Helmet with sliding facilitator

Technical field of helmets with slip promoters arranged at the energy absorbing layer

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a helmet that includes an energy absorbing layer (with or without any outer shell) and a sliding fac setter arranged inside the energy absorbing layer.

Background technique

[0002] To avoid or reduce skull and brain injuries, people need to use helmets in many activities. Most helmets consist of a hard outer shell (usually made of plastic or composite materials) and an energy-absorbing layer called a lining. Today, protective helmets must be designed to meet specific statutory requirements, which specifically relates to the maximum acceleration that will be generated at the center of gravity of the brain under a specific impact. Some tests are usually carried out, in which the so-called dummy skull equipped with a helmet is subjected to a radial impact towards the head. This contributes to modern helmets with good energy absorption capacity for radial impact on the skull, but energy absorption for other impact directions is not ideal.

[0003] In the case of a radial impact, the head will accelerate in translational motion, resulting in linear acceleration. Translational acceleration will cause skull rupture and/or brain tissue compression or wear injury. However, according to injury statistics, pure radial impact is rare.

[0004] On the other hand, pure tangential impacts that only cause angular acceleration of the head are also rare.

[0005] The most common type of impact is an oblique impact, which is a combination of radial and tangential forces acting on the head at the same time, causing, for example, a concussion. The oblique impact produces the translational acceleration and rotational acceleration of the brain. The rotation acceleration causes the brain to rotate in the skull, causing damage to the body tissues that connect the brain to the skull and the brain itself.

[0006] An example of rotational injury is subdural hematoma (SDH) on the one hand-bleeding caused by rupture of a blood vessel, and on the other hand is diffuse axonal injury (DAI)-which can be summarized by the height of the brain tissue Excessive stretching of nerve fibers caused by shear deformation. According to the characteristics of the rotation force, such as duration, amplitude, and rate of increase, SDH or DAI is triggered, or SDH and DAI are concurrent. Generally speaking, SDH occurs in short-term and high-intensity impacts, while DAI occurs in impacts with longer acceleration duration and wider distribution. It is very important to take these phenomena into consideration so that good protection of the skull and brain can be provided.

[0007] The head has a natural protective system that uses the scalp, the hard skull and the cerebrospinal fluid under the skull to cushion these forces. During the impact, by compressing and sliding on the skull, the scalp and cerebrospinal fluid act as a rotating shock absorber. Most helmets in use today do not provide protection against turning injuries.

[0008] For example, an important feature of helmets for bicycles, horseback riding, and skiing is that they have good air circulation and an aerodynamic shape. Modern bicycle helmets are usually of the type of in-mold molded shell, which is manufactured by incorporating a thin rigid shell during the molding process. This technology allows for more complex shapes and larger vents than helmets with hard shells.

Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention discloses a helmet, which includes an energy absorbing layer and a slip promoter arranged on the inner side of the energy absorbing layer.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the helmet includes an attachment device for attaching the helmet to the wearer's head. Said

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The attachment device is intended to at least partially contact the top of the head or skull. The attachment device may additionally have a fastening device for adjusting the size and degree of attachment to the top of the wearer's head. The strap or similar device of the lower frequency part is not an attachment device according to the helmet embodiment herein.

[0011] The slip-promoting object can be fixed to the inner side of the attachment device and/or the energy absorbing layer to provide sliding properties between the energy absorbing layer and the attachment device.

[0012] Preferably, the outer casing is provided on the outside of the energy absorbing layer. The helmet designed according to this can be manufactured using in-mold molding technology, but the disclosed idea can be applied to all types of helmets, such as hard shell type helmets (such as motorcycle helmets).

[0013] According to another embodiment, the attachment device is fixed to the energy absorbing layer and/or the outer casing by at least one fixing element, which can be adapted to be deformed in an elastic, semi-elastic or plastic manner To absorb energy and force. During the impact, the energy absorbing layer functions as an impact absorber by being compressed, and if an external shell is used, it will disperse the impact energy on the shell. The slip promoter will allow sliding between the attached device and the energy absorbing layer, providing a controllable way of absorbing the rotational energy originally transferred to the brain. The rotational energy can be absorbed by frictional heat, deformation of the energy absorption layer, or deformation or displacement of at least one fixing member. The absorbed rotational energy will reduce the amount that affects the rotational acceleration of the brain, thereby reducing the rotation of the brain in the skull.

[0014] The fixing member may include at least one suspension member having a first part and a second part. The first part of the suspension can be adapted to be fixed to the energy absorbing layer, while the second part of the suspension can be adapted to be fixed to the attachment device.

[0015] The slip promoter imparts a function (slidability) to the helmet and can be set in many different ways. For example, it may be a low-friction material, provided on the surface of the attachment device facing the energy absorbing layer or integrated with the surface of the attachment device facing the energy absorbing layer, and/or provided on the surface of the energy absorbing layer On the inside surface of the attachment device or integrated with the inside surface of the energy absorbing layer facing the attachment device.

[0016] The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a helmet including a slip promoter. The method includes the steps of providing a mold, providing an energy absorbing layer in the mold, and providing a slip promoter that contacts the energy absorbing layer. According to one embodiment, the method may further include the step of using at least one fixing member to fix the attachment device to at least one of the housing, the energy absorbing layer, and the slip promoter.

[0017] The slip promoter provides the possibility of sliding movement in any direction. The movement is not restricted to around a specific axis.

[0018] Note that any embodiment or part of an embodiment, and any method or part of a method can be combined in any manner.

Description of the drawings

[0019] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a helmet according to an embodiment,

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the helmet when worn on the wearer's head according to an embodiment,

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a helmet worn on the wearer's head when subjected to a frontal impact,

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a helmet worn on the wearer's head when subjected to a frontal impact,

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the attachment device in more detail,

[0025] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0026] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixing member,

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[0027] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0028] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0029] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0030] FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0031] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0032] FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0033] FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixture,

[0034] FIG. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixing member,

[0035] FIG. 16 shows a table of test results,

[0036] FIG. 17 shows a graph of the test results, and

[0037] FIG. 18 shows a graph of the test results.

Detailed ways

[0038] A detailed description of the embodiments will be given below. It will be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope in any way. Thus, any references to directions (such as "up" or "down") are only for the directions shown in the figures.

[0039] An embodiment of a protective helmet includes an energy absorbing layer and a slip promoter disposed inside the energy absorbing layer. According to one embodiment, an in-mold helmet suitable for cycling is provided. The helmet includes an outer, preferably thin, rigid shell made of a polymer material, such as polycarbonate, ABS, PVC, fiberglass, Aramid, Twaron, carbon fiber or Kevlar. It is also conceivable to omit the outer casing. An energy absorbing layer is arranged on the inner side of the housing, the energy absorbing layer may be a polymer foam material, such as EPS (expanded polystyrene), EPP (expanded polypropylene), EPU (expanded polyurethane) or other structures (For example, similar honeycomb structure). The slip promoter is arranged on the inner side of the energy absorbing layer and is adapted to slide relative to the energy absorbing layer or relative to an attachment device configured to attach the helmet to the wearer's head. The attachment device is fixed to the energy absorbing layer and/or the housing by a fixing member adapted to absorb impact energy and force.

[0040] The slip promoter may be a material with a low coefficient of friction, or coated with a low-friction material: examples of conceivable materials are PTFE, ABS, PVC, PC, nylon, fiber materials. It is also conceivable that sliding can be achieved through the structure of the material, for example through a material with a fiber structure, so that the fibers slide relative to each other.

[0041] During an impact, the energy absorbing layer functions as an impact absorber by being compressed, and if an outer shell is used, it will disperse the impact energy on the energy absorbing layer. The slip promoter will allow sliding between the attached device and the energy absorbing layer, providing a controllable way of absorbing the rotational energy originally transferred to the brain. The rotational energy can be absorbed by frictional heat, deformation of the energy absorption layer, or deformation or displacement of at least one fixing member. The absorbed rotational energy will reduce the amount that affects the rotational acceleration of the brain, thereby reducing the rotation of the brain in the skull. The risk of rotational injuries (such as subdural hematoma (SDH), vascular rupture, concussion, and DAI) is thus reduced.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a helmet according to an embodiment, wherein the helmet includes an energy absorbing layer 2. The outer surface 1 of the energy absorbing layer 2 may be made of the same material as the energy absorbing layer 2, or it is also conceivable that the outer surface 1 may be a rigid shell 1 made of a material different from the energy absorbing layer 2. The slip promoter 5 is arranged on the inner side of the energy absorbing layer 2 compared to the attachment device 3, and the attachment device 3 is provided for attachment of the helmet to the wearer's head. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the slip promoter 5 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer 2 or incorporated into the energy absorbing layer 2. However, it is also conceivable that,

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For the same purpose of providing slidability between the energy absorbing layer 2 and the attachment device 3, the slip promoter 5 is provided on the attachment device 3 or integrated with the attachment device 3. The helmet of Fig. 1 has a plurality of vent holes 17, allowing airflow through the helmet.

[0043] The attachment device 3 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer 2 and/or the outer casing 1 by four fixing pieces 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, which are adapted to pass elasticity , Semi-elastic or plastic deformation to absorb energy. It is also possible to absorb energy through frictional heat generation and/or deformation of the attachment device or any other part of the helmet. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the four fixing members 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are suspension members 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d having a first part 8 and a second part 9, wherein the suspension parts 4a, 4b, The first part 8 of 4c, 4d is adapted to be fixed to the attachment device 3, and the second part 9 of the suspension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is adapted to be fixed to the energy absorbing layer 2o

[0044] The slip promoter 5 may be a low-friction material, which in the illustrated embodiment is provided on the outer side of the attachment device 3 facing the energy absorbing layer 2. However, in other embodiments, it is also conceivable to The slip promoter 5 is arranged on the inner side of the energy absorbing layer 2. The low-friction material may be a waxy polymer (such as PTFE, PFA, FEP, PE, and UHMWPE), or a powdery material that can be injected with lubricant. The low-friction material can be applied to any one or both of the slip-promoting object and the energy absorbing layer. In some embodiments, the energy absorbing layer itself is adapted to function as a slip-promoting object and may include a low-friction material.

[0045] The attachment device may be made of elastic or semi-elastic polymer materials (such as PC, ABS, PVC or PTFE) or natural fiber materials (such as cotton yarn). For example, a cover or mesh made of fabric can constitute the attachment device. The cover may be provided with a slip promoter, such as a sheet of low friction material. In some embodiments, the attachment device itself is adapted to function as a slip promoter and may include a low friction material. Figure 1 further shows an adjustment device 6 for adjusting the diameter of the headband for a particular wearer. In other embodiments, the headband may be an elastic headband, in which case the adjustment device 6 may be eliminated.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a helmet similar to the helmet in FIG. 1 when the helmet is worn on the wearer's head. However, in Fig. 2, the attachment device 3 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer only by two fixing pieces 4a, 4b, which are adapted to absorb energy and force in an elastic, semi-elastic or plastic manner. The embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a rigid outer casing 1 made of a different material than the energy absorbing layer 2.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows that the helmet according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 is receiving a forward oblique impact I, which generates a rotational force on the helmet, causing the energy absorbing layer 2 to slide relative to the attachment device 3. The attachment device 3 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer 2 by fixing pieces 4a, 4b. The fixing member absorbs the rotational force through elastic or semi-elastic deformation.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows that the helmet according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 is receiving a forward oblique impact I, which generates a rotational force on the helmet, causing the energy absorbing layer 2 to slide relative to the attachment device 3. The attachment device 3 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer 2 by splittable fixing pieces 4a, 4b, which absorb rotational energy through plastic deformation, and thus need to be replaced after impact. The combination of the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 is very easy to imagine, that is, a part of the fixing member is cracked to absorb energy in a plastic manner, while another part of the fixing member is deformed and absorbs force in an elastic manner. In the combined embodiment, it is conceivable that only the plastically deformed part needs to be replaced after the impact.

[0049] The upper part of FIG. 5 shows the outer side of the attachment device 3 according to an embodiment, wherein the attachment device 3 includes a headband 3a, a back-abdominal belt 3b, and a transverse belt 3c, and the headband 3a is suitable for enclosing The wearers head, the dorsal-abdominal strap 3b reaches the back of the wearers head from the wearers forehead, and is attached to the headband 3a, and the lateral strap 3c reaches from the left side of the wearers head to the right side of the wearers head Side, and attached to the headband 3a. A part or part of the attachment device 3 may be provided with slip propellants. In the illustrated embodiment, the material of the attachment device itself can act as a slip promoter. It is also conceivable to provide the attachment device 3 with an added low-friction material.

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[0050] FIG. 5 further shows four fixings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d fixed to the attachment device 3. In other embodiments, the attachment device 3 may be only a headband 3a, or a complete cover adapted to cover the upper part of the wearer's head as a whole, or an attachment device for mounting on the wearer's head Any other design for the role.

[0051] The lower part of FIG. 5 shows the inside of the attachment device 3, and discloses an adjustment device 6 for adjusting the headband 3a for a specific wearer. In other embodiments, the headband 3a may be an elastic headband, in which case the adjustment device 6 can be eliminated.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixing member 4, wherein the first part 8 of the fixing member 4 is fixed to the attachment device 3, and the second part 9 of the fixing member 4 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer by an adhesive 2. The fixing member 4 is adapted to absorb impact energy through deformation in an elastic, semi-elastic or plastic manner.

[0053] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixing member 4, in which the first part 8 of the fixing member 4 is fixed to the attachment device 3, and the second part 9 of the fixing member 4 passes through the material of the energy absorbing layer 2. The mechanical fixing element 10 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer 2.

[0054] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixing member 4, wherein the first part 8 of the fixing member 4 is fixed to the attachment device 3, and the second part 9 of the fixing member 4 is fixed into the energy absorbing layer 2, for example By molding the fixing device in the energy absorbing layer 2.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows the fixing member 4 in a cross-sectional view and an AA view. According to this embodiment, the attachment device 3 is attached to the energy absorbing layer 2 by a fixing member 4, and the fixing member 4 has a second part 9 suitable for elastic, semi-elastic or plastic deformation placed in the recess 12, and is connected to the attachment The first part 8 of the device 3. The recess 12 includes a flange 13, which is adapted to bend or deform in an elastic, semi-elastic or plastic manner when under a sufficiently large strain caused by the fixing member 4, so that the second part 9 can leave the place.Planning Department12.

[0056] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the fixing member 4, wherein the first part 8 of the fixing member 4 is fixed to the attachment device 3, and the second part 9 of the fixing member 4 is fixed all the way through the energy absorbing layer 2. To the inside of the housing 1. This can be achieved, for example, by molding the fixing device 4 in the energy-absorbing layer material 2. It is also conceivable to insert the fixing device 4 from the outside of the helmet through a hole in the housing 1 (not shown).

[0057] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which the attachment device 3 is fixed to the energy absorbing layer 2 at its periphery by a film or sealing foam 24, which may be elastic or suitable for plastic deformation.

[0058] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the attachment device 3 is attached to the energy absorbing layer 2 by a mechanical fixing element, the mechanical fixing element includes a mechanical engagement member 29, the mechanical engagement member 29 with Self-locking function similar to self-locking belt 4.

[0059] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the fixing member is an interlayer 27 connected to each other, such as a clip cloth, which may include elastic, semi-elastic or plastically deformable fibers that connect the attachment device 3 to the energy The absorbing layer 2 is also adapted to shear when a shear force is applied, thereby absorbing rotational energy or force.

[0060] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment in which the fixing member includes a magnetic fixing member 30, which may include two attractive magnets, such as supermagnets, or one part includes a magnet and one part includes a magnetically attractive material, such as iron.

[0061] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment in which the fixing member can be reattached by the elastic convex portion 28 and/or the elastic concave portion 12 that are detachably connected (so-called snap-fitting), so that when a sufficiently large strain is applied to When the helmet is on (when an impact occurs), the convex portion 28 is detached from the concave portion 12, and the convex portion 28 can be inserted into the concave portion 12 again to function again. It is also conceivable that the fixing member is snap-fixed, but cannot be detached and cannot be attached again under a large enough strain.

[0062] In the embodiments disclosed herein, the distance between the energy absorbing layer and the attachment device can be changed from practically nonexistent.

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In order to have a substantial distance, this does not violate the concept of the present invention.

[0063] In the embodiments disclosed herein, it is more conceivable that the fixing member is highly elastic, so that the material absorbs energy in an elastic manner but at the same time partially undergoes plastic deformation without completely failing.

[0064] In an embodiment including a plurality of fixing members, it is more conceivable that one of the fixing members is a main fixing member, and the main fixing member is adapted to be plastically deformed under a sufficiently large strain, and the other fixing member is suitable for plastic deformation. For pure elastic deformation.

[0065] FIG. 16 is a table obtained from a test that compares a helmet with a slip-promoting object (MIPS) and an ordinary helmet (Original) without a sliding layer between the attachment device and the energy absorbing layer . This test allowed the head of the equipped dummy to fall freely and collide with the horizontally moving steel plate. Such an oblique impact produces a combination of translational acceleration and rotational acceleration, which is more realistic than the common test method (where the helmet collides with a horizontal collision surface in a purely vertical direction). It can reach speeds of up to 10m/s (36km/h) in both the horizontal and vertical directions. There is a system with nine accelerometers on the dummy's head. The nine accelerometers are installed to measure translational acceleration and rotational acceleration around all axes. In the current test, the helmet dropped from 0.7m. This produces a vertical velocity of 3.7 m/s. The horizontal velocity is selected as 6.7m/s, which results in an impact velocity of 7.7m/s (27.7km/h) and an impact angle of 29 degrees.

[0066] This test revealed a reduction in the translational acceleration transmitted to the head, as well as a significant reduction in the rotational acceleration transmitted to the head and the rotational speed of the head.

[0067] FIG. 17 shows the change in rotational acceleration over time of a helmet with a skid-promoting object (MIPS_350; MIPS_352) and an ordinary helmet (Org_349; Org_351) without a sliding layer between the attachment device and the dummy's head Figure.

[0068] FIG. 18 shows the translational acceleration of a helmet (MIPS_350; MIPS_352) with a skid-promoting object compared to an ordinary helmet (Org_349; Org_351) with no sliding layer between the attachment device and the dummy head over time Change graph.

[0069] Note that any embodiment or part of an embodiment, and any method or part of a method can be combined in any manner. All the examples here should be considered as part of the general description, and therefore can be combined in any way in general.

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