Aerodynamic helmet with movable elements for aerodynamic variation and / or temperature regulation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a helmet (10), characterised in that it comprises an outer surface (20) with at least one movable element (21). In particular, this movable element (21) is configured to assume at least a first position and a second position with respect to the outer surface (20).

Description

[0001] AERODYNAMIC HELMET WITH MOVABLE ELEMENTS FOR AERODYNAMIC VARIATION AND / OR TEMPERATURE REGULATION.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention concerns a helmet.

[0004] Nowadays, helmets capable of protecting a person’s head in the event of a collision are known.

[0005] However, such a helmet, although well known and appreciated, has an important limitation related to its aerodynamic drag and temperature regulation. In particular, such a well-known type of helmet has non-adjustable frontal aerodynamic drag.

[0006] In the context of the present patent, “frontal” refers to the portion of the helmet facing in the forward direction and thus directly exposed to the air flow encountered during movement.

[0007] In addition, such a well-known type of helmet has low breathability, which thus results in poor temperature regulation of its internal volume.

[0008] The task of the present invention is that of developing a helmet capable of obviating the aforesaid drawbacks and limitations of the prior art.

[0009] In particular, it is the purpose of the present invention to provide a helmet that is frontally adjustable in terms of aerodynamic drag and / or has better temperature regulation than similar helmets of the known type.

[0010] The above task and the aforesaid objects are achieved by a helmet according to claim 1.

[0011] Further features of the helmet according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] The task and the aforesaid objects, together with the advantages that will be mentioned hereinafter, are indicated by the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, where:

[0013] - Figure 1 represents a side view of a helmet according to the invention in a first operating configuration;

[0014] - Figure 2 represents a side view of the helmet in Figure 1 in a second operating configuration.

[0015] With reference to the cited figures, a helmet according to the invention is indicated as a whole by number 10.

[0016] Such a helmet 10 is characterised by comprising an outer surface 20with at least one movable element 21.

[0017] The aforementioned movable element 21 is configured to assume at least a first position and a second position with respect to the outer surface 20, where these positions are respectively visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0018] In the context of the present patent, first position and second position mean two distinct positions of the movable element 21 with respect to the outer surface 20

[0019] In the present example, the first position corresponds to a retracted position of the movable element 21 with respect to the outer surface 20, while the second position corresponds to an expanded position of the movable element 21. It is not excluded, however, that the first position and the second position correspond to a different configuration of the movable element 21 with respect to the outer surface 20, for example by identifying a movement of the movable element 21 inwards the volume of the helmet 10.

[0020] It is emphasised that the helmet 10 with the movable element 21 in the second expanded position has higher aerodynamic drag frontally than when this movable element 21 is in the first retracted position.

[0021] This means that, when the movable element 21 is in the first retracted position, the outer surface 20 has a smoother profile and reduced frontal bulk, i.e. the front section exposed to the airflow is relatively small.

[0022] Conversely, when the movable element 21 is in the second expanded position, this expansion results in an increase in the front section exposed to the airflow. Therefore, this results in an increase in the overall resistance force and a change in the aerodynamics of said helmet 10.

[0023] Thus, the aforementioned helmet 10 is frontally adjustable in terms of aerodynamic drag.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer surface 20 has at least one through opening 30 at the movable element 21.

[0025] More specifically, the movable element 21 is configured to allow the passage and regulation of air flow through the through opening 30 when the movable element 21 is in the second position and is configured to at least partially prohibit the passage of air through said through opening 30 when the movable element 21 is in the first position.

[0026] This results in a better breathability of the helmet 10 which, therefore, translates into better temperature regulation than similar helmets of the known type.In the present embodiment of the invention, at least one such movable element 21 is defined on the upper portion of the outer surface 20.

[0027] Moreover, at least one of said movable elements 21 is defined on one of the lateral portions of the outer surface 20.

[0028] It cannot be excluded, however, that the movable elements 21 are arranged differently from what has just been described.

[0029] It is also emphasised that the outer surface 20 also includes elements of the helmet 10 that do not strictly belong to its shell.

[0030] Therefore, movable elements 21 can also be elements connected to the shell of the helmet 10, e.g. generic inserts such as the spoiler of said helmet 10. Also according to the present embodiment of the invention, the helmet 10 comprises movement means operatively connected to the movable element 21 and configured to move said movable element 21 between the first position and the second position, and vice versa.

[0031] In the present example, the movement means consist of linear actuators, but it is not excluded that cam mechanisms, electroactive polymeric actuators or a still different movement system may be employed.

[0032] For example, in a different embodiment of the invention the aforesaid movement means are piezoelectric actuators, in particular bimorph piezoelectric actuators adapted to move said at least one movable element 21 with a rotary movement. In addition, the helmet 10 comprises a logic unit operatively connected to the movement means.

[0033] More specifically, the helmet 10 comprises speed detection means configured to detect the frontal speed of the helmet 10, wherein such speed detection means are operatively connected to the logic unit such that, as the speed detected by such speed detection means increases, the movable element 21 is moved towards the expanded position.

[0034] This advantageously allows the helmet 10 to dynamically change its outer shape via the movable elements 21 in relation to the advancement speed.

[0035] In particular, at low speeds, the helmet 10 can maintain a more compact shape with less air resistance; as the speed increases, the movable element 21 is brought into an expanded position improving the aerodynamic stability and balance of the helmet, reducing the turbulence perceived by the rider.

[0036] Even more precisely, the above-mentioned speed detection means comprise at least one flow sensor.However, it is not excluded that such speed detection means are different from what has just been described, or that they are absent altogether.

[0037] The helmet 10 according to the present embodiment comprises tilt detection means configured to detect the tilt of the helmet 10 with respect to the vertical. In particular, the tilt detection means are operatively connected to the logic unit in such a way that, as the inclination detected by these tilt detection means increases, the movable element 21 is moved towards the expanded position. Again, this advantageously allows the helmet 10 to dynamically change its outer shape via the movable elements 21 in relation to the inclination, even more precisely in relation to the vertical.

[0038] However, it cannot be ruled out that such tilt detection means are different from what has just been described, or that they are absent altogether.

[0039] More precisely, the tilt detection means comprise at least one tilt sensor, preferably a tilt sensor with MEMS technology.

[0040] Still with reference to the present embodiment of the invention, the helmet 10 comprises temperature detection means configured to detect the temperature within the helmet 10, wherein these temperature detection means are operatively connected to the logic unit such that, as the detected temperature increases, the movable element 21 is moved towards the second position. Even more precisely, the temperature detection means comprise at least one temperature probe.

[0041] The helmet 10 may also comprise pressure detection means configured to detect pressure within the helmet 10.

[0042] These pressure detection means are operatively connected to the logic unit in such a way that, as the pressure detected by the pressure detection means changes, the movable element is moved towards the aforementioned second position.

[0043] This configuration is particularly advantageous in that, when riding at high speeds, overpressure or underpressure can be created inside the helmet due to air flows entering from the seals or the chin strap.

[0044] If the sensors detect that the internal pressure exceeds or falls below a certain critical threshold, the logic unit actuates the movement means to bring the movable element 21 to the second position.

[0045] Since in this position the through opening 30 allows air to pass through, an immediate balancing of the pressure inside the helmet 10 is achieved.More precisely, such pressure detection means can be, for example, barometric sensors or pressure transducers.

[0046] In a further embodiment, the logic unit is configured to detect a sudden deceleration condition or emergency braking of the helmet 10. In this case, the logic unit instantaneously commands the movement means to bring the movable element 21 to the aforementioned second expanded position. This transition leads to an increase in the frontal bulk and the section exposed to the airflow, resulting in an increase in aerodynamic drag that acts as an active aerodynamic brake. This contribution to the total resistance force promotes the rider’s deceleration, allowing the vehicle’s stopping distance to be reduced. It is further added that the aforementioned helmet 10 may optionally comprise elements such as spoilers, peaks or visors of known types.

[0047] Furthermore, the movable element 21 can be derived monolithically from the portion of the outer surface 20 that circumscribes it. In such a configuration, the movable element 21 and the outer surface 20 are made in a single continuous body, and the transition between the first and second position is permitted by the elastic deformability of the material or by the presence of flexible joints. Alternatively, the movable element 21 may be configured as a component in its own right, i.e. as a physically distinct and independent object, capable of being subsequently integrated or coupled to the outer surface 20 by appropriate connection means.

[0048] Practically, it has been established that the invention achieves the intended task and objects.

[0049] In particular, the present invention has developed a helmet that is frontally adjustable in terms of aerodynamic drag and / or has better temperature regulation than similar helmets of the known type.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Helmet (10), characterised in that it comprises an outer surface (20) with at least one movable element (21), said movable element (21) being configured to assume at least a first position and a second position with respect to said outer surface (20).2) Helmet (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of said movable elements (21) is defined on the upper portion of said outer surface (20).3) Helmet (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one of said movable elements (21) is defined on one of the lateral portions of said outer surface (20).4) Helmet (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises movement means operatively connected to said movable element (21) and configured to move said movable element (21) between said first position and said second position and vice versa, said helmet (10) comprising a logic unit operatively connected to said movement means.5) Helmet (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises speed detection means configured to detect the frontal speed of said helmet (10), said speed detection means being operatively connected to said logic unit in such a way that, when the speed detected by said speed detection means changes, said movable element (21) is moved towards said second position.6) Helmet (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that said speed detection means comprise at least one flow sensor.7) Helmet (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that it comprises tilt detection means configured to detect the tilt of said helmet (10) with respect to the vertical, said tilt detection means being operatively connected to said logic unit in such a way that, when the tilt detected by said tilt detection means changes, said movable element is moved towards said second position.8) Helmet (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that said tilt detection means comprise at least one tilt sensor.9) Helmet (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that it comprises temperature detection means configured to detect the temperature within said helmet (10), said temperature detection means being operatively connected to said logic unit in such a way that, as the temperature detected by said temperature detection means changes, said movable element is movedtowards said second position.10) Helmet (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that said temperature detection means comprise at least one temperature probe.11) Helmet (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said outer surface (20) has at least one through opening (30) at said movable element (21), said movable element (21) being configured to allow the passage of air through said through opening (30) when said movable element (21) is in said second position and being configured to at least partially prohibit the passage of air through said through opening (30) when said movable element (21) is in said first position.12) Helmet (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said helmet (10) with said movable element (21) in said second position has a higher frontal aerodynamic drag than when said movable element (21) is in said first position.13) Helmet (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 12, characterised in that it comprises pressure detection means configured to detect pressure within said helmet (10), said pressure detection means being operatively connected to said logic unit in such a way that, upon variation of the pressure detected by said pressure detection means, said movable element is moved towards said second position.14) Helmet (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 13, characterised in that said movement means comprise a plurality of piezoelectric actuators.15) Helmet (10) according to claim 14, characterised in that said piezoelectric actuators are bimorph piezoelectric actuators.

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