EP4260748A1 - Air conditioning module for a helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1), in particular a motorcycle helmet, with at least one heat pump arrangement (8) and at least one first fan (12) and at least one second fan (13). The heat pump arrangement (8) has a first heat pump side (9) and a second heat pump side (10). The heat pump arrangement (8) is suitable for pumping heat from the first heat pump side (9) to the second heat pump side (10) and/or from the second heat pump side (10) to the first heat pump side (9). The air conditioning module (2) has fastening means for placement in or on the upper region of the helmet (1). The first fan (12) and/or the second fan (13) are connected to the ambient air (17) in an air-conducting manner. During operation, the first fan (12) feeds air past the first heat pump side (9) and into the helmet (1). During operation, the second fan (13) leads air (4) out of the helmet interior and past the second heat pump side (10).

Description

The invention relates to an air conditioning module for a helmet, a helmet with an air conditioning module and a method for operating an air conditioning module and a method for assembling an air conditioning module according to the genre of the independent patent claims.

From the US6954944B2 a helmet device is known which is air-conditioned by means of a thermoelectric heat pump. In one embodiment, two blower mechanisms are used to move the air. In a cooling mode, a first blower mechanism directs compressed air over a "cold" spot on the pump and the cooled air then into the interior of the helmet. A second blower mechanism transports the waste heat from the "warm" point of the pump outside the helmet shell.

The disadvantage of this embodiment is that the first blower mechanism only blows the conditioned air into the back of the helmet, which only allows very limited air circulation of the air carried in the helmet.

The device according to the invention with the features of the independent claims has the advantage that the fans can be used more advantageously due to optimized air flow and thus enable improved air conditioning of the helmet.

Therefore, in the present case, an air conditioning module for a helmet, in particular a motorcycle helmet, is proposed with at least one heat pump arrangement and at least one first fan and at least one second fan, wherein the

Heat pump arrangement has a first heat pump side and a second heat pump side, the heat pump arrangement is suitable for pumping heat from the first heat pump side to the second heat pump side and / or from the second heat pump side to the first heat pump side, the air conditioning module has fastening means for arranging in or on the upper region of the helmet, the first fan and/or the second fan are connected to the ambient air in an air-conducting manner, the first fan guides air past the first heat pump side during operation and introduces it into the helmet, and the second When the fan is in operation, air is taken out of the helmet and past the second heat pump side.

The decisive advantage of a corresponding arrangement of the fans is that the second fan takes on two functions: sucking the air out of the helmet to enable improved air circulation in the helmet and dissipating the waste heat on the second heat pump side in the case of cooling or supplying it accordingly of heat when heating, which enables optimal operation of the heat pump arrangement. Two fans are therefore sufficient to carry out all functions (sucking in air from the environment, introducing the conditioned air into the helmet, extracting the air from the helmet, cooling the waste heat side of the heat pump arrangement (or vice versa in the case of heating) and discharging the used air into the environment ) to enable.

A helmet here means a protective helmet with at least one hard helmet shell. This can be a helmet adapted for a specific purpose. Possible options include, among many other types of helmets, a motorcycle helmet, an automobile sports helmet or a bicycle helmet. Other sports helmets or protective helmets for certain professions can also be air-conditioned using the invention.

A helmet shell often consists of an outer helmet shell and an inner helmet shell, whereby the outer helmet shell is relatively thin and can be made of a plastic, for example. The helmet inner shell is usually slightly thicker in relation to the helmet outer shell and can be made from a light material with suitable elasticity, such as expanded polystyrene (also called EPS or Styrofoam).

A heat pump arrangement enables heat to be pumped from a first heat pump side to a second heat pump side and/or vice versa by supplying energy, preferably electrical energy. The two heat pump sides are spatially and thermally separated from each other. The term heat pump side is only to be understood phenomenologically and therefore makes no statement about a surface area. However, the heat pump arrangement can be extended over a large area, whereby the two heat pump sides are then two large surfaces, preferably opposite each other.

A fastener can be anything that makes it possible to attach the climate control module to or in the helmet. Both detachable and non-detachable connections are conceivable here. For example, clips, screws or similar are possible.

“In operation” means a possible operating state of the fan.

Expressions such as "in the helmet", "into the helmet" or "out of the helmet" generally refer to the internal area of the helmet in which the user's head is located when in use. The inner area of the helmet also includes the area between the visor and the face. Air can also be removed from the helmet via a channel.

Position information such as “top” or “front area” always refers to the classic way of wearing a helmet with an opening for the head at the bottom and the user facing forward.

The upper area of the helmet here preferably refers to the area of the helmet which covers an area within a radius of 10 cm around the highest point of the user's head.

An arrangement at the top of the helmet offers several advantages. On the one hand, the air can be sucked in above the helmet. This is an area where the air pressure while riding is relatively high compared to, for example, the area behind the helmet. This makes it possible to operate the fans with a lower power while driving with the same volume flow generated or to obtain a larger volume flow with the same power than when the air conditioning module is arranged, for example, in the rear area of the helmet. Another advantage is that the distance between the air conditioning module and the areas that are preferably to be air conditioned, such as the area near the face, is smaller. This means that the line loss is lower and with the same fan performance, more air reaches the front area of the helmet and the power loss during the transport of the conditioned air is also lower and a temperature change is faster and therefore more directly noticeable. The weight distribution is also possible when arranged in the upper area of the Helmet is particularly comfortable for the user because the climate control module, for example, does not cause any additional pulling force in the neck area.

An air conditioning module according to the invention can also be a retrofit solution for an existing helmet. Existing conditions of the helmet can preferably be used to guide air out of the helmet. In particular, when it is led out of the helmet, the air can be guided through existing air-permeable textile structures, such as a "textile mesh", or through existing air-guiding elements in the helmet. The air conditioning module is advantageously implemented in such a way that no separate hoses or channels for air flow have to be installed in the helmet. The air is ducted exclusively through existing components, such as air duct elements for passive ventilation of the helmet.

A further advantage is that when using an air conditioning module according to the invention, all existing devices for passive ventilation remain unaffected and the helmet can be passively ventilated without significant restrictions, for example when the air conditioning module is switched off. The passive ventilation also has a supportive effect during operation of the air conditioning module.

The heat pump arrangement is preferably a thermoelectric module, in particular a Peltier element.

A thermoelectric module makes it possible to generate a temperature difference using the Peltier effect using an applied current. This can also achieve a heat pump effect. In general, a thermoelectric module can also be operated in reverse and, as a thermoelectric generator, generate a voltage or a current flow from a temperature difference.

The focus of a Peltier element is on its use for heating, cooling or heat pumping. A Peltier element preferably has two or preferably several differently doped semiconductor elements which are connected in series via conductor bridges. For example, this series connection can be arranged between two ceramic substrates. These also provide mechanical stabilization. In an embodiment preferred for these applications, a Peltier element can also be designed without ceramic substrates. Particular care must be taken to ensure that the stability of the Peltier element is still maintained. This can be achieved by: Peltier element is connected directly to further stabilizing layers, in particular soldered or glued. These further stabilizing layers can, for example, be heat exchangers that are used for heat transfer between the Peltier element and air. The advantage of an embodiment without ceramic substrates is that the thermal conduction losses are lower. The doped semiconductor elements are arranged in such a way that when a current flows, one side of the Peltier element heats up and the other side cools down. For example, if the heat is dissipated on the hot side, the cold side can be cooled down further with otherwise constant parameters, in particular with constant electrical power, than if this is not the case. It is therefore an advantage if the heat is dissipated on the warm side in the “cooling situation”.

Optionally, a temperature sensor can also be arranged on the thermoelectric element. This means that the temperature can be regulated and not just controlled, or the temperature sensor reading can be used for a safety shutdown. It is preferably possible for the current of the thermoelectric element to be switched off as soon as the temperature sensor measures a temperature above a preset threshold value. This also increases safety as overheating can be prevented.

In a preferred embodiment, the heat pump arrangement has a first heat exchanger which is arranged on the first heat pump side and/or a second heat exchanger which is arranged on the second heat pump side.

A heat exchanger enables or improves the transfer of heat from one medium to another. In the present case, heat exchangers are used in order to be able to transfer heat better between a solid body - here the heat pump arrangement - and an air flow. Here, a heat exchanger is used to improve the heat transfer between a heat pump side and air guided or flowing past the heat pump side.

These can be, for example, (cooling) fins or a heat sink. The terms cooling fins and heat sinks also include the case in which heat is transferred from the fluid into the solid.

It is preferred that in a first operating state the heat pump arrangement cools the air flowing past the first heat pump side and heats the air flowing past the second heat pump side and/or that Heat pump arrangement in a second operating state heats the air flowing past the first heat pump side and cools the air flowing past the second heat pump side and / or that the heat pump arrangement is deactivated in a third operating state and therefore neither heats or cools the air flowing past the first heat pump side nor does it cool The air flowing past the second heat pump side is heated or cooled.

In the first operating state, cooled air is directed into the front area of the helmet via the air duct unit. In this way, a user of the helmet can be particularly preferably cooled and/or the moving air can protect the visor of the helmet and/or the user's glasses from fogging up.

In the second operating state, heated air is directed into the front area of the helmet via the air duct unit. This operating state can be used to warm the user of the helmet and/or to protect the helmet's visor and/or the user's glasses from fogging up. In the third operating state, the heat pump arrangement is deactivated, but the first fan and/or the second fan are active and direct ambient air via the air duct unit into the front area of the helmet and/or lead air out of the air duct unit of the helmet and discharge it into the environment .

Preferably, at least one external channel connects the first fan and/or at least one external channel connects the second fan to the heat pump arrangement in an air-conducting manner.

For the purposes of the present invention, a channel can be any spatial arrangement that guides a fluid, in particular air, over a certain extent. One channel is preferably elongated.

Here, the channel can have a separate channel wall, or its wall can result from a recess in a specific arrangement without a separate channel wall. The wall can also be partially interrupted and can have any cross-section. A channel does not have to be completely surrounded by walls in terms of its cross section, but can also be partially open. For example, a channel can also be formed by a groove in the helmet shell.

The channel is particularly preferably surrounded on all four sides by separate channel walls.

“External” here refers to external to the helmet. An external channel is therefore arranged outside the helmet.

The main function of the external channel or channels is that an advantageous arrangement of the fans is possible. The following explanation refers to the example in which cooled air is blown in in the area near the face and used air is sucked out from the inside of the helmet further back. In general, however, cooling and heating and blowing or suction can also be used or interchanged in any combination without departing from the scope of the invention and the explanation. The first fan is preferably arranged relatively far at the front of the helmet in order to direct the conditioned air as directly as possible into the area near the face. The second fan is preferably arranged further back in order to be able to extract air from the entire helmet interior. This results in a spatial separation of the fans. However, since both fans lead air past one heat pump side of the heat pump arrangement, there must be at least one external channel that transports the air from the more distant fan to the heat pump arrangement.

Particularly preferably, the first external channel and/or the second external channel leads past the first fan and/or the second fan, in particular the first external channel and/or the second external channel has a recess for the air passage through which the The first fan and/or the second fan can suck in or blow out air. The advantageous arrangement of the fans already explained means that the second fan, which sucks air out of the helmet, is arranged further back than the first fan, which blows air into the helmet. In the external channel, air is then led from the rear second fan over the area in which the first fan sucks in the ambient air to the heat pump arrangement. The external duct must be designed geometrically in such a way that the first fan that blows air into the helmet can suck in ambient air. This can either be realized by a recess in the external channel, whereby the external channel in the area of the recess is not open to the ambient air, but the channel continues to be closed and guided around the area in which ambient air is sucked in, or the external channel leads past the first fan or the external channel is guided past the first fan by a deflection.

The air conditioning module is advantageously connected to a control device and/or a power supply. The power supply is, for example, a battery or an accumulator. The power supply is preferably a so-called “power bank”. A power bank is a mobile additional battery that usually provides a constant output voltage such as 5V or 12V via an additional switching converter. The power supply can be arranged on or in the helmet or at a distance from the helmet. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a battery of a vehicle that the user of the helmet uses while wearing the helmet (for example a motorcycle or a racing car) can also serve as a power supply.

In a particularly advantageous variant, the control device can operate the air conditioning module in the first operating state and/or the second operating state and/or the third operating state and/or put it in a switched off or standby state. In a preferred case, the power of the first fan and/or the second fan and/or the heat pump arrangement can also be adjusted via the control device. In the switched off or standby state, in contrast to the third operating state, the first fan and/or the second fan are also deactivated. When switched off, the power supply is completely interrupted, while the air conditioning system can be quickly reactivated when in standby mode.

In the example of a motorcycle helmet, this helmet has vents designed for passive ventilation. For example, when driving quickly, in some cases passive ventilation may be sufficient and the air conditioning system may be switched off or in standby mode. However, cases that require active air conditioning even when driving quickly are, for example, high temperatures of more than 25°C or rainy and/or cool weather with temperatures below 18°C, and/or conditions with high humidity, as in the latter cases The visor and/or glasses often become heavily fogged up. It is also possible to use the helmet in the switched off state during its entire use and, for example, to only use passive cooling.

Preferably, the control device is at least partially integrated in the air conditioning module and/or the power supply is arranged outside the helmet and outside the air conditioning module.

The control device has certain control electronic devices that are arranged on circuit boards. Circuit boards with control electronics can advantageously be integrated directly into the air conditioning module and, for example, also be arranged in a housing of the air conditioning module. Other components of the control device, such as switches or displays in particular, can preferably also be arranged outside the air conditioning module and in some cases completely separate from the helmet.

However, it is also possible for the control device as a whole to be arranged outside the air conditioning module.

The control device or parts of the control device can also be advantageously attached to the user's piece of clothing remotely from the helmet via a clip or carried in a bag. Alternatively, it is also possible to attach the control device or parts of the control device to a vehicle, for example to the handlebars of a motorcycle.

The control device can have a control element. The control element advantageously contains one or more switches and/or a display. The switch or switches can be arranged, for example, at the front of the air conditioning module or on the side of the helmet. In an alternative embodiment, the control device can be controlled via an application (app), for example on a cell phone.

In a preferred variant, the power supply is arranged outside the helmet and stored, for example, in a backpack, jacket pocket or similar and is connected to the helmet via a cable. In an alternative embodiment, a battery of a vehicle that the user of the helmet uses while wearing the helmet (for example a motorcycle or a racing car) can also serve as a power supply. Here too, the vehicle's battery is connected to the helmet via a cable. This line can preferably have a magnetic closure near the edge of the helmet, for example, where the line can be divided into two parts. The magnetic closure is particularly preferably a magnetic clip. Using this magnetic closure, the power supply from the helmet can be quickly disconnected and reconnected. In the event of a fall or accident, this connection releases quickly and without causing damage.

In one variant, the first fan preferably sucks in ambient air via a filter and the second fan sucks air out of the helmet via at least one ventilation opening, leads it past the second heat pump side and discharges it into the ambient air.

A filter is in particular an air filter that cleans the sucked-in air of impurities and prevents foreign bodies from entering the air conditioning system.

Ventilation openings are understood to mean any air-permeable opening. The second fan sucks air from the inside of the helmet through the ventilation openings.

The following explanation will be described in the case where the air conditioning device is used for cooling (first operating state). However, it also applies vice versa for heating. The air sucked in by the first fan is cooled by the first heat pump side and the cooled air is introduced into the helmet. The air sucked out of the helmet is led past the second heat pump side in order to cool it or to remove heat from it. The extracted air is slightly warmer than the ambient temperature, but the temperature is still low enough to efficiently cool the second heat pump side.

In an advantageous embodiment, the air conditioning module comprises a housing and is at least partially arranged outside the helmet. The housing is preferably made of a solid material and encloses the air conditioning module at least partially, preferably largely.

An arrangement “outside the helmet” here means an arrangement at least largely outside the shell of the helmet. However, this also explicitly includes solutions in which parts of the air conditioning module protrude, for example, into recesses in the helmet shell, in particular in the outer helmet shell and/or the helmet inner shell.

The housing of the air conditioning module is preferably connected directly to the shell of the helmet. The housing can be made of plastic, for example. The housing can be a cover. In an advantageous variant, the housing includes the components of the air conditioning module on all sides except for the side facing the helmet. The housing preferably has ventilation slots. The housing can Have fasteners such as clips or screw connections or have recesses or other adjustments for fasteners.

Advantageously, the first fan is at least partially arranged in the helmet shell and the second fan is arranged outside the helmet shell or the second fan is at least partially arranged in the helmet shell and the first fan is arranged outside the helmet shell or the first fan and the second fan are at least partially in the helmet shell arranged.

In other words, in this embodiment at least one of the two fans is at least partially arranged in the helmet shell.

“Outside the helmet shell” here means outside the helmet, but can also mean in particular directly on the helmet shell.

The fact that a component is at least partially arranged in the helmet shell means that corresponding recesses have been made or are present in the helmet shell and the component is arranged in these recesses.

Such an arrangement allows the components to be integrated in an even more space-saving manner and an even lower height of the air conditioning module above the helmet is possible.

Particularly in the third alternative, in which the first fan and the second fan are at least partially arranged in the helmet shell, the components can be integrated to save as much space as possible and a lower height of the air conditioning module above the helmet is possible.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the first fan and the second fan are arranged outside the helmet shell. The advantage here is that no recesses need to be made in the helmet shell.

Preferably, the climate control module or parts of the climate control module are attached to the helmet via one or more releasable connections, and the climate control module or parts of the climate control module detach in the event of an impact that exceeds a certain force on the helmet.

In a motorcycle helmet, it is important that the climate control module detaches from the helmet in the event of an impact, thereby preventing the user of the helmet from being injured and/or the helmet from being damaged and thus its protective effect becomes less. In particular, it is important that no hard or sharp parts, such as components of the air conditioning module, penetrate the helmet due to impact and injure the user. This can be largely prevented or at least made significantly less likely by detaching the climate control module from the helmet upon impact.

Depending on the embodiment, it may be that some components - for example a fan or the heat pump arrangement - of the air conditioning module are completely or partially integrated into the helmet shell. It is then possible to arrange the detachable connections in such a way that these components, wholly or partially integrated into the helmet shell, remain in or on the helmet in the event of an impact and only the other elements of the air conditioning module detach from the helmet.

Particularly preferably, the releasable connection has or is one or more clips and/or one or more plug-in connections and/or one or more plastic screws, which are designed in such a way that they break or come loose when a predetermined force is applied.

A clip is a spring clamp that uses the force of a spring to connect several components together. With a plug connection, two parts are plugged into one another. These may or may not snap into place. A plastic screw that breaks under a predetermined force serves as a kind of predetermined breaking point. In addition, when using plastic screws instead of metal screws, the likelihood of injury to the user is significantly lower.

If clips or plug-in connections are used, it is possible that they come loose under a predetermined force without being damaged, or clips or plug-in connections used can break under a predetermined force.

The force effect at which the detachable connection is released is selected so that it is released at forces that reach or exceed a predeterminable threshold value. This threshold value can be chosen so that it corresponds, for example, to a test standard for protective helmets (e.g. ECE22 or DOT).

In a preferred embodiment, the air conditioning module can be applied to the helmet as a retrofit module with at least one detachable connection and removed from the helmet.

With a retrofit model, the helmet is fully functional even without the climate control module and the climate control module can be mounted independently by a non-expert on, on or into a commercially available helmet or a helmet that has only been slightly adapted. In particular, no adjustments to the helmet shell are necessary during assembly to install the retrofit module and no channels or hoses need to be installed inside the helmet.

A retrofit solution has the advantage that a customer can buy a helmet independently of the climate control module and only buys it when necessary. If the climate control module can be mounted on a standard helmet, the customer has maximum flexibility. However, it is also possible for the helmet without an air conditioning module to have slight adjustments made, which will then enable you to install an air conditioning module later if necessary.

In this case, it is also easily possible to remove the air conditioning module if it is no longer needed, is defective or, for example, is to be sold separately.

The air conditioning module preferably forms a prefabricated one-piece structural unit in which all components except for the power cable, the power supply and, if applicable, the control device or parts of the control device are integrated. This also enables easy installation.

The invention further includes a helmet which is suitable for accommodating an air conditioning module according to the invention, wherein the air conditioning module can be releasably attached to or on the helmet and removed without damaging the helmet or the air conditioning module.

It is advantageous here if a correspondingly suitable helmet needs to be adjusted as little as possible to accommodate an air conditioning module. Possible adjustments to the helmet could include a recess for the heat pump assembly and/or a recess for the first and/or the second fan and/or the external duct. Furthermore, in a correspondingly adapted helmet there can be connection options such as threads and/or clipping points and/or plug-in points for attaching the climate control module and/or a feedthrough in the outside of the helmet Helmet inner shell for the power cable and/or the connection to the control device can be present.

A helmet according to the invention can therefore be purchased independently of the air conditioning module and this can then be easily installed as a retrofit solution by a non-expert.

In a variant, the helmet can already have integrated power cables, which serve to connect the air conditioning module and a power supply and/or a control device or parts of a control device.

An appropriately prepared helmet offers the customer great flexibility. It is also advantageous that the helmet is not visually or functionally impaired even without an air conditioning module and can be used without restrictions.

The air conditioning module can be attached, for example, using plastic screws or detachable clips or plug-in connections. These can also be removed again without any damage.

The invention further includes a helmet according to the invention with an air conditioning module according to the invention.

In the case of a helmet according to the invention with an air conditioning module according to the invention, the air conditioning module can be designed as a retrofit solution. However, it is also possible that the air conditioning module is integrated in the helmet, or is attached to it in a non-detachable manner or at least not easily removable for a non-expert. For example, an overall cover or an overall shell made of plastic, for example, can be provided for the air conditioning module and the helmet.

The helmet preferably has a gap for a sun visor, for example. Conditioned air is preferably directed through this gap into the front area of the helmet, especially the area near the visor.

Nowadays, motorcycle helmets in particular often have, in addition to a first visor, which is largely transparent, a second visor, in particular a sun visor or a sun visor. Such a sun visor can have a certain tint and can be made smaller than the first transparent visor. Such a sun visor can also be folded up and down separately from the first transparent visor. As opposed to The first transparent visors, which are often folded up outside the helmet, often allow the sun visor to be moved into a gap in or below the helmet shell. Such a gap is often closed towards the interior of the helmet. This gap is therefore particularly suitable for directing the air into the front area of the helmet, especially into the area near the visor. The gap can be used for air conduction in the case of both a folded down and a folded up visor.

In a further preferred embodiment, the helmet has a visor with an inside visor and the air conditioning module is connected to the inside of the visor in an air-conducting manner.

The air can, for example, be directed via a wide gap, which represents a channel-like structure, into the front area of the helmet, in particular into the area between the user's face and the visor.

The invention also includes a method for mounting a climate control module according to the invention on a helmet according to the invention, wherein the mounting includes fastening the climate control module with one or more plastic screws and/or with one or more clips and/or with one or more plug connections.

Furthermore, the assembly can include fastening or laying cables for powering the fans and the heat pump arrangement. Furthermore, the assembly can include attaching a power supply and a control device or parts of a control device.

The invention further includes a method for operating an air conditioning module according to the invention.

The total weight of the air conditioning module is preferably less than 400 g. The total weight is particularly preferably between 70 g and 250 g. The total weight is the weight that the air conditioning module adds to the helmet weight.

The air conditioning module advantageously has a height of less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm. As a result, the climate control module only slightly increases the overall height of the helmet and therefore only slightly influences the air resistance.

Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference numbers referring to the same or similar or functionally the same components.

Fig. 1

eine seitliche Ansicht eines Helms mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Klimatisierungsmodul in Benutzung,

Fig. 2

eine seitliche Ansicht eines Helms mit einem alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Klimatisierungsmodul in Benutzung,

Fig. 3

Links eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Helms mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Klimatisierungsmodul und rechts ein erfindungsgemäßes Klimatisierungsmodul,

Fig. 4

Links eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Helms mit einem alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Klimatisierungsmodul und rechts ein alternatives erfindungsgemäßes Klimatisierungsmodul,

Fig. 5

Ansicht von unten auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Klimatisierungsmodul mit Gehäuse bzw. Abdeckung,

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Helms mit einem alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Klimatisierungsmodul,

Fig. 7

eine seitliche Ansicht eines Helms mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Klimatisierungsmodul.

It shows each schematically

Fig. 1

a side view of a helmet with an air conditioning module according to the invention in use,

Fig. 2

a side view of a helmet with an alternative air conditioning module according to the invention in use,

Fig. 3

On the left a perspective view of a helmet with an air conditioning module according to the invention and on the right an air conditioning module according to the invention,

Fig. 4

On the left a perspective view of a helmet with an alternative climate control module according to the invention and on the right an alternative climate control module according to the invention,

Fig. 5

View from below of an air conditioning module according to the invention with housing or cover,

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a helmet with an alternative climate control module according to the invention,

Fig. 7

a side view of a helmet with an air conditioning module according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a helmet 1 with an air conditioning module 2 in a side view. The air conditioning module 2 is arranged in the upper area of the helmet 14. The housing 5 of the air conditioning module 2 is not shown for reasons of clarity. A heat pump arrangement 8 with a first heat pump side 9 and a second heat pump side 10 is designed here as a thermoelectric module 11.

A first fan 12 is arranged so that during operation it leads air past the first heat pump side 9 and introduces the conditioned air 3 into the helmet 1. A second fan 13 is arranged so that during operation it leads air 4 out of the helmet 1 and past the second heat pump side 10.

The helmet 1 also has a visor 19 with an inside visor 20.

There is an air-conducting connection between the air conditioning module 2 and the area around the visor 19, in particular with the inside of the visor 20. The user wears glasses 23. The air conditioning module 2 allows the glasses 23 and/or the inside of the visor 20 to fog up less or not.

During operation, the first fan 12 sucks in ambient air 17 via a filter (not shown in the drawing), leads it through an external channel 6a and past the first heat pump side 9 and into the helmet 1. During operation, the second fan 13 sucks air out of the helmet 1 via the ventilation opening 18, leads it past the second heat pump side 10 and discharges it into the ambient air 17.

A first heat exchanger 21 is arranged on the first heat pump side 9 of the heat pump arrangement 8. A second heat exchanger 22 is arranged on the second heat pump side 10.

The heat pump arrangement 8 is designed here as a thermoelectric module 11 or as a Peltier element. The air conditioning module 2 can be operated in a first operating state. For this purpose, a current with a first current direction is applied to the Peltier element. The first heat pump side 9 cools down and the second heat pump side 10 heats up. In the present exemplary embodiment this is first heat pump side 9 the useful side. In the first operating state, heat is therefore absorbed on the first heat pump side 9 via the first heat exchanger 21 from the air that was sucked in by the first fan 12 and is guided past the first heat pump side 9. The air flowing past is therefore efficiently cooled. The cooled air 3 is introduced into the helmet 1, where it flows to the area to be air-conditioned in the front area 7 of the helmet 1.

Heat exchange takes place in the helmet 1 and the conditioned air 3 cools the user. The air 4 that is thereby reheated can now be sucked out of the helmet 1 through the ventilation opening 18 by the second fan 13 and guided past the second heat pump side 10. Although the air at this point is warmer than the temperature of the ambient air 17, the temperature is still low enough to cool the second heat pump side 10 efficiently.

In this first operating state, the second heat pump side 10 heats up and releases waste heat into the air flowing past via the second heat exchanger 22. The air flowing past here is thereby further heated and released into the ambient air 17.

In a second operating state, the Peltier element is operated with a second current direction that has the opposite sign to the first current direction. The second operating state works largely in the same way as the first operating state, except that it is heated and not cooled. In the second operating state, the air flowing past the first heat pump side 9 is heated via the first heat exchanger 21. According to the first operating state, the conditioned, here heated air 3 is directed into the front area of the helmet 7, where it can give off heat to the user and/or prevent the inside of the visor 20 or the glasses 23 from fogging up. The air 4 can now be sucked out of the helmet 1 through the ventilation opening 18 by the second fan 13, flows past the second heat exchanger 22 on the second heat pump side 10 and is discharged to the ambient air 17.

Regardless of the operating state, the air 3 flows over a wide gap into the area near the inside of the visor 20.

Fig. 2 shows a helmet 1 with an air conditioning module 2 in an alternative embodiment in a side view. The air conditioning module 2 is here via one larger part of the upper area of the helmet 14 expanded. The first fan 12 is arranged further forward in the upper region of the helmet 14, while the second fan 13 is arranged further back in the upper region of the helmet 14. The heat pump arrangement 8, which is designed here as a thermoelectric module 11, is also arranged further forward in the upper area of the helmet 14 near the first fan 12. The first fan 12 is integrated into the helmet shell 29. The second fan 13 is connected to the heat pump arrangement 8 via an external channel 6b, which is located outside the helmet shell 29. In the upper front area of the helmet there is a wide gap 31 for a sun visor (which is not shown here for reasons of clarity). This gap 31 is closed towards the interior of the helmet, so that no air exchange takes place in this direction. By means of this gap 31, air 3 introduced here is directed into the front area of the helmet 7 between the visor 19 and the face. During operation, the first fan 12 sucks in ambient air 17, leads it past the first heat pump side 9 of the heat pump arrangement 8 and introduces it into the helmet 1, where it can flow into the front area of the helmet 7 and cool or cool the user's head. can warm. The exhaust air 4 is then sucked out through the ventilation opening 18 by means of the second fan 13 and directed via the external channel 6b to the heat pump arrangement 8, where it flows past the second heat pump side 10 and flows out into the environment 17. In Fig. 2 A control device 25 and a power supply 26 can also be seen roughly schematically, both of which are arranged remotely from the helmet 1 and are connected to the air conditioning module 2 via electrical cables. Via the control device 25, the air conditioning module 2 can operate in the first operating state, the second operating state or the third operating state or can set the air conditioning module 2 into a switched off state or a standby state. Furthermore, the power of the first fan 12 and/or the second fan 13 and/or the thermoelectric module 11 can be adjusted via the control device 25.

Fig. 3 shows on the left a perspective view of a helmet 1 with an air conditioning module 2 and on the right a perspective view of an air conditioning module 2. The first fan 12 is integrated into the helmet shell 29 and the second fan 13 is located outside the helmet shell 29. The second fan 13 is in the rear The upper area 14 of the helmet 1 is arranged and sucks air out of the helmet 1 via a ventilation opening 18 and the first fan 12 is arranged further forward in the upper area 14 of the helmet 1. An external channel 6b also connects the second fan 13 to it heat pump arrangement 8 arranged further forward in the upper area 14 of the helmet 1. The external channel 6b has a circular recess for the air passage 24. As a result, ambient air 17 can be sucked in unhindered by the first fan 12 through the recess for the air duct 24.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is also possible for the detachable connections to be designed in such a way that the fan 12 integrated in the helmet 1 and optionally also the heat pump arrangement 8 remain in the helmet 1 and only the remaining parts of the air conditioning module 2 fall off in the event of an impact.

Fig. 4 shows on the left a perspective view of a helmet 1 with an air conditioning module 2 in an alternative embodiment and on the right a perspective view of an air conditioning module 2 in an alternative embodiment. The arrangement of the components, in particular the fans 12, 13, corresponds to the arrangement Fig. 3 . The main difference is that in Fig. 4 the recess in the air duct 24 in the external channel 6, 6b is not circular, but rather semicircular. The external channel 6, 6b is here only one-sided and not as in Fig. 3 passed on both sides of the area from which the first fan 12 sucks in air.

The helmet 1 is passively ventilated through additional ventilation slots 30 when driving sufficiently quickly.

In the Figures 1-4 as well as Fig. 6 the housing 5 of the air conditioning module 2 is not shown for reasons of clarity. However, it goes without saying that these exemplary embodiments can also be advantageously used with a housing 5, for example in the form of a cover.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view from below into an air conditioning module 2. Here the housing 5 is shown, which is realized here as a cover and has ventilation slots 30. The basic arrangement of the components corresponds to the arrangement Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 . The heat pump arrangement 8 has an electrical contact 15 in the form of several pins. By means of the electrical contact 15, the heat pump arrangement 8 can be energized and optionally temperature data can be read out from a temperature sensor, not shown.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a helmet 1 with an air conditioning module 2 in an alternative embodiment. Here the first fan 12 is outside Helmet shell 29 arranged. The second fan 13 is further arranged outside the helmet shell 29 and sucks air out of the helmet 1 via ventilation openings 18 (partially covered by the fan 13). In this embodiment, the external channel 6, 6b does not have a recess for the passage of air, but the first fan 12 is arranged next to the external channel 6, 6b and can therefore suck in air unhindered.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of a helmet 1 with an air conditioning module 2. In the air conditioning module 2, among other things, the first fan 12, the second fan 13 and the heat pump arrangement 8 can be seen. Here the visor 19 is folded up and the sun visor 27 can be seen. The air can be blown into the gap 31 for the sun visor 27. The gap 31 is closed off towards the interior of the helmet. The conditioned air 3 is therefore directed directly forward into the area in front of the face. The helmet 1 is passively ventilated through additional ventilation slots 30 when driving sufficiently quickly. The air conditioning module 2 is detachably attached to the helmet 1 here by means of several plastic screws 28 and optionally further plastic clips (not shown). The plastic screws 28 are designed so that they break when a predetermined force is applied, thus ensuring that in the event of an accident the plastic screws 28 break and the connection between the air conditioning module 2 and the helmet 1 is thus released.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

1

helmet

2

Air conditioning module

3

conditioned air

4

Exhaust air

5

Housing

6

external channel

6a

first external channel

6b

second external channel

7

front area of the helmet

8th

Heat pump arrangement

9

first heat pump page

10

second heat pump side

11

thermoelectric module

12

first fan

13

second fan

14

upper part of the helmet

15

Electrical contact for heat pump arrangement

16

filter

17

Ambient air

18

Ventilation opening

19

Visor

20

Inside of the visor

21

first heat exchanger

22

second heat exchanger

23

Glasses

24

Recess for air duct

25

Control device

26

Power supply

27

Sun visor

28

plastic screws

29

Helmet shell

30

Ventilation slots

31

Gap for sun visor

Claims (21)

Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1), in particular a motorcycle helmet, with at least one heat pump arrangement (8) and at least one first fan (12) and at least one second fan (13), wherein - the heat pump arrangement (8) has a first heat pump side (9) and a second heat pump side (10), - the heat pump arrangement (8) is suitable for pumping heat from the first heat pump side (9) to the second heat pump side (10) and/or from the second heat pump side (10) to the first heat pump side (9), - The air conditioning module (2) has fastening means for arranging in or on the upper area (14) of the helmet (1). - the first fan (12) and/or the second fan (13) are connected to the ambient air (17) in an air-conducting manner, - the first fan (12) guides air past the first heat pump side (9) during operation and introduces it into the helmet (1) and - The second fan (13) takes air (4) out of the helmet (1) during operation and leads it past the second heat pump side (10). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in
that the heat pump arrangement (8) is a thermoelectric module (11), in particular a Peltier element. Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in - that the heat pump arrangement (8) in a first operating state cools the air flowing past the first heat pump side (9) and heats the air flowing past the second heat pump side (10) and/or - In a second operating state , the heat pump arrangement (8) heats the air flowing past the first heat pump side (9) and cools the air flowing past the second heat pump side (10) and/or - That the heat pump arrangement (8) is deactivated in a third operating state and therefore neither heats or cools the air flowing past the first heat pump side (9) nor heats or cools the air flowing past the second heat pump side (10). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first external channel (6, 6a) connects the first fan (12) to the heat pump arrangement (8) in an air-conducting manner and/or that at least one second external channel (6, 6b) connects the second fan (13) to the heat pump arrangement (8) in an air-conducting manner. Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first external channel (6, 6a) and / or the second external channel (6, 6b) on the first fan (12) and / or on the second fan (13), in particular that the first external channel (6, 6a) and / or the second external channel (6, 6b) has a recess (24) for the air passage through which the first fan (12) and/or the second fan (13) can suck in or blow out air. Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning module (2) is connected to a control device (25) and/or a power supply (26). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to claim 6, characterized in - that the control device (25) can operate the air conditioning module (2) in the first operating state and/or the second operating state and/or the third operating state and/or - that the control device (25) can put the air conditioning module (2) into a switched off or standby state and/or - that the control device (25) can adjust the power of the first fan (12) and/or the second fan (13) and/or the heat pump arrangement (8). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that - the control device (25) is at least partially integrated in the air conditioning module (2) and/or - The power supply (26) is arranged outside the helmet (1) and outside the air conditioning module (2). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in - that the first fan (12) preferably sucks in ambient air (17) via a filter and - that the second fan (13) sucks air out of the helmet (1) via at least one ventilation opening (18), leads it past the second heat pump side (10) and discharges it into the ambient air (17). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in - that the air conditioning module (2) comprises a housing (5) and - That the air conditioning module (2) is at least partially arranged outside the helmet (1). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the first fan (12) is arranged at least partially in the helmet shell (29) and the second fan (13) outside the helmet shell (29), or - the second fan (13) is arranged at least partially in the helmet shell (29) and the first fan (12) outside the helmet shell (29), or - The first fan (12) and the second fan (13) are at least partially arranged in the helmet shell (29). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the first fan (12) and the second fan (13) are arranged outside the helmet shell (29). Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the air conditioning module (2) or parts of the air conditioning module (2) are attached to the helmet (1) via one or more detachable connections and - the air conditioning module (2) or parts of the air conditioning module (2) become detached from the helmet (1) in the event of an impact that exceeds a certain force. Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the detachable connection has one or more clips and/or one or more plug connections and/or one or more plastic screws (28) which are designed in such a way that they break or come loose when a predetermined force is applied. Air conditioning module (2) for a helmet (1) according to one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the air conditioning module (2) can be applied to the helmet (1) as a retrofit module with at least one detachable connection and removed from the helmet. Helmet (1) suitable for receiving an air conditioning module (2) according to one of claims 1-15, wherein the air conditioning module (2) can be detachably attached to or on the helmet (1) and without damaging the helmet (1) or the air conditioning module ( 2) can be removed. Helmet (1) with an air conditioning module (2) according to one of claims 1-15. Helmet (1) according to one of claims 16-17, wherein the helmet (1) has a gap (31), for example for a sun visor (27), and conditioned air (3) preferably through the gap (31) into the front area of the helmet (7), in particular the area near the visor (19). Helmet (1) according to one of claims 16-18, with a visor (19) with an inside of the visor (20) , characterized in that the air conditioning module (2) is connected to the inside of the visor (20) in an air-conducting manner. Method for mounting a climate control module (2) according to one of claims 1-15 on a helmet (1), wherein the mounting involves fastening the climate control module with one or more plastic screws (28) and/or with one or more clips and/or with one or contains several plug connections. Method for operating an air conditioning module (2) according to one of claims 1 to 15.

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