Protection device and protection method

Abstract

A protection device for protecting the neck of a wearer, the protection device being provided with: an expansion band which is flexible and can be arranged so as to be in contact with the skin of the wearer so as to extend along at least a part of the boundary region between the neck and the head of the wearer in a pre-operation state of the protection device, the expansion band comprising an expansion part that expands the neck and the head of the wearer; the expansion part can expand by being supplied with an expansion source when the protection device works; an expansion source supply unit for supplying an expansion source to the expansion unit; and an activation unit that activates the expansion source supply unit to expand the expansion unit, and the protection device restricts the movement of the neck of the wearer by expanding the expansion unit during operation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a protection device for protecting a neck and a protection method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, as a protection device for protecting the head of a rider of a bicycle or the like, a helmet has been widely known, but a general helmet does not have a function of protecting a cervical vertebra.

[0003] In connection therewith, an airbag device capable of protecting the neck of a protected person has also been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1, 2, and the like).

[0004] In Patent Document 1, an airbag device obtained by mounting an inflatable airbag to a collar of a worn garment is disclosed, and the neck of a user can be protected by the airbag.

[0005] In Patent Document 2, a technology is disclosed in which an airbag device for protecting the head or the like of a protected person, in which the neck of the protected person can be protected in addition to the front head, the side head, and the top of the head, and the like, by an airbag that is deployed.

[0006] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0007] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0008] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent No. 10001346 Specification

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-57540 SUMMARY

[0010] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0011] Further, in the case where a bicycle overturns, the head or the neck is bent at a large angle with the boundary between the neck and the head as a center due to the impact thereof, and as a result, there are many cases where the neck is injured. Therefore, it is considered that, as a protection device for protecting the neck at the time of overturning, it is important to rapidly restrain the movement of the head and the neck in the vicinity of the boundary between the neck and the head of the protected person. However, in the case where an inflatable airbag is mounted to the collar of a garment as in the past, the inflation of the airbag starts from the vicinity of the boundary between the neck and the body of the protected person. Therefore, it is considered that it takes time until the airbag covers the vicinity of the boundary between the neck and the head, and it is sometimes difficult to rapidly protect the neck. Furthermore, it is also considered that, in the case where the airbag is mounted to the collar of a garment, the deployment of the airbag can be hindered by, for example, a hood of the garment or luggage such as a backpack, and the like, and the feasibility is low.

[0012] The technology of the present disclosure is completed in view of the above-described actual situation, and aims to provide a technology capable of rapidly protecting the neck of a protected person.

[0013] Solution to the problem

[0014] The present disclosure for solving the above problem is a protection device that protects the neck of a wearer, the protection device having: an inflatable belt that is flexible, can be disposed in contact with the skin of the wearer along at least a portion of the boundary region of the neck and the head of the wearer in a pre-operation state of the protection device, and includes an inflatable portion that can be inflated by being supplied with an inflation source when the protection device is in operation; an inflation source supply portion that supplies the inflation source to the inflatable portion; and an activation portion that inflates the inflatable portion by activating the inflation source supply portion, the protection device restraining the movement of the neck of the wearer by inflating the inflatable portion when in operation.

[0015] Further, it can also be that the inflatable belt includes a submandibular belt portion that is disposed along the boundary region of the anterior neck and the submandibular portion of the wearer in the pre-operation state of the protection device.

[0016] Further, it can also be that the inflatable belt includes a rear belt portion that is disposed along the boundary region of the posterior neck and the posterior head of the wearer.

[0017] Further, it can also be that the inflatable belt includes a submandibular belt portion that is disposed along the boundary region of the anterior neck and the submandibular portion of the wearer and a rear belt portion that is disposed along the boundary region of the posterior neck and the posterior head of the wearer, the submandibular belt portion and the rear belt portion being connected to each other.

[0018] Further, it can also be that the inflatable belt is formed from at least a portion of a fixing belt for fixing a half-shell type helmet that protects the head to the wearer.

[0019] Further, it can also be that the activation portion further has a work condition sensing sensor for sensing that a prescribed work condition has been established, and the inflation source supply portion and the activation portion are mounted to the helmet.

[0020] Further, it can also be that the inflation source supply portion and the activation portion are detachable with respect to the helmet.

[0021] Further, it can also be that the activation portion further has a wearing state sensing sensor that senses whether the helmet is worn on the head of the wearer.

[0022] Further, it can also be that the inflatable belt further has a core rope portion that is not supplied with the inflation source, and the inflatable portion is integrally provided in contact with the core rope portion.

[0023] Further, it can also be that the inflation belt is arranged in a state in which the inflation portion is covered by an outer member, the outer member having a first outer main surface portion arranged so as to be in contact with the skin of the wearer, a second outer main surface portion arranged so as to be opposite to the first outer main surface portion, and a pair of outer side surface portions connecting the first outer main surface portion and the second outer main surface portion, the protection device being configured to cause the pair of outer side surface portions to be broken or the connection portions of the respective outer side surface portions connected to the first outer main surface portion and the second outer main surface portion to be broken by the inflation pressure of the inflation portion at the time of operation.

[0024] Further, it can also be that the inflation source supply portion is a gas supply device that supplies an inflation gas for inflating the inflation portion to the inflation portion at the time of operation, the gas supply device having a conduit for introducing the inflation gas into the inflation portion, an open valve being provided in the conduit.

[0025] Further, the technology of the present disclosure can also be determined as a method of operating a protection device that protects the neck of a wearer. In this case, the protection device has an inflation belt that is flexible and can be arranged so as to follow at least a portion of the boundary region between the neck and the head of the wearer and so as to be in contact with the skin of the wearer in a state before operation of the protection device, the inflation belt including an inflation portion that can be inflated by being supplied with an inflation source at the time of operation of the protection device, an inflation source supply portion that supplies the inflation source to the inflation portion, and an activation portion that inflates the inflation portion by activating the inflation source supply portion. Also, the method of operating the protection device inflates the inflation portion by the activation portion activating the inflation source supply portion, and restricts the movement of the neck of the wearer.

[0026] Effects of Invention

[0027] According to the present disclosure, a technology that can quickly protect the neck of a protected person can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a view that explains the protection device of the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram that shows the outline configuration of the neck protection device.

[0030] Figure 3 is a view that explains the cross-sectional configuration of the inflation belt.

[0031] Figure 4 is a view that schematically shows the gas supply device.

[0032] Figure 5 is a view that shows the configuration of the control portion.

[0033] Figure 6 is a view showing a processing flow performed by a control section of a neck protection device.

[0034] Figure 7 is a view showing a state after an expansion section of an expansion belt is expanded.

[0035] Figure 8 is a view showing a modification example of a set scheme of an expansion belt.

[0036] Figure 9 is a view comparing a neck protection device of an embodiment with a conventional protection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, a protection device of an embodiment of the present disclosure and a working method thereof will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each configuration in the embodiment and combinations thereof and the like are one example, and addition, omission, replacement, and other changes of the configuration can be appropriately made within a scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited by the embodiment, but is limited only by the claims.

[0038] The protection device of the embodiment is provided with:

[0039] an expansion belt having flexibility, which is configured in contact with a skin of a wearer in a manner of following at least a part of a boundary region between a neck and a head of the wearer before the protection device is worked, the expansion belt including an expansion section which is expandable by being supplied with an expansion source when the protection device is worked;

[0040] an expansion source supply section which supplies the expansion section with the expansion source; and

[0041] an activation section which expands the expansion section by activating the expansion source supply section.

[0042] Further, the working method of the protection device expands the expansion section by the activation section activating the expansion source supply section, and restricts a movement of the neck of the wearer.

[0043] <EMBODIMENT>

[0044] Figure 1 is a view showing a protection device 1 of the embodiment. The protection device 1 is a wearable type protection device which is worn on a protected person, and is a device for protecting a neck of a wearer (protected person). The protection device 1 is configured to include a helmet 200 which is worn on a head of the wearer (protected person) and which is used for protecting the head, and a neck protection device 300 which is used for protecting the neck of the wearer (protected person). In the present specification, the wearer who wears the protection device 1 and the protected person are treated as the same meaning.

[0045] For the protection device 1 in the present embodiment, as one example, the neck protection device 300 is provided integrally with the helmet 200. However, the neck protection device 300 can also be provided separately from the helmet 200. Note that, Figure 1 (A) of the upper paragraph is illustrated as a perspective view obtained by viewing the helmet 200 from the left side, Figure 1 (B) of the upper paragraph is illustrated as a perspective view obtained by viewing the helmet 200 from the right side. Note that, Figure 1 shows a state in which the wearer has put on (worn) the helmet 200. Also, Figure 1 shows a state before the neck protection device 300 is activated.

[0046] The helmet 200 in the present embodiment is provided with a helmet main body 210 of a half (approximately hemispherical) type, a fixing strap 220 for fixing the helmet main body 210 to the wearer (protected person), and the like. The helmet main body 210 is a protective member that protects the head of the wearer. An inner cushion member (not shown) for absorbing impact at the time of a fall or the like can also be provided on the inner side of the helmet main body 210. The inner cushion member can be composed of, for example, foamed styrene such as foamed polystyrene (EPS). The helmet main body 210 can be formed of, for example, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin, PC (Poly Carbonate) resin.

[0047] The fixing strap 220 is a so-called chin strap. The fixing strap 220 is a rope-like body for fixing the helmet main body 210 to the head of the wearer by hanging on the chin of the wearer, and is installed to the left and right left side edge 210A and right side edge 210B of the helmet main body 210, respectively.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1 , the fixing strap 220 includes, for example, a left strap portion 230A and a right strap portion 230B, a chin strap portion 240, a rear strap portion 250, and the like. The left strap portion 230A is a strap installed to the left side edge 210A of the helmet main body 210. The right strap portion 230B is a strap installed to the right side edge 210B of the helmet main body 210. The left strap portion 230A and the right strap portion 230B each include a first upper strap portion 260 and a second upper strap portion 270, the lower end sides of which are joined at joining portions 280A and 280B.

[0049] Of course, Figure 1 the scheme of the fixing strap 220 shown in Figure 1In the example shown, the connecting portions 280A and 280B are positioned below the wearer's ears. When the wearer wears the helmet 200, the first upper strap portion 260 and the second upper strap portion 270 of each of the left side strap portions 230A are arranged in a roughly V-shape to surround the ears. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, the first upper strap 260 is positioned in front of the wearer's ear, and the second upper strap 270 is positioned behind the wearer's ear.

[0050] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 As shown, a chin strap 240 and a rear strap 250 are provided between the connecting portions 280A and 280B. The chin strap 240 is a strap positioned along the area under the wearer's chin, that is, along the boundary region A1 between the front neck and the chin, extending from the wearer's chin to below the ear. The chin strap 240 may also be configured to be divided into two parts in the middle, and the divided chin strap 240 can be easily attached and detached from each other via fasteners such as buckles (not shown). Furthermore, the rear strap is a strap positioned along the boundary region A2 between the back of the wearer's neck and the back of the head. The helmet 200 (helmet body 210) can be secured to the wearer's head using the fastening strap 220 configured as described above. In this embodiment, the chin strap 240 and the rear strap 250 are connected via the connecting portions 280A and 280B. More specifically, the chin strap portion 240, rear strap portion 250, first upper strap portion 260 and second upper strap portion 270 constituting the fixing strap 220 are interconnected via connecting portions 280A and 280B, respectively.

[0051] It should be noted that each part of the fastening strap 220 is flexible and can conform to the wearer's skin. That is, each part of the fastening strap 220 (including the expansion strap 340 described later) can be positioned in contact with the wearer's skin. It should also be noted that in this specification, "neck" refers to the narrowing portion connecting the head and torso. Furthermore, the portion of the "neck" primarily located on the back of the head is referred to as the "back of the neck." The "back of the neck" is sometimes also called the "neck area." Additionally, the portion of the "neck" located on the front side opposite to the "back of the neck" is referred to as the "front of the neck." The "front of the neck" is sometimes also called the "front of the throat."

[0052] Next, the neck protection device 300 will be described. Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the general configuration of a neck protection device 300. The neck protection device 300 includes a gas supply device 310 as an expansion source supply unit, an activation unit 320, an expansion band 340, etc. Furthermore, the activation unit 320 is configured to include a control unit 350, a power supply 360, an operating condition sensing sensor 370, and a wearing status sensing sensor 380, etc. Figure 1In the accompanying drawing, reference numeral 390 is a housing that accommodates the gas supply device 310, control unit 350, power supply 360, operating condition sensing sensor 370, etc. Figure 1 In this case, the housing 390 is installed on the rear side of the helmet body 210, but the position of the housing 390 and its installation scheme are not particularly limited.

[0053] First, the expansion band 340 will be described. In this embodiment, the expansion band 340 is a flexible band (rope-like body) that, before the neck protection device 300 is in operation, is positioned to run along at least a portion of the boundary region between the wearer's neck and head and to contact the wearer's skin. The expansion band 340 can, for example, be formed from at least a portion of the fixing strap 220 in the helmet 200 described above.

[0054] The expansion band 340 expands when supplied with an expansion source during the operation of the neck protector 300. Furthermore, the expansion band 340 expands during the operation of the neck protector 300, thereby filling the gaps around the neck and restraining the wearer's head and neck movements. Thus, for example, in addition to suppressing large-angle bending of the wearer's head and neck during a bicycle fall, it can reduce the impact on the wearer's head on top of the protection provided by the helmet 200, preventing or mitigating neck injuries. It should be noted that the neck protector 300 can restrain head and neck movements with a slight margin of error, in addition to completely restraining them. That is, the neck protector 300 can also be a device that restrains the head and neck in a manner that does not affect the wearer's bending angle.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the cross-sectional structure of expansion zone 340. Figure 3 The first embodiment of the expansion band 340 is shown in (A). Figure 3 The second embodiment of the expansion band 340 is shown in (B). Figure 3 The third option for the expansion band 340 is shown in (C).

[0056] First of all, Figure 3 The first embodiment shown in (A) will be described. In the first embodiment, the expansion belt 340 has a core rope portion 341 that is not supplied with an expansion source, and an expansion portion 342 integrally disposed with the core rope portion 341 in a state of contact. Figure 3In the example shown, the core string portion 341 and the expansion portion 342 are stacked. The core string portion 341 is a core material that has flexibility but has a certain degree of mechanical strength with respect to the stretching direction, and can be formed of, for example, a polypropylene resin or the like. The core string portion 341 can be made of the same material as a fixing band of a conventional bicycle helmet. Further, the expansion portion 342 of the expansion band 340 is, for example, a bag-like air bag that is contracted before being supplied with an expansion source and is expanded by being supplied with the expansion source. Here, reference numeral 341A is an outer surface of the core string portion 341, and reference numeral 342A is an outer surface of the expansion portion 342. The expansion band 340 is, for example, arranged so that the outer surface 342A of the expansion portion 342 faces the skin of the wearer.

[0057] Next, a second aspect shown in (B) of FIG. 3 will be described. Figure 3 The expansion band 340 in the second aspect is arranged with the expansion portion 342 so as to surround the periphery of the core string portion 341 described above. Reference numerals 342B and 342C are first and second main faces of the expansion portion 342. The expansion band 340 of the second aspect is, for example, arranged so that either one of the first main face 342B and the second main face 342C of the expansion portion 342 faces the skin of the wearer.

[0058] Next, a third aspect shown in (C) of FIG. 3 will be described. Figure 3 The expansion band 340 in the third aspect is arranged so that the expansion portion 342 is covered by the outer member 343 before the neck protection device 300 is activated. The outer member 343 has a first outer main face portion 344 arranged so as to contact the skin of the wearer, a second outer main face portion 345 arranged so as to face the first outer main face portion 344, and a pair of outer side face portions 346A and 346B connecting the first outer main face portion 344 and the second outer main face portion 345, and the bag-like expansion portion 342 is arranged in a folded state so as to be sandwiched between the first outer main face portion 344 and the second outer main face portion 345. Here, the first outer main face portion 344 and the second outer main face portion 345 can be members corresponding to the core string portion 341 described in the first aspect. That is, the first outer main face portion 344 and the second outer main face portion 345 are core materials that have flexibility but have a certain degree of mechanical strength with respect to the stretching direction, and can be formed of, for example, a polypropylene resin or the like.

[0059] When the inflation source is supplied to the inflation portion 342, the inflation portion 342 inside the outer member 343 starts to inflate, and its inflation pressure acts on the outer member 343. The inflation belt 340 in the third aspect is configured to break a pair of outer member side portions 346A, 346B by the inflation pressure of the inflation portion 342 at the time of operation, or to damage (for example, loosen the sewing portion) the connection portion of each of the outer member side portions 346A, 346B connected (for example, sewn) to the first outer member main portion 344 and the second outer member main portion 345, respectively. Thus, the first outer member main portion 344 and the second outer member main portion 345 are separated from each other compared to the initial state before the inflation portion 342 is inflated, and the inflation portion 342 continues to inflate. Note that the above Figure 3 (A) to Figure 3 The aspects described in (A) to

[0060] Further, as the inflation source supplied to the inflation portion 342 of the inflation belt 340, for example, an inflation gas for inflating the inflation portion 342 can be cited. Further, instead of such an inflation gas, a foaming body capable of inflating the inflation portion 342 can be used as the inflation source. The inflation portion 342 can be inflated by supplying a foaming body such as foaming urethane from a spray-type inflation source supply portion to the inflation portion 342. In the aspect examples of (A) to Figure 3 (A) to Figure 3 In the aspect examples of (A) to Figure 3 (A), the portion corresponding to the side surface portion of the aspect of (A) can be set to be easily inflated. In such a neck protection device 300, since the inflation portion 342 is inflated relatively wide in the width direction of the core cord portion 341, the inflation portion 342 is spread relatively large in the height direction of the neck. Therefore, resistance against the case where the wearer's head and neck are bent largely is easily generated, and the wearer's neck can be more appropriately protected. Figure 3 (B), and Figure 4 (C), the portion corresponding to the side surface portion of the aspect of (A) can be set to be easily inflated. In such a neck protection device 300, since the inflation portion 342 is inflated relatively wide in the width direction of the core cord portion 341, the inflation portion 342 is spread relatively large in the height direction of the neck. Therefore, resistance against the case where the wearer's head and neck are bent largely is easily generated, and the wearer's neck can be more appropriately protected. Figure 4

[0061] Hereinafter, an aspect in which the submandibular belt portion 240 and the rear belt portion 250 in the fixing belt 220 are configured as the inflation belt 340 will be described.

[0062] Figure 1 ​is a view schematically showing the gas supply device 310. The gas supply device 310 is a device for supplying an inflation gas for inflating the inflation portion 342 of the inflation belt 340 to the inflation portion 342 when the neck protection device 300 is in operation, and has a storage container 311 for storing the inflation gas in a pressurized state and a conduit 312 connected at one end side to a gas discharge port 311A of the storage container 311. The conduit 312 is a pipe member for guiding (delivering) the inflation gas (pressurized gas) discharged from the gas discharge port 311A of the storage container 311 to the inflation portion 342 of the inflation belt 340 when the neck protection device 300 is in operation. In the present embodiment, since the submandibular belt portion 240 and the rear belt portion 250 in the fixing belt 220 are configured as the inflation belt 340, the top end side of the conduit 312 is branched into two branched branch portions 312A, 312B. In Figure 1 the inflation portion of the submandibular belt portion 240 configured as the inflation belt 340 is denoted by reference numeral 3421, and the inflation portion of the rear belt portion 250 configured as the inflation belt 340 is denoted by reference numeral 3422. The gas guide inlets 3423, 3424 are provided in the inflation portions 3421, 3422, respectively, and the branched branch portions 312A, 312B in the conduit 312 are connected to the gas guide inlets 3423, 3424.

[0063] The valve core 311B that closes the gas discharge port 311A of the storage container 311 is provided at the gas discharge port 311A, and the storage container 311 is closed by the valve core 311B before the neck protection device 300 (the gas supply device 310) is in operation. Also, when the neck protection device 300 is in operation, the inside of the storage container 311 is made to communicate with the conduit 312 by opening the valve core 311B of the gas supply device 310. Thus, the inflation gas (pressurized gas) is discharged from the storage container 311 to the conduit 312, and the inflation gas (pressurized gas) is supplied to the inflation portion 342 of the inflation belt 340 through the conduit 312. As one example, as shown in Figure 4 the conduit 312 is arranged so as to extend along the inside of the left side edge 210A of the helmet main body 210 and the first upper side belt portion 260 of the left side belt portion 230A. Also, for example, at the vicinity of the portions where the submandibular belt portion 240 and the rear belt portion 250 configured as the inflation belt 340 are connected to the linking portion 280A, the branched branch portions 312A, 312B in the conduit 312 are connected to the inflation portions 342. Note that, Figure 5 and Figure 6 the reference numeral 330 shown in

[0064] Next, the activation section 320 will be described. As described above, the activation section 320 is configured to include the control section 350, the power supply 360, the working condition sensing sensor 370, the wearing state sensing sensor 380, and the like, and is a device that activates the gas supply device 310 that is the expansion source supply section to expand the expansion section 342 of the expansion belt 340. The control section 350 is a control unit that acts to activate the gas supply device 310 by receiving the supply of electric power from the power supply 360. The power supply 360 can be, for example, a lithium ion battery or a dry cell.

[0065] The control section 350 opens the spool 311B of the gas supply device 310 when the working condition in which the neck protection device 300 (the gas supply device 310) should be operated is established. For example, the control section 350 can also control a working mechanism (not shown) such as an actuator that can open the spool 311B of the gas supply device 310 to open the spool 311B. Of course, the working mechanism that opens the spool 311B of the gas supply device 310 is not limited to this scheme. For example, the spool 311B can be configured by a thin-walled metal plate member, and the control section 350 can open the spool 311B by operating a cracking mechanism that cracks the spool 311B.

[0066] Figure 6 is a view showing the configuration of the control section 350. The control section 350 includes a processor 351, a storage section 352, and an input / output section 353, and the like. The processor 351 comprehensively performs various arithmetic processing in the control section 350. The processor 351 can have, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like, as an arithmetic processing unit.

[0067] The storage section 352 includes, for example, a main storage section and an auxiliary storage section. The main storage section of the storage section 352 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, and caches, for example, a program, data, and the like used for arithmetic processing by the processor 351. Note that the main storage section of the storage section 352 can be formed integrally with the processor 351. The auxiliary storage section of the storage section 352 is constituted by a volatile memory such as a RAM, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a storage medium such as a removable medium, or the like. Note that the removable medium is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card or the like that can be attached from the outside and is readable by a computer. In the auxiliary storage section of the storage section 352, an operating system (OS) for executing the operation of the neck protection device 300, various programs, various tables, and the like can be stored. The input / output section 353 is, for example, an interface that performs input of information (detection results and the like) from various sensors such as the working condition sensing sensor 370, the wearing state sensing sensor 380, and the like, and output of information (control signals and the like) to various sensors, other devices. In addition, the neck protection device 300 has a power switch not shown, and a state signal of the power switch is also input to the input / output section 353.

[0068] The working-condition sensing sensor 370 is a sensor for sensing that a prescribed working condition has been established. The prescribed working condition refers to a condition in which the neck protection device 300 should be operated, and examples thereof include a condition in which the bicycle ridden by the wearer of the helmet 200 has fallen over, a condition in which the wearer is in danger other than this, and the like. The working-condition sensing sensor 370 can be, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor), or the like. In addition, the working-condition sensing sensor 370 can also be a vital sign sensor that senses the brain waves of the wearer. The dangerous state of the wearer can also be sensed by detecting brain waves that are different from the brain waves at ordinary times through the vital sign sensor. The vital sign sensor can be a contact-type sensor that comes into contact with the head of the wearer, or can be a non-contact-type sensor. The working-condition sensing sensor 370 includes, for example, at least one of the above-described acceleration sensor, gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor), and vital sign sensor. Of course, as the working-condition sensing sensor 370, a plurality of sensors among the acceleration sensor, gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor), and vital sign sensor can also be used in combination. In addition, the working-condition sensing sensor 370 is not particularly limited as long as it can sense the working condition, and a sensing device other than the above-described example (for example, a video camera, a millimeter wave radar, or the like) can also be used. The neck protection device 300 is provided with the working-condition sensing sensor 370, and thus the activation unit 320 can operate the neck protection device 300 at an appropriate timing.

[0069] In addition, the wearing-state sensing sensor 380 is a sensor that senses the contact state with the head of the wearer, and a plurality of wearing-state sensing sensors 380 can also be provided on the inside of the helmet main body 210. The control unit 350 determines whether or not the helmet 200 is being worn based on the sensing signal of the wearing-state sensing sensor 380. For example, the control unit 350 can determine that the helmet 200 is being worn when the plurality of wearing-state sensing sensors 380 sense the contact state with the head of the wearer. The wearing-state sensing sensor 380 can be, for example, a pressure-sensitive sensor.

[0070] Next, the working method of the neck protection device 300 will be described. The neck protection device 300 has, for example, an unillustrated power switch, and in a state in which the power switch is turned on (ON), the control unit 350 periodically repeats the processing flow of Figure 6 . Figure 6 is a view that shows the processing flow of the control unit 350 of the neck protection device 300.

[0071] In step S10, the control unit 350 determines whether or not the helmet 200 is being worn by the wearer based on the sensing signal of the wearing-state sensing sensor 380. The control unit 350 temporarily ends the processing of the processing flow of Figure 7The processing flow is as follows. On the other hand, if the control unit 350 determines that the helmet 200 is worn by the wearer, it proceeds to step S20. The neck protection device 300 in this embodiment is equipped with a wearing status sensing sensor 380, thus preventing the neck protection device 300 from malfunctioning when the helmet 200 is not worn. For example, it can prevent the neck protection device 300 from working futilely when the helmet 200 is impacted as a single unit.

[0072] In step S20, the control unit 350 determines whether the operating conditions of the neck protection device 300 are met. As described above, the operating conditions of the neck protection device 300 are determined based on the sensing signal from the operating condition sensing sensor 370. In this step, if the operating conditions of the neck protection device 300 are determined to be met, the process proceeds to step S30; if the operating conditions are determined to be unmet, the process temporarily ends. Figure 7 The processing flow.

[0073] In step S30, the control unit 350 activates the gas supply device 310. That is, it opens the valve core 311B of the storage container 311, and supplies the expansion gas stored in the storage container 311 as an expansion source to the expansion section 342 of the expansion belt 340 through the conduit 312, thereby causing the expansion section 342 to expand. Figure 7 This figure illustrates the state of the expansion portion 342 of the expansion band 340 after expansion. Here, since the chin strap portion 240 and the rear strap portion 250 in the helmet 200 are formed as expansion bands 340, the expansion portions 342 provided in these chin strap portions 240 and rear strap portions 250 are expanded.

[0074] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the state of the neck protection device 300 after it has been activated. (For example...) Figure 8 As shown, the neck protection device 300 operates by expanding the expansion portion 342 in the chin strap portion 240 and the rear strap portion 250 of the expansion band 340. This restricts the movement of the wearer's head and neck. In other words, for example, in the event of a bicycle tipping over, it can prevent the wearer's head and neck from bending at a large angle due to the impact of the tipping, thus avoiding or reducing neck injury.

[0075] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the expansion band 340 only needs to be configured in a manner that runs along at least a portion of the boundary area between the wearer's neck and head and is in contact with the wearer's skin when the neck protection device 300 is in its pre-operational state. Figure 8 This diagram illustrates a variation of the design scheme for the expansion band 340. Figure 8(A) shows an example where the expansion band 340 is positioned only in the boundary region A2 between the back of the wearer's neck and the back of the head. That is, in this example, the rear strap portion 250 of the helmet 200, which is part of the fastening strap 220, is configured as the expansion band 340. Figure 9 (B) shows an example of an expansion band 340 in which, in addition to the submandibular band portion 240 and the posterior band portion 250, the first upper band portion 260 is also configured as an expansion band 340. Of course, Figure 9 The illustrated solution is exemplary; for example, the entirety (all strap portions) of the fixing strap 220 could be formed by the expansion band 340. In the above example, the constraint on the wearer's neck and head bending forward and backward has been described, but the case of the neck and head bending to the left and right is also considered, for example. In this case, by expanding the portion corresponding to the wearer's sub-ear area of ​​either the sub-chin strap portion 240 or the rear strap portion 250 more widely, it is possible to suppress large lateral swings of the wearer's neck and head upon impact, thus providing more appropriate neck protection.

[0076] When a bicycle falls over, there is a tendency for the wearer's neck to bend around the boundary area with the head. Figure 9 This diagram compares the neck protection device 300 of the embodiment with a conventional protection device. Figure 9 The neck protection device 300 of the embodiment is shown in the upper paragraph (A). Figure 3 The following section (B) shows a conventional protective device (hereinafter referred to as "conventional protective device"). As disclosed in Patent Document 1, the conventional protective device is a protective device obtained by installing an inflatable airbag 1000 on the collar of the user's clothing. In the conventional protective device, even though the user's neck can be protected by inflating the airbag 1000 installed on the collar of the user's clothing, it takes time until the airbag 1000 inflates to the boundary area between the user's neck and head. For example, if the airbag 1000 does not reach a near-fully inflated state, it is difficult to exert the restraining function of restricting the bending of the user's neck. This is because the airbag 1000 of the conventional protective device is installed on the collar of the user's clothing, and the installation position of the airbag 1000 and the distance to the boundary area between the user's neck and head are far. In addition, in the conventional protective device, since the airbag 1000 is not sufficiently fixed to the user, the airbag 1000 is prone to positional displacement when the user's neck and head are tilted, and the restraining performance may become insufficient.

[0077] In contrast, the neck protection device 300 according to this embodiment has an expansion band 340 pre-positioned along the boundary region between the wearer's neck and head before the device is activated. This allows the wearer's neck to be immediately restrained when the conditions for activating the neck protection device 300 are met. Consequently, when the wearer of the helmet 200 falls over, the protective function (i.e., neck restraint function) provided by the neck protection device 300 can be performed with a smaller bending angle of the wearer's neck due to the impact. Therefore, injuries to the wearer's neck can be more appropriately suppressed and reduced.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the neck protection device 300 of this embodiment, since the expansion band 340 can be directly disposed at the boundary region between the neck and head of the wearer who is to be protected, the amount of expansion source supplied to expand the expansion portion 342 of the expansion band 340 can be suppressed. As a result, the expansion speed of the expansion portion 342 in the expansion band 340 can be ensured, and the neck protection device 300 can be made more compact.

[0079] Furthermore, in terms of human anatomy, when the wearer's face turns laterally, a rotational movement of the neck relative to the torso occurs (a lateral rotation). That is, the relative angle of the neck to the torso in the lateral (horizontal) direction changes depending on the direction the wearer's face is facing. At this time, if... Figure 4 As shown in the lower section of the existing protective device, when the airbag 1000 is installed in the collar of the user's clothing, the relative position of the airbag 1000 to the body is fixed, and the orientation of the airbag 1000 cannot change with the twisting movement of the neck. That is to say, in the existing protective device, since the airbag 1000 is not directly fixed to the user's body, the airbag 1000 may shift position due to the movement of the user's neck or head, and sometimes the restraint performance cannot be fully exerted.

[0080] In contrast, the expansion band 340 of the neck protection device 300 in this embodiment is flexible and can be configured to contact the wearer's skin. Therefore, even if the wearer twists their neck laterally (horizontally) before the neck protection device 300 operates, the expansion band 340 can remain in a state where it conforms to the boundary area between the wearer's neck and head. Thus, regardless of whether the wearer's face is facing forward or to the side, the expansion band 340 can be pre-fitted to the boundary area between the wearer's neck and head without being affected. That is, regardless of the wearer's face orientation (degree of lateral neck twist) at the time the neck protection device 300 operates, the expansion band 340, which is in a state of conforming to the boundary area between the wearer's neck and head, will always expand, providing appropriate neck protection. For example, when... ​In the case where the inflation portion 342 side of the inflation band 340 of the first scheme shown in (A) is configured to face the wearer's skin, the inflation portion 342 expands toward the skin surface of the neck, restraining the neck, but the reaction force thereof acts in a direction in which the core cord portion 341 is intended to expand outward. In contrast, since the core cord portion 341 in the inflation band 340 has a moderate rigidity, the core cord portion 341 can resist the above-mentioned reaction force, and as a result, the restraining effect on the neck can be promoted by the inflation portion 342.

[0081] Note that, after the neck of the wearer is protected by the operation of the neck protection device 300, the wearer operates the opening valve 330 to release the gas in the conduit 312 to the atmosphere, as needed. Thereby, the degree of expansion of the inflation portion 342 can be reduced, and the helmet 200 can be easily removed.

[0082] Further, in the present embodiment, the gas supply device 310 and the activation portion 320 as the inflation source supply portion are also detachable with respect to the helmet 200. In the above-mentioned scheme, the housing case 390 can also be configured to be detachable with respect to the helmet main body 210. In this way, by making the gas supply device 310 and the activation portion 320 detachable with respect to the helmet 200, for example, when the helmet 200 is replaced, the non-operational gas supply device 310 and the activation portion 320 can be easily moved to the new helmet 200. For example, the control portion 350, the power supply 360, various sensors, and the like can be detachably fixed to the helmet main body 210 by a cord or the like with a snap-type fixing member, or can be inserted into a suitable insertion pocket formed on the inner side of the helmet main body 210. In the insertion pocket, for example, by making the opening portion openable and closable by a zipper or the like, the helmet main body 210 can be detachable. Further, the gas supply device 310 can be, for example, provided as a box-type with a lock in advance, and inserted into a prescribed housing portion in the helmet main body 210, so as not to fall off from the helmet main body 210 even if impacted.

[0083] Further, the neck protection device 300 of the present embodiment can adopt various modifications. For example, in the neck protection device 300 described in the above-mentioned embodiment, the scheme in which the control portion 350 operates the gas supply device 310 based on the detection result of the work condition sensing sensor 370 in the activation portion 320 is described, but for example, a manual operation portion (not shown) for the wearer to manually operate can be provided in the helmet main body 210, so as to operate the neck protection device 300 as an opportunity to accept the operation of the manual operation portion by the wearer. For example, in the case where the neck protection device 300 is provided in a helmet 200 for a motorcycle, the helmet 200 can be provided with a manual operation portion for the wearer to manually operate, and the neck protection device 300 can be configured to operate as an opportunity to accept the operation of the manual operation portion by the wearer. ​In the gas supply device 310 described above, a suitable mechanical mechanism (for example, a combination of mechanical elements such as a spring, a wire, and the like) can be interposed between the valve core 311B that seals the gas discharge port 311A of the storage container 311 that stores the inflation gas (pressurized gas) and the manually operated portion, and the neck protection device 300 can be operated by the wearer operating the manually operated portion. The specific configuration of the manually operated portion is not particularly limited, and for example, a manually operated switch, a locking pin, or the like that can be operated by the wearer can be provided in the helmet body 210, and a configuration in which the gas discharge port 311A of the storage container 311 is opened by operating such a manually operated portion can also be employed.

[0084] Further, the gas supply device 310 (inflation source supply portion) can also be a pyro-type gas generator used when inflating the airbag. Such a gas generator is known, and detailed description is omitted, but the gas generator can also have a housing that accommodates a gas generating agent inside, and a pyro-type igniter that operates by being supplied with operating current and ignites the gas generating agent inside the housing, and the gas generator supplies the inflation gas generated by combustion of the gas generating agent to the inflation portion 342 of the inflation band 340 through the conduit 312. In this case, the gas generating agent corresponds to the inflation source of the inflation portion 342 in the inflation band 340.

[0085] The above describes embodiments of the present disclosure, but various aspects disclosed in the present specification can also be combined with any other feature disclosed in the present specification.

[0086] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0087] 1: protection device;

[0088] 200: helmet;

[0089] 210: helmet body;

[0090] 220: fixing band;

[0091] 240: submandibular band portion;

[0092] 250: rear band portion;

[0093] 300: neck protection device;

[0094] 310: gas supply device;

[0095] 320: activation portion;

[0096] 330: open valve;

[0097] 340: inflation band;

[0098] 342: inflation portion;

[0099] 350: control unit

Claims

1. A protection device that protects a neck of a wearer, the protection device comprising: an inflatable belt that is flexible and that is configured in contact with a skin of the wearer along at least a portion of a boundary region of a neck and a head of the wearer in a pre-operation state of the protection device, the inflatable belt including an inflatable portion that is inflatable by being supplied with an inflation source when the protection device is operated; an inflation source supply portion that supplies the inflation source to the inflatable portion; and an activation portion that inflates the inflatable portion by activating the inflation source supply portion, the protection device restraining a motion of the neck of the wearer by inflating the inflatable portion when operated.

2. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable belt includes a submandibular belt portion that is configured along a boundary region of an anterior neck and a submandibular portion of the wearer in the pre-operation state of the protection device.

3. The protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inflatable belt includes a rear belt portion that is configured along a boundary region of a posterior neck and a posterior head of the wearer.

4. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable belt includes a submandibular belt portion that is configured along a boundary region of an anterior neck and a submandibular portion of the wearer and a rear belt portion that is configured along a boundary region of a posterior neck and a posterior head of the wearer, the submandibular belt portion and the rear belt portion being connected to each other.

5. The protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inflatable belt is formed from at least a portion of a fixing belt for fixing a helmet of a half-shell type that protects a head to the wearer.

6. The protection device according to claim 5, wherein the activation portion further comprises an operation condition sensing sensor for sensing that a prescribed operation condition has been established, the inflation source supply portion and the activation portion being mounted to the helmet.

7. The protection device according to claim 6, wherein the inflation source supply portion and the activation portion are detachable with respect to the helmet.

8. The protection device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the activation portion further comprises a wearing state sensing sensor that senses whether the helmet is worn on the head of the wearer.

9. The protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inflatable belt further has a core cord portion that is not supplied with the inflation source, the inflatable portion being integrally provided in contact with the core cord portion.

10. The protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inflatable belt is configured in a state in which the inflatable portion is covered by an outer cover, the outer cover having a first outer cover main surface portion that is configured to be in contact with the skin of the wearer, a second outer cover main surface portion that is configured to be opposed to the first outer cover main surface portion, and a pair of outer cover side surface portions that connect the first outer cover main surface portion and the second outer cover main surface portion to each other, the protection device being configured to cause the pair of outer cover side surface portions to be ruptured or to cause a connection portion of each of the outer cover side surface portions to be connected to the first outer cover main surface portion and the second outer cover main surface portion, respectively, to be damaged by an inflation pressure of the inflatable portion when operated.

11. The protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The inflation source supply portion is a gas supply device that supplies an inflation gas for inflating the inflation portion to the inflation portion at the time of operation, The gas supply device has a conduit for introducing the inflation gas into the inflation portion, and an open valve is provided in the conduit.

12. A method of operating a protection device that protects the neck of a wearer, in the method of operating the protection device, The protection device includes: an inflation belt that is flexible and that is configured to contact the skin of the wearer along at least a portion of the boundary region between the neck and the head of the wearer in a pre-operation state of the protection device, the inflation belt including an inflation portion that is inflatable by being supplied with an inflation source at the time of operation of the protection device; an inflation source supply portion that supplies the inflation source to the inflation portion; and an activation portion that inflates the inflation portion by activating the inflation source supply portion, The method of operating the protection device inflates the inflation portion by the activation portion activating the inflation source supply portion, and restricts the movement of the neck of the wearer.

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