Electrician head protection equipment and method for operating same

Abstract

The invention relates to electrician head protection equipment for protecting against arcing faults when working on or in the vicinity of electrical systems and operating means, which electrician head protection equipment is worn in front of the face, usually in combination with a head covering, as well as a method for operating said electrician head protection equipment. It consists of a transparent protective panel (visor) which is connected to a fixed frame part as a supporting body. The object of the invention is to provide electrician head protection equipment and a method for the operation thereof, in which the protective function for a foldable visor is ensured under all conditions, in particular also in the event of a power failure. The invention must ensure that the comfort function is available to the user only when the monitoring function is functioning. According to the invention, the movable visor (8) can be locked in at least one position against the stationary head protection part (9) by an electrically controllable locking mechanism (3), wherein the locking mechanism (3) is automatically controlled with the aid of a sensor and electronics module (1), wherein the energy supply (4) thereof is provided via an energy store or an energy generator.

Description

[0001] Electrician's head protection equipment and procedures for its operation

[0002] The invention relates to an electrician's head protection device for protection against arc flash when working on or near electrical installations and equipment, and to a method for its operation. The electrician's head protection device is personal protective equipment that is worn in front of the face, usually in combination with headgear. It consists of a transparent protective visor connected to a fixed frame as a support body.

[0003] Electrician's protective headgear is designed to protect the wearer's face and neck from injuries caused by an electric arc flash, which can be triggered, for example, by equipment damage or incorrect handling of electrical systems. It is intended to protect against glowing metal splashes, the hot plasma cloud, and radiant heat.

[0004] Arc flash head protection hoods have the characteristic of completely covering and protecting the head. This can make air circulation and communication with colleagues on site more difficult. For this reason, head protection hoods are offered that provide a comfort feature for the wearer by allowing the visor to be opened without removing the entire hood. This allows for fresh air supply and easier communication. However, this also creates the risk that the visor, which provides face protection in the head protection product, will no longer be lowered and therefore will not be able to protect in hazardous work situations.

[0005] On head protection equipment, such as helmets with integrated visors that provide face protection (protective function), the visor can be opened during wear, for example, for ergonomic reasons (comfort function). Opening the visor is only permitted if the wearer is not in a dangerous situation. Therefore, several solutions exist that notify the user that the protective function must be activated.

[0006] US Patent 829,384 S describes a face shield in which the visor can apparently be opened as a comfort feature. This face shield is typically integrated into a hood that provides 360-degree protection and completely encloses the head. To prevent cross-breathing and facilitate fresh air intake, the visor can be opened. The face shield described here has this comfort feature (visor can be opened). However, it does not monitor the visor position and therefore cannot alert the wearer to close the visor to restore the protective function.

[0007] US Patent 2019 / 0150546 A1 describes a retrofit sensor module for use with a helmet-and-visor head protection system. The sensor module comprises a sensor housing and a mounting mechanism. The sensor housing contains a head presence sensor that detects when the head protection system is being worn. The sensor housing also includes a position sensor that detects the position of the visor relative to the helmet. The retrofit sensor module further includes a mounting mechanism attached to the housing. The mounting mechanism fits into a first hinge component of a hinge assembly within the head protection system to allow the sensor module to be detachably installed within the head protection system, with the hinge assembly permitting movement of the visor relative to the helmet.

[0008] US Patent 11,039,652 B2 describes a sensor module for a head guard. This sensor module is used on a head guard whose visor can also be opened as a convenience feature. The sensor module monitors the visor position and whether the head guard is being worn. All information is electronically recorded, processed externally, and can result in a signal output for the wearer. If the sensor module's power supply is insufficient, the wearer is still able to open the visor.

[0009] The sensor module for head protection, published in US 11 039 652 B2, offers the capability to monitor the visor position and alert the user to close it (monitoring function). However, if the sensor module's battery fails or is too low, the monitoring function is no longer available. In this case, the user can still open the visor and potentially continue working with an unprotected face in a dangerous situation.

[0010] Similar solutions are found in the writings US 9, 848, 666 Bl, US 2017 / 0367426Al, and US 2019 / 0318606Al.

[0011] US 2020 / 0 118 413 Al and US 2020 / 0 334 970 Al described.

[0012] Especially with products that already have a monitoring function implemented, there is a risk that users will rely on this function. The absence of the monitoring function due to a failed sensor module caused by low battery charge does not necessarily lead to a change in user behavior.

[0013] The existing head protection hoods, which are equipped with visors that can be opened, do not have a function that monitors this state and closes the visor when not in use and when the power supply is weakening.

[0014] The object of the invention is to provide electrician's head protection equipment and a method for its operation, whereby the protective function for a foldable visor is guaranteed under all conditions, in particular also in the event of a power failure. The invention must ensure that the comfort function is only available to the user when the monitoring function is functioning.

[0015] According to the invention, the problem is solved by the features of claims 1 and 8. Further elaborating features are described in dependent claims 2 to 7 and 9 to 10.

[0016] Occupational safety and ergonomics are diametrically opposed, meaning that improvements in ergonomics (comfort function) must be monitored (monitoring function). According to this requirement, a failure of the monitoring function must lead to a failure of the comfort function, because the protective function takes priority in personal protective equipment.

[0017] The electrician's head protection equipment consists of a fixed head guard and a movable visor attached to it. A monitoring module with a position sensor monitors the visor position, and a monitoring module with a sensor system and a display (head presence sensor) serves to monitor whether the head protection equipment is being worn. According to the invention, the movable visor can be locked against the fixed head guard in at least one position by an electrically controlled locking mechanism, wherein automatic control of the locking mechanism is effected with the aid of a sensor and electronics module, the energy supply of which is provided by an energy storage device or an energy generator.

[0018] The sensor and electronics module can be designed as two separate modules integrated into the electrician's head protection equipment.

[0019] The sensor and electronics module can be integrated into the electrician's head protection equipment in a common housing.

[0020] In a special version, the electronic module can be integrated into other parts of the protective equipment, outside of the electrician's head protection. The automatic locking and unlocking by the electrically controlled locking mechanism can be achieved with an electric motor, a linear motor, a magnetic switch / solenoid, pneumatics, or hydraulics.

[0021] The head presence sensor for determining whether electrician head protection equipment is being worn can be a temperature sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a presence sensor, a gas detection sensor, a distance measurement sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, a camera system with image recognition, or a combination of two or more of these sensors.

[0022] The energy supply for the sensor and electronics module can be provided by replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries, capacitors, solar cells or other electrical or mechanical energy storage devices and energy generators.

[0023] The inventive method for operating electrician's head protection equipment is characterized in that the locking of the movable visor against the stationary head protection part occurs automatically with the aid of the sensor and electronics module upon a signal indication from the head presence sensor that the electrician's head protection equipment is not being worn and / or before reaching a low or critical charge level of the power supply. After activation / switching on of the sensor and electronics module by a user, the visor can be unlocked or it unlocks automatically. The user is notified by the electronics module, via controllable signal outputs, that the visor is open.

[0024] The state of charge of the energy supply can be determined and evaluated using parameters of the energy storage or energy generation system, such as battery voltage, internal resistance, discharge current, or via pressure sensors, for example in the case of mechanical energy storage devices. The user can be notified that the visor is open by an optical, acoustic, or vibrotactile signal.

[0025] To protect the user from unforeseen hazards, the electrician's head protection autonomously monitors the visor position and signals the wearer to close the visor (monitoring function). The visor closes automatically when the device is switched off, when the electrician's head protection is no longer being worn, and when the monitoring electronics have a low power supply. As soon as the monitoring function can no longer be guaranteed, the comfort function is no longer available. However, the protective function of the visor remains active at all times and under all circumstances.

[0026] The electrician's head protection equipment includes an electrically controlled locking mechanism integrated into the head protection. The locking system engages the visor of the head protection within an outer frame. The locking mechanism is automatic and connected to a sensor and electronics module. This module includes a head presence sensor to detect whether the head protection is being worn. It also includes a position sensor that detects the visor's position relative to the outer frame. Furthermore, the sensor and electronics module monitors the status of the power source.

[0027] The method for solving the task is implemented by processing the signals from the position sensor, the head presence sensor and the power source in an electronics module, followed by the output of signals to the user and to the actuator of the visor locking mechanism.

[0028] The visor locking mechanism is characterized by the fact that the movable visor can be locked against the outer, fixed part of the head protection in the closed position. Automatic locking and unlocking is performed automatically with the aid of an electronic module, which, including power supply and sensors, is integrated into the head protection.

[0029] The procedure for implementing the task is defined in such a way that the sight lock is automatically activated when not in use, before switching off and / or before reaching a low or critical charge level of the energy storage or energy supply.

[0030] The visor unlocks and the comfort function is enabled when the sensor and electronics module is activated by the user by switching on the monitoring function. As long as the monitoring function is active, the user is alerted by signals that the visor is open and needs to be closed.

[0031] The advantages of the invention lie in the monitoring of the comfort function. The comfort function is deactivated when monitoring is not possible. This results in increased protection by reducing errors, for example, when working with open visors. The protective function is maintained even without a power supply. The protective function is independent of the power supply. A technical solution is implemented that ensures the priority of the protective function over the comfort function. This means that a monitoring function oversees the comfort function and the user is notified that the visor must be closed. Should the monitoring function fail, for example, due to low battery, the visor must be locked so that it can no longer be opened. This means that the protective function is always maintained, even without monitoring.

[0032] In addition to protection against arc flashes, the invention can also be applied to other personal protective equipment where only a closed visor provides complete protection against hazards. This means that the invention is applicable to all head protection equipment where a visor is an integral part of the protective function and this visor can be opened. Examples include respiratory hoods, which can only protect the wearer from hazardous gases when closed. Similarly, with welding helmets, eye protection from the high light intensity of the welding arc is only guaranteed when the visor is lowered.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The figures shown are:

[0034] Fig. 1 Electrician's head protection equipment with closed

[0035] visor

[0036] Fig. 2 Electrician's head protection equipment with open visor

[0037] Fig. 3 Detail view with the locking mechanism for the visor closed

[0038] Fig. 4 Detail view with sensor and electronics module and open locking mechanism for the visor

[0039] A first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 shows electrician's head protection equipment with a closed visor 8, which is integrated into a fixed head protection part 9. Usually, the two parts are attached to a protective helmet 10.

[0040] The visor 8 can be opened, as shown in Fig. 2, without having to remove the hood. The sensor and electronics module 1 is located in the lower, front chin area of ​​the electrician's head protection equipment. Figs. 3 and 4 show a detailed view of the sensor and electronics module 1 and the open and closed locking mechanisms 3 for the visor 8, respectively. In this version, the sensor and electronics module 1 includes all of the following components: position sensor 2, visor locking mechanism 3, power supply 4, signal processing 5, head presence sensor 6, and a signal output 7.

[0041] The functionality is as follows:

[0042] After the user switches on / activates the sensor and electronics module 1, the visor 8 is unlocked and the monitoring function is activated. As soon as the visor 8 is opened, the position sensor 2 detects this. An acoustic signal sounds, prompting the user to close the visor 8. The signal may vary depending on whether the head presence sensor is detected and whether or not the electrician's protective headgear is being worn. The signal stops when the position sensor 2 detects that the visor 8 is closed. If the electronics detect that the power supply 4 (which is a battery) has a low charge and the visor 8 is open, another signal sounds, prompting the user to close the visor 8.The visor 8 is automatically locked by the locking mechanism 3 of the visor 8 when the visor 8 is closed and is not worn for a certain period of time, or when a low charge level of the energy source is detected. This occurs by closing the locking plunger 11 located on the drive motor 13 into the corresponding locking tab 12.

[0043] Further optional possibilities for realizing the invention include the following:

[0044] The position sensor 2 can be implemented using various components, such as a light barrier, a microswitch, a proximity sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or similar sensors that can determine the relative position of the visor to the head protection equipment.

[0045] The head presence sensor 6 can also be implemented using various components, such as a temperature sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a presence sensor, a gas detection sensor, a distance measuring sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, a camera system with image recognition, or a combination of two or more of these sensors.

[0046] The visor locking mechanism 3 can be an electric motor, a linear motor, or a magnetic switch or solenoid. It can be designed to be either pneumatic or hydraulic.

[0047] The energy supply 4 can be realized by means of exchangeable batteries, rechargeable accumulators, capacitors, solar cells or other electrical or mechanical energy storage devices and energy generators.

[0048] The signal output 7 to the user can be visual, acoustic or vibrotactile via structure-borne sound.

[0049] The state of charge of the energy supply 4 can be assessed via various parameters of the energy storage or energy generation, for example via the battery voltage, an assessment of the internal resistance, the discharge current or by means of pressure sensors.

[0050] The electronics implemented by the signal processing 5 and the signal output 7, the battery supply 4, the locking mechanism 3, and the sensors 2, 6 can be placed independently of one another at different positions on the head protection equipment or even on other components outside the head protection equipment. Alternatively, they can be concentrated in a single module. Communication between the electronic components can be wired or wireless. (Reference figure list)

[0051] 1 sensor and electronics module

[0052] 2 Position sensor 3 Locking mechanism

[0053] 4 Energy supply

[0054] 5 Signal Processing

[0055] 6 Head presence sense or

[0056] 7 Signal output 8 Sight

[0057] 9 fixed head guard part

[0058] 10 Head Protective Helmet

[0059] 11 Verr lege lungs Stößel

[0060] 12 Verr leg lungs las ehe 13 Drive motor

Claims

Patent claims 1. Electrician's head protection equipment, consisting of a fixed head protection part (9) and a movable visor (8) attached therein, a monitoring module with a position sensor (2) for monitoring the visor position and a monitoring module with a sensor system and a display for monitoring whether the head protection equipment is being worn (head presence sensor (6)), characterized by an electrically controllable locking mechanism (3) by which the movable visor (8) can be locked against the fixed head protection part (9) in at least one position, wherein automatic control of the locking mechanism (3) is carried out by means of a sensor and electronics module (1) whose energy supply (4) is provided by an energy storage device or an energy generator.

2. Electrician's head protection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor and electronics module (1) are two separate modules that are integrated into the electrician's head protection equipment.

3. Electrician's head protection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor and electronics module (1) is integrated into the electrician's head protection equipment in a common housing.

4. Electrician's head protection equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that the electronic module is integrated into other parts of the protective equipment outside of the electrician's head protection equipment.

5. Electrician's head protection equipment according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the automatic locking and unlocking is carried out by the electrically controlled locking mechanism (3) with an electric motor, a linear motor, a magnetic switch / stroke- This is done using a magnet, pneumatics or hydraulics.

6. Electrician's head protection equipment according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the head presence sensor (6) for determining whether the electrician's head protection equipment is worn is a temperature sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a presence sensor, a gas detection sensor, a distance measurement sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, a camera system with image recognition or a combination of two or more of these sensors.

7. Electrician's head protection equipment according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the power supply (4) of the sensor and electronics module is made up of replaceable batteries, rechargeable accumulators, capacitors, solar cells or other electrical or mechanical energy storage devices and energy generators.

8. Method for operating an electrician's head protection equipment according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that - the locking of the movable visor (8) against the fixed head protection part (9) by means of the locking mechanism (3) upon a signal indication by the head presence sensor (8) that the electrician's head protection equipment is not being worn and / or before reaching a low or critical charge level of the power supply (4) is carried out automatically with the help of the sensor and electronic module (1), - after activation / switching on of the sensor and electronics module (1) by a user, the visor (8) can be unlocked or is unlocked, - the user is notified by the electronic module via controllable signal outputs (5) that the visor (8) is open.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the state of charge of the energy supply (4) is determined and evaluated via parameters of the energy storage or energy generation, such as the battery voltage, the internal resistance, the discharge current or by means of pressure sensors.

10. Method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the notification of the user that the visor (8) is open is effected by an optical, acoustic, vibrotactic signal or by structure-borne sound.

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