Lighting device for a protective helmet and its operating principle

Abstract

A protective assembly (200) comprising a protective helmet (100) suitable to be worn by an operator, in particular for surgical use, which comprises a main frame (101) suitable for circumscribing the operator's head. The protective assembly (200) comprises even a lighting device (10), mounted removably at a front area of said protective helmet (100), and activation means (110) connected to a control unit (210) configured to check the operation of the lighting device (10).

Description

[0001] LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A PROTECTIVE HELMET AND ITS OPERATING PRINCIPLE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a lighting device which can be mounted on a protective helmet suitable to be worn by an operator, in particular a healthcare professional, for example a surgeon, during a medical procedure.

[0005] The invention also relates to the assembly defined by the protective helmet and by said lighting device, and the operation process of the latter.

[0006] Background of the invention

[0007] In the healthcare field it is common to use helmets for protecting the head and face of a surgeon, or other healthcare professional, during a surgical intervention. Such helmets comprise a face protection visor provided with a front transparent lens, or visor. The known helmets can include even a lighting device positioned in an upper central area of the helmet close to the front lens. Such protective helmets are used especially in orthopaedic surgery, where drills and saws are used, to provide a sterile barrier between the surgeon and the patient. As it is known, in addition to the helmet also gowns, gloves and so on can be used. It results that the surgeon is protected with respect to the biological material of the patient and to the vapours and gases of the surgery environment, and the patient too is protected with respect to possible contaminations coming from the surgeon or other healthcare professionals.

[0008] In the known protective helmets, the lighting device comprises a LED light positioned in a lens hood. The lens hood, apart from containing the led light, has the function of preventing that the light rays emitted and / or reflected hit directly the eyes of the operator wearing the helmet.

[0009] The lens hoods is connected to a moving system comprising one or more orienting leverages, which are actuated manually by the surgeon, or by the healthcare professional, indeed for directing the led light in a desired position.

[0010] The above-identified known lighting device has some drawbacks detected by the Inventors.

[0011] First of all, the moving system acts jointly on the lens hood and on the led light integral therewith. Consequently, the actuation of the moving system involves a variation in the relative position between lens hood and visor lens, with the risk of reflections in relation to the led light position.

[0012] Moreover, since it is necessary to actuate manually the orientation leverages, the person wearing the helmet must necessarily move at least a hand from the field of vision or from the working field. This results to be particularly disadvantageous in the medical field, since when the healthcare professional acts manually on the leverages for orienting the lighting device, he / she may risk contaminating the surgical gloves or making them no longer sterile. Such disadvantage is shown specifically even in the scientific literature, for example in the article of Singh V.K. et al. (2011 ), “Sterile surgical helmet system in elective total hip and knee arthroplasty”, Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery, 19 (2), 234-237.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] Therefore, the technical problem placed and solved by the present invention is to provide a lighting device mountable on a protective helmet suitable to be worn by an operator, in particular for healthcare / surgical use, allowing to obviate the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art. Such problem is solved by a lighting device according to claim 1 , a protective assembly, in particular for surgical use according to claim 15 and an operation process according to claim 18.

[0015] As usual in the field, hereinafter one will refer to the terminology commonly used to identify the spatial configuration of the patient’s body in anatomical position - in particular the sagittal, front and transverse planes and directions - to define the structural elements of the protective assembly. Such elements are then referred, as common in the field, to the worn arrangement of the assembly itself.

[0016] In its embodiments, the proposed lighting device comprises:

[0017] ■ a containment body, or housing, receiving / supporting at least a light element, or organ, the latter capable of emitting a light beam, which containment body is shaped so as to prevent that, in use, the light beam and / or reflections thereof are directed towards the eyes of the operator wearing the helmet; and

[0018] ■ a moving system of the light element for directing the light beam in a specific direction.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the lighting device comprises, or is associated to, a control unit operatively connected to, or including, activation means and configured to control the activation of the moving system and / or of the light organ in relation to control data, or commands, detected and / or transmitted by the activation means.

[0020] In particular, the moving system can be controlled in touchless mode, then without manual, or contact, intervention of the operator on the light element or on its housing, for moving the light element itself and orienting the relative light beam in an automated manner. This is particularly advantageous in case of a surgical intervention or a healthcare procedure in general, since the operator can keep her / his hands on the patient or however in the provided working space, without the risk of contaminating gloves or other.

[0021] In some embodiments, the motion and / or the activation of the light element is determined by means of voice commands of the operator detected, for example, by at least one microphone of the activation means.

[0022] In alternative or in combination, the motion and / or the activation of the light element can be determined by means of gestural commands of the operator, for example motions of the head, detected by one or more motion sensors of the activation means.

[0023] Still in alternative or in combination, the motion and / or the activation of the light element can be determined by means of commands given by one or more operators through an electronic control device of the activation means. Preferably, the electronic control device is selected from a group of computerized electronic devices comprising: smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, or the like. Alternatively, the electronic control device can be an electronically controlled actuation button.

[0024] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the moving system comprises an electronic control group and / or an electric motor-reducer group, in particular including an electric motor, associated to the containment body.

[0025] Advantageously, the moving system moves the light element without using additional gears or leverages, in particular without additional organs with respect to those of the motor-reducer group.

[0026] Advantageously, the system for moving the light source, that is the light element, is capable of preventing and hindering the retrograde movement of the system without using brakes or other mechanical blocks, even when the system is not electrically powered. In this way the light organ always keeps a stable position and there is not the risk of modifying such position accidentally. The device of the invention lends itself to a low-weight construction, for example thanks to the removal of the above-mentioned additional leverages.

[0027] The light element can be based on light-emitting means, for example a LED light, similarly to the known art.

[0028] Preferably, the light element can be moved independently from the containment body. The fact of being able to move the light organ while keeping unaltered the position of the containment body allows to avoid that possible reflections of the light beam deriving from the change in orientation, or position, of the light-emitting element may disturb the operator.

[0029] Preferably, the light element is configured to incline inside the containment body, in particular by rotating about an inclination axis transverse to the longitudinal development of the containment body itself.

[0030] Advantageously, the lighting device of the invention can be mounted even on known helmets or headbands.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a protective assembly comprising the above-mentioned lighting device and a protective helmet suitable for being worn by an operator, in particular for surgical use. Such protective helmet can include a main frame suitable for circumscribing the operator’s head and having:

[0032] - a sagittal upright extending at the apex of the head in postero-anterior direction;

[0033] - a front frame configured to circumscribe the operator’s face and to be removably connected to a transparent lens, or visor, thus defining a visor.

[0034] According to an aspect of the present invention, the lighting device is mounted removably at a front area of the protective helmet.

[0035] The protective assembly can include, in case as separate unit, activation means connected to the control unit and configured to detect and / or transmit control data, or commands, of the operator to the control unit, for activating in an automated manner the moving system and / or the light element.

[0036] An operating process is also provided, for controlling the above-described lighting device, in particular when mounted on a protective helmet of the protective assembly. The process can comprise the steps of:

[0037] ■ providing by means of said activation means said control data to said control unit, which processes them to coherently activate said moving system;

[0038] ■ actuating in an automated and contactless manner said moving system on the basis of said control data for directing said light element and its light beam in a desired direction without the manual intervention of an operator.

[0039] In preferred embodiments, the activation del moving system provides activating an electronic control group provided with an electric actuator which moves the light organ, while maintaining the position of the containment body unchanged. Preferably, the electric actuator inclines the light element, by making it to rotate about a transverse axis. The rotation can be performed continuously or, alternatively, by successive steps. Moreover, the inclination of the light element is reversible and controlled by the electronic control group. Preferably, the activation or the deactivation of light-emitting means of said light organ takes place in an automated manner, in relation to specific control data transmitted by the activation means.

[0040] Alternatively, the activation or the deactivation of the light-emitting means can take place manually, for example by actuating a physical button associated to the light element. Other advantages, features and use modes of the present invention will result evident from the following detailed description of some embodiments, shown by way of example and not for limiting purposes.

[0041] Brief description of figures

[0042] The figures of the enclosed drawings will be referred to, wherein:

[0043] ■ Figure 1 is a schematic axonometric representation (in front perspective) of an embodiment of a protective assembly according to the present invention, comprising a protective helmet on which a lighting device is mounted;

[0044] ■ Figure 2 is a schematic axonometric representation (in front perspective) of another embodiment of a protective assembly according to the present invention, comprising a protective helmet on which a lighting device is mounted;

[0045] ■ Figure 3 is a schematic exploded representation of a lighting device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] ■ Figure 4 is a front view of the lighting device of Figure 3;

[0047] ■ Figure 5A is a detail section view, according to the line A-A of Figure 4, of the lighting device of Figure 3 in a first operating condition;

[0048] ■ Figure 5B is a schematic axonometric representation (in front perspective) of the protective assembly of Figure 3 worn by an operator, wherein the lighting device is in the first operating condition;

[0049] ■ Figure 6A is a detail section view, according to the line A-A of Figure 4, of the lighting device of Figure 3 in a second operating condition;

[0050] ■ Figure 6B is a schematic axonometric representation (in front perspective) of the protective assembly of Figure 3 worn by an operator, wherein the lighting device is in the second operating condition; ■ Figures 7 to 11 relate to an embodiment of an operating sequence of the operation of the lighting device, some (Figures 7, 9 and 11 ) showing a respective transverse section view thereof according to said line A-A;

[0051] ■ Figures 12 to 16 relate to another embodiment of an operating sequence of the operation of the lighting device, some (Figures 12, 14 and 16) showing a respective transverse section view thereof according to said line A-A.

[0052] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0053] Figures 1 and 2 show a protective assembly 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] The assembly 200 comprises a helmet or protective helmet 100 suitable for being worn by an operator, in particular for healthcare or surgical use, and a lighting device 10 mounted in a fixed or removable way at a front area of said protective helmet 100.

[0055] For example, the protective helmet 100 can be of the type which can be connected to a gown, or a hood, of known type, used in surgical field, wherein the protective helmet 100, the gown and / or the hood can be provided jointly, or independently from one another. Advantageously, the protective helmet 100 can be equipped with not shown ventilation means.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the protective helmet 100 comprises a frame, or main body, 101 substantially symmetric and suitable for circumscribing the operator’s head.

[0057] Preferably, the frame 101 is formed by several uprights which overall define a structure of reticular type suitable to wrap the operator’s head to anchor firmly the protective helmet 100 thereto.

[0058] In particular, the frame 101 mainly comprises:

[0059] - a sagittal upright 102 extending at the apical part of the of the head in postero-anterior direction; and

[0060] - a front frame 103, configured to circumscribe the operator’s face and thereto a vision transparent visor, or lens, 105 is associated, for example removably.

[0061] According to not illustrated embodiments, the main frame 101 can comprise even a lateral and rear, or occipital, portion configured to wrap on the rear side and laterally the operator’s head.

[0062] In an embodiment variant, the transparent visor 105 can have a latero-lateral, or antero-posterior, extension greater than that of known visors. In fact, the transparent visor 105 can have an additional portion indeed extending in latero-lateral direction on the rear side with respect to the frame of the protective helmet 100. This allows to increase the surgeon’s field of vision in latero-lateral, that is antero-posterior, direction by improving comfort, control of the operating environment and the perception of brightness.

[0063] In the present example, the front frame 103 has a substantially quadrilateral perimetral shape with rounded angles, and it comprises an upper segment 106, a lower segment 107 and two lateral segments 109 (only one thereof is visible in figures). At each lateral segment 109 (not illustrated) mechanical connection elements of the lens 105 can be provided, configured to engage with corresponding connection elements of the lens itself.

[0064] On the front frame 103, in substantially centred position on the upper segment 106, additional connection means is provided, not visible in the drawings and of known type on itself, suitable to the fixed or removable connection of the lighting device 10.

[0065] With also reference to Figure 3, the lighting device 10 comprises a containment, or housing, main body 11 to house, receive and / or support at least a light element, or organ, 12 capable of emitting a light beam for lighting the operator’s working environment.

[0066] The main body 11 is shaped so as to prevent that, in use, the light beam and / or reflections thereof emitted by the light organ 12 are directed towards the operator’s eyes. In other words, the body 11 has also the function of a lens hood.

[0067] It is to be noted that under the expression “in use” the condition is meant in which the lighting device 10 is mounted on the protective helmet 100 worn by the operator and ready to be used in a healthcare, surgical or other procedure. The main body 11 has a longitudinal development substantially elongated according to a direction substantially corresponding to the sagittal plane of the operator and it is hollow internally.

[0068] Preferably, the body 11 is open on the front side at a window 160 and comprises two side shoulders 13, 14 connected to a rear and lower wall 15, an upper and front wall 16 and a rear wall 17 connecting between the walls 15 and 16, better visible in Figure 5A.

[0069] Preferably, the lower wall 15 has greater size in length (longitudinal) with respect to the upper wall 16. In this way, seen laterally, the shoulders 13, 14 have substantially the profile of a rectangular trapezoid. Such shape allows the exit of the light beam emitted by the light organ 12 without it hitting directly, or indirectly, the operator’s eyes.

[0070] As better visible, for example, in Figures 3 and 5A, the light organ 12 comprises a hollow shell 18, having substantially a tubular shape, in which light-emitting element, or means, 19 is arranged, suitable to emit light beam. For example, the light-emitting element 19 is a lens positioned suitably on a LED point source, or LED bulb, or light. Alternatively, the light-emitting element 19 can be another type of bulb, or any other means capable of emitting a light beam.

[0071] Preferably, the light-emitting element 19 is integral with the light organ 12.

[0072] Moreover, the light-emitting element 19 can be connected to power means, known on itself and not illustrated in the drawings, by means of a power cord 22. For example, the power means can be mounted on the protective helmet The lighting device 10 further comprises a moving system 20, advantageously an electronic control, suitable to move the light organ 12, independently from the main body 11 , for orienting the light beam in a specific direction. In other words, the position of the main body 11 remains unchanged, in particular its relative position with respect to the helmet 10 and to the transparent visor 105 thereof.

[0073] The moving system 20 can be connected to power means, not illustrated in the drawings, which can be mounted, for example, on the protective helmet 100.

[0074] The lighting device 10 comprises a slotted hole 21 for the exit of cable 22. The shape and slot allow the exit of cable without obstructions, considering that the body 12 thereto the cable 22 is connected can rotate around its axis. The power cable 22 will be connected to a control unit 210 (illustrated schematically in Figure 3) operatively connected to, or including, activation means 110 of the protective assembly 200. The control unit 210 is configured to control the activation of the moving system 20 in relation to control data detected and / or transmitted by said activation means 110. In particular, the control unit 210 is suitable to process the control data deriving from the activation means 110 to control the activation of the moving system 20.

[0075] Through the same activation and control modes it is possible to determine the switching-on or switching-off of the light beam, that is of the light organ 12.

[0076] According to preferred embodiments, the control unit 210, represented very schematically in the drawings, is included in the lighting device 10.

[0077] According to other not illustrated embodiments, the control unit 210 can be associated to, and / or mounted on, the protective helmet 100.

[0078] Preferably, the moving system 20 is and can be controlled by the operator in touchless or contactless mode, that is without contact, to move the light organ 12 and orienting the light beam in an automated manner without manual intervention with contact of an operator on the same.

[0079] In other words, the light beam emitted by the light organ 12 can be oriented without the manual intervention of the operator and without the presence of leverage or other moving means.

[0080] In this way, in case of a surgical intervention, the operator can keep the hands on the patient and / or in the working space, without the risk of contaminating gloves or other.

[0081] Preferably, the moving system 20 comprises a mechanical support 23 of an electric actuator 24. From the mechanical support 23 a (not illustrated) power cable exits which connects with the power cable of the optical group 22 and which in turn connects to an electronic control group provided with an electric actuator 24, in particular an electric motor, associated to the main body 11 . For example, the electric actuator 24 can be an electric motor with continuous motion. Alternatively, the electric motor can be a stepper motor.

[0082] The electric actuator 24 can be operatively connected to the control unit 210 and to the light organ 12 to control in an automated manner the moving thereof.

[0083] Preferably, the electric actuator 24 is configured to prevent the retrograde, unintentional motion of the moving system 20, by maintaining it in a stable position; this can be obtained thanks to the very high reduction ratio between the actuator and the reducer which result to be coaxial.

[0084] The function of preventing a retrograde motion can take place by means of the electric actuator 24 which is suitably configured, even without using brakes, or mechanical blocks, or even when the same electronic control group is not electrically powered.

[0085] In other words, thanks to the electric actuator 24 any position taken by the moving system 20 and, then, by the light organ 12 results to be stabilized, or locked, without the risk the latter moving accidentally. According to specific implementations, not illustrated in the drawings, the electric actuator 24 can comprise an epicyclic reducer mounted on barycentric axis, to reduce the rotation speed and increase the torque in the transmission mechanisms of the electric actuator 24.

[0086] According to preferred embodiments, as illustrated also in Figures 5A and 6A, the light organ 12 is configured to incline inside the containment body 11 , by rotating about an axis X transverse to the longitudinal development of the main body 11 .

[0087] In other words, the light organ 12, by means of the action of the moving system 20, is suitable to rotate around an inclination axis X which is transverse to the main body 11. In this way, the light beam can be oriented, for example, downwards and upwards with respect to the main body 11 , as shown for example respectively in Figures 5B and 6B.

[0088] For example, the moving system 20 is suitable to rotate the light organ 12, that is the light-emitting element 19, by an angle a. The angle a can be of 360°, that is the light organ 12 can rotate without a rotation limit. Preferably, the angle a can be comprised between approximately 0° and approximately 0°. More preferably the angle a is comprised between 0° and 55° (or -55° depending upon the rotation direction).

[0089] The protective assembly 200 comprises the activation means 110 preferably associated to the protective helmet 100.

[0090] According to embodiments, illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 , the activation means 110 is detection means and comprises at least one microphone 112 operatively connected to the control unit 210 and configured for detecting voice control data of the operator.

[0091] In other words, the control data can relate to voice commands of the operator, which are detected by at least one microphone 112 belonging to said activation means 110.

[0092] Preferably, the microphone 112 can be associated to the protective helmet 100, for example to one between the upper segment 106, the lower segment 107, or one of the two side segments 109 of the front frame 103. Preferably, the microphone 112 is associated to the side segment 109.

[0093] According to other embodiments, illustrated by way of example in Figure 2, the activation means 110 is detection means and comprises at least one or more motion sensors 114 operatively connected to the control unit 210 and configured to detect gestural control data of the operator.

[0094] In other words, the control data can relate to gestural commands of the operator, in particular they can relate to motions of the head, which are detected by one or motion sensors 114 belonging to said activation means 110.

[0095] For example, the sensors 114 are capable of detecting forward, rearward, or side inclinations of the operator’s head, which can be performed once or with particular sequences.

[0096] Preferably the sensors 114 can be associated to the protective helmet 100, for example to one among the upper segment 106, the lower segment 107, or one of the two side segments 109 of the front frame 103. Preferably, the sensors 114 are associated to the side segments 109.

[0097] According to additional embodiments, illustrated by way of example in Figures 13 and 15, the activation means 110 is electronic control means and they can comprise an electronic device 116 operatively connected to the control unit 210 and configured to transmit control data given by one or more operators.

[0098] In other words, the control data can relate to commands or one or more operators, issued by means of an electronic device 116 belonging to said activation means 110.

[0099] For example, the electronic device 116 is selected from a group of computerized electronic devices comprising: a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, a computer, or the like. The control data can be transmitted to the control unit 210 in wireless mode.

[0100] Alternatively, the electronic device 116 can be a not illustrated activation electronic button, which is controlled electronically and which can be actuated by one or more operators. For example, the command button can be associated to a wireless transmission module to transmit the control data to the control unit 210.

[0101] The activation means described sofar can be provided as part of the lighting device, of the helmet and / or of the assembly.

[0102] A process for the operation of the lighting device 10 mounted on the protective helmet 100 is also here described.

[0103] The process firstly provides to fix removably the lighting device 10 to a front areas of the protective helmet 100.

[0104] The activation del moving system 20 takes place by means of control data provided by the activation means 110.

[0105] In other words, the process provides to supply, by means of the activation means 110, control data to said control unit 210 which processes them to coherently activate the moving system 20.

[0106] Then, one provides to actuate in an automated manner and without contact the moving system 20 on the basis of said control data for orienting the light organ 12 and the light beam in a desired direction without manual intervention of an operator.

[0107] According to possible embodiments, the activation, or deactivation, of the light organ 12, that is of the light-emitting element 19 can take place in an automated manner, in relation to specific control data transmitted by said activation means 110. Alternatively, the activation, o the deactivation, of the light organ 12 can be manual, for example by means of a physical button.

[0108] The activation of said moving system 20 provides activating an electronic control group which, by means of the electric actuator 24, moves the light organ 12 while maintaining the position of the main body 11 unchanged. In other words, the moving system 20 actuates the electric actuator 24 which moves the light organ 12 without modifying the position of the main body 11 . This results to be very advantageous, since no reflections of the light beam, which then may disturb the operator, are formed.

[0109] Preferably, the electric actuator 24 actuates the light organ 12, by inclining it with respect to the main body 11 , in particular by making it to rotate around a transverse axis X, continuously, or alternatively, by successive steps. The inclination of the light organ 12 is reversible and controlled by the electronic control group and by the actuator 24.

[0110] For example, in case the electric actuator 24 is an electric stepper motor, it can be provided to perform three or more rotation axes with predefined angle. For example, the angle can be comprised between about 10° and about 20°. Preferably, the electric actuator 24 prevents an unintended retrograde movement of the light organ 12, by maintaining it in a stable position, even without the use of mechanical brakes, or blocks, or even when the same electronic control group is not electrically powered.

[0111] According to possible embodiments, illustrated by Figure 7 to Figure 11 , the activation of the moving system 20 can take place by voice commands. In particular, the microphone 112 detects, or acquires, voice control data of the operator and transmits them to the control unit 210 for further processing. Once processed, the control data are transmitted to the moving system 20 which moves the light organ 12 without a manual intervention of the operator. For example, the activation of the moving system can take place by means of a voice command “rotate light” (Figure 8), wherein the electric actuator 24 starts moving progressively the light organ 12 until receiving the voice command “stop” (Figure 10). Should the inclination limit switch of the light organ 12 be reached, without having received the command “stop”, the electric actuator 24 inverts the continuous motion, by waiting again for the command “stop”; if the light organ 12 reaches again the limit switch, the actuator stops on its own.

[0112] According to other possible embodiments, the activation of the moving system 20 can take place by means of gestural commands. For example, the gestural commands can provide lowering, or raising, the head, inclining laterally the same or combining such actions according to a pre-established programme.

[0113] For example, the operator can incline upwards twice the head in a range of few seconds to issue a command which relates to an inclination upwards of the light organ 12. The motion of the light organ 12 can take place by subsequent steps, or it can be continuous. In this last case, the motion interruption can take place by inclining downwards the head, or by inclining it laterally and so on.

[0114] In particular, it is provided that one or more motion sensors 114 detects the gestural control data and transmit them to the control unit 210 for further processing. The control unit 210 processes them to actuate coherently the moving system 20.

[0115] Moreover, it can be provided that each gestural command is confirmed by only one sound, or “bip”, of the control unit 210 when it makes to rotate the light organ 12, and by a double sound, or double “bip”, in case the light organ 12 is brought back to the predefined position.

[0116] According to other possible embodiments, thereto figures 12 to 16 refer, the activation of the moving system 20 can take place by means of an electronic control device 116. Under the control of one or more operators, the electronic control device 116 issues activation commands and / or transmits control data to the control unit 210. Even in this case, the control unit 210 processes them to actuate coherently the moving system 20. In case the electronic control device 116 (Figures 13 and 15) is a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer, the control data can be already partially processed and subsequently transmitted in wireless mode to the control unit 210.

[0117] Alternatively, if the electronic control device 116 is an operating button, the process can provide to actuate the button to give control data, which are subsequently transmitted to the control unit 210 by means, for example, of a transmission module associated to the actuating button.

[0118] The present invention has been sofar described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be meant that other embodiments belonging to the same inventive core may exist, as defined by the protective scope of the herebelow reported claims.

[0119] Exemplifying numbering of the components in Figures

[0120] 10 lighting device

[0121] 11 containment or housing main body

[0122] 12 light organ or element

[0123] 13 shoulder

[0124] 14 shoulder

[0125] 15 lower wall

[0126] 16 upper wall

[0127] 17 rear wall

[0128] 18 illuminating body / dissipator container

[0129] 19 light-emitting element or means

[0130] 20 moving system

[0131] 21 slotted hole for cable exit

[0132] 210 control unit

[0133] 22 power cable

[0134] 23 electric actuator mechanical support

[0135] 24 electrical actuator (motor)

[0136] 100 protective helmet

[0137] 101 frame

[0138] 102 sagittal upright

[0139] 103 front frame

[0140] 105 lens

[0141] 106 upper segment

[0142] 107 lower segment

[0143] 109 side segment

[0144] 110 activation means 112 microphone

[0145] 114 sensors or transducers

[0146] 116 electronic control device 200 protective assembly

[0147] X inclination transverse axis a angle

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lighting device (10) mounted or mountable on a protective helmet (100) suitable for being worn by an operator, in particular for surgical use, which lighting device (10) comprises:■ a main body (11 ) configured to house and / or support at least one light element (12), in particular a LED light, capable of emitting a light beam, wherein said main body (11 ) is shaped so as to prevent that, in use, the light beam and / or reflections thereof are directed towards the eyes of the operator;■ a moving system (20) of said light element (12) for directing the light beam in a specific direction, characterized in that said lighting device (100) comprises a control unit (210) operatively connected to activation means (110) and configured to control the activation of said moving system (20) and / or of said light element (12) in reaction to control data detected and / or transmitted by the activation means (110), wherein said moving system (20) can be activated in a contactless mode for moving said light element (12) and orienting the light beam in an automated manner without manual intervention of an operator upon said main body (11 ), upon said moving system (20) and / or upon said light element (12).

2. The lighting device (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said moving system (20) is of an electronically controlled type.

3. The lighting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said moving system (20) comprises an electric motor (24) operatively connected to said control unit (210) and to said light element (12) for determining in an automated manner the moving thereof.

4. The lighting device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said moving system (20) comprises an electric actuator (24) configured to prevent an unintended retrograde movement of said light element (12) without the use ofmechanical brakes, or blocks, even when said electric actuator (24) is not electrically powered.

5. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said light element (12) is movable by said moving system (20) independently from said main body (11 ), in particular so that the relative position of said main body (11 ) with respect to the helmet (10) remains unchanged.

6. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said light element (12) is configured to incline within said main body (11 ), by rotating about an axis (X) transverse to the longitudinal development of said main body (11 ) when actuated by said moving system (20).

7. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control data comprise data relating to voice commands of the operator detected by at least a microphone (112) of the activation means (110).

8. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control data comprise data relating to operator gestural commands detected by one or more motion sensors (114) of the activation means (110).

9. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control data comprise data relating to commands given by one or more operators via an electronic remote control device (116), for example a remote control, tablet or smartphone, of the activation means (110).

10. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising said activation means (110) connected to said control unit (210) and configured to detect and / or transmit control data to said control unit (210) for activating in an automated manner said moving system (20) and / or said light element (12).

11. The lighting device (10) according to claim 10, wherein said activation means (110) comprises at least one microphone (112) operatively connectedto said control unit (210) and configured for detecting voice control data of said operator.

12. The lighting device (10) according to claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein said activation means (110) comprises one or more motion sensors (114) operatively connected to said control unit (210) and configured to detect gestural control data of said operator, in particular movements of the head of the latter.

13. The lighting device (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said activation means (110) comprises an electronic remote control device (116) configured to issue activation commands and / or transmit control data to said control unit (210).

14. The lighting device (10) according to claim 13, wherein said electronic control device (116) is selected from a group of electronic device comprising: smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, or the like.

15. A protective assembly (200), comprising a protective helmet (100) suitable for being worn by an operator, in particular for surgical use, and a lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, fixedly or removably mounted or mountable on said protective helmet (100).

16. The protective assembly (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein said lighting device (10) is mounted or mountable at a front area of said protective helmet (100).

17. The protective assembly (200) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said protective helmet (100) comprises a main frame (101 ) suitable for circumscribing the operator’s head an having:- a sagittal upright (102) extending at the apex of the head in postero- anterior direction;- a front frame (103) configured to circumscribe the operator’s face and to be removably connected to a transparent lens (105), thus defining a visor.

18. The process for operating a lighting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 mounted on a protective helmet (100) of a protective assembly (200) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said process comprises the steps of:■ providing, by means of said activation means (110), said control data to said control unit (210) which processes said data to coherently activate said moving system (20);■ actuating said moving system (20) in an automated and contactless manner on the basis of said control data for directing said light element (12) and its light beam in a desired direction without the manual intervention of an operator.

19. The process according to claim 18, wherein the activation of said moving system (20) provides activating an electronic control group provided with an electric actuator (24) which moves said light element (12), while maintaining the position of said containment body (11 ) unchanged.

20. The process according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said actuating step provides inclining said light organ (12), by making it to rotate about a transverse axis (X), continuously, or alternatively, by successive steps, wherein the inclination of said light element (12) is reversible and preferably controlled by the electronic control unit and performed by an electric actuator (24).

21. The process according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the electric actuator (24) prevents an unintended retrograde movement of said light element (12), by maintaining it in a stable position, even without the use of mechanical brakes, or blocks, even when the same electric actuator (24) is not electrically powered.

22. The process according to any one of claims 18 to 21 , which provides that one microphone (112) of said activation means (110) detects voice control data of the operator and transmits said data to said control unit (210) for further processing.

23. The process according to any one of claims 18 to 22, which provides that one or more motion sensors (114) of said activation means (110) detect gestural control data of the operator, in particular movements of the head of the latter, and transmit said data to said control unit (210) for further processing.

24. The process according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein an electronic remote control device (116) of said activation means (110), under the control of one or more operators, imparts activation commands and / or transmits control data to said control unit (210) for further processing.

25. The process according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein activating, or deactivating, a light-emitting element (19) of said light element (12) takes place in an automated manner, in relation to specific control data transmitted by said activation means (110).

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