helmet

Abstract

To provide a helmet capable of improving wearing feeling by controlling a new air current.SOLUTION: A wing portion 212 provided in a rear spoiler 21 is connected to a rear side portion and a spoiler portion 211 so as to continue from a part of the rear side portion in an outer surface of a shell 11, and has a curved surface that follows a portion of the rear side portion facing the wing portion 212. Then, the wing portion 212 is arranged to define a wing gap 21H penetrating from front to rear between the rear side portion and the wing portion 212, and has a first wing rectifying plate 212B extending rearward and downward in the wing gap 21H.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a helmet having an airflow control section on the outer surface of the helmet body. [Background technology]

[0002] A helmet worn by a driver generates airflow that flows along the outer surface of the helmet body and airflow that separates from the outer surface of the helmet body. Differences in airflow around the helmet can make a big difference in how the helmet feels to the driver. Airflow that flows from the front of the helmet through the interior of the helmet to the exterior of the helmet improves ventilation performance inside the helmet (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Suppressing airflow fluctuations around the helmet reduces noise such as wind noise and improves quietness. Suppressing turbulence in the airflow that separates from the helmet improves the stability of the driver's posture when driving straight ahead (see, for example, Patent Document 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-26908 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-3516 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-328343 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2007 / 144937 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Changing the external shape of the outer surface of the helmet shell creates new airflow around the helmet, which improves the fit. On the other hand, the helmet shell itself, which requires high mechanical strength, high impact resistance, and high penetration resistance, limits the addition of new structures to improve the fit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A helmet that solves the above problems includes a shell and an airflow control section attached to the outer surface of the shell. The airflow control section includes two wing sections that laterally sandwich a rear section of the outer surface of the shell. The wing sections are connected to the rear side sections so as to continue from parts of the rear side sections of the outer surface of the shell, and have curved surfaces that follow the parts of the rear side sections that face the wing sections. The wing sections define gaps that penetrate from the front to the rear between the rear side sections and the wing sections, and are configured to expel air that enters the gaps from the front toward the lower rear.

[0006] The side portions within the outer surface of the helmet body allow air to flow smoothly along those portions. The wing portions of the airflow control section are susceptible to air resistance from the air flowing along the side portions within the outer surface of the helmet body, which tends to pull the helmet body backward. On the other hand, the wing portions expel air from the rear end of the gap so that the air flow entering from the front end of the gap is directed downward and rearward. As a result, the airflow control section changes the direction of the force received from the air flowing along the side portions from a rearward direction that pulls the helmet body backward to a rearward and downward direction.

[0007] Here, the force that the helmet body receives as a result of the action of the wind while riding is a composite force consisting of a component that lifts the helmet body and a component that pulls the helmet body backward. As described above, the air flowing along the sides of the outer surface of the helmet body is rectified by the airflow control unit, changing the direction of the force acting on the helmet body downward and backward. This change in the direction of the composite force by the airflow control unit substantially suppresses an increase in the component that pulls the helmet body backward, while also reducing the component that lifts the helmet body. As a result, a helmet with the above configuration suppresses the force that lifts the wearer's head, thereby improving the wearing comfort experienced by the wearer while riding.

[0008] In the above helmet, the airflow control section may include a rectifying vane extending rearward and downward within the gap. With this configuration, the rectifying vane located in the gap between the outer surface of the shell and the wing portion directs the flow of air entering from the front end of the gap rearward and downward. This makes it possible to effectively suppress an increase in components that pull the shell rearward while also precisely reducing components that pull the shell up.

[0009] In the above helmet, the shell may have a hole in the rear side portion facing the wing portion for releasing air from inside the shell. This configuration improves the efficiency of releasing air from inside the shell.

[0010] In the above-described helmet, the airflow control section may include a spoiler section that protrudes from the rear section of the outer surface of the helmet body toward the rear of the helmet body so as to be continuous with the rear section, and the two wing sections that laterally sandwich the spoiler section. The wing sections may be connected to the rear side sections and the spoiler section so as to be continuous with the part of the rear side section of the outer surface of the helmet body, and may define the gap between the rear side sections and the spoiler section. The airflow control section may be a resin molded body in which the spoiler section and the wing sections are integrally molded, and each wing section may include a plurality of straightening plates that extend rearward and downward within the gap.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the peaks in the outer surface of the helmet body allow air to flow smoothly along the peaks. The spoiler portion of the airflow control unit directs the air flowing along the peaks in the outer surface of the helmet body further toward the rear of the helmet body. The air flowing out behind the spoiler portion separates from the helmet further rearward from the helmet by the amount that it has flowed along the spoiler portion. As a result, when the air flowing along the peaks in the outer surface of the helmet body separates from the helmet, it forms small vortices further rearward from the helmet by the amount that it has flowed along the spoiler portion, thereby suppressing rotation.

[0012] The airflow control section is a resin molded body that integrates the spoiler section and the wing section into a single structure. This airflow control section facilitates improving the mechanical strength of the wing section itself and also makes it possible to provide multiple straightening vanes on each wing section. The provision of multiple straightening vanes on each wing section enhances the effectiveness of the airflow control section in changing the direction of the above-mentioned components.

[0013] In the above helmet, the portion of the rear side portion in the outer surface of the cap body may be a wing connection portion, and the rear side portion in the outer surface of the cap body may include a flap connection portion rearward and below the wing connection portion. The air flow control portion may include a first air flow control member including the wing portion, and a second air flow control member that is a flap located rearward and below the first air flow control member. The second air flow control member may have a plate shape that protrudes from the rear side portion toward the rear of the cap body so as to be continuous with the flap connection portion, and an upper end of the second air flow control member may be positioned in the gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion so as to divide the gap into two layers along the outer surface of the cap body.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the second air flow control member causes air flowing along the side portion of the outer surface of the helmet body to flow further toward the rear of the helmet body. The air flowing out rearward of the second air flow control member separates from the helmet further rearward from the helmet body by the amount that it has flowed along the second air flow control member. As a result, when the air flowing along the side portion of the outer surface of the helmet body separates from the helmet, it forms a small vortex that suppresses rotation further rearward from the helmet by the amount that it has flowed along the second air flow control member.

[0015] The upper end of the second airflow control member is located in the gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion on the outer surface of the helmet body. The upper end of the second airflow control member encourages the air flowing through the gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion to flow in a stratified manner along the rear side portion. This rectification by the second airflow control member effectively changes the direction of the force that the helmet body receives from the air flowing along the side portion toward the rear, while substantially suppressing an increase in the above-mentioned component that pulls the helmet body rearward. Furthermore, rectification by the second airflow control member more precisely controls the direction of the force that the helmet body receives from the air flowing along the side portion compared to rectification by the first airflow control member alone.

[0016] In the above helmet, the upper end of the second air flow control member may be provided with a straightening plate that extends rearward and downward within a gap between the upper end of the second air flow control member and the first air flow control member.

[0017] According to the above configuration, air that flows into the gap between the rear side portion of the outer surface of the helmet body and the wing portion is first rectified by the first straightening vane provided on the wing portion so that the air flows downward from the front end of the gap. The air rectified by the first straightening vane is then guided by the upper end of the second airflow control member into a layered flow along the rear side portion, and is further guided toward the rear and lower side by the second straightening vane provided on the second airflow control member. This rectification by the second straightening vane increases the effectiveness of lowering the direction of air resistance while substantially suppressing an increase in the component that pulls the helmet body rearward.

[0018] In the above helmet, a front end surface of the wing portion may be inclined so that the gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion widens from the front to the rear. According to the above configuration, the front end faces of the wing portions are inclined so that the gap between the rear side portions and the wing portions widens from the front to the rear, thereby accelerating the airflow in the gap between the rear side portions and the wing portions and suppressing turbulence of the airflow near the outer surfaces of the wing portions.

[0019] In the above helmet, the side portion of the outer surface of the helmet body is provided with an inflow guide surface, and the inflow guide surface is a curved surface that rises on the side portion of the outer surface of the helmet body, and may continue from the front portion of the helmet body toward the front of the gap so as to allow the airflow from the front of the gap toward the gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion.

[0020] A surface that rises from a smooth surface, such as the inflow guide surface, reduces the airflow velocity in front of the rising surface and increases the airflow velocity behind the rising surface. According to the above configuration, the inflow guide surface directs the direction of the relatively high-speed airflow along the outer surface of the cap body in the direction of the inflow guide surface. This causes the relatively high-speed airflow to flow into the gap between the rear side portion of the outer surface of the cap body and the wing portion. The flow straightening provided by such an inflow guide surface effectively suppresses the increase in the component that pulls the cap body backward, while effectively changing the direction of the force acting on the cap body downward and backward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the above helmet, the wearing comfort can be improved by new airflow control. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front upper left side structure of the helmet. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear right lower side structure of the helmet. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the rear structure of the helmet. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded left side view showing the rear spoiler and the shell separately. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the perspective structure of the fixing member. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view showing the top structure of the rear spoiler. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the lower surface structure of the rear spoiler as seen from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the airflow rectifying plate of the rear spoiler as viewed from above and in front. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shell and the rear spoiler as viewed from above and in front. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shell and the rear spoiler as viewed from below and behind. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the outer surface structure of the rear flap. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the inner structure of the rear flap. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the shell and the rear flap as viewed from the rear and below. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of each air flow control member as viewed from the front left side. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the shell and each air flow control member. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view showing the shell and each air flow control member. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows the results of a fluid analysis of the wind around the helmet during riding. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a graph showing the components of the force acting on the shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An embodiment of the helmet will be described below. First, (i) the overall configuration of the helmet will be explained, then (ii) the configuration of the first air flow control member will be explained, (iii) the configuration of the second air flow control member will be explained, and then (iv) the relative relationship between each air flow control member and the function of the helmet will be explained.

[0024] The imaginary vertical plane passing through the center of the helmet in the left-right direction is the left-right center plane. The left side of the left-right center plane is also simply called the left side, and the right side of the left-right center plane is also simply called the right side. The imaginary vertical plane passing through the center of the helmet in the front-to-rear direction is the front-to-rear center plane. The area in front of the front-to-rear center plane is also simply called the front side, and the area behind the front-to-rear center plane is also simply called the rear side.

[0025] The imaginary horizontal plane passing through the center of the helmet in the vertical direction is the vertical center plane. The side above the vertical center plane is also simply called the upper side, and the side below the vertical center plane is also simply called the lower side. (i) Overall structure of the helmet 1, the helmet includes a shell 11, which is an example of a hat body, and a rear spoiler 21, which is an example of a first air flow control member. The helmet may also include a rear flap 22, which is an example of a second air flow control member. The shell 11 may also include a front lower inlet 15, a front upper inlet 16, and a top outlet 17.

[0026] The shell 11 is a resin molded body that forms the outermost shell of the helmet. The shell 11 has a hemispherical shape that is approximately plane-symmetrical with respect to the center plane. The shell 11 has a hemispherical shape that protrudes slightly toward the rear. An example of a material that forms the shell 11 is one selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, and thermosetting resin impregnated with reinforcing fibers.

[0027] The lower end of the shell 11 is provided with a wearing opening 11A, which is an opening. The wearing opening 11A is an opening through which a user can insert their head into the inside of the shell 11 and through which a wearer can remove their head from the inside of the shell 11. The wearing opening 11A is an opening through which a shock absorber 11B is placed inside the shell 11. The front portion of the shell 11 is provided with a shield opening 11T, which is an opening. The shield opening 11T is an opening through which a wearer can view the environment in front of them from inside the shell 11.

[0028] The front lower inlet 15 is located in the front lower portion of the shell 11. The front lower inlet 15 introduces the running wind from the front lower side of the shell 11 toward the inside of the shell 11. The running wind introduced into the inside of the shell 11 from the front lower inlet 15 is sent to the interior components such as the shock absorber 11B housed inside the shell 11. The running wind sent to the interior components prevents heat from building up in the interior components.

[0029] The front upper inlet 16 is located in the front upper part of the shell 11. The front upper inlet 16 introduces the traveling wind from the front upper side of the shell 11 toward the interior of the shell 11. The traveling wind introduced into the interior of the shell 11 from the front upper inlet 16 flows near the top of the head inside the shell 11 and is discharged from two top outlets 17. The top outlets 17 are located on the right and left sides of the rear upper side of the shell 11. The traveling wind flowing from the front upper inlet 16 to the top outlets 17 ventilates the interior of the shell 11.

[0030] The left portion of the outer surface of shell 11 and the right portion of the outer surface of shell 11 respectively include a shell lower surface 111 and a shell upper surface 112. Shell 11 may include an inflow guide surface 11C at the boundary between shell lower surface 111 and shell upper surface 112. Shell 11 may include one inflow guide surface 11C on each of the left and right portions.

[0031] The inflow guide surface 11C is a small, gently rising curved surface on the outer surface of the shell 11. The shape of the inflow guide surface 11C is an arc that follows the outer surface of the shell 11 from the front side of the shell 11 toward the upper rear side of the shell 11. The inflow guide surface 11C continues from the rear end of the shield opening 11T toward the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 where the rear spoiler 21 is located (see FIG. 2). The size of the rise of the inflow guide surface 11C gradually increases from the front end to the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C. A surface that rises within a smooth surface, such as the inflow guide surface 11C, reduces the air flow velocity in front of the rising surface and increases the air flow velocity behind the rising surface. The inflow guide surface 11C directs the airflow flowing along the outer surface of the shell 11 in the direction of the inflow guide surface 11C and increases the flow velocity of the airflow flowing along the inflow guide surface 11C.

[0032] 2, the outer surface of the shell 11 has a rear portion 113 located rearward of the longitudinal center plane. The rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C constitutes the rear portion 113 of the outer surface of the shell 11.

[0033] The rear spoiler 21 protrudes from the rear portion 113 toward the rear of the shell 11 at an upper end of the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 so as to be continuous with the rear portion 113. The rear spoiler 21 protrudes from the rear portion 113 toward the rear of the shell 11 so as to be continuous with the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C. The rear spoiler 21 is disposed in the rear portion 113 of the shell 11, spanning from the right portion of the shell 11 to the left portion of the shell 11.

[0034] The rear flap 22 protrudes from the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 toward the rear of the shell 11 so as to be continuous with the rear portion 113 at a lower portion of the rear portion 113 of the shell 11. One rear flap 22 is disposed on the right side of the shell 11 and one on the left side of the shell 11.

[0035] 3, the rear spoiler 21 is located on the shell upper side surface 112 in the rear portion 113 of the shell 11. In the rear portion 113 of the shell 11, the rear spoiler 21 connects the rear ends of the two inflow guide surfaces 11C.

[0036] The rear flap 22 is located on the shell lower surface 111 in the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 and protrudes onto the shell upper surface 112. The portion of the rear flap 22 that protrudes onto the shell upper surface 112 is the upper end of the rear flap 22. The upper end of the rear flap 22 is located on the shell 11 side relative to the rear spoiler 21 and is located in the gap between the rear spoiler 21 and the shell 11.

[0037] 4, the outer surface of the shell 11 includes a wing connection portion 11D. The outer surface of the shell 11 may include a flap connection portion 11E. The outer surface of the shell 11 may include a fixing member 18. The fixing member 18 is located at the rear upper end of the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 and is fixed to the shell 11.

[0038] The wing connection portion 11D is located rearward of the inflow guide surface 11C on the outer surface of the shell 11. The left-right ends of the rear spoiler 21 are joined to the wing connection portion 11D. The wing connection portion 11D is recessed from the inflow guide surface 11C on the outer surface of the shell 11 by the thickness of the rear spoiler 21 so that the left-right ends of the rear spoiler 21 and the inflow guide surface 11C are connected as smooth curved surfaces.

[0039] The flap connection portion 11E is located on the outer surface of the shell 11, at the rear end of the shell underside 111 and below the wing connection portion 11D. An end portion in the front-to-rear direction of the rear flap 22 is joined to the flap connection portion 11E. The flap connection portion 11E is recessed below the wing connection portion 11D on the shell underside 111 by the thickness of the rear flap 22 so that the outer surface of the rear flap 22 and the shell underside 111 are connected as a smoothly curved surface.

[0040] 5, the fixing member 18 has a bent plate shape that extends in the left-right direction along the outer surface of the shell 11. The fixing member 18 includes a spoiler support portion 181 and a flap support portion 182.

[0041] The spoiler support portion 181 has a cylindrical shape that extends toward the outer surface of the shell 11. The spoiler support portion 181 is fitted into the fitting portion 21L (see FIG. 7) of the rear spoiler 21, thereby positioning the rear spoiler 21. The spoiler support portion 181 is fixed to the outer surface of the shell 11 with screws so that the fixing member 18 presses the rear spoiler 21 against the outer surface of the shell 11.

[0042] The flap support portion 182 has a plate shape with a fitting hole that penetrates in the vertical direction. The fitting portion 22L (see FIG. 11) of the rear flap 22 is fitted into the flap support portion 182, thereby positioning the upper end of the rear flap 22 with respect to the outer surface of the shell 11 and the rear spoiler 21.

[0043] (ii) Configuration of rear spoiler 21 6, the rear spoiler 21 is a plate-like member that extends in the left-right direction. The rear spoiler 21 includes a spoiler portion 211 and wing portions 212. The rear spoiler 21 includes one wing portion 212 at each end of the spoiler portion 211 in the left-right direction.

[0044] The rear spoiler 21 may be a resin molded body that integrates the spoiler portion 211 and the wing portion 212. An example of a material that can be used to form the rear spoiler 21 is one selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, and thermosetting resin impregnated with reinforcing fibers.

[0045] The outer surface of spoiler portion 211 has a curved shape that is smoothly connected in the left-right direction at rear portion 113 of shell 11 and extends smoothly rearward from rear portion 113 of shell 11. Spoiler portion 211 has spoiler front edge 211E, which is the edge on the front side of spoiler portion 211. Spoiler front edge 211E has a gently curved shape that follows the upper end of rear portion 113 of shell 11.

[0046] The spoiler portion 211 protrudes from the rear portion 113 toward the rear of the shell 11, with the spoiler front end edge 211E pressed against the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 and continuing from the rear portion 113. The inner surface of the spoiler portion 211 is provided with one fitting portion 21L (see FIG. 7), and is positioned on the outer surface of the shell 11 by the fitting of the spoiler support portion 181 with the fitting portion 21L.

[0047] Wing portion 212 has a curved surface that extends smoothly rearward along the rear end of shell upper surface 112 and tapers toward the rear (see FIG. 8). The rear end of shell upper surface 112 has a portion that faces wing portion 212. Wing portion 212 has a curved surface that follows the portion that faces wing portion 212 (see FIG. 9).

[0048] Wing portion 212 has a wing front edge 212E as the lower end of the front edge of wing portion 212. Wing portion 212 has a wing inflow end surface 212A as the upper end of the front end surface of wing portion 212, which is located above wing front edge 212E.

[0049] The wing front edge 212E smoothly connects to the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C in the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 and has a linear shape that follows the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C. The wing portion 212 protrudes from the inflow guide surface 11C toward the rear of the shell 11 so as to press the wing front edge 212E against the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C and continue from the inflow guide surface 11C.

[0050] The wing inflow end surface 212A is an example of a front end surface of the wing portion 212. The wing inflow end surface 212A is an inclined surface that slopes downward and forward of the wing portion 212 (see FIG. 8). The wing inflow end surface 212A is inclined so that the more forward the portion of the wing inflow end surface 212A is, the closer it is to the outer surface of the shell 11. The wing inflow end surface 212A is inclined so that a wing gap 21H (see FIG. 9), which is the gap between the rear side portion of the rear portion 113 of the shell upper surface 112 and the wing portion 212, widens from the front to the rear.

[0051] 7, the inner surfaces of the wing portions 212 are provided with one fitting portion 21L for each wing portion 212. The inner surfaces of the wing portions 212 are provided with one first wing current plate 212B for each wing portion 212 and one second wing current plate 212C for each wing portion 212. The first wing current plate 212B and the second wing current plate 212C are each an example of a first current plate.

[0052] Wing portion 212 is provided with one fitting portion 22L at the upper end portion of wing portion 212. The lower portion of wing portion 212 includes wing front end edge 212E. The lower portion of wing portion 212 is positioned on the outer surface of shell 11 by joining with wing connection portion 11D described above. The upper end portion of wing portion 212 is positioned on the outer surface of shell 11 by fitting spoiler support portion 181 into fitting portion 22L. Wing portion 212 is connected to wing connection portion 11D and spoiler portion 211 so as to continue from inflow guide surface 11C.

[0053] The first wing current plate 212B is erected on the inner surface of the wing portion 212. The first wing current plate 212B is located between the upper end and the lower end of the wing portion 212. The first wing current plate 212B is located slightly above the wing front end edge 212E in the up-down direction of the wing portion 212, and is disposed slightly above the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C.

[0054] The first wing current plate 212B has a triangular plate shape extending rearward and downward on the inner surface of the wing portion 212 (see FIG. 8). The front end of the first wing current plate 212B is located rearward of the wing inlet end surface 212A. The first wing current plate 212B extends rearward more than the second wing current plate 212C in the front-to-rear direction of the wing portion 212.

[0055] The second wing current plate 212C is erected on the inner surface of the wing portion 212. The second wing current plate 212C is located between the upper end of the wing portion 212 and the first wing current plate 212B. The second wing current plate 212C is located on the inner surface of the wing portion 212, almost at the upper end of the wing portion 212. The second wing current plate 212C is located slightly above the first wing current plate 212B in the up-down direction of the wing portion 212, and is arranged above the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C.

[0056] The second wing current plate 212C has a trapezoidal plate shape extending rearward and downward on the inner surface of the wing portion 212 (see FIG. 8). The second wing current plate 212C is positioned higher than the first wing current plate 212B. The second wing current plate 212C extends from the wing inlet end surface 212A in the same direction as the first wing current plate 212B.

[0057] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the shell 11 and the rear spoiler 21 as seen from the upper front side, with the rear flap 22 omitted for the sake of convenience in explaining the arrangement of the wing portion 212. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the shell 11 and the rear spoiler 21 as seen from the lower rear side, with the rear flap 22 omitted for the sake of convenience in explaining the arrangement of the wing portion 212.

[0058] As shown in Figure 9, a portion of the wing portion 212 is spaced from the rear end of the shell upper surface 112. The wing portion 212 defines a wing gap 21H between the inner surface of the wing portion 212 and the rear side of the shell 11. The wing gap 21H has a tunnel shape that penetrates from the front to the rear (see Figures 10 and 16). The wing gap 21H has a thin layer shape along the outer surface of the shell 11, which is defined by the rear side of the outer surface of the shell 11 and the wing portion 212, which has a curved shape that follows the rear side.

[0059] The wing gap 21H has an opening that faces a portion slightly above the rear end of the inflow guide surface 11C in the front-to-rear direction. The first wing flow straightening plate 212B and the second wing flow straightening plate 212C are located inside the wing gap 21H. The first wing flow straightening plate 212B and the second wing flow straightening plate 212C are arranged in the wing gap 21H so as to face the opening of the wing gap 21H.

[0060] As described above, the inflow guide surface 11C directs the airflow flowing along the outer surface of the shell 11 to follow the direction of the inflow guide surface 11C and increases the flow speed of the airflow flowing along the inflow guide surface 11C (see FIG. 4). The wing inflow end surface 212A is inclined so that the wing gap 21H widens from the front to the rear. The wing inflow end surface 212A increases the flow speed of the airflow entering the wing gap 21H and suppresses turbulence of the airflow near the outer surface of the wing portion 212 (see FIG. 9). The wing gap 21H, defined by the outer surface of the shell 11 and the wing portion 212, receives the high-speed airflow flowing along the inflow guide surface 11C. The direction of the airflow flowing through the wing gap 21H is changed downward and rearward within the wing gap 21H by the first wing flow rectifier 212B and the second wing flow rectifier 212C. The airflow flowing through the wing gap 21H is directed downward and rearward from the wing portion 212 by being rectified by the first wing rectifying plate 212B and the second wing rectifying plate 212C (see FIGS. 10 and 16).

[0061] (iii) Configuration of rear flap 22 11, the rear flap 22 is a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction. An example of a material for the rear flap 22 is one selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, and thermosetting resin impregnated with reinforcing fibers.

[0062] The outer surface of the rear flap 22 has a curved shape that is smoothly connected in the up-down direction and extends smoothly toward the rear at the rear portion 113 of the shell 11. The rear flap 22 has a flap front edge 22E that is the front edge of the rear flap 22. The flap front edge 22E has a gently curved shape that follows the lower portion of the rear portion 113 of the shell 11. The rear flap 22 protrudes toward the rear of the shell 11 from the rear portion 113 of the shell 11, pressing the flap front edge 22E against the rear portion 113 of the shell 11 and continuing from the rear portion 113.

[0063] The outer surface at the upper end of the rear flap 22 is provided with a flap rectifying plate 22A. The flap rectifying plate 22A is an example of a second rectifying plate. The flap rectifying plate 22A is provided upright on the outer surface of the rear flap 22. The flap rectifying plate 22A has a flat plate shape that rises from the outer surface of the rear flap 22 toward the inner surface of the wing portion 212.

[0064] 12, the flap flow straightening portion 22T, which is the upper end portion of the rear flap 22, includes a fitting portion 22L that protrudes upward and a fitting portion 22L that protrudes downward. The lower portion of the rear flap 22 includes the flap front end edge 22E (see FIG. 11). The lower portion of the rear flap 22 is positioned on the outer surface of the shell 11 by joining with the above-mentioned flap connecting portion 11E. The upper end portion of the rear flap 22 is positioned on the outer surface of the shell 11 by fitting the flap support portion 182 into the fitting portion 22L.

[0065] The inner surface of the rear flap 22 includes a flap connection plate 222 and a gap protrusion rib 22B. As described above, the flap connection portion 11E to which the rear flap 22 is joined is recessed in the outer surface of the shell 11 more than the wing connection portion 11D so that the outer surface of the rear flap 22 and the shell lower surface 111 are connected as a smoothly curved surface. The flap connection plate 222 protrudes from the inner surface of the rear flap 22 by the depth of the flap connection portion 11E. The flap connection plate 222 fills the depth of the flap connection portion 11E, so that the outer surface of the rear flap 22 and the shell lower surface 111 are connected as a smoothly curved surface.

[0066] The gap protrusion rib 22B stands on the inner surface of the rear flap 22. The gap protrusion rib 22B is located below the flap straightening portion 22T, which is the upper end portion of the rear flap 22. The gap protrusion rib 22B is a reinforcing rib that stands from the inner surface of the rear flap 22 toward the flap connection portion 11E along the extension direction of the rear flap 22.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the shell 11 and the rear flap 22 as seen from the rear lower side, and for the convenience of explaining the arrangement of the rear flap 22, the rear spoiler 21 is omitted from the drawing. As shown in FIG. 13 , the flap flow straightening portion 22T, which is the upper end portion of the rear flap 22, is spaced from the outer surface of the shell 11. The flap flow straightening portion 22T of the rear flap 22 defines a flap gap 22H, which is a gap between the inner surface of the rear flap 22 and the rear side portion of the shell 11. The flap gap 22H has a tunnel shape that penetrates from the front to the rear. The flap gap 22H has a thin layer shape that follows the outer surface of the shell 11 and is defined by the rear side portion of the outer surface of the shell 11 and the rear flap 22, which has a curved shape that follows the rear side portion. The gap protrusion rib 22B is disposed so as to substantially abut against the outer surface of the shell 11. The flap flow straightening portion 22T and the gap protrusion rib 22B divide the rear flap 22 into an upper portion and a lower portion in the up-down direction. The lower end of the flap gap 22H in the up-down direction is located at the upper end of the gap protrusion rib 22B.

[0068] 14, the flap airflow rectifying portion 22T, which is the upper end portion of the rear flap 22, is disposed below the wing portion 212. The flap airflow rectifying portion 22T of the rear flap 22 is disposed rearward of the first wing airflow rectifying plate 212B and the second wing airflow rectifying plate 212C. The flap airflow rectifying plate 22A is disposed rearward of the first wing airflow rectifying plate 212B and the second wing airflow rectifying plate 212C.

[0069] 15 and 16, the flap flow straightening portion 22T, which is the upper end portion of the rear flap 22, is located in the wing gap 21H between the rear side portion of the shell 11 and the wing portion 212. The flap flow straightening portion 22T of the rear flap 22 divides the rear space in the front-to-rear direction in the wing gap 21H into two layers along the outer surface of the shell 11.

[0070] The lower space of the wing gap 21H, which is divided into two layers, constitutes the flap gap 22H. The flap airflow regulating plate 22A is disposed in the upper space of the wing gap 21H, which is divided into two layers. The flap airflow regulating plate 22A extends rearward and downward in the upper space of the wing gap 21H.

[0071] [Helmet function] The peaks in the outer surface of the shell 11 allow air to flow smoothly along the peaks. The spoiler portion 211 of the rear spoiler 21 directs the air flowing along the peaks in the outer surface of the shell 11 further toward the rear of the shell 11. The air flowing out rearward of the spoiler portion 211 is separated from the helmet further rearward than the shell 11 by the amount that it has flowed along the spoiler portion 211.

[0072] The side portions within the outer surface of the shell 11 allow air to flow smoothly along these portions. The rear flap 22 directs the air flowing along the side portions within the outer surface of the shell 11 further toward the rear of the helmet body. The air flowing out behind the rear flap 22 is separated from the helmet further rearward of the shell 11 by the amount that it has flowed along the rear flap 22.

[0073] The side portions within the outer surface of the shell 11 allow air to flow smoothly along those portions. The wing portions 212 of the rear spoiler 21 are subjected to air resistance from the air flowing along the side portions within the outer surface of the shell 11, pulling the shell 11 rearward. At this time, the first wing airflow rectifier 212B and the second wing airflow rectifier 212C are positioned in the wing gap 21H between the outer surface of the shell 11 and the wing portion 212. The first wing airflow rectifier 212B and the second wing airflow rectifier 212C discharge air from the rear end of the wing gap 21H so as to direct the flow of air entering the wing gap 21H from the front end of the wing gap 21H downward and rearward.

[0074] As a result, the wing portion 212 of the rear spoiler 21 changes the direction of the force received from the air flowing along the side of the shell 11 from a rearward direction that would pull the shell 11 rearward to a rearward and downward direction.

[0075] Figure 17 shows the results of a fluid analysis of the wind around the helmet while riding. The results of the fluid analysis of the wind while riding were obtained using a CFD simulation, and the darker the area in Figure 17, the higher the flow velocity.

[0076] A raised surface within a smooth surface, such as the inflow guide surface 11C described above, reduces the air flow velocity in front of the raised surface and increases the air flow velocity behind the raised surface. As a result, as shown in Figure 17, the inflow guide surface 11C causes the direction of the relatively high-speed airflow along the outer surface of the shell 11 to follow the direction of the inflow guide surface 11C. This causes the relatively high-speed airflow to flow into the wing gap 21H between the rear side portion of the outer surface of the shell 11 and the wing portion 212.

[0077] 18, the resultant force FC that the shell 11 receives as a result of the action of the wind while the vehicle is traveling is a combination of a component FL that pulls the shell 11 up and a component FD that pulls the shell 11 rearward. As described above, the air flowing along the sides of the outer surface of the shell 11 is rectified by the wing portion 212 of the rear spoiler 21, changing the direction of the force acting on the shell 11 downward and rearward.

[0078] This change in the direction of one component by wing portion 212 substantially suppresses an increase in component FD that pulls shell 11 rearward, while reducing component FL that pulls shell 11 up so that resultant force FC changes from the dashed line to the solid line in Figure 18. This allows the helmet to suppress the force that pulls up the wearer's head, thereby improving the wearing comfort experienced by the wearer while riding. Also, the rectification by inflow guide surface 11C increases the effectiveness of changing the direction of the force acting on shell 11 downward and rearward, while substantially suppressing an increase in the component that pulls shell 11 rearward.

[0079] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When the air that flows along the top of the outer surface of the shell 11 separates from the helmet, it forms a small vortex further back in the helmet by the amount that it has flowed along the spoiler portion 211, thereby suppressing rotation. Also, when the air that flows along the side of the outer surface of the shell 11 separates from the helmet, it forms a small vortex further back in the helmet by the amount that it has flowed along the rear flap 22, thereby suppressing rotation. As a result, the helmet suppresses the formation of vortexes at the rear of the helmet, giving the wearer a sense of stability.

[0080] (2) The change in the direction of one component by the wing portion 212 substantially suppresses an increase in the component FD that pulls the shell 11 backward, while reducing the component FL that pulls up the shell 11 in the resultant force FC. This allows the helmet to suppress the force that pulls up the wearer's head, thereby improving the wearing comfort that the wearer experiences while riding.

[0081] (3) Because the spoiler portion 211 and the wing portion 212 are an integrated structure, it is easy to improve the mechanical strength of the wing portion 212 itself, and it is also possible to provide two rectifying plates for each wing portion 212. Furthermore, two rectifying plates for each wing portion 212 increases the effectiveness of changing the direction of one component by the wing portion 212.

[0082] (4) The upper end of the rear flap 22 divides the wing gap 21H into a layered structure, the flap gap 22H, and another space. The division of the wing gap 21H by the upper end of the rear flap 22 encourages the air flowing through the wing gap 21H to flow in a layered structure along the rear side. As a result, the flow straightening by the upper end of the rear flap 22 enhances the effectiveness of the effect equivalent to (2) above. Furthermore, the flow straightening by the upper end of the rear flap 22 also makes it possible to precisely control the direction of the force received from the air flowing along the side, compared to flow straightening by the wing portion 212 alone.

[0083] (5) The air that has flowed into the wing gap 21H is first rectified by the rectifying vane provided in the wing portion 212 so that it flows downward from the front end of the wing gap 21H. The rectified air is then guided by the upper end of the rear flap 22 into a layered flow along the rear side, and is further guided toward the rear lower side by the flap rectifying vane 22A provided in the rear flap 22. Such rectification by the flap rectifying vane 22A enhances the effectiveness of the effect equivalent to (2) above.

[0084] (6) The wing inflow end surface 212A is inclined so that the wing gap 21H widens from the front to the rear. This increases the speed of the airflow in the wing gap 21H and also reduces turbulence of the airflow near the outer surface of the wing portion 212.

[0085] The above embodiment can be modified as follows. [Air flow control section] The spoiler portion 211 and the wing portion 212 may be formed as separate resin molded bodies. Note that a resin molded body in which the spoiler portion 211 and the wing portion 212 are integrated, as in the rear spoiler 21, makes it easy to increase the mechanical strength of the wing portion 212 itself. In addition, the spoiler portion 211 and the wing portion 212 create a sense of unity, improving the design.

[0086] Facilitating an increase in the mechanical strength of the wing portion 212 itself makes it easier to provide multiple rectifying plates to one wing portion 212. Providing multiple rectifying plates to one wing portion 212 increases the effectiveness of directing the force that the wing portion 212 receives from the air downward and rearward. Furthermore, a configuration in which one wing portion 212 is provided with rectifying plates having multiple mutually different shapes increases the precision related to controlling the direction of the combined components.

[0087] The helmet may be configured without the rear flap 22. A helmet equipped with the wing portion 212 can obtain an effect equivalent to that of (2) above even in a configuration without the rear flap 22, because the wing portion 212 changes the direction of the force received from the air to the rear and lower side. The configuration in which the flap flow straightening portion 22T, which is the upper end of the rear flap 22, divides the wing gap 21H into two layers contributes to straightening the airflow in the wing gap 21H and improving the speed of the airflow, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the airflow control portion in improving the wearing comfort.

[0088] The front end surface of the wing portion 212 may have a shape that fits along the outer surface of the shell 11. In other words, the front end surface of the wing portion 212 may have a shape that makes the thickness of the wing gap 21H approximately uniform from the front to the rear. Note that if the front end surface of the wing portion 212 is an inclined surface that widens the wing gap 21H from the front to the rear, an effect equivalent to that of (6) above can be obtained.

[0089] The number of rectifying plates provided in the wing portion 212 may be one, or may be three or more. The rectifying plates provided in the wing portion 212 may be only the first wing rectifying plate 212B, or only the second wing rectifying plate 212C.

[0090] The first wing current plate 212B, the second wing current plate 212C, and the flap current plate 22A may be shaped to extend downward and rearward, and may be parallel to each other or extend in different directions. The first wing current plate 212B, the second wing current plate 212C, and the flap current plate 22A may be shaped to extend downward and rearward inward in the left-right direction, or may be shaped to extend outward in the left-right direction.

[0091] The wing portion 212 may not include a straightening vane. In this case, the wing portion 212 is configured to change the force that the wing portion 212 receives from the air to a rearward and downward direction. For example, the wing portion 212 may define the wing gap 21H extending from the front to the rearward and downward direction by the shape of the wing portion 212 itself. For example, the outer surface of the shell 11 may have a recess extending from the front to the rearward and downward direction, and the wing portion 212 may define the wing gap 21H extending from the front to the rearward and downward direction by the shape of the recess in the outer surface of the shell 11. The wing portion 212 may have a flow path extending from the front to the rearward and downward direction.

[0092] The helmet may be configured without the rear spoiler 21 or without the wing portion 212. The wing portion 212 has a curved surface that follows the portion of the rear side portion of the shell 11 that faces the wing portion 212, and is disposed so as to define a gap that penetrates from the front to the rear between the rear side portion and the wing portion 212. The rear flap 22 may also have the function of the wing portion 212. For example, in a configuration in which the wing portion 212 is omitted, the flap rectifying portion 22T of the rear flap 22 may form a flap gap 22H so as to redirect the force that the rear flap 22 receives from the air downward and rearward. In such a configuration, the flap rectifying portion 22T of the rear flap 22 forms the wing portion.

[0093] The shell 11 may have holes 11H (see FIG. 16) in at least one of the wing gap 21H and the flap gap 22H that allow air that has entered the shell 11 to escape to the outside of the shell 11. These holes 11H may be the outlet of another flow path that branches off from the flow path leading to the top outlet 17, or may be the outlet of another flow path that is independent of the flow path leading to the top outlet 17. The wing gap 21H and the flap gap 22H are passages through which air flows at a high flow rate. A configuration that allows air to escape to these gaps, i.e., a configuration in which at least one of the wing gap 21H and the flap gap 22H has holes 11H that function as air outlets, increases the exhaust efficiency required of an air outlet.

[0094] [helmet] Helmets are not limited to full-face helmets, but can be changed to various types such as flip-up helmets with a chin rest that can be raised, and open-face helmets with no chin rest. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 11...Shell 11A...Installation opening 11B...Shock absorber 11C…Inflow guiding surface 11D...Wing connection 11E...Flap connection 11T...Shield opening 111...Shell bottom surface 112...Top surface of shell 113...Rear part 15...Front lower inlet 16...Front upper inlet 17...Top Outlet 18...Fixing member 181...Spoiler support 182...Wing support part 21...Rear spoiler 21H...Wing gap 21L,22L…fitting part 211...Spoiler part 211E...Front edge of spoiler 212...Wing section 212B...First wing air deflector 212C...Second wing air deflector 212E...Front edge of wing 212A...Wing inlet end face 22...Rear flap 22H…Flap gap

Claims

1. The hat body and an airflow control unit attached to the outer surface of the cap body; A helmet comprising: The air flow control unit is two wing portions that sandwich a rear portion of the outer surface of the cap body in the left-right direction; The wing portion is the rear side portion is connected to the rear side portion so as to be continuous with a part of the rear side portion of the outer surface of the helmet body, and has a curved surface shape that follows a part of the rear side portion that faces the wing portion, and defines a gap that penetrates from the front to the rear between the rear side portion and the wing portion, and is configured to discharge air that enters the gap from the front toward the rear lower side, The airflow control section includes a flow rectifier plate extending rearward and downward within the gap, The rectifying plate is provided upright on the inner surface of the wing portion. A helmet characterized by:

2. The hat body and an airflow control unit attached to the outer surface of the cap body; A helmet comprising: The air flow control unit is two wing portions that sandwich a rear portion of the outer surface of the cap body in the left-right direction; The wing portion is the rear side portion is connected to the rear side portion so as to be continuous with a part of the rear side portion of the outer surface of the helmet body, and has a curved surface shape that follows a part of the rear side portion that faces the wing portion, and defines a gap that penetrates from the front to the rear between the rear side portion and the wing portion, and is configured to discharge air that enters the gap from the front toward the rear lower side, the part of the rear side portion of the outer surface of the cap body is a wing connection portion, The rear side portion of the outer surface of the cap body includes a flap connection portion on a rear lower side of the wing connection portion, The air flow control unit is a first air flow control member including the wing portion; a second air flow control member that is a flap located below and rearward of the first air flow control member, The second air flow control member is a plate-like portion that protrudes from the rear side portion toward the rear of the cap body so as to be continuous with the flap connection portion, The upper end of the second air flow control member is A gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion is divided into two layers along the outer surface of the cap body. A helmet characterized by:

3. The cap body is A hole is provided in the rear side portion facing the wing portion to release air from inside the cap body.

3. A helmet according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The air flow control unit is a spoiler portion that protrudes from the rear portion of the outer surface of the cap body toward the rear of the cap body so as to be continuous with the rear portion; the two wing portions sandwiching the spoiler portion in the left-right direction, The wing portion is The rear side portion and the spoiler portion are connected to each other so as to be continuous with the part of the rear side portion in the outer surface of the cap body, and the gap is defined between the rear side portion and the spoiler portion, The air flow control unit is The spoiler portion and the wing portion are integrally molded into a resin molded body, Each wing section is provided with a plurality of straightening plates extending rearward and downward within the gap. A helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the part of the rear side portion of the outer surface of the cap body is a wing connection portion, The rear side portion of the outer surface of the cap body includes a flap connection portion on a rear lower side of the wing connection portion, The air flow control unit is a first air flow control member including the wing portion; a second air flow control member that is a flap located below and rearward of the first air flow control member, The second air flow control member is a plate-like portion that protrudes from the rear side portion toward the rear of the cap body so as to be continuous with the flap connection portion, The upper end of the second air flow control member is A gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion is divided into two layers along the outer surface of the cap body.

2. The helmet of claim 1.

6. The upper end of the second air flow control member includes a straightening plate extending rearward and downward in a gap between the upper end of the second air flow control member and the first air flow control member. A helmet according to claim 2 or 5.

7. The front end surface of the wing portion is inclined so that the gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion widens from the front to the rear. A helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A side portion of the outer surface of the cap body is provided with an inflow guide surface, The inflow guide surface is a curved surface that rises on the side of the outer surface of the cap body, and continues from the front portion of the cap body toward the front of the gap so as to guide the running wind from the front of the gap toward the gap between the rear side portion and the wing portion. A helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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