Protective helmet and method thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a protective helmet (100) comprising a shell (10), wherein the shell (10) comprises a chin guard (11) configured to protect at least a region of the chin and the jaw of a user of the helmet (100) and wherein the helmet (100) comprises an air deflection device (12) arranged on an external surface of the chin guard (11). The present disclosure also relates to a method for deflecting an air flow along the chin guard (11) of a protective helmet (100).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to the sector of protective helmets for a user when travelling on a means of transport, such as a vehicle, preferably a two-wheel vehicle. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a protective helmet and a method for deflecting air flows along a protective helmet.

[0002] In the sector relating to the protection of a user it is known to use helmets for protecting the head of a user in the event of falls or impacts so as to allow the absorption, at least partially, of the impact energy and avoid harming or injuring the user.

[0003] During the movement of a user travelling on a vehicle there is always an air resistance which offers resistance to the movement. In particular, a helmet worn by the user is subject to the aerodynamic penetration resistance, called drag, which creates a resistive force in the direction opposite to that of movement. This resistance is due to the formation of different pressure zones around the helmet which cause the formation of air vortices and consequent resistive forces acting against the direction of movement of the vehicle and hence of the helmet.

[0004] The aerodynamic penetration resistance, or drag, may therefore slow the down the movement of the user and the vehicle and also create discomfort for the user since the helmet is pushed backwards against the user's head, especially at high speed. This may result in significant stress acting on the user's neck during riding / driving.

[0005] The present disclosure is based on a recognition by the inventor of the present disclosure that the protective helmets such as those made available hitherto by the prior art, while being advantageous from many points of view, are not always able to guarantee a satisfactory performance and comfort of a user.

[0006] The starting point of the present disclosure is therefore the technical problem of providing a protective helmet which is able to satisfy all the aforementioned requirements with reference to the prior art and / or achieve further advantages.

[0007] This is obtained by means of a protective helmet according to the respective independent claims. Secondary characteristics of the subject of the present disclosure are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0008] In particular, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is proposed providing a protective helmet comprising a shell, which comprises a chin guard configured to protect at least a region of the chin and the jaw of a user of the helmet; the helmet also comprises an air deflection device arranged along an external surface of the chin guard or an on external surface of the chin guard.

[0009] The external surface of the chin guard is a visible surface exposed to the impact of an air flow during use.

[0010] The chin guard is to be understood as being a zone of the helmet which covers the chin, namely a zone which is situated during use of the helmet, underneath the visor zone.

[0011] The air deflection device is arranged along an external surface of the chin guard, namely is for example arranged opposite the chin and / or the jaw. In other words, for example during use of the helmet, the air deflection device is positioned along the external surface of the chin guard opposite the chin and / or the jaw of a user of the helmet.

[0012] For example, the air deflection device may be arranged between the visor and the helmet access opening. The helmet access opening is understood as being the opening positioned in the lower region of the helmet which allows a user to insert his / her head inside the helmet in order to wear it.

[0013] In other words, the air deflection device may be arranged along the external surface of the chin and substantially underneath the helmet visor. Namely, the air deflection device may be positioned mainly underneath the helmet visor, along the external surface of the chin guard.

[0014] For example, at least the portion of the air deflection device which allows the air flow to be deflected or conveyed may be positioned mainly underneath the helmet visor, along the external surface of the chin guard.

[0015] The air deflection device may be configured to deflect or convey an air flow, for example so as to keep it adhering to the external surface of the chin guard and, subsequently, of a remaining part of the helmet. "External surface" is understood as meaning a surface directed towards the outside of the helmet and therefore subject to the external air flows, for example, when a vehicle is being driven / ridden by a user of the helmet. It should be noted that the expression "user of the helmet" is understood as meaning a user wearing or using the helmet.

[0016] The term "deflection" is understood as meaning a conveying of the air flow.

[0017] In the helmets according to the prior art there is currently no device provided for deflecting or conveying an air flow which is arranged or positioned along the chin guard. By means of the present invention it is therefore possible to deflect an air flow directed towards the chin guard so as to reduce turbulence, preferably on the external surface of the chin guard and downstream thereof, namely along the lateral portion and / or rear portion of the helmet. In this way, therefore, it is possible to reduce the aerodynamic penetration resistance, or drag, which acts on the helmet, improving the aerodynamic performance and comfort of the known helmets.

[0018] In other words, preferably the air deflection device is configured to deflect an air flow which encounters the external surface of the helmet chin guard in such a way as to reduce the turbulence of the air flow at least along the external surface of the chin guard.

[0019] Preferably, the air deflection device has an internal surface facing the external surface of the chain guard and spaced from it so as to define at least one air conveying channel between the internal surface of the air deflection device and the external surface of the chin guard. In particular preferably the air deflection device is configured to maintain an air flow adhering to the external surface of the chin guard. Namely, an air flow arriving from a zone in front of the helmet, for example during the movement of a vehicle ridden / driven by a user using the helmet, may be preferably channelled inside the at least one air conveying channel so as to keep the air flow adhering to the external surface of the chin guard.

[0020] In this way it is possible to keep the air flow adhering to the external surface of the chin guard in an effective manner and therefore reduce the turbulence of the air flows which strike the helmet.

[0021] Therefore, according to the present invention, it possible to convey an air flow from a front zone of the helmet so as to improve the reduction in the turbulence of the air flows along the external surface of the helmet, thereby improving the performance of the helmet and the comfort for the user.

[0022] In other words, the air deflection device is preferably configured to deflect the air flow which passes over the chin guard, namely convey an air flow arriving from a zone in front of the helmet inside the at least one air conveying channel.

[0023] In this way it is possible to optimize the direction of the air flow generated on the shell during riding / driving of a vehicle. In particular, the air flow may be conveyed more towards the lateral and rear zones of the shell, allowing the pressure to be increased and the turbulence to be reduced in these zones. Therefore, by means of the invention it is possible to reduce the aerodynamic penetration resistance, or drag, which acts on the helmet, thereby solving the problem of the protective helmets of the prior art.

[0024] Preferably, the air deflection device comprises a first aerodynamic fin arranged along a right-hand portion of the chin guard and a second aerodynamic fin arranged along a left-hand portion of the chin guard. In particular, preferably, the first aerodynamic fin defines a first air conveying channel and the second aerodynamic fin defines a second air conveying channel.

[0025] Namely, the chin guard may comprise a right-hand or left-hand portion, where in the context of the present disclosure, the references "right-hand" and "left-hand" are understood, in a non-limiting manner, as being in relation to a sagittal plane of the protective helmet, namely the sagittal plane of the head of a user wearing the helmet. In particular, preferably a first aerodynamic fin and a second aerodynamic fin are arranged on the external surface of the chin guard, along the respective right-hand or left-hand portion.

[0026] In this way, preferably a first air conveying channel and a second air conveying channel are respectively defined and extend from a front central zone of the chin guard of the helmet and allow the air flow to be conveyed in a preferably balanced manner between the right-hand part and the left-hand part of the shell. This results in an optimum reduction in the aerodynamic penetration resistance, or drag, acting on the helmet.

[0027] Preferably, fins are not present in the front central area of the chin guard so that there is sufficient space for access and impact of the air flow.

[0028] Preferably, the first aerodynamic fin and the second aerodynamic fin are arranged in a spaced relationship with respect to the external surface of the chin guard so as to each define a respective air conveying channel, alongside the front central zone of the chin guard.

[0029] Preferably, the first aerodynamic fin and the second aerodynamic fin are arranged along the external surface of the chin guard in a symmetrical manner with respect to a sagittal plane of the helmet, namely with respect to the sagittal plane of the head of user wearing the helmet.

[0030] Preferably, the first aerodynamic fin and the second aerodynamic fin are plate-shaped. For example, the first aerodynamic fin and the second aerodynamic fin are shaped so to reproduce the form of the external surface of the chin guard along which they are arranged.

[0031] Each fin is therefore situated in a spaced relationship with respect to the corresponding external surface of the chin guard and defines a channel having an inlet opening directed towards the front zone of the helmet and an outlet opening directed towards a rear zone of the helmet.

[0032] For example, front zone of the helmet is understood as being a zone of the chin and rear zone of the helmet is understood as being a zone of the ears and / or a cervical zone or neck zone.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a method for deflecting an air flow along the chin guard of a protective helmet by means of an air deflection device arranged on the external surface of the chin guard.

[0034] Further advantages, characteristic features and modes of use forming the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example.

[0035] It is in any case clear that each embodiment forming the subject of the present disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.

[0036] Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a protective helmet according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the protective helmet according to Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along the plane A-A of a detail of the protective helmet according to Figures 1 and 2; Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show perspective views of an aerodynamic fin according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows a simulation of the air flows acting on the protective helmet shown in Figure 1.

[0037] With reference to the attached figures, the reference number 100 denotes overall a protective helmet comprising a shell 10, which comprises a chin guard 11 configured to protect at least one region of the chin and the jaw of a user wearing the helmet 100. In particular, the helmet 100 further comprises an air deflection device 12 arranged along an external surface of the chin guard 11 (Figure 1).

[0038] Preferably, the air deflection device 12 has an internal surface 12c (Figures 4C and 4D) facing the external surface of the chin guard 11 and spaced from it so that the air deflection device 12 defines at least one air conveying channel 13a, 13b and is configured to maintain an air flow adhering to the external surface of the chin guard 11. The air conveying channel 13a, 13b (Figure 1) is arranged so as to have an air inlet aperture directed towards a front zone of the helmet 100 and an air outlet aperture 100 directed towards a rear zone of the helmet 100.

[0039] Preferably, the air deflection device 12 comprises a first aerodynamic fin 12a arranged along a right-hand portion of the chin guard 11 and a second aerodynamic fin 12b arranged along a left-hand portion of the chin guard 11. In particular, preferably, the first aerodynamic fin 12a defines a first air conveying channel 13a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b defines a second air conveying channel 13b. The first air conveying channel 13a and the second air conveying channel 13b are arranged respectively on the right-hand portion of the chin guard 11 and on the left-hand portion of the chin guard 11, in a spaced relationship with respect to each other so as to leave a zone free from fins or other air deflection device in the front central area of the chin guard 11.

[0040] Preferably, the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b are arranged in a spaced relationship with respect to the corresponding external surface of the chin guard 12 so as to each define the respective air conveying channel 13a, 13b.

[0041] Preferably, the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b are arranged along the external surface of the chin guard 11 in a symmetrical manner with respect to a sagittal plane of the helmet 100 so as to leave an empty zone between them. In this way, it is possible to optimize the reduction of the aerodynamic penetration resistance, or drag, which acts on the helmet 100, and the general equilibrium of the helmet 100 for the user, therefore improving the comfort of use thereof during riding / driving.

[0042] Preferably, the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b are plate-shaped and / or have a shape corresponding to the shape of the external surface of the chin guard 11 of the helmet 100. In this way, it is possible to ensure optimum conveying of the air, namely with minimum turbulence, inside the respective air conveying channels 13a, 13b. The expression "plate-shaped" is understood as meaning that the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b are defined by elements having a thickness which is much smaller than their length or width.

[0043] Even more preferably, the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b (Figures 4A and 4B) each have: a first plate-shaped air deflection region 41; a second region 42 for connection to the chin guard 11; and a third region 43 for connection to the chin guard 11

[0044] Preferably, the second region 42 and the third region 43 are bent with respect to the first region 41 so as to define a height of the respective air conveying channel 13a, 13b and so as to define preferably a surface, or portion, for connecting each aerodynamic fin to the external surface of the chin guard 11. For example, the second region 42 and the third region 43 are bent at an angle of about 90° with respect to the first region 41 so as to form substantially an L shape therewith or each one of the second region 42 or the third region 43 is bent twice so as to form substantially a C-shaped form / section together with the first portion 41. The C-shaped form / section of the fin preferably defines said air inlet aperture and said air outlet aperture.

[0045] Preferably, the second region 42 and the third region 43 of each aerodynamic fin 12a, 12b may have one or more through-openings, namely weight-reducing openings, which are able to reduce the overall weight of the air deflection device 12. Moreover, the one or more through-openings present in the second region 42 and the third region 43 are able to reduce the resistance created by the latter with respect to the air flows passing through the respective air conveying channels 13a, 13b. In this way, advantageously it is possible to minimize the disturbance, namely the turbulence, which may be created when the air flows encounter the second region 42 and the third region 43 of each aerodynamic fin 12a, 12b. Advantageously, therefore the aerodynamic performance of the aerodynamic fins 12a, 12b is improved.

[0046] Preferably, the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b have a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 8 mm.

[0047] Preferably, the at least one air conveying channel 13a, 13b has a height of at least 1 mm. In particular, preferably the height is defined by the distance between the internal surface of the air deflection device 12 and the respective external surface of the chin guard 11, namely for example the distance between the internal surface of the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the right-hand portion of the chin guard 11, and for example the distance between the internal surface of the second aerodynamic fin 12b and the left-hand portion of the chin guard 11.

[0048] Preferably, the air deflection device 12 is connected to the chin guard 11 in a removable manner. For example, the air deflection device 12 is connected by means of a bi-adhesive element, by means of removable fixing screws and / or one or more riveted elements. For example, the air deflection device 12 may be removed from the helmet 100 in order to replace it in the event of damage, or so as to allow the use of the helmet 100 without the air deflection device 12, or even to replace the air deflection device 12 with an air deflection device 12 having different aerodynamic characteristics and / or a different shape.

[0049] For example, each aerodynamic fin 12a, 12b is connected to the external surface of the chin guard 11 by means of the respective connecting surfaces or portions defined by the respective second region 42 and third region 42 bent in a C shape with respect to the first region 41.

[0050] For example, the air deflection device 12 is connected along the bottom edge of the chin guard 11, namely along the edge close to the internal access cavity of the helmet 100 for a user's head.

[0051] Preferably, the air deflection device 12 is connected to the external surface of the chin guard 11 by means of one or more connecting bodies 22 which act as a spacer or spacers, namely so as to maintain in a stable manner the spaced relationship between the air deflection device 12 and the external surface of the chin guard 11, for example in such a way as to keep the at least one air conveying channel 13a, 13b at a fixed height during passage of the air flow.

[0052] Moreover, for example, the one or more connecting bodies 22 may be connected in a removable manner to the external surface of the chin guard 11 and / or to the air deflection device 12.

[0053] For example, both the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b are connected to the respective right-hand and left-hand portion of the chin guard 11, along the external surface, by means of one or more connecting bodies 22.

[0054] Even more preferably, the one or more connecting bodies 2 are cylinder shaped, having a circular or droplet-shaped base, or are shaped with an aerodynamic profile or have a shape which favours, i.e. hinders as little as possible, the passage of an air flow inside the respective air conveying channels 13a, 13b. Namely, for example, between the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the external surface of the chin guard 11, as well as between the second aerodynamic fin 12a and the external surface of the chin guard 11, there are one or more connecting bodies 22 which are shaped so as to minimize the turbulence acting on the air flow passing inside the respective air conveying channel 13a, 13b.

[0055] Preferably, the at least one air conveying channel 13a, 13b extends at least from a front region of the chin guard 11, namely a front region close to the middle of the helmet, to a lateral region of the shell 10, namely a region arranged opposite the temple regions of the head of a user wearing the helmet 100. For example, the at least one air conveying channel 13a, 13b may be extended as far as the mechanism for opening the helmet visor, which is generally positioned opposite the temple regions of the head of a user wearing the helmet 100.

[0056] The air deflection device 12, namely preferably the first aerodynamic fin 12a and the second aerodynamic fin 12b, may be further connected to a rear spoiler of the helmet 100 which is generally used in the prior art in order to limit the lift of the helmet and reduce the effects of turbulence and the fluid stream separation.

[0057] The present disclosure also relates to a method for deflecting an air flow along the chin guard 11 of a protective helmet 110, in which the chin guard 11 is configured to protect at least a region of the chin and the jaw of a user wearing the helmet 100. In particular, the helmet 100 comprises an air deflection device 12 arranged on an external surface of the chin guard 11. The method comprises the following phases: an air flow encounters a central area of the chin guard 11, positioned along the sagittal plane of the helmet 100, and is separated into two air flows directed respectively towards a right-hand portion and a left-hand portion of the chin guard 11; the two air flows along each portion of the chin guard 11 are deflected or conveyed by the air deflection device 12 in such a way that the two air flows remain adherent to the external surface of the chin guard 11.

[0058] Preferably, the air deflection device 12 has an internal surface 12c facing the external surface of the chain guard and spaced from it in such a way as to define at least one air conveying channel 13a, 13b. In particular preferably the air flows are deflected or conveyed inside the at least one air conveying channel 13a, 13b so as to be kept adherent to the external surface of the chin guard 11.

[0059] The method described may be used to deflect or convey the air flows acting on a protective helmet according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0060] The subject-matter of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to its embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are attached below.

Claims

1. Protective helmet (100) comprising a shell (10), wherein said shell (10) comprises a chin guard (11) configured to protect at least a region of the chin and the jaw of a user of the helmet (100), and wherein said helmet (100) comprises an air deflection device (12) arranged on an external surface of said chin guard (11).

2. Helmet (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said air deflection device (12) has an internal surface (12c) facing said external surface of the chin guard (11), said air deflection device (12) defining at least one air conveying channel (13a, 13b) between the external surface of said chin guard (11) and the respective internal surface (12c), and being configured to maintain an air flow adhering to the external surface of said chin guard (11).

3. Protective helmet (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said air deflection device (12) comprises a first aerodynamic fin (12a) arranged along a right-hand portion of the chin guard (11) and a second aerodynamic fin (12b) arranged along a left-hand portion of the chin guard (11), and wherein said first aerodynamic fin (12a) defines a first air conveying channel (13a) and said second aerodynamic fin (12b) defines a second air conveying channel (13b).

4. Protective helmet (100) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein said first aerodynamic fin (12a) and said second aerodynamic fin (12b) are arranged in a spaced relation with respect to the external surface of said chin guard (11) so as to define a respective air conveying channel (13a, 13b).

5. Protective helmet (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said first aerodynamic fin (12a) and said second aerodynamic fin (12b) are arranged on the external surface of said chin guard (11) in a symmetrical manner with respect to a sagittal plane of the helmet (100) and in a spaced relationship with respect to each other.

6. Protective helmet (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said first aerodynamic fin (12a) and said second aerodynamic fin (12b) are plate-shaped.

7. Protective helmet (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said first aerodynamic fin (12a) and said second aerodynamic fin (12b) each have a first plate-shaped region (41) for air deflection, and wherein said first aerodynamic fin (12a) and said second aerodynamic fin (12b) each also have a second region (42) for connection to the chin guard (11) and a third region (43) for connection to the chin guard (11), wherein said second region (42) and said third region (43) are bent with respect to said first region (41) in such a way as to define a height of the respective air conveying channel (13a, 13b).

8. Protective helmet (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said first aerodynamic fin (12a) and said second aerodynamic fin (12b) have a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 8 mm.

9. Protective helmet (100) according to one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, wherein said at least one air conveying channel (13a, 13b) has a height of at least 1 mm, wherein said height is formed by the distance between the internal surface (12c) of the air deflection device (12) and the external surface of said chin guard (11).

10. Protective helmet (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said air deflection device (12) is connected to the chin guard (11) in a removable manner.

11. Protective helmet (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said air deflection device (12) is connected to the external surface of the chin guard (11) by means of one or more connecting bodies (22) acting as spacers.

12. Protective helmet (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said one or more connecting bodies (22) are shaped like a cylinder with a circular or droplet-shaped base, or are shaped with an aerodynamic profile.

13. Protective helmet (100) according to one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, wherein said at least one air conveying channel (13a, 13b) extends at least from a front region of the chin guard (11) to a lateral region of the shell (10).

14. Protective helmet (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a central area of the chin guard (11) is free from the air deflection device (12), wherein said central area is positioned along the sagittal plane of the helmet (100).

15. Method for deflecting an air flow along the chin guard (11) of a protective helmet (100), wherein said chin guard (11) is configured to protect at least one region of the chin and jaw of a user wearing the helmet (100), and wherein said helmet (100) comprises an air deflection device (12) arranged on an external surface of said chin guard (11), wherein the method comprises the following phases: - an air flow encounters a central area of the chin guard (11) positioned along the sagittal plane of the helmet, and is separated into two air flows directed respectively towards a right-hand portion and a left-hand portion of the chin guard (11); - the two air flows along each portion of the chin guard (11) are deflected or conveyed by an air deflection device (12) in such a way that the two air flows remain adherent to the external surface of the chin guard (11).

16. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said air deflection device (12) has an internal surface (12c) facing said external surface of the chin guard (11) and spaced from it in such a way as to define at least one air conveying channel (13a, 13b), and wherein the air flows are deflected or conveyed inside said at least one air conveying channel (13a, 13b).

17. Method according to claim 15 or 16 using a helmet according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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