[0028] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one embodiment of the present invention is an accessory 5, which can be detachably mounted on a cap body 4 covering the head of a wearer W, and together with the cap body constitutes a helmet 1, the accessory has a shield 46 arranged on the front side of the cap body, and around the shield, at a position that the wearer can visually confirm, there are light-emitting bodies 55 and 56, the light-emitting bodies are composed of strip-shaped lighting devices, and are divided into a plurality of light-emitting parts 55A~55C, 56A~56C that emit light independently of each other.

[0029] According to this method, information can be transmitted to the wearer through a simple structure. Therefore, the increase in the unit price of the helmet can be suppressed, and the convenience of the helmet can be improved. In addition, by providing a light-emitting body in an accessory that can be detachably mounted on the cap body, a helmet with a light-emitting body can be constructed without performing special processing on the cap body. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0030] Effects of the Invention

[0031] According to the above aspect, information can be transmitted to the wearer of the helmet with a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 This is a side view showing a state in which a wearer of the helmet according to the first embodiment of the present invention is driving a motorcycle.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view showing the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 It is a top view showing the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5 It is a rear view showing the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 6 It is a side view showing the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0038] Figure 7It is a front view showing the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view showing the shroud and its surrounding area of ​​the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0040] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing a shroud of the helmet according to the first embodiment.

[0041] Fig.10 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing the safety support system according to the first embodiment.

[0042] Fig.11 It is a side view of a helmet showing a modification example of the first embodiment.

[0043] Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing a helmet according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0044] Fig.13 This is a schematic rear view showing a shroud and its surroundings of a helmet according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Description of symbols

[0046] 1: Helmet;

[0047] 4: Cap body;

[0048] 5: Attachments;

[0049] 46: Shield;

[0050] 47: frame;

[0051] 51: Upper side engaging recess;

[0052] 52: lower side engaging recess;

[0053] 55: upper illuminant (second illuminant);

[0054] 55A: upper light emitting portion;

[0055] 55B: upper light emitting portion;

[0056] 55C: upper light emitting portion;

[0057] 56: lower illuminant (second illuminant);

[0058] 56A: lower light emitting portion;

[0059] 56B: lower light emitting portion;

[0060] 56C: lower light emitting portion;

[0061] 60: upper partition wall;

[0062] 61: lower partition wall;

[0063] 63: Upper side dimming structure;

[0064] 64: Lower side dimming structure;

[0065] 87: Communication device;

[0066] 88: control device;

[0067] 121: Helmet;

[0068] 123: second luminous body;

[0069] 123A: lower light emitting portion;

[0070] 123B: upper left light emitting portion;

[0071] 123C: upper right luminous part;

[0072] 123D: lower left luminous part;

[0073] 123E: right lower side luminous part;

[0074] 123F: upper light emitting part;

[0075] 123G: left luminous part;

[0076] 123H: right luminous part;

[0077] 124: frame;

[0078] 126: partition wall;

[0079] W: Wearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] (First Embodiment)

[0081] <Helmet 1>

[0082] First, a helmet 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0083] Reference Figure 1 The helmet 1 protects the head of the wearer W from impacts and the like when worn by the wearer W. In the present embodiment, the wearer W of the helmet 1 is a driver of a motorcycle 2 (an example of a mobile body). Hereinafter, terms indicating directions such as up and down, front and back, left and right are used based on the direction viewed from the wearer W of the helmet 1. The arrow Fr appropriately marked in each figure indicates the front of the helmet 1.

[0084] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3The helmet 1 includes a cap body 4 that covers the head of a wearer W and an attachment 5 that is detachably mounted on the cap body 4 .

[0085] <Hat body 4>

[0086] Reference Figure 3 , the cap body 4 of the helmet 1 is bent along the shape of the head of the wearer W. The cap body 4 is configured to cover the front, back and side of the head of the wearer W, exposing the face (including the chin) of the wearer W. That is, the cap body 4 is a so-called jet type. In other embodiments, the cap body 4 may also be a type other than the jet type (e.g., a half-helmet type or a full-face type). The cap body 4 is formed of a lightweight hard resin such as a fiber-reinforced resin. An impact absorber or a lining member (neither of which is shown) made of a foamed resin may be provided on the inner surface of the cap body 4.

[0087] A front opening 7 for exposing the face (including the chin) of the wearer W is formed in the front of the cap body 4. A lattice-shaped ventilation opening 8 is formed at the left and right sides of the cap body 4 at positions corresponding to the ears of the wearer W.

[0088] <Attachment 5>

[0089] Reference Figure 2 The accessory 5 of the helmet 1 is annularly surrounding the cap body 4. The accessory 5 has a fixed body 10 fixed to the cap body 4 and a rotating body 11 that can rotate relative to the fixed body 10.

[0090] <Fixed body 10 of Appendix 5>

[0091] Reference Figure 2 to Figure 4 The fixing body 10 of the attachment 5 has: a front head protection part 13, which protects the front head of the wearer W; a back head protection part 14, which protects the back head of the wearer W; and left and right connecting parts 15, which connect the front head protection part 13 and the back head protection part 14 so that they can be attached and detached. Figure 3 It is schematically shown in other drawings.

[0092] The front head protection portion 13 of the fixed body 10 is arranged on the front side of the cap body 4. The front head protection portion 13 is arranged on the front side and the left and right sides of the front head of the wearer W, and indirectly covers the front head of the wearer W through the cap body 4. The front head protection portion 13 is in a U-shape that opens toward the rear when viewed from above. The inner surface of the front head protection portion 13 is in contact with the outer surface of the front part of the cap body 4. The lower end portion of the front head protection portion 13 extends to the lower part of the front part of the cap body 4. In the front head protection portion 13, a U-shaped front side recess 17 is formed at a position corresponding to the front side opening 7 of the cap body 4.

[0093] The front head protection part 13 has an outer shell layer and a cushion layer provided inside the outer shell layer. The outer shell layer is formed of, for example, a lightweight hard resin such as fiber reinforced resin, and the cushion layer is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as foamed resin.

[0094] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 A first left speaker 18 is provided on the inner surface of the left side of the front head protection portion 13. The first left speaker 18 is arranged in front of the left ear of the wearer W. The first left speaker 18 is opposite to the front of the ventilation opening 8 on the left side of the cap body 4. Therefore, the sound output from the first left speaker 18 reaches the left ear of the wearer W via the ventilation opening 8 on the left side of the cap body 4.

[0095] A first right speaker 19 is provided on the inner surface of the right side of the front head protection portion 13. The first right speaker 19 is arranged in front of the right ear of the wearer W. The first right speaker 19 is opposite to the front of the ventilation opening 8 of the right side of the cap body 4. Therefore, the sound output from the first right speaker 19 reaches the right ear of the wearer W via the ventilation opening 8 of the right side of the cap body 4.

[0096] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 The back head protection part 14 of the fixing body 10 is arranged on the rear side of the cap body 4. The back head protection part 14 is arranged on the rear side and the left and right sides of the back head of the wearer W, and indirectly covers the back head of the wearer W through the cap body 4. The back head protection part 14 has: a base 21, a shell 22 mounted on the rear surface (outer surface) of the base 21, and a cover 23 mounted on the rear surface (outer surface) of the shell 22.

[0097] Reference Figure 2 to Figure 4 The base 21 of the back head protection part 14 is in a U-shape opened toward the front when viewed from above. The inner surface of the base 21 contacts the outer surface of the rear part of the cap body 4. The lower end of the base 21 extends to the lower part of the rear part of the cap body 4.

[0098] The base 21 includes an outer shell layer and a cushion layer provided inside the outer shell layer. The outer shell layer is formed of, for example, a lightweight hard resin such as fiber-reinforced resin, and the cushion layer is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as a foamed resin.

[0099] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 A second left speaker 25 is provided on the inner surface of the left side of the base 21. The second left speaker 25 is arranged behind the left ear of the wearer W. The second left speaker 25 is opposite to the rear of the ventilation opening 8 on the left side of the cap body 4. Therefore, the sound output from the second left speaker 25 reaches the left ear of the wearer W via the ventilation opening 8 on the left side of the cap body 4.

[0100] A second right speaker 26 is provided on the inner surface of the right side of the base 21. The second right speaker 26 is arranged behind the right ear of the wearer W. The second right speaker 26 is opposite to the rear of the ventilation opening 8 of the right side of the cap body 4. Therefore, the sound output from the second right speaker 26 reaches the right ear of the wearer W via the ventilation opening 8 of the right side of the cap body 4.

[0101] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 The housing 22 of the rear head protection portion 14 is formed of a light-transmitting resin material. The housing 22 contains a first light emitter 28 that emits light toward the outside of the helmet 1 .

[0102] The first light-emitting body 28 is composed of an LED strip light (an example of a strip-shaped lighting device). The first light-emitting body 28 has a strip-shaped substrate and a plurality of LED light sources arranged on the substrate. The rear end of the first light-emitting body 28 is arranged at a position further back than the rear end of the cap body 4. The front end of the first light-emitting body 28 extends to the left and right sides of the rear end of the cap body 4. Therefore, the front end of the first light-emitting body 28 overlaps with the rear end of the cap body 4 when viewed from the side.

[0103] The first light emitter 28 is divided into a plurality of light emitters 28A to 28F that emit light independently of each other. Hereinafter, the light emitters 28A and 28B are referred to as left and right turn signals 28A and 28B, the light emitters 28C and 28D are referred to as left and right first brake signals 28C and 28D, and the light emitters 28E and 28F are referred to as left and right second brake signals 28E and 28F.

[0104] The left and right turn signals 28A and 28B are provided on both left and right sides of the rear head protection portion 14. The upper and lower ends of the turn signals 28A and 28B protrude outward in the left-right direction from the upper and lower center portions of the turn signals 28A and 28B.

[0105] The left and right first brake lights 28C and 28D are provided on the upper portion of the rear head guard 14. Each of the first brake lights 28C and 28D extends inward in the left-right direction from the upper end portion of the corresponding turn signal lamp 28A or 28B.

[0106] The left and right second brake lights 28E and 28F are provided at the left and right center portions of the rear head guard 14. Each second brake light 28E and 28F extends downwardly and obliquely inwardly in the left and right direction from the left and right inner end portion of the corresponding first brake light 28C and 28D.

[0107] The cover 23 of the rear head protection portion 14 is formed of a non-light-transmissive resin material. The cover 23 is provided with left and right central openings 31 at positions corresponding to the left and right second brake lights 28E and 28F. The cover 23 is provided with left and right side openings 32 on the left and right outer sides of the left and right central openings 31.

[0108] Reference Figure 5 A rear reflector 34 is recessed between the left and right second brake lights 28E and 28F on the surface of the left and right central portions of the rear head protection portion 14. The rear reflector 34 is provided on the rear side of the cap body 4 to reflect millimeter waves (an example of radar waves) emitted from vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "surrounding vehicles") present around the motorcycle 2. The rear reflector 34 opens toward the rear.

[0109] The rear side reflector 34 is formed by covering the concave portion provided on the surface of the cover 23 (resin material) of the occipital protection portion 14 with a metal film. The metal film is fixed to the concave portion provided on the surface of the cover 23 by any means such as bonding or vapor deposition.

[0110] The rear reflector 34 is composed of a triangular pyramid-shaped corner reflector having three adjacent rear reflective surfaces 35. The three rear reflective surfaces 35 are assembled at a gathering point A1. Each rear reflective surface 35 is in the shape of a right triangle. Each rear reflective surface 35 is in a planar shape and is arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0111] Reference Figure 4 The central axis B1 of the rear reflector 34 extends backward from the collection point A1 of the three rear reflective surfaces 35. The central axis B1 of the rear reflector 34 is a collection of points that are at equal shortest distances from the three rear reflective surfaces 35. When viewed from above, the central axis B1 of the rear reflector 34 is parallel to the front-to-back direction of the helmet 1.

[0112] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 A battery 37 is housed at the lower portion of the back head protection portion 14. The rear end portion of the battery 37 is located forward of the rear end portion of the first light emitter 28 and the rear end portion of the rear side reflector 34. A charging port 38 of the battery 37 is provided at the lower portion of the rear surface (outer surface) of the back head protection portion 14. By inserting the terminal of an external power source into the charging port 38 of the battery 37, the battery 37 can be charged by an external power source.

[0113] Reference Figure 3 , each connecting portion 15 of the fixed body 10 (at Figure 3 The connecting portion 15 (shown only on the left side) has an upper and lower front belt 40 extending rearward from the left and right ends of the front head protection portion 13 and an upper and lower rear belt 41 extending forward from the left and right ends of the base 21 of the rear head protection portion 14.

[0114] A plurality of belt holes 43 are provided at intervals in the front-to-back direction on each front belt 40. A buckle 44 is provided on each rear belt 41. The buckle 44 of each rear belt 41 engages with any belt hole 43 of the corresponding front belt 40, whereby the attachment 5 is detachably mounted on the cap body 4 in a state where the front head protection part 13 and the back head protection part 14 sandwich the cap body 4. In addition, in other embodiments, a buckle 44 may be provided on each front belt 40, and a plurality of belt holes 43 may be provided on each rear belt 41.

[0115] <Rotating body 11 of attachment 5>

[0116] Reference Figure 6 The rotating body 11 of the attachment 5 can be in a closed position (refer to Figure 6 solid line) and the open position (refer to Figure 6 In the closed position, the rotating body 11 closes the front opening 7 of the cap body 4, and in the open position, the rotating body 11 opens the front opening 7 of the cap body 4. Hereinafter, the structure of the rotating body 11 will be described based on the state in which the rotating body 11 is in the closed position.

[0117] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 The rotating body 11 includes a shield 46 , a frame 47 that supports the shield 46 , and a chin guard 48 that is disposed below the frame 47 .

[0118] Reference Figure 6 The shield 46 of the rotating body 11 is disposed on the front side of the cap body 4. The shield 46 covers the upper portion of the front opening 7 of the cap body 4. The shield 46 is disposed in front of the upper portion of the face of the wearer W and directly covers the upper portion of the face of the wearer W. The shield 46 is formed of a transparent resin material (e.g., acrylic).

[0119] Reference Figure 7 to Figure 9 The shield 46 is long in the left-right direction and is curved into an arc shape. A ridgeline 50 extending in the left-right direction is provided at the upper portion of the shield 46. The shield 46 is curved in a manner convex toward the front side (outside) at the ridgeline 50. Left and right upper side engaging recesses 51 are provided at the upper edge of the shield 46. Left and right lower side engaging recesses 52 are provided at the lower edge of the shield 46.

[0120] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 8 A plurality of second light emitters 55 and 56 are provided around the shield 46 at positions that can be visually recognized by the wearer W. The plurality of second light emitters 55 and 56 include an upper light emitter 55 provided above the shield 46 and a lower light emitter 56 provided below the shield 46 .

[0121] The upper light emitter 55 is composed of an LED strip light (an example of a strip-shaped lighting device). The upper light emitter 55 has a strip-shaped substrate and a plurality of LED light sources arranged on the substrate. The orientation of the upper light emitter 55 can be adjusted so that the light from the upper light emitter 55 does not leak to the outside. Alternatively, a shielding member for suppressing the light from the upper light emitter 55 from leaking to the outside can be provided on the front surface (outer surface) of the shield 46.

[0122] The upper light emitter 55 is divided into three upper light emitters 55A to 55C that emit light independently of each other. The three upper light emitters 55A to 55C are arranged in the left-right direction. Each of the upper light emitters 55A to 55C is provided to emit light in a plurality of light colors and a plurality of light patterns.

[0123] The lower light emitter 56 is composed of an LED strip light (an example of a strip-shaped lighting device). The lower light emitter 56 has a strip-shaped substrate and a plurality of LED light sources arranged on the substrate. The orientation of the lower light emitter 56 can be adjusted so that the light from the lower light emitter 56 does not leak to the outside. Alternatively, a shielding member for suppressing the light from the lower light emitter 56 from leaking to the outside can be provided on the front surface (outer surface) of the shield 46.

[0124] The lower light emitter 56 is divided into three lower light emitters 56A to 56C that emit light independently of each other. The three lower light emitters 56A to 56C are arranged in the left-right direction. Each lower light emitter 56A to 56C is provided to emit light in a plurality of light colors and a plurality of light patterns.

[0125] Reference Figure 6 to Figure 8 The frame 47 of the rotating body 11 is roughly rectangular. The frame 47 is formed of a non-transparent resin material. The left and right sides of the upper part of the frame 47 are mounted on the left and right sides of the front head protection part 13 of the fixed body 10 via hinges 58. Therefore, the rotating body 11 can rotate relative to the cap body 4 and the fixed body 10 with the rotation axis X as the center.

[0126] The mounting opening 59 is provided at the center of the frame 47. The shield 46 is mounted on the mounting opening 59. The upper light emitter 55 is mounted on the upper edge of the mounting opening 59 along the upper edge of the shield 46. The lower light emitter 56 is mounted on the lower edge of the mounting opening 59 along the lower edge of the shield 46.

[0127] Reference Figure 7On the frame 47, at positions corresponding to the boundaries of the three upper light emitting parts 55A to 55C of the upper light emitting body 55, left and right upper partition walls 60 are provided to divide the light emitting areas of the three upper light emitting parts 55A to 55C. The left and right upper partition walls 60 protrude downward from the upper edge of the mounting opening 59 of the frame 47. The left and right upper partition walls 60 are connected to the left and right upper engaging recesses 51 (see FIG. 1 ) provided on the upper edge of the shield 46. Fig. 9 ) snap into place.

[0128] Reference Figure 7 On the frame 47, at positions corresponding to the boundaries of the three lower light emitting parts 56A to 56C of the lower light emitting body 56, left and right lower side partition walls 61 are provided to divide the light emitting areas of the three lower light emitting parts 56A to 56C. The left and right lower side partition walls 61 protrude upward from the lower edge of the mounting opening 59 of the frame 47. The left and right lower side partition walls 61 are connected to the left and right lower side engaging recesses 52 (see FIG. 1 ) provided at the lower edge of the shield 46. Fig. 9 ) snap into place.

[0129] Reference Figure 8 A plurality of light reduction structures 63 and 64 are provided on the rear surface (inner surface) of the frame 47. The plurality of light reduction structures 63 and 64 include an upper light reduction structure 63 provided above the shield 46 and a lower light reduction structure 64 provided below the shield 46.

[0130] In order to reduce the amount of light from the upper light emitter 55 toward the eyes of the wearer W, the upper light reduction structure 63 is provided between the upper light emitter 55 and the eyes of the wearer W. The upper light reduction structure 63 is made of, for example, a semi-transparent thin plate-shaped resin material. The upper light reduction structure 63 is configured to allow only a portion of the light from the upper light emitter 55 toward the eyes of the wearer W to pass through.

[0131] In order to reduce the amount of light directed from the lower light emitter 56 toward the eyes of the wearer W, the lower light reduction structure 64 is provided between the lower light emitter 56 and the eyes of the wearer W. The lower light reduction structure 64 is made of, for example, a semi-transparent thin plate-shaped resin material, and is configured to allow only a portion of the light directed from the lower light emitter 56 toward the eyes of the wearer W to pass through.

[0132] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 The chin guard 48 of the rotating body 11 is integrally provided with the frame 47. The chin guard 48 is provided on the front side of the cap body 4. The chin guard 48 covers the lower part of the front opening 7 of the cap body 4. The chin guard 48 is arranged in front of and below the chin of the wearer W, and directly covers the chin of the wearer W.

[0133] The chin guard 48 includes an outer shell layer and a cushion layer provided inside the outer shell layer. The outer shell layer is formed of, for example, a lightweight hard resin such as fiber-reinforced resin, and the cushion layer is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as a foamed resin.

[0134] Reference Figure 7 A camera 66 (an example of a camera device) is installed at the left and right center parts of the chin guard 48. The camera 66 is a device for photographing the space in front of the helmet 1 (an example of the outside of the helmet 1). The lens 67 of the camera 66 is exposed on the front surface (outer surface) of the chin guard 48.

[0135] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 On the surfaces of the left and right sides of the chin guard 48, front reflectors 69 are recessed on the left and right sides of the camera 66. Each front reflector 69 is provided on the front side of the cap body 4 to reflect the millimeter wave (an example of radar wave) emitted from the surrounding vehicles. The front reflector 69 provided on the left side of the chin guard 48 opens toward the left front, and the front reflector 69 provided on the right side of the chin guard 48 opens toward the right front.

[0136] Each front side reflector 69 is formed by covering a concave portion provided on the surface of the chin guard 48 (resin material) with a metal film. The metal film is fixed to the concave portion provided on the surface of the chin guard 48 by any means such as bonding or vapor deposition. A triangular shaped protrusion 70 is provided on the surface of the chin guard 48 so as to surround each front side reflector 69.

[0137] Each front reflector 69 is composed of a triangular pyramid-shaped corner reflector having three adjacent front reflective surfaces 71. The three front reflective surfaces 71 are gathered at a gathering point A2. Each front reflective surface 71 is in the shape of a right triangle. Each front reflective surface 71 is flat and is arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0138] Reference Figure 4 , the central axis B2 of each front side reflector 69 extends obliquely forward from the collection point A2 of the three front side reflective surfaces 71. The central axis B2 of each front side reflector 69 is a collection of points with equal shortest distances from the three front side reflective surfaces 71. When viewed from above, the angle between the central axis B2 of each front side reflector 69 and the front-to-back direction of the helmet 1 is 40 degrees.

[0139] Reference Figure 7 The fans 73 are housed on the left and right sides of the chin guard 48. Each fan 73 is a device for blowing air toward the face of the wearer W. Each fan 73 overlaps with the corresponding front reflector 69 when viewed from the front. Each fan 73 has a rotating shaft and a propeller provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft.

[0140] On the front surfaces (outer surfaces) of the left and right side portions of the chin guard 48, outer louvers 76 for introducing air into the fan 73 are provided. On the rear surfaces (inner surfaces) of the left and right side portions of the chin guard 48, inner louvers 77 for sending the wind from the fan 73 toward the face of the wearer W are provided (see FIG. Figure 5 ).

[0141] <Safety Support System 81>

[0142] Next, a safety support system 81 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0143] Reference Fig.10 The safety support system 81 includes: the helmet 1 , the motorcycle 2 , a portable terminal 83 , and a server device 84 .

[0144] <Helmet 1>

[0145] The helmet 1 includes a first light emitter 28, second light emitters 55 and 56, a camera 66, a fan 73, a sound output device 86, a battery 37, a communication device 87, and a control device 88. The first light emitter 28, second light emitters 55 and 56, camera 66, and fan 73 are not described here.

[0146] The sound output device 86 is provided on the fixing body 10 of the attachment 5 of the helmet 1. The sound output device 86 outputs sound toward the wearer W. The sound output device 86 includes: a first left speaker 18, a first right speaker 19, a second left speaker 25, and a second right speaker 26 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "a plurality of speakers 18, 19, 25, 26"). The plurality of speakers 18, 19, 25, 26 are configured to output sound independently of each other.

[0147] The battery 37 is connected to the first light emitter 28, the second light emitter 55, 56, the camera 66, the fan 73, and the sound output device 86 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "electrical components 28, 55, 56, 66, 73, 86") via a harness. More specifically, the harness connected to the electrical components 28, 55, 56, 66, 73, 86 is gathered at the back head protection part 14 and connected to the battery 37. The battery 37 is configured to supply power to the electrical components 28, 55, 56, 66, 73, 86.

[0148] The communication device 87 is provided on the fixing body 10 of the attachment 5 of the helmet 1. The communication device 87 performs wireless communication with external devices of the helmet 1 (for example, the motorcycle 2, the portable terminal 83) based on a communication protocol such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0149] The control device 88 is provided in the fixing body 10 of the attachment 5 of the helmet 1. The control device 88 includes a calculation processing device (processor such as CPU and MPU) and a storage device (memory such as ROM and RAM).

[0150] The control device 88 is connected to the electrical components 28, 55, 56, 66, 73, 86 via a harness to control the electrical components 28, 55, 56, 66, 73, 86. The control device 88 is connected to the battery 37 to control the power supply from the battery 37 to the electrical components 28, 55, 56, 66, 73, 86. The control device 88 is connected to the communication device 87.

[0151] <Motorcycle 2>

[0152] The motorcycle 2 includes a driving device 90 , a braking device 91 , a vehicle-mounted control unit 92 , and a vehicle-mounted communication unit 93 .

[0153] The drive device 90 is a device that provides driving force to the motorcycle 2. The drive device 90 is composed of, for example, an internal combustion engine. In other embodiments, the drive device 90 may be composed of an electric motor.

[0154] The brake device 91 is a device that provides braking force to the vehicle and is composed of, for example, a hydraulic disk brake or a drum brake.

[0155] The vehicle-mounted control unit 92 is an electronic control unit (ECU) composed of one or more computers configured to perform various processes. The vehicle-mounted control unit 92 includes a processing unit (processor such as CPU and MPU) and a storage unit (memory such as ROM and RAM). The vehicle-mounted control unit 92 is connected to the drive device 90 and the brake device 91 to control the drive device 90 and the brake device 91.

[0156] The vehicle communication unit 93 is connected to the vehicle control unit 92. The vehicle communication unit 93 wirelessly communicates with external devices (such as the helmet 1 and the portable terminal 83) of the motorcycle 2 using a communication protocol such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The vehicle communication unit 93 is connected to the server device 84 via the wireless communication network N.

[0157] <Portable terminal 83>

[0158] The portable terminal 83 is carried by the wearer W of the helmet 1 . The portable terminal 83 is constituted by, for example, a smartphone. The portable terminal 83 includes an acceleration sensor 95 , a terminal control unit 96 , and a terminal communication unit 97 .

[0159] The acceleration sensor 95 detects the acceleration and deceleration of the portable terminal 83. The portable terminal 83 moves together with the helmet 1, the wearer W, and the motorcycle 2. Therefore, the acceleration and deceleration of the portable terminal 83 match the acceleration and deceleration of the helmet 1, the wearer W, and the motorcycle 2.

[0160] The terminal control unit 96 is an electronic control unit (ECU) composed of one or more computers configured to execute various processes. The terminal control unit 96 includes a processing unit (processor such as CPU and MPU) and a storage unit (memory such as ROM and RAM).

[0161] The terminal communication unit 97 is connected to the terminal control unit 96. The terminal communication unit 97 wirelessly communicates with external devices (such as the helmet 1 and the motorcycle 2) of the portable terminal 83 according to a communication protocol such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The terminal communication unit 97 is connected to the server device 84 via the wireless communication network N.

[0162] <Server device 84>

[0163] The server device 84 is an electronic control unit (ECU) composed of one or more computers configured to perform various processes. The server device 84 includes a processing unit (CPU, MPU and other processors) and a storage device (ROM, RAM and other memories). The server device 84 is composed of a virtual server built on the cloud. In other embodiments, the server device 84 may also be composed of a physical server installed in the operating company of the security support system 81.

[0164] The server device 84 includes a database unit 99 , an object recognition unit 100 , a behavior prediction unit 101 , and a server communication unit 102 .

[0165] The database unit 99 stores map information of a traffic area (hereinafter referred to as a "target traffic area") in which the motorcycle 2 is traveling. The map information stored in the database unit 99 includes information about lanes in the target traffic area (e.g., information about the width of the lanes and the number of lanes), information about sidewalks in the target traffic area (e.g., information about the width of the sidewalks), information about crosswalks in the target traffic area (e.g., information about the positions of crosswalks), and the like.

[0166] The object recognition unit 100 recognizes the position of an object existing in the target traffic area based on information sent from traffic participants existing in the target traffic area. Traffic participants existing in the target traffic area include cars, bicycles, pedestrians, etc. in addition to the two-wheeled motor vehicle 2. Objects existing in the target traffic area include obstacles such as guardrails and electric poles in addition to traffic participants.

[0167] The behavior prediction unit 101 recognizes the state of the target traffic area based on information sent from traffic participants existing in the target traffic area and map information stored in the database unit 99. The behavior prediction unit 101 predicts the future behavior of the traffic participants (for example, the future forward path of the motorcycle 2) based on the state of the target traffic area. More specifically, the behavior prediction unit 101 constructs a virtual space corresponding to the target traffic area based on the state of the target traffic area, performs simulation on the virtual space, and thereby predicts the future behavior of the traffic participants.

[0168] The server communication unit 102 is connected to the traffic participant and its peripheral devices (for example, the vehicle communication unit 93 of the motorcycle 2 and the terminal communication unit 97 of the portable terminal 83 ) via the wireless communication network N.

[0169] The server communication unit 102 transmits information related to the position of the object recognized by the object recognition unit 100 to the traffic participant or its peripheral equipment. For example, the server communication unit 102 transmits information related to the position of the object existing around the wearer W (hereinafter referred to as "object position information") to the terminal communication unit 97 of the portable terminal 83. In other embodiments, the server communication unit 102 may also transmit the object position information to the communication device 87 of the helmet 1.

[0170] The server communication unit 102 transmits information related to the future behavior of the traffic participant predicted by the behavior prediction unit 101 to the traffic participant or its peripheral equipment. For example, the server communication unit 102 transmits information related to the future path of the motorcycle 2 predicted by the behavior prediction unit 101 (hereinafter referred to as "future path information") to the terminal communication unit 97 of the portable terminal 83. In other embodiments, the server communication unit 102 may also transmit the future path information to the communication device 87 of the helmet 1.

[0171] <Effect>

[0172] As described above, a plurality of second light emitters 55 and 56 are provided around the shield 46 at positions that can be visually recognized by the wearer W. Each of the second light emitters 55 and 56 is composed of an LED strip light (an example of a strip-shaped lighting device), and is divided into a plurality of light emitting parts 55A to 55C and 56A to 56C that emit light independently of each other. By adopting such a structure, information can be transmitted to the wearer W with a simple structure. Therefore, the increase in the unit price of the helmet 1 can be suppressed, and the convenience of the helmet 1 can be improved.

[0173] <Modification>

[0174] In the above embodiment, the plurality of second light emitters 55 and 56 are provided at positions that the wearer W can visually recognize indirectly through the plurality of light reduction structures 63 and 64. In other embodiments, the plurality of second light emitters 55 and 56 may be provided at positions that the wearer W can visually recognize directly without using other components.

[0175] In the above embodiment, each second light emitter 55, 56 is composed of an LED strip light. In other embodiments, each second light emitter 55, 56 may be composed of a strip-shaped lighting device other than an LED strip light (for example, an LED tube light).

[0176] In the above embodiment, the front head protection part 13 and the back head protection part 14 are connected by the left and right connection parts 15, thereby the attachment 5 is detachably attached to the cap body 4. Such an attachment structure is only an example, and the attachment 5 can be attached to the cap body 4 by any attachment structure.

[0177] For example, you can also Fig.11 As shown, by winding the belt part 104 on the cap body 4, the front side snap-in part 105 of the belt part 104 is snap-into the front side snap-in part 106 of the front head protection part 13, and the rear side snap-in part 107 of the belt part 104 is snap-into the rear side snap-in part 108 of the rear head protection part 14, so that the accessory 5 can be detachably mounted on the cap body 4.

[0178] In addition, you can also Fig.12 As shown, the accessory 5 is detachably mounted on the cap body 4 by fastening the integrated front head protection part 13 and the rear head protection part 14 to the cap body 4 using a plurality of fastening structures 110. Each fastening structure 110 is composed of, for example, a through hole provided in the cap body 4 and a hook provided in the front head protection part 13 or the rear head protection part 14 and detachably engaged with the through hole.

[0179] In the above-described embodiment, the battery 37 can be charged by the external power source by inserting the terminal of the external power source into the charging port 38 of the battery 37 provided in the occipital region protection portion 14. In other embodiments, the battery 37 may be detachable from the occipital region protection portion 14, and the battery 37 removed from the occipital region protection portion 14 may be connected to the external power source, thereby enabling the battery 37 to be charged by the external power source.

[0180] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the helmet 1 is worn by the driver of the motorcycle 2. In other embodiments, the helmet 1 may be worn by the driver of a mobile body other than the motorcycle 2 (e.g., a bicycle, a segway, or a kick-board), or by a person other than the driver of the mobile body (e.g., a pedestrian).

[0181] (Second Embodiment)

[0182] <Helmet 121>

[0183] Next, a helmet 121 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Among the components of the helmet 121 according to the second embodiment, components other than the second light emitter 123 and the frame 124 are the same as those of the helmet 1 according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0184] <Second light emitting body 123>

[0185] Reference Fig.13 A second light emitter 123 is provided around the shield 46 at a position that can be visually recognized by the wearer W. The second light emitter 123 is composed of one LED strip light (an example of a strip-shaped lighting device). In other embodiments, the second light emitter 123 may also be composed of a plurality of LED strip lights.

[0186] The second light emitting body 123 is divided into a plurality of light emitting units 123A to 123H that emit light independently of each other. The plurality of light emitting units 123A to 123H include: a lower light emitting unit 123A disposed below the shield 46; a left upper light emitting unit 123B disposed above the shield 46; a right upper light emitting unit 123C disposed above the shield 46; a left lower light emitting unit 123D disposed below the shield 46; a right lower light emitting unit 123E disposed below the shield 46; an upper light emitting unit 123F disposed above the shield 46; a left light emitting unit 123G disposed on the left side of the shield 46; and a right light emitting unit 123H disposed on the right side of the shield 46.

[0187] <Frame 124>

[0188] The frame 124 is provided with a plurality of partition walls 126 at positions corresponding to the boundaries of the plurality of light emitting portions 123A to 123H of the second light emitting body 123 for partitioning the light emitting regions of the plurality of light emitting portions 123A to 123H.

[0189] <Safety support system>

[0190] The configuration of the safety support system (not shown) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the safety support system 81 of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0191] <Light Emitted by the Second Light Emitting Body 123>

[0192] When the terminal communication unit 97 of the portable terminal 83 receives the object position information from the server communication unit 102 of the server device 84, the terminal control unit 96 of the portable terminal 83 generates first to eighth light emission signals corresponding to the position of the object included in the object position information.

[0193] When the position of the object included in the object position information is included in the area in front of the wearer W, the terminal control unit 96 generates a first light signal. When the position of the object is included in the area in front of the left of the wearer W, the terminal control unit 96 generates a second light signal. When the position of the object is included in the area in front of the right of the wearer W, the terminal control unit 96 generates a third light signal. When the position of the object is included in the area behind the left of the wearer W, the terminal control unit 96 generates a fourth light signal. When the position of the object is included in the area behind the right of the wearer W, the terminal control unit 96 generates a fifth light signal.

[0194] When the distance between the object and the wearer W included in the object position information is greater than the first threshold, the terminal control unit 96 generates a sixth light signal. When the distance between the object and the wearer W is less than the first threshold and greater than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, the terminal control unit 96 generates a seventh light signal. When the distance between the object and the wearer W is less than the second threshold, the terminal control unit 96 generates an eighth light signal.

[0195] The terminal communication unit 97 transmits the first to eighth light emitting signals generated by the terminal control unit 96 to the communication device 87 of the helmet 1. When the communication device 87 receives the first to eighth light emitting signals from the terminal communication unit 97, the control device 88 of the helmet 1 controls the light emitting of each light emitting unit 123A to 123F of the second light emitting body 123 according to the first to eighth light emitting signals.

[0196] When the communication device 87 receives the first to fifth light emission signals, the control device 88 respectively causes the lower light emitting unit 123A, the upper left light emitting unit 123B, the upper right light emitting unit 123C, the lower left light emitting unit 123D, and the lower right light emitting unit 123E to emit light. When the communication device 87 receives the sixth to eighth light emission signals, the control device 88 respectively causes the upper light emitting unit 123F to emit light in blue, yellow, and red.

[0197] When the terminal communication unit 97 of the portable terminal 83 receives the future course information from the server communication unit 102 of the server device 84, the terminal control unit 96 of the portable terminal 83 determines whether the future course of the motorcycle 2 included in the future course information includes a turning track. When the future course of the motorcycle 2 included in the future course information includes a turning track in the left direction, the terminal control unit 96 generates a ninth light signal. When the future course of the motorcycle 2 included in the future course information includes a turning track in the right direction, the terminal control unit 96 generates a tenth light signal.

[0198] The terminal communication unit 97 transmits the ninth and tenth light emission signals generated by the terminal control unit 96 to the communication device 87 of the helmet 1. When the communication device 87 receives the ninth and tenth light emission signals from the terminal communication unit 97, the control device 88 of the helmet 1 controls the light emission of each light emission unit 123G, 123H of the second light emitter 123 according to the ninth and tenth light emission signals. That is, when the communication device 87 receives the ninth and tenth light emission signals from the terminal communication unit 97, the control device 88 respectively causes the left light emission unit 123G and the right light emission unit 123H to emit light.

[0199] <Effect>

[0200] As described above, the second light emitter 123 is provided around the shield 46 at a position that can be visually recognized by the wearer W. The second light emitter 123 is composed of an LED strip light (an example of a strip-shaped lighting device), and is divided into a plurality of light emitting parts 123A to 123H that emit light independently of each other. By adopting such a structure, the object position information or future forward path information can be transmitted to the wearer W through a simple structure. Therefore, the increase in the unit price of the helmet 121 can be suppressed, and the convenience of the helmet 121 can be improved.

[0201] <Modification>

[0202] In the above-described embodiment, the control device 88 changes the light color of the upper light emitting unit 123F according to the distance between the object and the wearer W included in the object position information. In other embodiments, the control device 88 may also change the light emission pattern of any of the light emitting units 123A to 123H according to the distance between the object and the wearer W included in the object position information. For example, the control device 88 may light up the light emitting units 123A to 123H corresponding to the position of the object when the distance between the object and the wearer W is greater than a predetermined threshold. On the other hand, the control device 88 may flash the light emitting units 123A to 123H corresponding to the position of the object when the distance between the object and the wearer W is less than the above threshold.

[0203] The light emitting method of each light emitting unit 123A to 123H described in the above embodiment is only an example, and each light emitting unit 123A to 123H may emit light in any manner. For example, each light emitting unit 123A to 123H may correspond to the eight directions around the wearer W, and emit light according to the position of objects in the eight directions around the wearer W.

[0204] In the above-described embodiment, the terminal communication unit 97 of the portable terminal 83 receives the object position information from the server communication unit 102 of the server device 84. In other embodiments, the terminal communication unit 97 of the portable terminal 83 may receive the object position information from surrounding vehicles.

[0205] The description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples, and can be implemented in a wide range of modified forms.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising: a cap body that covers the wearer's head; and A protective cover is arranged on the front side of the cap body, A light source is provided around the shield at a position where the wearer can visually recognize the light. The light-emitting body is composed of a strip-shaped lighting device and is divided into a plurality of light-emitting parts that emit light independently of each other.

2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein: The helmet has an accessory that can be detachably mounted on the cap body. The protective cover and the light emitting body are arranged on the attachment.

3. The helmet according to claim 2, wherein: The accessory has a frame supporting the shield, The light emitter is mounted on the frame along the upper edge and the lower edge of the shield.

4. The helmet according to claim 3, wherein: The frame is provided with a partition wall for partitioning light emitting areas of the plurality of light emitting units.

5. The helmet according to claim 4, wherein: An engaging recess is provided at the edge of the shield. The partition wall is engaged with the engaging recess.

6. The helmet according to claim 3, wherein: The frame is provided with a light reduction structure, which reduces the amount of light from the light emitter toward the wearer's eyes.

7. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein: The light reduction structure is made of a thin plate-shaped resin material provided between the light emitter and the wearer's eyes.

8. The helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The strip-shaped lighting device is an LED strip light.

9. The helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The helmet has: a communication device for receiving a light emission signal for causing each of the light emitting portions to emit light; and A control device controls the light emission of each of the light emitting units according to the light emission signal received by the communication device.

10. A helmet accessory which can be detachably mounted on a cap body covering the head of a wearer and constitutes a helmet together with the cap body, wherein: The accessory has a shield disposed on the front side of the cap body, A light source is provided around the shield at a position where the wearer can visually recognize the light. The light-emitting body is composed of a strip-shaped lighting device and is divided into a plurality of light-emitting parts that emit light independently of each other.

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