Protection device

Abstract

This protective device comprises: a helmet that can be worn on the head of a wearer; an airbag that deploys from the lower edge of the helmet to a position corresponding to the neck of the wearer; an inflation source supply part that supplies an inflation source for deploying the airbag during operation; and a holding part that has a holding surface for holding the deployed airbag on the neck of the wearer.

Description

Protection device

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection device.

[0002] Conventionally, a protection device with an airbag attached has been developed. In Patent Document 1, an opening degree regulating means for an airbag cover that opens when the airbag inflates is provided, and an airbag device for an automobile that avoids direct impact of the airbag on the front window panel has been developed.

[0003] Specification of Patent No. 2508927

[0004] By regulating the deployment direction of the airbag so that the airbag is not deployed in a specific direction, it is possible to suppress direct impact on other devices and instruments. However, the airbag that directly hits the opening degree regulating means may rebound against the opening degree regulating means and may not be held at the protected part.

[0005] The technology of the present disclosure aims to provide a technology for holding an airbag at a protected part.

[0006] The present disclosure for solving the above problems is a protection device, comprising a helmet that can be worn on the head of a wearer, an airbag that deploys from the lower edge of the helmet to a position corresponding to the neck of the wearer, an inflation source supply unit that supplies an inflation source for deploying the airbag during operation, and a holding unit having a holding surface for holding the deployed airbag at the neck of the wearer.

[0007] Further, the helmet has an accommodation space for accommodating the airbag, the accommodation space has an opening connecting the accommodation space and the outside, and the holding unit may be a lid portion that covers the opening before the operation of the inflation source supply unit and opens the opening by the inflation pressure of the airbag during the operation of the inflation source supply unit.

[0008] Further, the lid portion may be connected to the helmet by a connection portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis during the operation of the inflation source supply unit, and may be provided with a regulating portion that regulates the lid portion from opening at a predetermined angle or more with respect to the helmet.

[0009] Furthermore, the restricting portion may be a non-stretchable tether connecting the helmet and the lid, and the maximum opening of the lid relative to the helmet may be defined by the longitudinal length of the tether.

[0010] Furthermore, the restricting portion is a stopper provided on the helmet and positioned in the direction in which the lid opens when the lid rotates around the rotation axis, and the maximum opening degree of the lid relative to the rotation axis may be defined by the lid coming into contact with the stopper when it opens.

[0011] Furthermore, the lid portion comprises a first lid portion connected to the helmet and a second lid portion connected to the first lid portion, and when the lid portion opens the opening, the angle between the retaining surface of the first lid portion and the retaining surface of the second lid portion may be less than 180°.

[0012] Furthermore, when the lid is in the state where it is opening the opening, the angle between the retaining surface of the first lid and the retaining surface of the second lid may be less than 90°.

[0013] Furthermore, the airbag, the lid, and the regulating portion are arranged in a housing that is detachably attached to the helmet, and the housing may be attached to the helmet on the back side of the wearer's head.

[0014] Furthermore, the restricting portion may restrict the orientation of the retaining surface of the lid so that the deployed airbag is held at the boundary between the wearer's head and neck.

[0015] Furthermore, when the airbag is deployed, a portion of the airbag may be interposed between the lower end of the retaining part and the wearer.

[0016] According to this disclosure, the airbag can be retained in the area to be protected.

[0017] Figure 1 is a side view showing a protective device according to an embodiment in its normal state. Figure 2 is a side view showing the protective device according to an embodiment in an activated state. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the front before the airbag deploys. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the front after the airbag has deployed. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the rear before the airbag deploys. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the airbag unit as seen from the rear after the airbag has deployed. Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing the gas generator. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. Figure 9 is a side view showing the airbag deploying as seen from the side. Figure 10 is a diagram showing a wearer wearing a protective device according to a comparative example receiving an impact to the head from the front. Figure 11 is a diagram showing a wearer wearing a protective device according to an embodiment receiving an impact to the head from the front. Figure 12 is a side view showing a protective device to which an airbag unit equipped with a restricting part that restricts the maximum opening of the lid is attached. Figure 13 is a side view of the airbag deploying, viewed from the side. Figure 14 is a side view of a protective device in which the restricting surface does not extend below the lower end of the lid. Figure 15 shows the state in which the airbag is held to the neck by a lid in which the angle between the retaining surface of the first lid and the retaining surface of the second lid is less than 180°. Figure 16 shows the state in which the airbag is held to the neck by a lid in which the angle between the retaining surface of the first lid and the retaining surface of the second lid is less than 90°. Figure 17 is a perspective view (1) of the helmet with the airbag unit not attached, viewed from the rear. Figure 18 is a perspective view (2) of the helmet with the airbag unit not attached, viewed from the rear.

[0018] A protective device according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations and combinations thereof in the embodiments are examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications are possible as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. This disclosure is not limited by the embodiments, but is limited only by the claims.

[0019] <Embodiment> Figure 1 is a side view showing the protective device 1 according to the embodiment in its normal state. Figure 2 is a side view showing the protective device 1 according to the embodiment in an activated state. The protective device 1 is a wearable type protective device worn on a person to be protected, and is a device for protecting the head and neck of the wearer, who is the person to be protected. In this embodiment, the protective device 1 is composed of a helmet 200, which is a protective device worn on the wearer's head to protect the head, and an airbag unit 300 having an airbag 310 that deploys when the protective device 1 is activated to become a protective device that protects the neck of the wearer (person to be protected). In this specification, the wearer wearing the protective device 1 and the person to be protected are treated as synonymous. In this specification, terms related to direction are to mean the directions that coincide with the front, back, left, right and up and down of the wearer when the protective device 1 is worn on the wearer. For example, when the left and right direction is referred to in this specification, it means the directions that coincide with the left and right of the wearer when the protective device 1 is worn on the wearer. Furthermore, the back of the wearer's head is called the rear side, the face side is called the front side, and the surface connecting the front and rear sides is called the side.

[0020] Furthermore, in this specification, "neck" refers to the narrow part connecting the head and torso of a human being. The part of the neck primarily located towards the back of the head is called the "posterior neck." The "posterior neck" is sometimes also called the "nape." The part of the neck located on the front side opposite the "posterior neck" is called the "anterior neck." The "anterior neck" is sometimes also called the "anterior throat."

[0021] In this embodiment, the protective device 1 may have an airbag unit 300 that is provided separately from the helmet 200, or it may be integrated with the helmet 200. In this embodiment, a protective device 1 in which the airbag unit 300 is provided separately from the helmet 200 will be described. Figures 1 and 2 show the state in which a wearer is wearing the helmet 200 to which the airbag unit 300 is attached.

[0022] In this embodiment, the helmet 200 is a protective device for protecting the wearer's head, and includes a half-type (approximately hemispherical) helmet body 210, fixing straps 220 for securing the helmet body 210 to the wearer (person to be protected), etc. The front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the helmet 200 are the same as the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the protective device 1.

[0023] The inside of the helmet body 210 may be provided with an inner cushion to absorb impact in the event of a fall. The inner cushion may be made of expanded polystyrene, such as expanded polystyrene beads (EPS). The helmet body 210 may be made of, for example, ABS (Acrylonitrite Butadiene Styrene) resin or PC (Poly Carbonate) resin.

[0024] The fixing strap 220 is a so-called chin strap. The fixing strap 220 is a string-like body that secures the helmet body 210 to the wearer's head by being placed over the wearer's chin, and is attached to the left and right edges of the helmet body 210, respectively. The fixing straps 220 provided on both the left and right sides of the helmet body 210 may each split into two at a position corresponding to below the wearer's ears and extend toward the helmet body 210.

[0025] The fixing strap 220 may also be flexible. If the fixing strap 220 is flexible, it can be made to fit the wearer's skin. That is, the fixing strap 220 can be positioned so as to be in contact with the wearer's skin.

[0026] The rear of the helmet body 210 may be provided with a detachable section 230 from which the airbag unit 300 can be attached or detached. The detachable section 230 has a shape in which the surface of the helmet body 210 corresponding to the airbag unit 300 is recessed toward the front.

[0027] The airbag unit 300 may be detachably attached to a detachable part 230 provided on the rear side of the helmet body 210. The airbag unit 300 is an airbag device that includes an airbag 310 which becomes a protective device that protects the back of the wearer's neck or the boundary between the head and the back of the neck when the protective device 1 is activated and deployed, an outer casing 320 (an example of a "housing" as referred to in this application), a lid 370 (an example of a "holding part" as referred to in this application) which serves as a holding mechanism to hold the deployed airbag 310 on the wearer's protected area, a restricting part 330 which restricts the lid 370 from opening beyond a predetermined angle, a gas generator 340 (an example of an "inflation source supply unit" as referred to in this application) which generates gas (an example of an "inflation source" as referred to in this application) when activated, and an activation unit 350 which has equipment for operating the gas generator 340. The shape of the airbag unit 300 is not limited and may be any shape that conforms to the detachable part 230. Furthermore, the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions of the airbag unit 300 coincide with the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions of the protective device 1.

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the helmet body 210 side before the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the helmet body 210 side after the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the rear side before the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the airbag unit 300 as seen from the rear side after the airbag 310 deploys.

[0029] The exterior portion 320 is a housing that surrounds the top, bottom, left, right, and rear sides of the airbag unit 300. The exterior portion 320 does not extend to the front of the airbag unit 300 and has a shape that follows the attachment / detachment portion 230. However, the exterior portion 320 may extend to the front of the airbag unit 300. The airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet body 210 by a protrusion or the like provided on the exterior portion 320, which will be described later. In the state before the protective device 1 is activated, the airbag 310, the lid portion 370, the gas generator 340, and the activation portion 350 are housed in a housing space 321 (i.e., a housing space formed inside the exterior portion 320) surrounded by the exterior portion 320 and the attachment / detachment portion 230. The shape and material of the exterior portion 320 are not particularly limited.

[0030] The airbag unit 300 includes an airbag 310, a gas generator 340, an activation unit 350, a lid 370 capable of holding the airbag 310 in a position corresponding to the area to be protected, and a restricting unit 330 that restricts the lid 370 from opening beyond a predetermined angle. If the airbag unit 300 and the helmet 200 are separate and detachable from each other, then, for example, in the event of a malfunction of the airbag unit 300 or damage to the helmet 200, either the airbag unit 300 or the helmet 200 can be replaced, allowing for repeated use. It is preferable that the specifications, such as the shape of the attachment / detachment part 230 provided on the helmet 200, be standardized with the attachment / detachment part 230 of other helmets 200. This makes the airbag unit 300 interchangeable. As a result, the airbag unit 300 can be attached to and detached from various helmets 200 of different shapes, allowing it to be replaced with a helmet 200 of a preferred shape.

[0031] The outer casing 320 has an opening 360 on its bottom surface when the airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet 200, and the airbag 310 is positioned above the opening 360. In this embodiment, the airbag 310 is a flexible bag configured to inflate and deploy when gas is introduced from the gas generator 340 when the protective device 1 is activated.

[0032] Before the protective device 1 is activated, the airbag 310 is stored in a retracted or folded state in a storage space 321 formed within the outer casing 320. The airbag 310 is stored, for example, sandwiched between the inner surface of the outer casing 320 and the outer surface of the helmet body 210, making it difficult for the airbag 310 to fall out of the airbag unit 300 through the opening 360 due to its own weight. When the protective device 1 is activated, the airbag 310 inflates when gas is introduced inside. When the airbag 310 inflates due to the introduction of gas, it deploys to the outside of the outer casing 320 through the opening 360, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The inflated and deployed airbag 310 then deploys around the neck, restricting the movement of the wearer's head and neck. This prevents the head and neck from bending at a sharp angle, for example, when the wearer falls while cycling. In addition to the protection provided by the helmet 200, it reduces the impact on the wearer's head and helps to avoid or mitigate damage to the neck. The airbag unit 300 may not completely restrain the movement of the head and neck, but may also allow for some movement. That is, the airbag unit 300 may restrain the head and neck so that the bending angle remains within a range that does not affect the wearer.

[0033] Furthermore, instead of gas, a foam capable of inflating the airbag 310 may be used as the inflation source introduced into the airbag 310, or a liquid or the like may be used.

[0034] Furthermore, to prevent excessive compression of the wearer's neck when the airbag 310 inflates, the airbag 310 may be configured such that, for example, parts of the airbag 310 that do not inflate more easily than the part that comes into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0035] A gas generator 340 is provided above the airbag 310 to generate gas when the protective device 1 is activated and to introduce the gas into the airbag 310. The gas generator 340 and the top of the airbag 310 are connected, and the gas generated by the gas generator 340 is introduced into the airbag 310. Furthermore, even after the airbag 310 has inflated, it is connected to prevent it from detaching from the airbag unit 300 and falling.

[0036] The gas generator 340 is a device that generates gas to inflate the airbag 310 when the protective device 1 is activated and introduces it into the airbag 310. The gas generator 340 may be a stored type that releases pressurized gas filled inside, a known pyro type that generates gas by burning a solid gas generating agent, or a hybrid type that combines the pyro type and the stored type.

[0037] Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing the gas generator 340. The gas generator 340 has a cylinder 4GS in which gas is sealed under pressure, and a gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS, with an airbag 310 connected to one end of the gas outlet 4GE. The gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS is provided with a valve body 4GC that closes the gas outlet 4GE. Before the protective device 1 is activated, the cylinder 4GS is sealed by the valve body 4GC. When the protective device 1 is activated, the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340 is opened, and the inside of the cylinder 4GS and the airbag 310 come into communication. As a result, the expansion gas (pressurized gas) is discharged from the cylinder 4GS and introduced into the airbag 310.

[0038] The cylinder 4GS may be detachably attached to the outer casing 320. If the cylinder 4GS is detachably attached to the outer casing 320, the airbag unit 300 can be reused by folding the deployed airbag 310 and replacing only the cylinder 4GS portion with a new one. In this case, the cylinder 4GS may be replaced through an opening provided in the outer casing 320 other than the opening 360, or it may be replaced through the opening 360.

[0039] Furthermore, the airbag unit 300 may be equipped with a release valve 4GA that can release gas to the outside after the protective device 1 is activated. The release valve 4GA may be provided between the airbag 310 and the gas generator 340. By operating the release valve 4GA, the gas that has been introduced into the airbag 310 beforehand can be discharged before replacing the used cylinder 4GS with a new one.

[0040] An activation unit (device unit) 350 is provided above the gas generator 340. The activation unit 350 consists of a power supply unit 351, a sensor 352, and a control unit 353, and is a device that inflates the airbag 310 by activating the gas generator 340. In this embodiment, the sensor 352 and the control unit 353 of the activation unit 350 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the power supply unit 351 is arranged apart from the sensor 352 and the control unit 353. However, all of these can be installed in positions that do not hinder the inflation of the airbag 310, and their relative positions and configurations can be changed as appropriate.

[0041] The control unit 353 operates by receiving power from the power supply unit 351 and is a control unit for starting the gas generator 340. The power supply unit 351 may be, for example, a battery.

[0042] The control unit 353 opens the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340 when the operating conditions for activating the protective device 1 (gas generator 340) are met. For example, the control unit 353 may control an operating mechanism such as an actuator capable of opening the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340, thereby opening the valve body 4GC. The means for opening the valve body 4GC of the gas generator 340 are not limited to this embodiment. For example, the valve body 4GC may be made of a thin metal plate member, and the control unit 353 may open the valve body 4GC by activating an opening mechanism that splits the valve body 4GC.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 353. The control unit 353 includes a processor 4SP, a storage unit 4SM, an input / output unit 4SG, and the like. The processor 4SP comprehensively executes various arithmetic processes in the control unit 353. The processor 4SP may have an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0044] The storage unit 4SM includes, for example, a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit. The main storage unit of the storage unit 4SM includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and caches information such as programs and data used for arithmetic processing by the processor 4SP, for example. Note that the main storage unit of the storage unit 4SM may be integrally formed with the processor 4SP. The auxiliary storage unit of the storage unit 4SM is composed of a storage medium such as a volatile memory such as a RAM, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD, Hard Disk Drive), or a removable medium. The removable medium is, for example, an externally attachable and computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD card. The auxiliary storage unit of the storage unit 4SM can store an operating system (Operating System: OS), various programs, various tables, etc. for executing the operation of the protection device 1. The input / output unit 4SG is an interface that inputs information (detection results, etc.) from various sensors such as the sensor 352 and outputs information (control signals, etc.) to various sensors and other devices, for example. Further, the protection device 1 may further have a power switch, and the state signal of the power switch is also input to the input / output unit 4SG.

[0045] Sensor 352 is a sensor for detecting when predetermined operating conditions are met. The predetermined operating conditions are the conditions under which the protective device 1 should be activated, and include, for example, when a wearer wearing the protective device 1 falls, or when an acceleration greater than the acceleration experienced during the wearer's normal movements is detected. Sensor 352 may be, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor), etc., and multiple types of sensors from among acceleration sensors, gyro sensors (angular velocity sensors), etc. may be used in combination. Furthermore, sensor 352 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the operating conditions, and detection devices other than the sensors exemplified above can also be used. Because the protective device 1 is equipped with sensor 352, the activation unit 350 can activate the protective device 1 at an appropriate timing before the wearer falls and receives an impact from the ground or floor, and before the neck is affected.

[0046] Furthermore, the protective device 1 may have a wearing status detection sensor that detects the contact state with the wearer's head. Multiple wearing status detection sensors may be arranged inside the helmet 200. The control unit 353 may receive detection signals from the wearing status detection sensors via wireless communication or the like and determine whether or not the helmet 200 is being worn by the wearer. For example, the control unit 353 may determine that the helmet 200 is being worn when multiple wearing status detection sensors detect contact with the wearer's head. The wearing status detection sensors may be, for example, pressure-sensitive sensors.

[0047] The airbag unit 300 may have a flat plate-shaped cover portion 370 (an example of a "retaining portion" as referred to in this application) that covers the opening 360 before the gas generator 340 is activated and has a retaining surface 372 facing the opening 360. In the normal state when the airbag 310 is not deployed, the cover portion 370 closes the opening 360, preventing the airbag 310 from falling out of the airbag unit 300. It also prevents damage to the airbag 310 and prevents dust from entering the interior of the outer casing portion 320. Note that the cover portion 370 is not limited to a flat plate shape.

[0048] The lid portion 370 may be connected to the lower rear edge of the exterior portion 320 via a hinge 371 (an example of the "connection portion" referred to in the present application) on one side in the longitudinal direction. Further, the lid portion 370 may be engaged with the lower end on the front side of the exterior portion 320 by an engaging means such as a snap fit so that the opening portion 360 is opened by the expansion pressure when the airbag 310 is deployed. Alternatively, the lid portion 370 may be biased in a direction to close the opening portion 360 by a spring pressure, and the opening portion 360 may be opened by the expansion pressure of the airbag 310. The lid portion 370 opens the opening portion 360 by rotating about the connection portion of the hinge 371 as a rotation axis. Note that the lid portions 370 may be arranged one on each side in the front-rear direction of the opening portion 360, and one side in the longitudinal direction of each may be connected to the exterior portion 320 via a hinge 371. In that case, each of the two lid portions 370 may be a double-opening type that rotates about the connection portion of each hinge 371 and the end on the side not connected to the hinge 371 opens.

[0049] A plurality of hinges 371 may be provided between the lid portion 370 and the exterior portion 320, or one hinge 371 may be provided. Since the lid portion 370 is connected to the exterior portion 320 by the hinge 371, loss of the lid portion 370 is suppressed. For this reason, after the airbag 310 is deployed, the air in the airbag 310 may be discharged, the airbag 310 may be folded, and the airbag 310 may be housed in the exterior portion 320. In this state, the airbag unit 300 can be repeatedly used by covering the opening portion 360 with the lid portion 370.

[0050] In the airbag unit 300, which is provided with a lid portion 370, after gas is generated by the gas generator 340, the airbag 310 inflates, and the airbag 310 pushes open the lid portion 370 with its inflation pressure, opening the opening 360. When the opening 360 is opened, the airbag 310 deploys to the outside of the outer casing portion 320 through the opened opening 360, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The size of the airbag 310 may be adjusted so that the airbag 310 can be interposed between the lower end of the lid portion 370 and the wearer when the opening 360 is open by the lid portion 370. By interposing the airbag 310 between the lower end of the lid portion 370 and the wearer, it is possible to avoid the tip of the lid portion 370 coming into contact with the wearer, thereby suppressing discomfort and pain caused by the tip of the opening 360 coming into contact with the wearer and improving the wearing comfort.

[0051] In this embodiment, the lid 370 of the protective device 1 is configured to hold the deployed airbag 310 at the wearer's neck and the boundary between the head and neck by a retaining surface 372. The retaining surface 372 of the lid 370 is the surface that faces the wearer or the airbag 310 when the lid 370 is open. For example, the maximum opening degree of the lid 370 relative to the outer casing 320 is defined by a restricting portion 330. If the maximum opening degree of the lid 370 relative to the outer casing 320 is defined, the movement of the airbag 310 away from the protected area can be restricted by the lid 370, at least when the lid 370 is open to its maximum degree. Therefore, the lid 370 can suppress displacement of the airbag 310 and hold the airbag 310 at the protected area. Furthermore, the lid portion 370 may be a holding mechanism that suppresses the movement of the airbag 310 when the airbag 310 is deployed, and holds the wearer's protected area in a way that makes it difficult for the area to move. When the deployed airbag 310 is pressed against the back of the neck, which is the wearer's protected area, by the lid portion 370, the movement of the wearer's protected area is suppressed, and when the wearer's head is tilted backward, the degree of tilting of the head or neck is reduced, thereby suppressing the burden on the neck, such as bending of the neck, and preventing neck injury.

[0052] Figure 9(A) is a side view of the airbag 310 before deployment. Figure 9(B) is a side view of the airbag 310 during deployment. Figure 9(C) is a side view of the airbag 310 after deployment. For explanatory purposes, the regulating portion 330 is not shown. In the state shown in Figure 9(A), the opening 360 is closed by the lid portion 370. Hereafter, the opening of the lid portion 370 in the closed lid state shown in Figure 9(A) is defined as 0°. The opening of the lid portion 370 is defined as the rotation angle when the lid portion 370 rotates around the hinge 371 during the opening operation. That is, the opening of the lid portion 370 (rotation angle) is the amount of angle change from the closed lid state (opening 0°) when the lid portion 370 rotates around the hinge 371.

[0053] When gas is introduced from the gas generator 340 and the airbag 310 begins to inflate, the lid 370 opens due to the inflation pressure of the airbag 310, as shown in Figure 9(B), and the airbag 310 begins to deploy outward through the opening 360. Here, the lid 370 is restricted from opening beyond the maximum opening angle because a maximum opening angle relative to the outer casing 320 is defined. In other words, the lid 370 is restricted from opening beyond the angle corresponding to the maximum opening angle, using the closed lid state (opening angle 0°) as a reference. In Figure 9(C), as an example, the maximum opening angle of the lid 370 is set to 90°. When the lid 370 is opened to its maximum opening angle, the airbag 310 is restricted from moving any further away from the protected area. This allows the airbag 310 to be held in a position corresponding to the protected area. In Figure 9(C), the maximum opening of the lid 370 is shown as 90°, but it may be set to an opening (angle) smaller than 90°, or to an opening (angle) larger than 90°.

[0054] Figure 10 illustrates a situation in which a wearer wearing protective device 1A according to a comparative example receives an impact (load) to the head from the front. Protective device 1A differs from protective device 1 according to the embodiment in that it does not have a lid portion 370 (holding surface 372, or restricting portion 330) according to the embodiment, but is otherwise common. Figure 10(A) shows the state immediately after the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 10(B) shows a state at a later timing than the state shown in Figure 10(A). The white arrow Y in Figure 10(A) indicates the direction in which the load is received. Here, in protective device 1A, only the upper end of the airbag 310 is connected to the airbag unit 300. Therefore, when the wearer's head receives an impact from the front (from the direction of the white arrow Y), the wearer's head begins to bend backward. As described above, protective device 1A according to the comparative example does not have a lid portion 370. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(B), the airbag 310 may slide down from the wearer's neck along their shoulders and back, and may not be held in a position that adequately corresponds to the neck. As a result, it may be difficult for the airbag 310 to restrain the wearer's head from tilting backward, and there is a risk that the neck may bend too far backward.

[0055] Next, Figure 11 illustrates a state in which a wearer wearing the protective device 1 according to the embodiment receives an impact (load) to the head from the front. For illustrative purposes, the restricting portion 330 is omitted from the illustration. Figure 11(A) shows the state immediately after the airbag 310 deploys. Figure 11(B) shows a state at a later timing than the state shown in Figure 11(A). The white arrow Y in Figure 11(A) indicates the direction in which the load is received. As described above, the protective device 1 according to the embodiment is equipped with a lid portion 370 whose maximum opening is restricted by the holding surface 372 or the restricting portion 330, so that the inflated airbag 310 can be prevented from separating from the wearer's neck by the lid portion 370. As a result, the airbag 310 held to the neck by the function of the lid portion 370 suppresses the backward bending of the head. As a result, it is possible to suppress excessive bending of the wearer's neck and prevent neck injury. In particular, according to the protective device 1 of this embodiment, the airbag 310 can be held at the boundary between the head and the neck (the boundary portion where the head moves relative to the neck), so that the head is less likely to tilt backward with the neck as the axis, and neck injury can be effectively suppressed.

[0056] In this embodiment, the airbag unit 300 has a restricting portion 330 that restricts the lid portion 370 from opening beyond a predetermined angle relative to the outer casing portion 320. The restricting portion 330 is a non-stretchable tether connecting the helmet 200 and the lid portion 370. The restricting portion 330 (tether) may restrict the lid portion 370 from opening beyond a predetermined angle around the hinge 371 from a state in which the lid portion 370 is closed by connecting both the left and right sides of the lid portion 370 to the outer casing portion 320. As shown in Figure 3, the restricting portion 330 (tether) has a connecting portion 331 on one longitudinal side that is connected to the lid portion 370, and a fixing portion 332 on the other side that is fixed to the outer casing portion 320. The connecting portion 331 and the fixing portion 332 may be located at the end of the restricting portion 330 (tether) in the longitudinal direction, or near the end. The connecting portion 331 and the fixing portion 332 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the restricting portion 330 (tether). The connecting portion 331 may be connected to the lid portion 370 by known joining means.

[0057] The fixing portion 332 of the restricting portion 330 (tether) may be fixed inside the outer casing portion 320 so that the lid portion 370 can pivot and rotate around the rotation axis of the fixing portion 332. By making the lid portion 370 rotatable around the rotation axis of the fixing portion 332, even if the airbag 310 is deployed multiple times, load is less likely to be placed on the fixing portion 332 and its surrounding area, and the airbag 310 can be deployed repeatedly.

[0058] When the airbag 310 inflates and the lid 370 opens, the restricting parts 330, which are connected to both the left and right sides of the lid 370, are also pulled out from the outer casing 320. Because the restricting parts 330 are connected to both the left and right sides of the lid 370, the lid 370 does not open beyond the longitudinal length of the restricting parts 330, thereby preventing the airbag 310 from moving away from the area to be protected. Therefore, by providing the restricting parts 330 on the airbag unit 300, the restricting parts 330 can suppress displacement of the lid 370 and hold the airbag 310 in place of the area to be protected.

[0059] Furthermore, the extent to which the lid portion 370 is allowed to move backward during deployment can be easily adjusted by the longitudinal length of the restricting portion 330. In other words, the maximum opening degree of the lid portion 370 can be defined by adjusting the longitudinal length of the restricting portion 330 (tether).

[0060] Furthermore, the restricting portion 330 (tether) may have an adjustment mechanism 335 that allows adjustment of its longitudinal length from the fixing portion 332 to the connecting portion 331. The adjustment mechanism 335 may adjust the length of the restricting portion 330 by changing, for example, the engagement position of an engaging member such as a button or hook. Depending on the type of helmet 200 and the wearer's physique, the relative position of the airbag unit 300 and the neck may change. Controlling the longitudinal length of the restricting portion 330 is important in order to define the maximum opening of the lid portion 370 and suppress the forward and backward movement of the airbag 310. When the airbag unit 300 is used by attaching and detaching it to multiple helmets 200, depending on the helmet 200, there is a risk that the airbag 310 may not receive sufficient restraining force to be fixed in the position corresponding to the protected area. If the restricting portion 330 has an adjustment mechanism 335, the airbag 310 can be suitably held in the protected area of ​​the wearer even if the type of helmet 200 to which the airbag unit 300 is attached or the wearer changes.

[0061] The fixing portion 332 and the cover portion 370 of the regulating portion 330 may be connected to the helmet 200 instead of the outer casing portion 320.

[0062] Furthermore, the restricting portion 330 may be a string-like body connecting the helmet 200 and the lid portion 370. Figure 12 is a side view showing a protective device 1 to which an airbag unit 300 is attached, which is provided with a string-like body 330A that defines the maximum opening degree of the lid portion 370. By defining the maximum opening degree of the lid portion 370 with the string-like body 330A, displacement of the airbag 310 during deployment is suppressed, and the airbag 310 can be held in a position corresponding to the area to be protected.

[0063] The restricting portion 330 may be a flat plate-shaped stopper provided on the helmet 200 and positioned in the direction in which the lid portion 370 opens when the lid portion 370 rotates around the pivot axis (hinge 371). Figure 13(A) is a side view of the airbag 310 before deployment. Figure 13(B) is a side view of the airbag 310 during deployment. Figure 13(C) is a side view of the airbag 310 after deployment. In Figures 13(A), (B), and (C), the lid portion 370 is a double-opening type with two lid portions 370 arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction of the opening 360, but it may also be a single-opening type with one lid portion 370 arranged on one side of the opening 360. Furthermore, the lid portion 370 may not be provided at all.

[0064] The stopper 334 may have its upper edge connected to the lower edge of the airbag unit 300, or it may be provided on the helmet 200. Alternatively, the stopper 334 may be positioned outside the housing space 321 of the airbag unit 300 before the protective device 1 is activated, or it may be stored inside the airbag unit 300 and positioned to protrude outside the airbag unit 300 at the same time as the protective device 1 is activated and the lid 370 opens. In this embodiment, the stopper 334 is positioned outside the housing space 321 of the airbag unit 300 before the protective device 1 is activated.

[0065] The stopper 334 extends downward from the edge of the opening 360 on the side away from the wearer. When gas is introduced from the gas generator 340 and the airbag 310 begins to inflate, the lid 370 opens due to the inflation pressure of the airbag 310, as shown in Figure 13(B), and the airbag 310 begins to deploy to the outside through the opening 360. Once the airbag 310 is deployed, the lid 370 comes into contact with the stopper 334, preventing it from opening any further beyond the stopper 334. This allows the airbag 310 to be held in a position corresponding to the area to be protected. In Figure 13(C), the maximum opening of the lid 370 is shown set to 90°, but the maximum opening may be set to an opening (angle) smaller than 90° or larger than 90°.

[0066] The stopper 334 may be positioned facing the part to be protected. This allows the orientation of the retaining surface 372 to be restricted so that the deployed airbag 310 is held in place by the part to be protected.

[0067] In the example shown in Figure 13, the stopper 334 extends below the lower end of the lid 370, but this is not limited to this, and the stopper 334 does not have to extend below the lower end of the lid 370. Figure 14 is a side view of the protective device 1 in which the stopper 334 does not extend below the lower end of the lid 370. Even with a stopper 334 like the one shown in Figure 14, the maximum opening degree of the lid 370 can be limited. Therefore, the deployment direction of the airbag 310 can be restricted and it can be held in place at the protected area.

[0068] The protective device 1 may not have a restricting section 330, and the maximum opening angle of the lid 370 may be defined by other means. For example, the hinge 371 connecting the outer casing 320 and the lid 370 may be restricted so that it cannot rotate beyond a predetermined angle.

[0069] Furthermore, the lid portion 370 may have a first lid portion connected to a hinge 371 and a second lid portion connected to the first lid portion. Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a lid portion 370 having a first lid portion 373 and a second lid portion 374. Figure 15 shows a state in which the airbag 310 is held around the neck by the lid portion 370 in which the angle between the retaining surface 372A of the first lid portion 373 and the retaining surface 372B of the second lid portion 374 is less than 180°. Figure 16 shows a state in which the airbag 310 is held around the neck by the lid portion 370 in which the angle between the retaining surface 372A of the first lid portion 373 and the retaining surface 372B of the second lid portion 374 is less than 90°. The first lid portion 373 and the second lid portion 374 may be connected to each other via a hinge 375. The lid 370 may close the opening 360 when the second lid 374 is folded relative to the first lid 373 such that the respective retaining surfaces 372A and 372B face each other with respect to the hinge 375 located at the boundary between the first lid 373 and the second lid 374. When the protective device 1 is activated, the inflation pressure of the airbag 310 acts to push the first lid 373 and the second lid 374 out of the storage space 321, and the second lid 374 may separate from the first lid 373 with respect to the hinge 375.

[0070] When the protective device 1 is activated and the opening 360 is open, it is preferable that the angle between the retaining surface 372A of the first lid 373 and the retaining surface 372B of the second lid 374 is less than 180°, and it is even more preferable that the angle between the retaining surface 372A of the first lid 373 and the retaining surface 372B of the second lid 374 is less than 90°. When the airbag 310 deploys, the smaller the angle between the retaining surface 372A of the first lid 373 and the retaining surface 372B of the second lid 374, the easier it is to hold the deployed airbag 310 around the wearer's neck. This allows, for example, the deployed airbag 310 to be suitably held around the wearer's posterior neck or at the boundary between the neck and head.

[0071] Furthermore, while Figures 15 and 16 illustrate an example in which the restricting portion 330 is constructed using a tether, the restricting portion 330 may also be constructed using a stopper 334 as described in Figure 14 or a string-like body 330A as described in Figure 12 instead of a tether. The hinge 375 connecting the first lid portion 373 and the second lid portion 374 may be restricted so that it cannot rotate beyond a predetermined angle. In the above embodiment, the tether or string-like body 330A is connected to the first lid portion 373, but it may also be connected to the second lid portion 374.

[0072] Next, the method for attaching and detaching the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200 will be explained using Figure 17. Figure 17 is a perspective view from the rear of the helmet 200 when the airbag unit 300 is not attached. For explanatory purposes, the shapes of the helmet 200 and the airbag unit 300 are shown in a simplified manner, and some components are omitted from the illustration. Reference numeral 384 denotes the attachment portion for attaching the outer casing 320 to the attachment / detachment portion 230 of the helmet 200 (helmet body 210). The attachment portion 384 of the outer casing 320 has a shape that corresponds to (matches) the attachment / detachment portion 230. In this example, the attachment portion 384 of the outer casing 320 has a concave curved shape that matches the convex curved shape of the attachment / detachment portion 230 of the helmet 200 (helmet body 210). Of course, the shapes of the attachment / detachment portion 230 and the attachment portion 384 are just examples, and various shapes can be used.

[0073] In the example shown in Figure 17, the airbag unit 300 (outer part 320) is provided with protrusions 381 and 382 on its upper and both sides, which extend from the outer part 320 of the airbag unit 300. On the other hand, the attachment / detachment part 230 of the helmet 200 is provided with recesses 241 and 242 that can engage with the protrusions 381 and 382 when the airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet 200. The protrusions 381 and 382 provided on the outer part 320 of the airbag unit 300 are detachably engaged with the recesses 241 and 242 of the helmet 200, respectively. The protrusion 381 provided on the upper part of the airbag unit 300 may, for example, be provided to always protrude from the outer part 320. On the other hand, the protrusions 382 provided on both sides of the airbag unit 300 may be linked to a button 390 provided on the outer part 320 near the protrusion 382, ​​and their protrusion and retraction from the outer part 320 may be switchable. The protruding portion 382 may be biased by, for example, a spring. Furthermore, when the button 390 is pressed, the protruding portion 382 may be retracted into the outer casing portion 320, and when the button 390 is released, the protruding portion 382 may be configured to protrude. This allows the protruding portions 381 and 382 provided on the outer casing portion 320 of the airbag unit 300 to be easily engaged with and disengaged from the recesses 241 and 242 of the helmet 200. In other words, the airbag unit 300 can be easily attached to and detached from the helmet body 210.

[0074] To attach the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200, press the button 390 and insert the protruding portion 381 of the airbag unit 300 into the recess 241 of the attachment / detachment portion 230. At this time, because the button 390 is pressed, the protruding portion 382 is stored inside the airbag unit 300. Next, release the button 390 and insert the protruding portion 382 into the corresponding recess 242. This completes the attachment of the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200.

[0075] To remove the airbag unit 300 from the helmet 200, the protruding portion 381 of the airbag unit 300 can be removed from the recess 241 of the attachment / detachment portion 230 while the protruding portion 382 is stored inside the airbag unit 300 by pressing the button 390.

[0076] Next, a modified example of the method for attaching and detaching the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200 will be described using Figure 18. Figure 18 is a perspective view from the rear of the helmet 200 when the airbag unit 300 is not attached. For illustrative purposes, the shapes of the helmet 200 and the airbag unit 300 are shown in a simplified manner, and some components are not shown. The shapes of the attachment part 384 and the attachment / detachment part 230 are the same as those shown in Figure 17. In the example shown in Figure 18, protruding parts 383 extend from the airbag unit 300 (exterior part 320) to the upper part and both sides of the airbag unit 300. The protruding parts 383 extend along the periphery of the airbag unit 300 other than the opening 360, and may be provided as a single continuous part or as a plurality of parts.

[0077] The airbag unit 300 may have protruding portions 382 on both sides that extend from the airbag unit 300. The protruding portions 382 may be retractable into the airbag unit 300 by pressing a nearby button 390, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 17.

[0078] The side surface of the attachment / detachment portion 230 of the helmet 200 is provided with recesses 242 and 243 that can engage with the protrusion 383 when the airbag unit 300 is attached to the helmet 200. The recesses 243 are formed, for example, as groove-shaped recesses, and are capable of receiving the protrusion 383 when the airbag unit 300 is attached.

[0079] When attaching the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200, the protruding portion 383 of the airbag unit 300 may be inserted into the recess 243 of the attachment / detachment portion 230 from the opposite side (upper side) of the opening 360 while the airbag unit 300 is slid upward while the button 390 is pressed down. At this time, the protruding portion 382 is stored inside the airbag unit 300 because the button 390 is pressed down. Next, the airbag unit 300 is slid to an attachment position where its upper end contacts the upper end of the attachment / detachment portion 230, and then the pressed state is released by releasing the button 390, and the protruding portion 382 is inserted into the recess 242. This completes the attachment of the airbag unit 300 to the helmet 200. In this state, the protruding portion 382 of the airbag unit 300 is engaged with the recess 242 of the helmet 200, so the airbag unit 300 will not come off the helmet 200.

[0080] The airbag unit 300 and the helmet 200 may be installed upside down (with the opening 360 facing upwards). This is because there is a risk that the protrusion 383 may come out of the recess 243 until the protrusion 382 engages with the recess 242.

[0081] To remove the airbag unit 300 from the helmet 200, press the button 390 to retract the protruding portion 382 into the airbag unit 300. With the button 390 pressed, slide the airbag unit 300 downward along the protruding portion 383 to remove the protruding portion 383 from the recess 243 of the attachment / detachment portion 230.

[0082] Furthermore, the airbag unit 300 of this embodiment can be modified in various ways. For example, although the airbag unit 300 described in the above embodiment was described in which the control unit 353 operates the gas generator 340 based on the detection result of the sensor 352 in the activation unit 350, for example, a manual operation unit that is operated manually by the wearer may be provided on the helmet body 210, and the airbag unit 300 may be activated when the wearer operates the manual operation unit. For example, in the gas generator 340 described in Figure 7, an appropriate mechanical mechanism (for example, a combination of mechanical elements such as springs and wires) may be interposed between the valve body 4GC that seals the gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS that stores the expansion gas (pressurized gas) and the manual operation unit, and the airbag unit 300 may be activated when the wearer operates the manual operation unit. The specific structure of the manual operation section is not particularly limited. For example, a manual switch or locking pin that can be operated by the wearer may be provided on the helmet body 210, and a structure may be adopted in which the gas outlet 4GE of the cylinder 4GS is opened when such a manual operation section is operated.

[0083] In this embodiment, the protective device was a helmet 200, but it can be changed as appropriate, as long as the airbag unit 300 is equipped with a detachable attachment part 230.

[0084] Furthermore, the protective device 1 may have, for example, a power switch (not shown), and may be controlled so that the gas generator 340 does not operate when the power switch is OFF.

[0085] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described above, each embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with any other features disclosed herein.

[0086] 1...Protective device 200...Helmet 210...Helmet body 220...Securing strap 230...Attachment part 300...Airbag unit 310...Airbag 320...Exterior part 321...Housing space 330...Restriction part 331...Connection part 332...Fixing part 334...Stopper 340...Gas generator 350...Activation part 351...Power supply part 352...Sensor 353...Control unit 360...Opening 370...Lid part 371, 375...Hinge 372, 372A, 372B...Retaining surface 373...First lid part 374...Second lid part 4GA...Release valve 4GS...Cylinder 4GE...Gas outlet 4GC...Valve body

Claims

1. A protective device comprising: a helmet that can be worn on the wearer's head; an airbag that deploys from the lower edge of the helmet to a position corresponding to the wearer's neck; an inflation source supply unit that supplies an inflation source for deploying the airbag when activated; and a holding unit having a holding surface for holding the deployed airbag around the wearer's neck.

2. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the helmet has a storage space for housing the airbag, the storage space has an opening connecting the storage space to the outside, and the retaining part is a lid that covers the opening before the inflation source supply unit is activated and opens the opening by the inflation pressure of the airbag when the inflation source supply unit is activated.

3. The protective device according to claim 2, wherein the lid is connected to the helmet by a connecting portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis when the expansion source supply unit is in operation, and includes a restricting portion that restricts the lid from opening beyond a predetermined angle relative to the helmet.

4. The protective device according to claim 3, wherein the restricting portion is a non-stretchable tether connecting the helmet and the lid, and the maximum opening of the lid relative to the helmet is determined by the longitudinal length of the tether.

5. The protective device according to claim 3, wherein the restricting portion is a stopper provided on the helmet and positioned in the direction in which the lid opens when the lid rotates around the rotation axis, and the maximum opening degree of the lid relative to the rotation axis is defined by the lid coming into contact with the stopper when it opens.

6. The protective device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the lid comprises a first lid connected to the helmet and a second lid connected to the first lid, and when the lid is in a state where the opening is open, the angle between the retaining surface of the first lid and the retaining surface of the second lid is less than 180°.

7. The protective device according to claim 6, wherein, when the lid is in a state where it is opening the opening, the angle between the retaining surface of the first lid and the retaining surface of the second lid is less than 90°.

8. The protective device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the airbag, the lid, and the regulating portion are arranged in a housing that is detachably attached to the helmet, and the housing is attached to the helmet on the back side of the wearer's head.

9. The protective device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the restricting portion restricts the orientation of the retaining surface of the lid so that the deployed airbag is held at the boundary between the wearer's head and neck.

10. The protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the airbag is deployed, a portion of the airbag is interposed between the lower end of the retaining portion and the wearer.

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