protective helmet

Abstract

Protective helmet, in particular motorcycle helmet, with an outer shell (1) for distributing impact forces, with a battery slot (2) permanently connected to the outer shell (1) for the detachable reception of a battery (3) and with a conductor arrangement (4) electrically connected to the battery slot (2) for supplying power to an electrical device (5) mechanically coupled to the outer shell (1) by the received battery (3), wherein the battery slot (2) has a pole arrangement (14) for electrically and detachably coupling the received battery (3) and wherein the electrical device is a digital device for wireless communication, characterized in that the battery slot (2) has a battery frame (6) arranged on the inside of the outer shell for the positive locking reception of the battery (3) with a battery frame opening (7) for inserting the battery (3) into the battery frame (6),that the battery frame (6) adjoins a lower edge of the outer shell (1) and that the battery frame opening (7) is substantially located at the lower edge of the outer shell (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective helmet and in particular a motorcycle protective helmet.

[0002] Modern protective helmets not only feature mechanical devices and features such as a visor, ventilation and turbulators, but increasingly also electrical devices, which are either permanently attached to the protective helmet or can be retrofitted.

[0003] Operating such electrical devices requires electrical energy, which can be supplied, for example, by a battery. The term "battery" here and in the following text refers to both primary cells—that is, non-rechargeable energy storage devices—and secondary cells—that is, rechargeable energy storage devices. Such batteries have a storage capacity that is limited primarily by their size and weight. It is often very cumbersome to replace the battery of an electrical device attached to a helmet, and usually practically impossible if the helmet wearer is also wearing motorcycle gloves.

[0004] The object of the invention is to further develop and improve a protective helmet in such a way that the use of batteries for electrical devices on the protective helmet is made easier for the wearer of the protective helmet.

[0005] This problem is solved by a protective helmet having the features of claim 1.

[0006] Essential to the invention is the realization that a provision can be provided on the helmet itself to detachably hold a battery and use this battery to power an electrical device on the helmet. This allows, on the one hand, the battery to be replaced—for example, after it has discharged—without removing or tampering with the electrical device it powers. On the other hand, the battery holder can also be designed so that this replacement is very easy and possible even when the wearer of the helmet is wearing motorcycle gloves. A further significant advantage is that proper and environmentally sound disposal of the battery is facilitated.

[0007] The protective helmet according to the invention, which may in particular be a motorcycle helmet, has an outer shell for distributing impact forces, a battery slot permanently connected to the outer shell for the detachable insertion of a battery, and a wiring arrangement electrically connected to the battery slot for supplying power to an electrical device mechanically coupled to the outer shell via the battery. This electrical device may be an integral part of the protective helmet. Alternatively, the electrical device may be separate from the protective helmet. The electrical device may be detachably or permanently mechanically coupled to the outer shell, with this coupling being either direct or indirect – i.e., indirectly via a device arranged between the electrical device and the outer shell.The conductor arrangement can in particular consist of one or more electrical conductors, and the conductor arrangement can also include other active or passive electrical components.

[0008] As proposed, the battery slot has a battery frame arranged on the inside of the outer shell for the positive-locking retention of the battery. This battery frame is preferably made primarily of plastic. The inside of the outer shell is, here and subsequently, the concave side of the outer shell and thus the side of the outer shell facing the head of the helmet wearer. The positive-locking retention of the battery can be in one, two, or more than two directions. Such a positive-locking design is particularly suitable for securing the battery in the battery frame. As proposed, the battery frame has an opening for inserting the battery into the battery frame.

[0009] As proposed, the battery frame abuts a lower edge of the outer shell, and the battery frame opening is located substantially at the lower edge of the outer shell. Here and subsequently, the term "lower" refers to the helmet as worn by a person. Preferably, the battery frame extends from the battery frame opening substantially along the outer shell, particularly such that the battery is inserted into the battery frame in a substantially vertical upward direction. Again, here and subsequently, the term "vertically upward" refers to the helmet as worn by a person. Such an arrangement makes it possible to house the battery beneath the outer shell of the helmet without excessively increasing the helmet's volume. This arrangement also allows the helmet wearer particularly convenient access to the battery.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the helmet has a helmet end cap firmly connected to the outer shell for at least partially covering a lower edge of the outer shell. This helmet end cap preferably consists mainly of plastic and prevents damage to the outer shell if the unused helmet falls to the ground, for example. Preferably, the helmet end cap also serves as the lower boundary of the protective helmet. Furthermore, the battery frame may be firmly and preferably positively connected to the helmet end cap. Such a helmet end cap provides a mounting option for the battery frame that does not require any modification of the outer shell, such as drilling.

[0011] Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the battery frame opening is arranged laterally offset from a vertical central longitudinal plane of the protective helmet. This central longitudinal plane is described by a vector in the longitudinal direction of the protective helmet, which longitudinal direction is defined here and subsequently as the direction of view of a person wearing the protective helmet, and by a vector in a vertical direction, which vertical direction is defined in particular according to the vertically superior direction described above. A lateral offset from this vertical central longitudinal plane is therefore an offset perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane and thus in a horizontal transverse direction with respect to the aforementioned direction of view of a person wearing the protective helmet.Preferably, the battery frame opening is positioned substantially midway between a maximally rearward and a maximally lateral position along the lower edge of the outer shell. This arrangement corresponds to a region of the lower edge that is diagonally offset backward from an imaginary center point of the helmet. This area is particularly suitable for a comfortable grip on the helmet by the wearer without obstructing their field of vision.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, the battery slot is provided with a spring device for pre-tensioning the inserted battery in the ejection direction and a locking arrangement with a gripping device for positively locking the inserted battery in the battery frame. In this way, the battery is at least partially ejected and can then be more easily grasped, especially when wearing gloves. This eliminates the need for laboriously pulling out the battery. Preferably, the locking arrangement includes a release device for releasing the gripping device and ejecting the inserted battery from the battery frame. In particular, the release device may be actuated by pressing.In this way, both connecting the battery to the battery slot and removing the battery from the battery slot is possible by pressing down, effectively creating a so-called push-push system.

[0013] As proposed, the battery slot has a terminal arrangement for the electrical and detachable connection of the battery. Preferably, this terminal arrangement is configured to provide an electrical connection between the battery and the wiring for powering the electrical device. Preferably, the terminal arrangement has at least one power terminal for transmitting electrical energy and at least one signal terminal for communication with the battery. Preferably, the power terminal serves to provide the aforementioned electrical connection. The connection of the terminal arrangement can be contactless, e.g., inductive, or by means of contact through the terminal arrangement or through the power terminal and / or the signal terminal. By providing the signal terminal, the battery's status can be queried, and if necessary, the battery's status can be monitored.The charging behavior of the battery – which is explained in more detail below – can be made more complex, which can, for example, mitigate or avoid the deterioration of the battery due to the charging cycles.

[0014] Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the Polana arrangement is arranged on a wall of the battery frame opposite the battery frame opening.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, the helmet has an inner layer, embedded within the outer shell, for damping impact forces, and the cable assembly is at least partially positioned between the outer shell and the inner layer. This positioning of the cable assembly allows for relatively flexible routing while simultaneously protecting it from damage.

[0016] The proposed electrical device is a digital device for wireless communication. It is further preferred that the digital device is a radio module for a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) and, in particular, that the digital device is a radio module for Bluetooth.

[0017] Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the helmet has a device slot for coupling with the electrical device, electrically coupled to the wiring assembly and mechanically, preferably permanently, coupled to the outer shell. This coupling with the electrical device can, in principle, be contactless or via a mechanical connection. Preferably, the device slot is configured for contacting the electrical device. In this way, a connection point for the electrical device is also permanently provided on the protective helmet. In particular, the device slot can be configured to preferably allow for the removable mounting of the electrical device. This then permits the replacement not only of the battery but also of the electrical device.

[0018] The battery, and in particular the wiring configuration, can supply power to multiple electrical devices. One or more electrical devices can be connected to the various device slots, if needed. Alternatively, one or more electrical devices can be permanently installed and hardwired within the helmet, eliminating the need for a device slot as described above.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, the device slot has a device frame arranged on the inside of the outer shell for the positive locking of the electrical device. This positive locking mechanism for the electrical device, which is particularly suitable for fixing the electrical device in the device frame, can exist in one, two, or more than two directions. Preferably, this device frame is made essentially of plastic. Equally preferably, the device frame has an opening for inserting the electrical device into the device frame.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the device frame adjoins a lower edge of the outer shell and that the device frame opening is located substantially at the lower edge of the outer shell. Preferably, the device frame extends substantially along the outer shell from the device frame opening, particularly such that the electrical device is inserted into the device frame substantially in a vertically upward direction. This also results in the same advantages for the arrangement of the electrical device as already described above for the corresponding design of the battery frame and the battery frame opening. Preferably, the device frame is firmly and, even more preferably, positively connected to the helmet's outer shell.

[0021] Another preferred embodiment of the protective helmet is characterized in that the device frame opening is arranged laterally offset from a vertical central longitudinal plane of the helmet. Furthermore, the device frame opening may be arranged essentially as a mirror image of the battery frame opening across the central longitudinal plane. In this way, the one-sided weight of the battery on the helmet is at least partially compensated by the mirrored arrangement of the electrical device.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the protective helmet, the helmet is equipped with a charging device for receiving electrical energy and charging the integrated battery with this energy. It is preferred that the device slot has a charging pole, and in particular a charging contact, for receiving the electrical energy. This charging pole can also be configured to supply power to the electrical device. This charging of the integrated battery is preferably carried out via the wiring arrangement. In this way, the battery can be charged without having to be removed from the battery slot.

[0023] It is further preferred that the charging device has a USB (universal serial bus) interface for establishing a USB connection, preferably for connecting a USB cable, and for receiving electrical power via the USB connection. It is further preferred that the USB interface is enclosed within the device slot.

[0024] Further advantageous and preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. The drawing, which depicts only one exemplary embodiment, shows... Fig. 1 a schematic rear sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a proposed protective helmet, Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of the protective helmet of the Fig. 1 with battery taken up by the battery holder and Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the protective helmet of the Fig. 1 without battery picked up from the battery holder.

[0025] The depicted proposed protective helmet is a motorcycle helmet. It has an outer shell 1 for distributing impact forces. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer shell 1 consists of fiberglass with an added special resin. The battery slot 2, which can detachably accommodate a battery 3, is permanently attached to the outer shell 1. A cable assembly 4 is electrically connected to the battery slot 2 and serves to supply power from the battery 3 to an electrical device 5, which in this case is a Bluetooth radio module. The electrical device 5 is mechanically coupled to the outer shell 1, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0026] The battery frame 6 of battery slot 2, made of plastic, and the battery frame opening 7 for inserting the battery 3 into the battery frame 6 are both in the Fig. 2 as well as in the Fig. 3. In the plane of the battery frame 6, there is a positive fit between the battery 3 and the battery frame 6.

[0027] The protective helmet has a helmet end cap 8, also made of plastic, which covers the lower edge of the outer shell 1 and to which the battery frame 6 is firmly connected, for example, by a screw connection (not shown). The battery frame opening 7 also forms an opening in the helmet end cap 8 and is oriented so that the battery 3 is inserted vertically upwards and along the outer shell 1 into the battery frame 6. For ease of access, the arrangement of the battery frame 6 and the battery frame opening 7 is offset from that shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 indicated vertical central longitudinal plane 9, perpendicular to this approximately halfway to a maximum lateral position 10 along the lower edge of the outer shell 1.

[0028] Regarding the mechanics of the battery frame 6 itself, it is clear from the Fig. 2 and in particular the Fig. Figure 3 shows that the battery slot 2 has a locking arrangement 11 – here formed integrally with the battery frame 6 – which in turn comprises a hook as a gripping device 12 and a contact surface as a release device 13. By actuating the contact surface by means of pressure, the hook is released from engagement with the battery 3, so that the battery 3 is at least partially ejected from the battery frame by a spring device of the battery slot 2 – not shown here.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a pole arrangement 14, which includes a power pole 14a, a signal pole 14b and a ground pole 14c, and with which pole arrangement 14 both power can be transferred from the battery 3 and communication can take place with a corresponding logic of the battery 3.

[0030] As from the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the conductor arrangement 4 is arranged between the outer shell 1 and an inner layer 15 for damping impact forces. In the present embodiment, the inner layer consists of expanded polystyrene (EPS).

[0031] For coupling the electrical device 5 with the outer shell 1, the protective helmet has a [connection / position] in the Fig. 1. Identifiable device slot 16, which can detachably accommodate the electrical device 5. The device slot 16 has a housing made of plastic and is only available in the Fig. 2 and Fig. The device frame 17 shown in Figure 3 is located on the inside of the outer shell 1 and has a device frame opening 18 for inserting and removing the electrical device 5. A contact device for the device slot 15 for electrically contacting the electrical device 5 is not shown separately. The device frame 17 is also connected to the helmet end cap 8 by a screw connection. Overall, the arrangement of the device frame 17, and in particular the arrangement of the device frame opening 18, is essentially mirrored with respect to the battery frame 6 and the battery frame opening 7 on the vertical central longitudinal plane 9 above, so that essentially the same features and advantages result for inserting the electrical device 5 into the device frame 17.

[0032] Finally, in the Fig.Figure 1 shows another USB port 19 of the electrical device 5, which is connected to a USB socket (not shown) of the device slot 16. This USB socket is enclosed by a charging device of the protective helmet (also not shown). A USB connection can be established with this USB socket by connecting a USB cable to the USB port 19 of the electrical device 5. With the appropriate connection of the USB cable at the other end to a power supply, the battery 3 can then be charged by this power supply via the USB cable and then via the wiring arrangement 4.It is also possible that when a USB cable is connected to the USB port 19 of the electrical device 5, the USB connection is logically only established with the electrical device 5, and the electrical device 5 then supplies this electrical energy to the charging device via a charging pole of the device slot 16.

Claims

[1] Protective helmet, in particular motorcycle helmet, with an outer shell (1) for distributing impact forces, with a battery slot (2) permanently connected to the outer shell (1) for the detachable reception of a battery (3) and with a conductor arrangement (4) electrically connected to the battery slot (2) for supplying power to an electrical device (5) mechanically coupled to the outer shell (1) by the received battery (3), wherein the battery slot (2) has a pole arrangement (14) for electrically and detachably coupling the received battery (3) and wherein the electrical device is a digital device for wireless communication, characterized by, that the battery slot (2) has a battery frame (6) arranged on the inside of the outer shell for the positive locking of the battery (3) with a battery frame opening (7) for inserting the battery (3) into the battery frame (6), that the battery frame (6) adjoins a lower edge of the outer shell (1) and that the battery frame opening (7) is substantially located at the lower edge of the outer shell (1). [2] Protective helmet according to claim 1, characterized by , that the battery frame (6) is essentially made of plastic. [3] Protective helmet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the battery frame (6) extends substantially along the outer shell (1) from the battery frame opening (7), in particular such that the battery (3) is inserted into the battery frame (6) substantially in a vertically upward direction. [4] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the battery frame opening (7) is arranged laterally offset to a vertical central longitudinal plane (9) of the protective helmet, preferably that the battery frame opening (7) is arranged substantially centrally between a maximally rearward and a maximally lateral position (10) along the lower edge of the outer shell (1). [5] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the protective helmet has a helmet end (8) firmly connected to the outer shell (1), preferably consisting substantially of plastic, for at least partially covering a lower edge of the outer shell (1), preferably also for the lower boundary of the protective helmet, in particular that the battery frame (6) is firmly, preferably positively, connected to the helmet end (8). [6] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the battery slot (2) has a spring device for pre-tensioning the received battery (3) in the ejection direction and a locking arrangement (11) with a gripping device (12) for positively locking the received battery (3) in the battery frame (6), preferably that the locking arrangement (11) has a release device (13) for releasing the gripping device (12) and for ejecting the received battery (3) from the battery frame (6), in particular that the release device (13) can be actuated by pressing. [7] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the pole arrangement (14) has at least one power pole (14a) for transmitting electrical energy and at least one signal pole (14b) for communicating with the received battery (3). [8] Protective helmet according to claim 7, characterized by, that the pole arrangement (14) is arranged on one of the walls of the battery frame (6) opposite the battery frame opening (7). [9] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the protective helmet has an inner layer (15) received by the outer shell (1) for damping impact forces and that the conductor arrangement (4) is arranged at least partially between the outer shell (1) and the inner layer (15). [10] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the digital device is a radio module for a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), in particular that the digital device is a radio module for Bluetooth. [11] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that the protective helmet has a device slot (16) electrically coupled to the cable arrangement (4) and mechanically, preferably firmly, coupled to the outer shell (1) for coupling with the electrical device (5), in particular that the device slot (16) is designed for preferably detachable reception of the electrical device (5). [12] Protective helmet according to claim 11, characterized by , that the device slot (16) has a device frame (17), preferably made of plastic, arranged on the inside of the outer shell (1) for the positive locking reception of the electrical device (5) with a device frame opening (18) for inserting the electrical device (5) into the device frame (17). [13] Protective helmet according to claim 12, characterized bythat the device frame (17) adjoins a lower edge of the outer shell (1) and that the device frame opening (18) is arranged substantially at the lower edge of the outer shell (1), preferably that the device frame (17) extends substantially along the outer shell (1) from the device frame opening (18), in particular so that the electrical device (5) is inserted substantially in a vertically upward direction into the device frame (17). [14] Protective helmet according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by , that the device frame opening (18) is arranged laterally offset to a vertical central longitudinal plane (9) of the protective helmet, preferably that the device frame opening (18) is arranged substantially mirrored over the central longitudinal plane (9) to the battery frame opening (7). [15] Protective helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized bythat the protective helmet has a charging device for receiving electrical energy and for charging the received battery (3) with the received electrical energy, preferably that the device slot (16) has a charging pole, in particular a charging contact, for receiving the electrical energy.

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