Air filtration and regulation system for helmets, and helmet comprising same

Abstract

An air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets, comprising: - a chin guard (3) with a hollow area in its front part, comprising an inner wall having holes (12) for the passage of air, the chin guard (3) delimiting an inner area in the lower part of the helmet (200); - a filter unit (5) configured to be housed in the recess of the chin guard (3); and - an air distribution element (1), located in the inner area delimited by the chin guard (3); as well as - a front grille (9) configured to be housed in the recess of the chin guard (3), such that the filter unit (5) is located between the inner wall of the hollow area of the chin guard (3) and the front grille (9), the front grille (9) comprising a selector element (10) coupled to the front face thereof; - an air flow regulating element (2) having holes (12') for the passage of air, located in the inner area of the lower part of the helmet (200), between the air distribution element (1) and the inner wall of the hollow area of the chin guard (3); and - a blocking element (8) of the front grille (9), located between the front grille (9) and the filter unit (5), configured to be attached to and detached from the chin guard (3)

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Air filtration and regulation system for helmets and helmet comprising it

[0003] Field of invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an air filtration and regulation system for helmets, especially applicable to helmets used by motorcyclists, and to a helmet comprising said air filtration and regulation system.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Several helmet designs are available that incorporate air filtration systems. Their primary function is to ensure that the air reaching the wearer is free of impurities, particularly those from air pollution and allergy-causing particles. Some of these systems are designed for full-face helmets, while others are used for modular helmets.

[0007] Document ES 2911244 A1 presents a protective helmet for motorcycles or similar vehicles with an integrated airbag. This helmet incorporates two compartments in the headgear designed to hold respiratory filters, so that when the ventilation inlets are opened, the air is filtered to remove particles. It provides protection to the wearer because it can accommodate an FFP2 filter, preventing harmful and mutagenic particles from entering the air.

[0008] Document EP 2319339 A1 relates to a helmet with a front element in the form of a lid, which has a front air intake. There is a grille located between a first frame and a second frame, and a filter between the grille and the second frame. The second frame is provided with at least one notch or through-hole located next to an auxiliary seat in order to reach it from the outside and bend, with a finger or tool, the hook fitted into this seat, thus facilitating the decoupling of the first frame.

[0009] WO 2019134767 A1 relates to a helmet, particularly a full-face helmet, comprising an outer shell, a lower opening in the outer shell, a closable visor, an air intake opening in the outer shell for breathing air, a receiver space adapted to receive an air filter element within the shell, the air intake opening allowing air to flow from the outside of the outer shell into the receiver space, a clean side opening connecting the receiver space to the inside of the helmet to provide filtered air, and a removable air filter element. The air filter element is positioned in the receiver space, and the receiver space includes an access opening at the bottom of the helmet for maintenance of the filter element.

[0010] All these helmets of the previous technology incorporate filters that reduce or prevent the wearer from breathing in polluting or allergenic substances present in the air.

[0011] However, an air filtration system is necessary that also allows for easy regulation of the airflow, to adapt it to the different situations that may occur while driving.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an air filtration and regulation system for helmets that allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be resolved.

[0014] The invention provides an air filtration and regulation system for helmets, comprising:

[0015] - a mound with a hollow area in its front part comprising an inner wall having holes for the passage of air, the mound delimiting an interior area in the lower part of the hull,

[0016] - a filter assembly configured to be housed in the gap of the heap,

[0017] - an air distribution element, located in the interior area delimited by the pile,

[0018] - a front grille configured to fit within the recess of the pile, such that the filter assembly is located between the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile and the front grille, the front grille comprising a selector element attached to its front face, - an airflow regulating element having holes for the passage of air, located in the inner area of ​​the lower part of the helmet between the air distribution element and the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile, and

[0019] - a front grille locking element, located between the front grille and the filter assembly, configured to engage and disengage from the assembly such that:

[0020] - the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile, the filter assembly and the front grille each have a slot made in them, so that these slots are aligned on a front-to-back axis when the helmet air filtration and regulation system is mounted, and the slot in the front grille guides the locking element of the front grille,

[0021] - When the helmet air filtration and regulation system is mounted, the selector element is attached to the slot in the front grille, so that it can adopt several positions on said slot,

[0022] - the locking element comprises a coupling means capable of coupling with the selector element, and the airflow regulating element comprises a coupling means capable of coupling with the locking element by passing through the slots in the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the stack and the filter assembly, so that when the selector element is moved over the slot of the front grille, the locking element and the airflow regulating element move together with the selector element,

[0023] - having the air passage holes of the airflow regulating element and the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile a shape and arrangement that allow a greater or lesser overlap depending on the positions of the selector element.

[0024] The invention also provides a helmet that incorporates said helmet air filtration and regulation system.

[0025] This configuration of the helmet's air filtration and regulation system allows for the integration of the airflow control system into a helmet with an air filtration system. It also allows for easy regulation of the amount of air entering the helmet, adapting it to different riding situations.

[0026] Another advantage of the invention is that it does not need any type of electrical or other energy to operate.

[0027] Another advantage of the invention is that it allows the use of interchangeable filter assemblies, whose insertion and fixing in the system are very simple.

[0028] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0029] Brief description of the figures

[0030] An illustrative, and in no way limiting, embodiment of the object of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a view of a helmet incorporating an air filtration and regulation system of the invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded or exploded view of the air filtration and regulation system of the invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air filtration and regulation system of the invention in a first position, suitable for driving at low speeds.

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the air filtration and regulation system of the invention in a second position, suitable for high-speed driving.

[0035] Figure 5 is a front view of the air filtration and regulation system of the invention, corresponding to the position of Figure 3, suitable for driving at low speeds.

[0036] Figure 6 is a front view of the air filtration and regulation system of the invention, corresponding to an intermediate position, suitable for driving at medium speeds. Figure 7 is a front view of the air filtration and regulation system of the invention, corresponding to the position shown in Figure 4, suitable for driving at high speeds.

[0037] Figure 8 is a view of a filter assembly, with its component elements.

[0038] Detailed description of the invention

[0039] Figure 1 represents a helmet 200 incorporating the air filtration and regulation system 100 of the invention in its lower front part, below the visor. In this figure, it can be seen that one of the system elements, the front grille 9, can be opened to allow the removal of another system element, the filter assembly 5.

[0040] Figure 2 represents an exploded or exploded view of the air filtration and regulation system 100 of the invention.

[0041] These elements are aligned on an anteroposterior axis, with the anterior position corresponding to the front end of the helmet 200, and the posterior position corresponding to the innermost position within the helmet 200. The following elements of the air filtration and regulation system 100 of the invention are observed, from rear (rear position) to front (anterior position):

[0042] - an air distribution element 1,

[0043] - an air flow regulating element 2 having holes 12' for the passage of air,

[0044] - a pile 3 with a hollow area in its front part comprising an inner wall having holes 12, 21 for the passage of air, the pile 3 delimiting an inner area in the lower part of the shell 200, such that the air flow regulating element 2 is located in the inner area of ​​the lower part of the shell 200 between the air distribution element 1 and the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile 3, and the air distribution element 1 is located in the inner area delimited by the pile 3,

[0045] - a filter assembly 5 configured to be housed in the gap of the pile 3,

[0046] - a locking element 8 of the front grille 9, - a front grille 9 configured to be housed in the recess of the chin guard 3, such that the filter assembly 5 is located between the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the chin guard 3 and the front grille 9, the front grille 9 comprising a selector element 10 coupled to its front face, and the locking element 8 of the front grille 9 is located between the front grille 9 and the filter assembly 5 and is configured to couple and uncouple from the chin guard 3.

[0047] Figure 2 shows that in chin guard 3, air passage holes 21 are located below air passage holes 12. Reference 4 refers to sealing gaskets.

[0048] The locking element 8 may comprise at least one positioning element 7 (see Figures 2, 5, 6, and 7, which show two positioning elements 7 in the locking element 8). The positioning elements 7 may be elastic to engage notches made in the front grid 9, specifically in the corresponding contours of its slot 11”, such that they allow the locking element 8 to be positioned in various positions by sliding along the slot 11”. The inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the chin guard 3, the filter assembly 5 and the front grille 9 each have a slot made in them (11, 11' and 11”, respectively), so that these slots 11, 11', 11” are aligned on a front-to-back axis when the helmet air filtration and regulation system 100 is mounted, and the slot 11” of the front grille 9 serves as a guide for the locking element 8 of the front grille 9.

[0049] In the embodiment of Figure 2, when the helmet air filtration and regulation system 100 is mounted, the selector element 10 is coupled in the slot 1 1 ” of the front grille 9, so that it can adopt various positions on said slot 1 1 ”, and comprises a rear protruding element 15; the locking element 8 comprises a front protruding element 16 configured to couple to the rear protruding element 15 of the selector element 10; and the airflow regulating element 2 comprises a front protruding element 17 configured to couple to the locking element 8 by passing through the slots 1 1 , 11 ' of the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the chin guard 3 and of the filter assembly 5, respectively, so that when the selector element 10 is moved on the slot 1 1 ” of the front grille 9, the locking element 8 and the airflow regulating element 2 move together with the selector element 10.The air passage holes 12', 12, 21 for the air passage of the air flow regulating element 2 and the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile 3 have a shape and arrangement that allow a greater or lesser overlap depending on the positions of the selector element 10. The air flow regulating element 2 covers to a greater or lesser extent the air passage holes 12, 21 of the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile 3, depending on its position in height, which regulates the flow of air that can enter the interior of the hull 200.

[0050] In one embodiment, the front grille 9 is hinged by means of an articulation axis 14 at its lower part with respect to the pile 3 and further comprises a closing and opening means 13 on its upper part, to allow the opening of the front grille 9 when the locking element 8 is not coupled to the pile 3 by rotating the front grille 9 around the articulation axis 14.

[0051] In one embodiment the slots 1 1 , 11 ', 1 1 ” of the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile 3, of the filter assembly 5 and of the front grille 9 are rectangular in shape, with a height greater than the base.

[0052] The filter assembly 5 may comprise a filter element 6 on a rigid structure 19. The filter element may be a multi-layer filter comprising a hydrophobic layer, an electrostatically charged polypropylene layer for filtering fine particles, an activated carbon layer for filtering gases, and an outer layer for protecting the activated carbon layer.

[0053] Likewise, the pile 3 can have an arched shape that allows its integration with the rest of the 200 hull, with two sides on the lower sides of the 200 hull and a front part that joins the sides.

[0054] The air distribution element 1 may comprise side holes 20 with a shape and arrangement that allow greater or lesser overlap with the corresponding holes 12' of the air flow regulating element according to the positions of the selector element 10.

[0055] To better illustrate the invention, Figures 5, 6, and 7 show a front view of the air filtration and regulation system 100 of the invention, in which the front grille 9 is only partially shown to reveal the elements located behind it. Figures 3 and 5 show the air filtration and regulation system 100 of the invention with the selector 10 in its highest position. This is the maximum opening position 12' of the air passage holes, which may be suitable, for example, at low speeds. These figures show that the holes 12' of the flow regulating element 2 and the holes 12 in the inner wall of the stack 3 are positioned relative to each other to allow a large passage area. Similarly, the holes 21 are not blocked by the flow regulating element 2, thus also allowing a large air passage area through them.

[0056] Likewise, the side holes 20 of the air distribution element 1 can have a shape and arrangement that allow a large passage area in this selector position 10.

[0057] Figure 3 also shows that the locking element 8 of the front grille is coupled to the stack 3, which prevents the front grille 9 from being opened.

[0058] Figures 4 and 7 show the air filtration and regulation system 100 of the invention, in which the selector 10 is in its lowest position. This is the minimum opening position of the air passage holes 12', which may be suitable, for example, at high speeds. These figures show that the holes 12' of the flow regulating element 2 and the holes 12 of the inner wall of the stack 3 are positioned in a way that allows for a small passage area due to significant overlap. The holes 21 are blocked by the flow regulating element 2, thus preventing airflow through them.

[0059] Likewise, the side holes 20 of the air distribution element 1 can have a shape and arrangement that allow a reduced passage area in this position of the selector 10.

[0060] Figure 4 also shows that the locking element 8 of the front grille 9 is disengaged from the stack 3, allowing the front grille 9 to be opened by means of the opening and closing mechanism 13. Figure 1 illustrates this situation, in which the front grille 9 has rotated forward with respect to its lower articulation axis 14, making it possible to remove the filter assembly 5 and replace it.

[0061] Figure 6 shows the air filtration and regulation system 100 of the invention, in which the selector 10 is in an intermediate position corresponding to medium-speed operation. This figure shows that the orifices 12' of the flow regulating element 2 and the orifices 12 of the inner wall of the stack 3 are positioned relative to each other, allowing for a medium airflow area (larger than that shown in Figure 7 and smaller than that shown in Figure 5). The orifices 21 are partially covered by the flow regulating element 2, thus allowing for a medium airflow area through them.

[0062] Likewise, the side holes 20 of the air distribution element 1 can have a shape and arrangement that allow a large passage area in this selector position 10.

[0063] Figure 2 also shows that air distribution element 1 may additionally include a series of grooves 22 that define channels to guide air towards the helmet visor area 200. Thus, when selector 10 is in its upper position (Figures 3 and 5), the airflow redirected to the visor area, guided by these channels, is at its maximum. Conversely, when selector 10 is in its lower position (Figures 4 and 7), the airflow redirected to the visor area, guided by these channels, is reduced.

[0064] The helmet air filtration and regulation system 100 may further comprise a protective layer of expanded polystyrene (usually called EPS layer), located behind the air distribution element 1, comprising air passage holes aligned with the holes 20 of the air distribution element 1, such that when the holes 20 are blocked, no air enters the helmet 200 through the holes in the expanded polystyrene layer.

[0065] Although some embodiments of the invention have been described and represented, it is evident that modifications within the scope of the invention may be introduced, and the scope of the invention should not be considered limited to these embodiments, but only to the content of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets, comprising: - a mound (3) with a hollow area in its front part comprising an inner wall having holes (12, 21) for the passage of air, the mound (3) delimiting an inner area in the lower part of the hull (200), - a filter assembly (5) configured to be housed in the gap of the heap (3), and - an air distribution element (1), located in the interior zone delimited by the stack (3), characterized in that it further comprises: - a front grille (9) configured to be housed in the recess of the pile (3), such that the filter assembly (5) is located between the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile (3) and the front grille (9), the front grille (9) comprising a selector element (10) coupled to its front face, - an air flow regulating element (2) having holes (12') for the passage of air, located in the inner area of ​​the lower part of the hull (200) between the air distribution element (1) and the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile (3), and - a front grille (9) locking element (8), located between the front grille (9) and the filter assembly (5), configured to engage and disengage from the stack (3), such that: - the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile (3), the filter assembly (5) and the front grille (9) each have a slot (1 1 , 1 1 ', 11 ”) made into them, so that these slots (1 1 , 1 1 ', 11 ”) are aligned on a front-to-back axis when the helmet air filtration and regulation system (100) is mounted, and the slot (1 1 ”) of the front grille (9) guides the locking element (8) of the front grille (9), - When the air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets is mounted, the selector element (10) is coupled in the slot (1 1 ”) of the front grille (9), so that it can adopt several positions on said slot (11 ”), - the locking element (8) comprises a coupling means capable of coupling with the selector element (10), and the airflow regulating element (2) comprises a coupling means capable of coupling with the locking element (8) by passing through the slots (1 1 , 1 1 ') of the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the stack (3) and of the filter assembly (5), so that when the selector element (10) is moved over the slot (1 1 ”) of the front grille (9), the locking element (8) and the airflow regulating element (2) move together with the selector element (10), - having the holes (12', 12, 21 ) for the passage of air from the regulating element (2) of air flow and from the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile (3) a shape and arrangement that allow a greater or lesser overlap depending on the positions of the selector element (10). 2.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to claim 1, wherein the front grille (9) is articulated by means of an articulation axis (14) at its lower part with respect to the stack (3) and further comprises a closing and opening means (13) on its upper part, to allow the opening of the front grille (9) when the locking element (8) is not coupled to the stack (3) when the front grille (9) is rotated around the articulation axis (14). 3.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means of the locking element (8) with the selector element (10) is a projection (16), capable of coupling with a rear projection (15) of the selector element (10), and wherein the coupling means of the air flow regulating element (2) with the locking element (8) is a projection (17). 4.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element (8) comprises at least one positioning element (7), capable of being coupled to notches made in the contour of the slot (1 1 ”) of the front grille (9), in such a way as to allow the locking element (8) to be placed in various positions when moved over the slot (1 1 ”). 5.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the slots (11, 11', 11") of the inner wall of the hollow area of ​​the pile (3), of the filter assembly (5) and of the front grille (9) are rectangular in shape, with a height greater than the base. 6.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter assembly (5) comprises a filter element on a rigid structure. 7.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to claim 6, wherein the filter element is a multi-layer filter comprising a hydrophobic layer, an electrostatically charged polypropylene layer for filtering fine particles, an activated carbon layer for filtering gases, and an outer layer for protecting the activated carbon layer. 8.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stack (3) has an arched shape, with two sides on the lower sides of the helmet (200) and a front part joining the sides. 9.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air distribution element (1) comprises side holes (20) with a shape and arrangement that allow a greater or lesser overlap with the corresponding holes (12') of the air flow regulating element (2) according to the positions of the selector element (10). 10.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air distribution element (1) further comprises a series of grooves (22) that delimit channels to guide the air towards the helmet visor area (200). 11.- Air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an expanded polystyrene layer, located behind the air distribution element (1), comprising air passage holes aligned with the holes (20) of the air distribution element (1).

12. Helmet (200) comprising an air filtration and regulation system (100) for helmets according to any of claims 1 to 11.

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