Patent Application
20220160067
The present invention discloses a protective device to protect the cranial, cervical and lateral area of the neck of a user against an impact or collision. More particularly, the present invention discloses a device comprising a helmet for cranial protection, having therein a bag that is inflated just before an impact, said bag emerging from the inside and expanding through the neck area and, consequently, providing protection against direct impact in the cervical, lateral area of the neck and cervical spine, as well as against sudden movements that may lead to cervical or spinal injury.
The use of certain devices for protecting the cranial and cervical area of a user against an impact is known in the state of the art.
For example, the patent application WO2019004919 by the applicant HOEVDING SVERIGE discloses a garment-shaped device that surrounds the neck of the user in the form of a collar. Said device, moments before an impact, is rapidly inflated and emerges towards the head, forming a helmet- or hood-shaped airbag and a collar, thus protecting the skull and cervical area. Said device describes the collar as a wearable garment, with the aim of not affecting the vision or hairstyle of the user of said product.
However, such a product has a number of disadvantages. The use thereof is incompatible with the use of a helmet, such that, if the control system or the impact detection sensors fail, the user does not even have a helmet so he will not be protected in the cranial area in the event of an accident.
Additionally, the device weighs approximately 700 grams, so the use thereof as a garment surrounding the neck as a collar is uncomfortable and heavy for some users in certain activities or sports.
Additionally, it is essential for the user to activate the control system and deactivate the control system every time he undertakes an activity and needs protection.
The present invention seeks to solve some of the problems mentioned in the state of the art.
More particularly, the present invention discloses a protection device to protect the cranial and cervical area of a user against an imminent impact, comprising a helmet intended to surround the skull of the user; wherein the helmet comprises:
Preferably, the portions that comprise the bag, once inflated, cover and protect the cervical spine from vertebra C1 to vertebra C7, forming the portions of the bag that emerge from inside the helmet forming a cervical collar.
Preferably, once the sensor or sensors detect that there is going to be an accident or harmful movement, the control device activates the activation mechanism by means of an electronic stimulus, causing an expansion of the compressed gas, consequently, inflating the bag in a time in the order of milliseconds.
Therefore, by means of the device disclosed by the present invention, a helmet is used, very similar externally to that of conventional use, providing cranial protection, but further ensuring eventual protection of the cervical area in the event of an accident or harmful movement. Moreover, the user will have additional protection at the base of the skull. In this way, hyperflexion, hyperextension or lateralization of the neck and/or the cervical spine on any of the sides thereof is avoided.
The bag in the initial or deflated state thereof is preferably located at the back or rear portion of the inner enclosure of the helmet.
Additionally, the helmet may comprise a locking mechanism under the chin of the user by means of straps to fasten the helmet when it is used. Preferably, when the user secures the helmet by means of the locking mechanism, using the straps, the control device is automatically activated to control and monitor the variables measured by the detection sensors prior to an accident or harmful movement. Therefore, the user will not have to worry about activating or deactivating the protection device, which can lead to oversights, and in the event of an improbable sensor failure, he will still have the cranial protection provided by the helmet.
When the control device is turned on, by fastening the straps, it begins to take inertial values by means of the sensor or sensors. These readings are collected by the control device, which processes and detects them moments before a considerable accident or harmful movement is about to take place.
Preferably, the sensors for detecting a subsequent accident or harmful movement can be, among others, a plurality of accelerometers, inclinometers and gyroscopes.
The sensors may be located on the control device. However, said sensors can be located at different points or strategic areas distributed in the inner enclosure of the helmet outside the control device.
It must be observed that it is not necessary to have additional sensors in the moving vehicle, since these sensors will be in the helmet.
Preferably, the control device comprises at least a microprocessor, a radio frequency emitter and a battery. More preferably, the battery may be made of Lithium-polymer.
Preferably, the helmet is reusable; consequently, the pressurized gas and airbags can be replaced.
The helmet can further comprise a multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS).
The helmet may have through holes to cool down the inner enclosure of the helmet. The helmet can have an aerodynamic design for use thereof in sports involving speed and with high aerodynamic resistance. However, the helmet can also be used in any sport, work, action and/or means of transport that requires the use of a helmet for improved cranial and cervical protection. Such as, for example, for using electric scooters, horseback riding, skiing, mobility, etc.
The helmet can have both rear and front lights to avoid rear-end collisions.
As a complement to the description provided, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a practical preferred embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following:
Said helmet (1) also has a control system (3) therein, as shown in
Once the sensor or sensors (5) detect that the imminent accident or harmful movement is about to occur, the control device (3) activates the pyrotechnic activation mechanism by means of an electronic stimulus, causing an exothermic chemical reaction expanding the compressed gas in the storage chamber (14), consequently, inflating the bag (13) as can be observed in
As shown in
According to the described embodiment, the control device (3) is a PCB (printed circuit board) built into the helmet (1). The PMU (8) is in charge of managing the electrical consumption of the system. The main tasks are to generate the necessary voltage levels from a battery (7), to charge the battery (7) through a USB connector, to optimize system consumption by enabling or disabling the modules that are not being used at any particular time and to turn on the system by detecting that the locking mechanism (11) has been closed or fastened.
The microcontroller (6) is programmed with an algorithm capable of collecting all the necessary data coming from the sensors (5), processing this data and discerning between a false positive or an actual collision. In the event of a collision, the microcontroller (6) will be responsible, just before the accident or harmful movement, for sending a signal that will actuate the pyrotechnic activation mechanism that will expand the pressurized gas and inflate the cervical protection bag (13) in the order of milliseconds.
Additionally, the microcontroller (6) must control the user interface to notify the cyclist by means of LEDs, vibration and/or speaker values or variables that may be of interest to him. Finally, the sensors (5) or inertial measurement units will be constantly collecting data and communicating with the microcontroller.
The helmet (1) shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the helmet (1) is configured to allow the bag (13) to be replaced and the compressed gas to be reused once it has been expanded. Additionally, the helmet (1) is configured according to a multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| U201930397 | Mar 2019 | ES | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/ES2020/070171 | 3/10/2020 | WO | 00 |
