EP4183285A1 - Sports helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

A sports helmet, in particular a bicycle helmet, motorcycle helmet, riding helmet or ski helmet, includes a shock-absorbing helmet shell and a belt fixing system for fixing the helmet shell to a user's head. The sports helmet includes an airbag device having at least one gas generator and at least one gas bag inflatable by gas, wherein the at least one gas bag is configured to protect at least part of the user's face in an inflated state.

Description

The invention relates to a sports helmet, in particular a bicycle helmet, motorcycle helmet, riding helmet or ski helmet, with a shock-absorbing helmet shell and a belt fixing system for fixing the helmet shell to a user's head.

A sports helmet serves to protect the user against head injuries, especially in the event of a fall. For this purpose, the sports helmet comprises a helmet shell which has a generally concave-shaped inside facing the user's head and a generally convex-shaped outside facing away from the user's head. The helmet shell should absorb the kinetic energy acting on the sports helmet in the event of an impact as much as possible through inelastic and/or elastic deformation. A belt fixing system can also be attached to the helmet shell, by means of which the helmet shell can be fixed to the user's head and which can include, for example, several neck and chin straps.

The term "sports helmet" is to be understood broadly in the present context and not only refers to helmets that are designed exclusively or specifically for practicing a sport (such as a riding helmet or ski helmet), but are also used, for example, for exercise in the leisure sector (e.g. as a bicycle helmet or motorcycle helmet).

Such sports helmets are known in various designs. In general, you can choose between sports helmets with rigid chin guards (e.g. for the mountain bike sports) and sports helmets without a chin guard. In particular, sports helmets without a chin guard are characterized by a high level of comfort compared to sports helmets with rigid chin guards due to their open design and relatively low weight. Sports helmets without a chin bar are also far more common than sports helmets with a rigid chin bar. However, sports helmets without a chin guard do not offer comparable protection to a user's facial area. In particular, a chin area and/or areas of the cheekbones of the user can be exposed to injuries in certain falls, since a sports helmet without a chin guard does not specifically protect these areas.

It is an object of the invention to provide a sports helmet without a rigid chin guard which offers a protective effect for at least part of a user's face.

This problem is solved by a sports helmet with the features of claim 1.

The sports helmet according to the invention has a shock-absorbing helmet shell and a belt fixing system for fixing the helmet shell to a user's head. The sports helmet includes an airbag device having at least one gas generator and at least one gas bag inflatable by gas, wherein the at least one gas bag is configured to protect at least part of the user's face in an inflated state.

The invention is based on the following consideration: Known sports helmets already provide good protection for the user's head. However, the face area of the user is problematic in some falls. However, many users do not want the facial area to be protected by rigid devices such as a chin guard, a face visor or the like, since a sports helmet offers the clearest possible field of vision and is as simple as possible should be set up. For many users, aesthetic aspects also play a role in the decision as to whether or in which situations a sports helmet is worn at all, which can ultimately be at the expense of safety. In equestrian sports, for example, wearing a riding helmet with a chin guard is absolutely unusual. However, in order to nevertheless protect the facial area or at least parts of the facial area of the user with sports helmets without a rigid chin guard, the sports helmet can have an airbag device. For example, air bags are proven devices in the automotive field to provide a user with additional protection to supplement seat belts and to protect the user from injury from impact with hard parts such as a steering wheel or dashboard.

The airbag device of the sports helmet according to the invention can comprise several components. A gas bag, which can be made in particular from a flexible plastic material such as polyamide, can be kept ready in a folded state. When a dangerous situation is recognized, such as the user falling off a bicycle or a horse, the gas bag is filled with gas by the gas generator in a short time (eg <1/10 second). The term "gas" is to be understood in general terms in this context and can only include a single gas (eg nitrogen) or a gas mixture (eg an argon-helium mixture) including air or a gas/air mixture. The gas from or from the gas generator can in particular come directly from the gas generator (e.g. be stored in the gas generator or be generated in the gas generator from a liquid or solid), or the gas for the gas bag can be taken from the gas generator from the ambient air ( eg by pumping and/or compressing). For this purpose, the gas generator can be fluidically (ie flow-technically) connected to the airbag.

The gas generator thus provides the gas for filling the gas bag, wherein the gas generator can be designed, for example, as a cold gas generator or as a pyrotechnic gas generator, or as a combination thereof, or as a pump and/or compressor. In some embodiments, the gas generator can be designed as a cartridge and/or a pressure accumulator.

When inflated, i.e. filled, the gas bag can protect at least part of the user's face, depending on its geometric design and arrangement on the helmet shell. Due to its arrangement, shape and flexible structure, the gas bag in the inflated state forms a protective cushion which can come to rest between an area of the user's face and an object (e.g. the ground) in the event of an impact. The gas bag can dampen an impact and/or distribute forces over a large area in order to reduce excessive force and/or load peaks in the user's facial area. It can be sufficient for this if the gas bag only assumes a predetermined form of the inflated state for a short period of time (e.g. approx. one or more seconds) and then relaxes. However, the gas bag can also be designed in such a way that it assumes the predetermined shape of the inflated state for a longer period of time.

In some embodiments, the gas bag can be designed to cover a chin area (lower jaw) and/or areas of the cheekbones of the user in the inflated state. In this context, an overlap can be understood to mean a radial covering of part of the head, in particular the face, of a user with the airbag, with a distance remaining between a surface of the face and the airbag in the radial viewing direction. The user's head is assumed to be substantially spherical in this model.

In some embodiments, the gas bag can be designed to be modeled in the inflated state on a side facing the user's face according to a human face shape. For example, the gas bag can be designed as a curved shape in the manner of a chin guard and/or as curved cheek sections on both sides of the user's nose. In particular, the airbag can have a recess in a nose area of the user's face; Such a recess can simulate the shape of the user's face, with the gas bag being able to cover the surrounding areas of the face at a small distance in the inflated state.

In some embodiments, the airbag may be formed from a transparent material. A transparent material can be understood as meaning a see-through material, i.e. the user can see through the gas bag when it is inflated. This can bring advantages in particular when the gas bag is in the user's field of vision in the inflated state. In some embodiments, the gas bag can cover the entire face area of the user in the inflated state, with the user being able to see through the transparent material of the gas bag and thus perceive an environment.

In some embodiments, the gas bag can be designed to spare an eye area of the user in the inflated state. A largely unobstructed field of vision for the user can thus also be retained by a cutout in the airbag around the user's eye area. For this purpose, the area around the user's eyes can be left free when the gas bag is inflated, ie the area around the user's eyes is not covered by the gas bag in the inflated state.

In some embodiments, the gas generator can be arranged in a centrally symmetrical position, in particular in a rear head area of the helmet shell. Such a centrally symmetrical arrangement can be advantageous in particular in embodiments of the airbag device with only a single gas generator, in order to achieve a substantially centrally symmetrical weight distribution of the airbag device. The concept of central symmetry is to be understood in connection with the invention as follows: The sports helmet can be divided into a left half and a right half by a central plane of symmetry, the central plane of symmetry being perpendicular to a horizontal plane and being aligned in the longitudinal direction of the sports helmet, i.e. comprises a longitudinal axis of the sports helmet.

In some embodiments, the airbag device may include two airbags. The two gas bags can cover different areas of the user's face. Different embodiments of the airbag device with two gas bags are explained below.

In such an embodiment, the two air bags may be configured to cover a part of the user's face from a left side and another part of the user's face from a right side. The two gas bags can each be arranged on the left side of the sports helmet and on the right side of the sports helmet, for example in the side temple areas of the user.

The respective part of the user's face can be covered by the two gas bags at the same time, ie the airbag device can be designed to fill the two gas bags with gas at the same time. In this way, an undesired transmission of torques to the user's head due to the filling of the airbags can be avoided, in particular when the two airbags are arranged and aligned symmetrically in the middle.

However, in some embodiments, a slight time delay can be provided between the inflation of one gas bag and the inflation of the other gas bag, i.e. one of the two gas bags is filled with gas before the other of the two gas bags. In embodiments in which the two inflated airbags are intended to cover (i.e. overlap) one another, filling the two airbags at different times can prevent the two airbags from hitting one another and repelling one another during their deployment.

In some embodiments, the two airbags can be configured to be center-symmetrically arranged in the inflated state and, for example, abut one another to form a substantially closed surface that covers part of the user's face.

In some embodiments, on the other hand, the two gas bags can be designed such that, in the inflated state, each of the two gas bags crosses a central plane of symmetry of the sports helmet. By crossing the central plane of symmetry, which can be defined as described above, the two airbags at least partially overlap either next to each other or on top of each other (in particular with regard to a front view of the sports helmet). In this way it can be avoided, for example, that a rectilinear dividing plane runs between the two inflated airbags, along which the two airbags could be spread apart in the event of an impact and could release a previously covered area of the user's face. The two gas bags can be designed, for example, in such a way that the two gas bags engage in one another in the inflated state when the two gas bags have crossed the central plane of symmetry.

In some embodiments, the airbag device may include a single common gas generator for inflating the two airbags. The The common gas generator can be fluidically connected to the two airbags via a respective connecting line. The common gas generator can in particular be arranged centrally symmetrically on the helmet shell. As explained above, this can have advantages with regard to the weight distribution of the gas generator on the sports helmet on the one hand, and also advantages with regard to the development of noise caused by ignition of the gas generator on the other hand. By arranging the gas generator in the middle, the gas generator can be arranged at a large distance from the user's ears.

In some embodiments, the airbag device may include two gas generators, one of the two gas generators being fluidically connected to one of the two gas bags and the other of the two gas generators being fluidically connected to the other of the two gas bags. If two gas generators are used, they can be made correspondingly smaller, i.e. with smaller geometric dimensions, than if a single gas generator is used. Two gas generators can also have advantages over a single gas generator in terms of even weight distribution. In addition, the use of two gas generators can also be advantageous in terms of system redundancy. Additionally, in some embodiments, the airbag device may also include a plurality of inflators.

In some such embodiments, one of the two inflators may be located on a left side of the helmet shell and the other of the two inflators may be located on a right side of the helmet shell. This can favor a center-symmetrical weight distribution of the gas generators.

In some embodiments, the two gas generators can be arranged on a respective ear area or on a respective temple area or on a respective lateral neck area (back of the head area) of the helmet shell. If the gas generators in a rear area of the helmet shell and the However, if gas bags are arranged in a front area of the helmet shell, connecting lines can be provided from the respective gas generator to the associated gas bag and can run, for example, along or inside the helmet shell.

In some embodiments, the helmet shell may include an integrated frame structure. For example, the helmet shell can have a so-called skeleton made of plastic, which is injection-moulded or foam-coated to form a shock-absorbing helmet body (e.g. using the so-called in-mold process). The frame structure may include one or more straps (flexible or rigid), strap(s), and/or anchors that extend at least partially within the helmet shell. In such embodiments, the at least one gas generator and/or the at least one gas bag of the airbag device can be attached to the integrated frame structure of the helmet shell. Suitable access points and/or mechanical interfaces can be provided on the frame structure for this purpose. The attachment to a frame structure of the helmet shell ensures a particularly stable fit of the gas generator and/or the gas bag, in particular with regard to recoil forces that can occur when the gas bag is inflated. The attachment of the airbag device to an integrated frame structure can also be advantageous in a retrofit solution.

In some embodiments, the airbag device can have a sensor device for detecting a fall situation, a trigger for triggering the at least one gas generator, and a power supply for supplying the sensor device and/or the trigger with electrical power.

The sensor device of the airbag device can, for example, comprise at least one multi-axis acceleration sensor. Furthermore, the sensor device can include an evaluation and triggering circuit. The evaluation and triggering circuit can receive data from the at least one acceleration sensor evaluate. The evaluation and triggering circuit can be designed, for example, to monitor predetermined threshold values and/or to evaluate acceleration curves over time and/or directions of acceleration which indicate an impending impact, for example due to a fall. For example, the evaluation and triggering circuit can compare data from the at least one sensor with at least one predetermined threshold value. If the sensor data exceeds at least one threshold value, the evaluation and triggering circuit can generate a triggering signal, for example an electronic signal or an ignition current, for the trigger.

The evaluation and triggering circuit is connected to a trigger of the airbag device, for example an explosive device or an igniter. Filling of the at least one airbag is triggered by the triggering signal generated by the evaluation and triggering circuit. This can be done, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic gas generator, with a pyrotechnic material burning and the gas generated filling the at least one gas bag. Alternatively, a gas stored under pressure in the gas generator can be released, with the released gas filling the at least one gas bag via at least one connecting line. Since when it is triggered, for example by detonating an explosive device, a bang or a lot of noise is generated, the trigger can be provided with noise insulation, e.g. a cover made of sound-insulating material.

Electrical energy is required to determine and monitor the sensor signals and/or to activate the trigger. For this purpose, the airbag device includes an electrical energy supply, which can be designed as a battery and/or accumulator. In some embodiments, the accumulator can be charged in particular via a solar cell, which is arranged on an outside of the helmet shell, for example. Activating the trigger can alternatively an electrical activation also take place mechanically, for example via a pressure switch.

In some embodiments, the at least one gas generator, the at least one gas bag, the sensor device, the trigger and the power supply can form a modular unit. Due to the modular unit, the airbag device can also be retrofitted, in particular, to existing sports helmets. For this purpose, an arrangement of the modular unit in the ear area can be provided in particular, which forms a suitable exemption for the helmet shell in many sports helmets. In such embodiments, the gas generator and/or the associated trigger can be arranged underneath the user's auricle. The modular unit can be attached to the helmet shell, for example, using clip connections or screw solutions.

In such an embodiment, the modular assembly can be releasably, in particular exchangeably, attached to the helmet shell. The attachment of the modular assembly can be provided, for example, on an outer edge of the helmet shell, i.e. on a transition between an inside and an outside of the helmet shell. A mechanical interface for attaching the modular assembly may be formed on the helmet shell, e.g., in the manner of an anchor. Thus, the modular unit can easily be optionally retrofitted.

In some embodiments, the sports helmet may be configured without a rigid chin guard. It is particularly advantageous if a sports helmet of the widespread type without a rigid chin guard can be given increased protection of the face area of the user as a result of the airbag device according to the invention.

In some embodiments, the helmet shell can have a helmet body that has padding on the inside and/or an outer shell on the outside. The outer shell can also perform a protective function (e.g. absorbing shock or reducing the coefficient of friction for the protective helmet to slide along a rough surface), or it can only perform an essentially decorative function. The outer shell can comprise a shell, for example made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a film, for example made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a polycarbonate (PC).

In some embodiments, the helmet body can be made from a rigid foam, in particular from an expanded rigid polystyrene foam (EPS). In other embodiments, part of the helmet shell, in particular the helmet body, can be manufactured by 3D printing. In other embodiments, the helmet shell can be formed by a so-called injection-molded mesh.

In some embodiments, the belt fixation system can be attached in a rear head area of the helmet shell and in side temple areas of the helmet shell. In some embodiments, the belt fixation system can have a length adjustment device in the neck area of the user.

In some embodiments, the helmet shell may have a plurality of ventilation openings distributed over the surface of the helmet shell.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Perspektivansicht eines Fahrradhelms.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Frontansicht eines Gassacks in einem aufgeblasenen Zustand.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Frontansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Gassacks in einem aufgeblasenen Zustand.

Fig. 4

zeigt eine Frontansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Gassacks in einem aufgeblasenen Zustand.

Fig. 5

zeigt eine Frontansicht von zwei Gassäcken in einem aufgeblasenen Zustand.

Fig. 6

zeigt eine Frontansicht eines Fahrradhelms mit zwei sich überlappenden Gassäcken in einem aufgeblasenen Zustand.

Fig. 7

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht von zwei sich überlappenden Gassäcken.

Fig. 8

zeigt eine Frontansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Fahrradhelms mit zwei sich überlappenden Gassäcken in einem aufgeblasenen Zustand.

Fig. 9

zeigt eine Draufsicht eines Fahrradhelms.

Fig. 10

zeigt eine Perspektivansicht eines Fahrradhelms mit einer modularen Baueinheit einer Airbag-Vorrichtung.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

1

shows a perspective view of a bicycle helmet.

2

shows a front view of a gas bag in an inflated state.

3

shows a front view of a further embodiment of a gas bag in an inflated state.

4

shows a front view of a further embodiment of a gas bag in an inflated state.

figure 5

shows a front view of two gas bags in an inflated state.

6

shows a front view of a bicycle helmet with two overlapping gas bags in an inflated state.

7

shows a schematic plan view of two overlapping airbags.

8

shows a front view of another embodiment of a bicycle helmet with two overlapping gas bags in an inflated state.

9

shows a plan view of a bicycle helmet.

10

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a bicycle helmet with a modular assembly of an airbag device.

1 shows a sports helmet in the form of a bicycle helmet 10 with a shock-absorbing helmet shell 12 and a Gurtfixiersystem 14 for fixing the helmet shell 12 to the head (not shown) of a user. The helmet shell 12 may have a helmet body which has padding on the inside and/or a thin outer shell on the outside. The helmet body of the helmet shell 12 can be made from a rigid foam, in particular from an expanded rigid polystyrene foam (EPS). The belt fixation system 14 can be fastened in a neck area 40 of the helmet shell 12 and in the side temple areas 42 of the helmet shell 12 . In some embodiments, the belt fixation system 14 can have a ring section with a length adjustment device (not shown) in the neck area 40 of the user. The helmet shell 12 can have a plurality of ventilation openings 13 distributed over the surface of the helmet shell 12 .

The bicycle helmet 10 has an airbag device 16, the airbag device 16 comprising at least one gas generator 18 and at least one gas bag 20 which can be inflated by gas from the gas generator 18. The gas generator 18 and the gas bag 20 can be arranged spatially close to one another in the temple area 42 of the bicycle helmet 10 ( 1 ). In some embodiments, the gas generator 18 and the gas bag 20 can also be spatially separate, arranged at any point on the bicycle helmet 10 and fluidically connected via a respective connecting line. For example, the gas generator 18 or several gas generators 18 can be arranged at a front end, ie at a forehead area 44 , at an upper head area 50 or at a rear head area 38 of the bicycle helmet 10 . In order to reduce a mass moment of inertia of the gas generator 18, which results from the distance to a pivot point, for example the user's neck, an arrangement of the gas generator 18 in the neck area 40 can be provided in particular.

The gas bag 20 is in 1 shown schematically in a non-inflated state, ie the gas bag 20 is not filled with gas and is space-saving, for example folded up, in a housing, a cover or a suitable storage device on the bicycle helmet 10, in particular on the helmet shell 12 is arranged. The gas bag 20 can be filled with gas by the gas generator 18 in a short time in order to assume an inflated state and a predetermined shape in the inflated state. The gas bag 20 is designed to cover at least a part of the user's face 30 in an inflated state (cf. e.g Figures 2 to 4 ) to cover and thus protect against a frontal impact. In order to achieve this protective effect, the airbag 20 can be fastened in a predetermined alignment, for example, to one of the lateral temple areas 42 or to the forehead area 44 on the bicycle helmet 10, in particular on the helmet shell 12. The respective gas bag 20 can have a fastening end with which the gas bag 20 is fastened to the helmet shell 12 in a predetermined alignment. The respective airbag 20 can also have at least one free end, which moves along the user's face 30 when the airbag 20 is inflated, so that the inflated airbag 20 covers the face 30 . In addition, particularly during a first phase of deployment, the airbag 20 can move at least partially along a forward direction, ie along a longitudinal axis of the bicycle helmet 10 . Optionally, the gas bag 20 in the inflated state can be modeled (for example curved) in accordance with the shape of a human face on a side facing the face 30 of the user in order to cover the face 30 of the user close to the contour.

2 shows a schematic representation of a gas bag 20 in an inflated state in a front view. For better orientation, a user's face 30 is also shown schematically. For better clarity, the bicycle helmet is 10 in 2 (accordingly also in Figures 3, 4 and 6 ) not shown. However, it goes without saying that the airbag 20, as described above, is arranged at a suitable point on the helmet shell 12 of the bicycle helmet 10. In the exemplary embodiment according to 2 the gas bag 20 covers at least part of the face 30 of the user. In particular, the Gas bag 20 has a chin area 32 and a left and right cheekbone area 34 of the face 30 of the user. The gas bag 20 can have a recess 58 of a nose area 46 of the face 30 of the user. The shape of the user's face can be simulated by this recess 58, and the airbag 20 can cover the surrounding areas of the face 30 with a small distance in the inflated state. The outline of the recess 58 is closed on three sides and open only at the top (for the bridge of the nose).

3 shows a further embodiment of a gas bag 20 in an inflated state. Compared to the embodiment from 2 the gas bag 20 covers in particular the chin area 32 of a face 30 of a user and thus essentially fulfills the function of a chin guard. The chin area 32 (lower jaw) can be particularly endangered if the user falls. In the 3 The embodiment of the gas bag 20 shown can protect the chin area 32 of the user, but has a simpler geometric structure than, for example, the embodiment described above 2 . In the inflated state, the airbag 20 can be designed as a convexly curved, essentially rectangular surface. Alternatively, the gas bag 20 can also be tubular, modeled after a chin guard.

4 shows a further embodiment of a gas bag 20 in an inflated state. In this embodiment, the gas bag 20 covers almost the entire face 30 of the user, with only an eye area 36 not being covered. In addition to the chin area 32 and the cheekbone areas 34 described above, the gas bag 20 also covers a forehead area 44 and side temple areas 42 of the face 30 of the user. Only the eye area 36 of the face 30 is not covered by the gas bag 20 due to a recess 60 of the airbag 20, ie the eye area 36 is left free. This embodiment has the advantage that, on the one hand, almost all areas of the Face 30 covered by the gas bag 20 and thus protected, for example, in the event of a fall. On the other hand, it is still possible for the user to orient himself through the cutout 60 in the gas bag 20 when the gas bag 20 is inflated, since a minimal field of vision for the user is essentially kept clear of the gas bag 20 . In this context, the term "substantially" means that edge regions of the field of vision can be covered by the airbag 20 in the inflated state.

In an alternative embodiment to that in 4 In the embodiment described, the recess 58 of the gas bag 20 can also be omitted, ie the gas bag 20 covers the entire face 30 of the user. In this case in particular, it is advantageous if the airbag 20 is made entirely or partially from a transparent material. As a result, it is still possible for the user to orient himself when the gas bag 20 is inflated, since he can see through the transparent material of the gas bag 20 . A transparent design of the gas bag 20 is also possible in the other explained embodiments. As an alternative to such a transparent configuration, it can also be provided in the various embodiments that the airbag 20 relaxes again after inflation (for example after about one second), for example as a result of pressure reduction openings that have been introduced in a targeted manner.

In the Figures 2 to 4 The airbags 20 shown can be designed in one piece and attached to one of the temple areas 42 of the helmet shell 12, for example. Alternatively, the in Figures 2 to 4 shown coverage of the user's face 30 can also be accomplished by two gas bags 20 that complement each other. Embodiments of an airbag device 18 that have two airbags 20 are described below.

figure 5 12 shows a front view of two airbags 20 in an inflated state, the two airbags 20 being configured to face part of the user's face 30 from a left side 51 and another part of the user's face 30 from a right side 52 cover. As described above, the left side 51 and the right side 52 are defined by the central plane of symmetry E, which divides the bicycle helmet 10 in the middle in a vertical direction (in the illustration according to figure 5 perpendicular to the plane of the paper). The two airbags 20 can be designed in such a way that when inflated they meet in the central plane of symmetry E and cover at least the chin area 32 and the cheekbone areas 34 of the face 30 of the user, with the nose area 46 being left out by a respective recess 58 of the respective airbag 20 is. The gas bags 20 can also only cover the chin area 32 . This corresponds to the embodiments described above in 2 and in 3 , where the airbag 20 is shown in one piece there.

A gap 54 can be formed at the central plane of symmetry E as a result of the two airbags 20 meeting. However, the gas bags 20 can be designed to be pressed against one another so strongly on the central plane of symmetry E that the gap 54 is closed by forces acting essentially perpendicularly to the central plane of symmetry 30 . Thus, an area of the face 30 in which the two gas bags 20 meet, in particular the chin area 32, can be completely covered by the two gas bags 20.

6 shows a further embodiment of the bicycle helmet 10 according to the invention in a front view. The bicycle helmet 10 includes an airbag device 16 (not shown) with two airbags 20 that overlap when inflated. Each of the two airbags 20 crosses the central plane of symmetry E of the bicycle helmet 10 in an inflated state, so that in the area of the central plane of symmetry E is an area of the face 30 of the user from both Gas bags 20 is covered. This can be advantageous because the overlapping of the two gas bags 20 in the event of an impact in the area of the central plane of symmetry 30 means that the two overlapping gas bags 20 do not release the chin area 32 .

In this embodiment, the airbag device 16 can have two gas generators 18 . One of the two gas generators 18 can be arranged on a left side 51 of the helmet shell 12 and can be fluidically connected to one of the two gas bags 20 in order to inflate this gas bag 20 if necessary. The other of the two gas generators 18 can be arranged on a right-hand side 52 of the helmet shell 12 and can be fluidically connected to the other of the two gas bags 20 so that this other gas bag 20 can be inflated if necessary. The two gas generators 18 can be arranged, for example, on a respective ear area 48 or on a respective temple area 42 or on a respective lateral neck area 40 of the bicycle helmet 10 . A symmetrical arrangement of the two gas generators 18 with respect to the central plane of symmetry E of the bicycle helmet 10 is advantageous. The terms left side 51 and right side 52 only serve to distinguish between two sides and restrict the features described with regard to the left side 51 and the right side 52 not on these sides, i.e. the features relating to the left side 51 can also be features relating to the right side 52, and vice versa.

7 shows a schematic plan view of two overlapping gas bags 20, which are formed by tubular elements. The two airbags 20 overlap in an area of the central plane of symmetry E. In order to ensure that the two airbags 20 slide past each other when the two airbags meet, in particular two free ends 56 of the respective airbag 20, the two meeting ends 56 of the Gas bags 20 also have a trapezoidal structure or a chamfer, for example.

8 shows another embodiment of two overlapping gas bags 20. The overlapping does not occur on top of each other but side by side, ie the two gas bags 20 do not overlap or overlap in a front view, although each of the two gas bags 20 crosses the central plane of symmetry E of the bicycle helmet 10. This embodiment makes it possible for example for the chin area 32 to be completely covered by one of the two gas bags 20 and for example a mouth area 49 of the user to be covered by the other of the two gas bags 20 .

In an alternative embodiment, the bicycle helmet 10 or the airbag device 16 can have a single common gas generator 18 for inflating the two gas bags 20, the single gas generator 18 being fluidly connected to both gas bags. The gas can thus flow from the single gas generator 18 into both gas bags 20 . As described above, the single gas generator 18 can be arranged in a centrally symmetrical position, i.e. symmetrically to the central plane of symmetry E, for example in a rear head area 38 of the helmet shell 12 . However, it is also possible for the single gas generator 18 to be arranged at any point symmetrically to the central plane of symmetry E, for example on a forehead area 44 of the helmet shell 12.

9 shows a plan view of a bicycle helmet 10. A central plane of symmetry E can divide the bicycle helmet 10 symmetrically into a left side 51 and a right side 52. The gas generator 18 can be arranged at various locations in a centrally symmetrical position. Due to the centrally symmetrical arrangement of the gas generator 18, a symmetrical weight distribution with respect to the central plane of symmetry E can be achieved, which can lead to better wearing comfort for the user. As already described above, the gas generator 18 can also be center-symmetrical to the center plane of symmetry E in the forehead area 44 or center-symmetrical to the center plane of symmetry E im Neck area 40 or arranged symmetrically to the center plane of symmetry E in the upper head area 50 . Corresponding arrangements are in 9 shown with a dashed line.

10 shows a perspective view of a bicycle helmet 10 with a modular assembly 28 of an airbag device 16. The airbag device 16 can have a sensor device 22 for detecting a fall situation, a trigger 24 for triggering the at least one gas generator 18, and a power supply 26 for supplying the sensor device Have 22 and / or the trigger 24 with electrical energy. Together with a gas bag 20 (in 10 shown in a folded state), the sensor device 22, the trigger 24, the gas generator 18 and the power supply 26 can be arranged as a modular unit 28 on the bicycle helmet 10. This can allow an airbag device 16 to be retrofitted to existing bicycle helmets 10 (additive design). However, the sensor device 22, the trigger 24, the gas generator 18, the energy supply 26 and the gas bag 20 can also be distributed on the bicycle helmet 10, which can also be referred to as an integrative design.

The operation of the airbag device 16 can be exemplified by the following steps. Sensor device 22 continuously monitors, for example at regular time intervals, relevant parameters that can describe a fall or an impact that is threatened as a result. For example, detected acceleration values can be used as a criterion for a fall if they exceed predefined threshold values, with a direction-dependent evaluation being possible in particular. For this purpose, the sensor device 22 compares the values measured by at least one sensor with predefined threshold values. If at least one measured parameter exceeds the associated threshold value, the sensor device 22 sends a trigger signal to a trigger 24. The signal can be transmitted, for example an electrical pulse may be formed, which causes a gas stored in at least one gas generator 18 to flow out. This can be done, for example, by igniting an explosive device on the gas generator 18 . The gas flows via at least one connecting line, which connects the respective gas generator 18 to an associated airbag 20, into the associated airbag 20. The inflow of gas unfolds the gas bag 20 and the gas bag 20 is inflated almost abruptly. The gas bag 20 unfolds around the user's face 30 such that the inflated gas bag 20 covers at least parts of the user's face 30 .

Energy is required both for the monitoring of the measured variables by the sensor device 22 and for firing the trigger 24 . This energy can be provided by an electrical energy supply 26 . The energy supply 26 can be in the form of a battery or an accumulator. If an accumulator is used as the energy supply, the accumulator can optionally be supplied with energy via solar units which can be arranged on a surface of an outside of the helmet shell 12 .

With regard to the exemplary embodiments according to the drawings, it should also be noted that the invention can also be used in a different type of sports helmet, in particular in a motorcycle helmet, a riding helmet or a ski helmet.

Reference List

10

bicycle helmet

12

helmet shell

13

ventilation opening

14

belt fixation system

16

Airbag device

18

gas generator

20

gas bag

22

sensor device

24

trigger

26

power supply

28

modular unit

30

Face

32

chin area

34

cheekbone area

36

eye area

38

occipital area

40

neck area

42

temple area

44

forehead area

46

nose area

48

ear area

49

mouth area

50

upper head area

51

left side

52

right side

54

gap

56

end of a gas bag

58

Recess nose area

60

Cut-out eye area

E

central plane of symmetry

Claims (15)

Sports helmet, in particular bicycle helmet (10), motorcycle helmet, riding helmet or ski helmet,
with a shock-absorbing helmet shell (12) and a belt fixing system (14) for fixing the helmet shell (12) to a user's head, the sports helmet having an airbag device (16) which has at least one gas generator (18) and at least one gas bag ( 20) which is inflatable by gas, wherein the at least one gas bag (20) is designed to protect at least part of the face (30) of the user in an inflated state. Sports helmet according to claim 1,
wherein the gas bag (20) is designed to cover a chin area (32) and/or areas of the cheekbones (34) of the user in the inflated state. Sports helmet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag (20) is designed to be modeled in the inflated state on a side facing the face (30) of the user corresponding to a human face shape; wherein the gas bag (20) has in particular a recess (58) in a nose area (46) of the face (30) of the user. Sports helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas bag (20) is made of a transparent material which is transparent in such a way that the user is inflated State of the gas bag (30) can look through the gas bag (30); and or wherein the airbag (20) is designed to spare an eye area (36) of the user in the inflated state. Sports helmet according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gas generator (18) is arranged in a centrally symmetrical position, in particular in a rear head area (38) of the helmet shell (12). Sports helmet according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the airbag device (16) has two airbags (20). Sports helmet according to claim 6,
the two airbags (20) being adapted to cover a part of the user's face (30) from a left side (51) and another part of the user's face (30) from a right side (52). Sports helmet according to claim 6 or claim 7,
wherein the two gas bags (20) are designed such that, in the inflated state, each of the two gas bags (20) crosses a central plane of symmetry (E) of the sports helmet. Sports helmet according to claim 8,
wherein the two airbags (20) at least partially overlap either side by side or one above the other. Sports helmet according to one of claims 6 to 9,
wherein the airbag device (16) has a single common gas generator (18) for inflating the two gas bags (20). Sports helmet according to one of claims 6 to 9,
wherein the airbag device (16) has two gas generators (18), one of the two gas generators (18) being fluidic with one of the two gas bags (20) and the other of the two gas generators (18) being fluidic with the other of the two gas bags (20). connected is. Sports helmet according to claim 11, wherein one of the two gas generators (18) is arranged on a left side (51) of the helmet shell (12) and the other of the two gas generators (18) is arranged on a right side (52) of the helmet shell (12); and or the two gas generators (18) being arranged on a respective ear area (48) or on a respective temple area (42) or on a respective lateral neck area (40) of the helmet shell (12). Sports helmet according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the helmet shell (12) has an integrated frame structure, wherein the at least one gas generator (18) and/or the at least one gas bag (20) is attached to the integrated frame structure. Sports helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag device (16) has a sensor device (22) for detecting a fall situation, a trigger (24) for triggering the at least one gas generator (18), and an energy supply (26) for supplying the sensor device (22) and/or the Has trigger with electrical energy; wherein the at least one gas generator (18), the at least one gas bag (20), the sensor device (22), the trigger (24) and the energy supply (26) form in particular a modular unit (28); the modular assembly (28) preferably being releasably attached to the helmet shell (12). Sports helmet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sports helmet is designed without a rigid chin guard; and or wherein the sports helmet is designed as a bicycle helmet (10), wherein the helmet shell (12) has a helmet body which is made of hard foam and which has padding on an inside and/or an outer shell on an outside, and wherein the helmet shell ( 12) has a plurality of ventilation openings (13) distributed over the surface of the helmet shell (12).

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