FR3069759A1 - AIR CLEANING HELMET FOR DYNAMIC USE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective helmet (1) comprising a protective shell (2) delimiting an internal cavity (25) for receiving the head of a user (7) and a Corona-effect air purification device (5). the helmet (1) comprising: a duct (220) having: an air inlet (21) positioned at an outer face (20) of the protective shell (2); an outlet opening into an air inlet (503) of the purification device (5); a guide (221, 222, 3) for guiding a flow of purified air to the internal cavity (25), and extending from an air outlet (504) of the purification device (5) to a front portion (3) configured to be disposed opposite the mouth (72) or nose (71) of the user (7) of the helmet.

Description

AIR CLEANING HELMET FOR DYNAMIC USE

The invention relates to exhaust air purification, and in particular to portable air purification devices intended for individual users.

Air pollution is becoming a major public health issue, particularly in urban areas, which can concentrate significant proportions of particles and dust in the air. The public authorities are implementing policies to reduce harmful emissions, but people are still faced with air that includes a large number of pollutants from various sources. The presence of air pollutants is even more problematic for people engaged in physical activity and aspirating an increased quantity of air, for example cyclists in urban areas.

The wearing of masks has poor efficiency and induces a suction effort which can be oppressive for the wearer of the mask. In addition, this breathing effort is all the more important as the wearer of the mask exercises significant physical activity.

Document KR200474766U proposes a helmet which in particular makes it possible to protect the head of a cyclist and to purify air for its user. The helmet notably includes a Corona purifier forming a hinge between a visor and a cap of the helmet. The hinge allows you to adjust the inclination of the visor. The Corona Purifier purifies the air using Corona discharges and generates an ionic wind to create a flow of purified air to the user.

However, such a helmet has drawbacks. Indeed, the quantity of purified air and the level of purity of this air prove to be insufficient. In particular, the quantity of purified air is very insufficient for dynamic use, for example for an urban cyclist exerting a moderate effort, for which the air requirement is estimated at at least 100 liters per minute.

The invention aims to solve one or more of these drawbacks. The invention thus relates to a protective helmet comprising a protective shell delimiting an internal cavity for receiving the head of a user and a Corona effect air purification device, the helmet comprising:

-a conduit having:

-an air inlet positioned at an external face of the protective shell;

-an outlet opening into an air inlet of the purification device; a guide for guiding a flow of purified air up to the internal cavity, and extending from an air outlet of the purification device up to a front part configured to be arranged opposite the helmet operator's mouth or nose.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

The invention also relates to the following variants. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the characteristics of the following variants can be combined independently with the above characteristics, without however constituting an intermediate generalization.

According to a variant, said air inlet of the duct is delimited by a deflector fixed on the external face of the protective shell;

According to yet another variant, the helmet further comprises a visor having a tight junction with said protective shell and extending as far as vis-à-vis the mouth or nose of the user of the helmet.

According to another variant, the protective shell comprises an internal cap delimiting a pipe between the air outlet of the purification device and an orifice opening into the internal cavity at the level of said tight junction.

According to yet another variant, the internal cap delimits said duct between its air inlet and the air inlet of the purification device.

According to a variant, said purification device comprises a module for generating a Corona effect comprising first and second electrodes and a supply circuit configured to selectively apply a potential difference between these first and second electrodes.

According to another variant, the first electrode has a conductive tip made of conductive carbon material.

According to yet another variant, the second electrode includes a metal grid positioned transversely to the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet of the purification device.

According to yet another variant, the second electrode includes a metallic foam.

According to a variant, the helmet comprises a particle capture module including first and second conductive plates positioned between the air inlet and the air outlet of the purification device, and a supply circuit configured to selectively apply a potential difference between these first and second conductive plates.

According to another variant, said purification device is removably attached to said protective shell.

According to another variant, said first and second plates are non-planar.

According to yet another variant, the particle capture module and the Corona effect generation module share the same supply circuit configured to apply the same potential difference between the first and second conductive plates and between the first and second electrodes .

According to a variant, said purification device is configured to generate an ionic wind towards said guide.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

According to another variant, the air inlet of said purification device is in communication with the external face of the protective shell exclusively via said conduit.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a helmet according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of the helmet of FIG. 1 in a first plane;

FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal section of the helmet of FIG. 1 in a second plane;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of a helmet according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view in simplified longitudinal section of an exemplary implementation of a purification device;

FIG. 6 is a top view in simplified longitudinal section of the purification device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a simplified longitudinal section view of a variant of a Corona module of the purification device;

FIG. 8 is a simplified longitudinal section view of a variant of a particle capture module.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of protective helmet 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The helmet 1 comprises in a manner known per se a protective shell 2 delimiting an internal cavity 25 for receiving the head of a user 7.

FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of the helmet 1 at the level of the inlet duct 220 detailed below. FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal section of the helmet 1 at the level of the outlet duct 222 and the outlet orifice 224, detailed below.

In a nonlimiting manner and known per se, the protective shell 2 comprises a rigid external cap 23 is an internal cap 24 made of compressible material. The outer cap 23 is for example made of resin reinforced with fibers. The outer cap 23 here delimits an outer face 20. The inner cap 24 is for example made of polystyrene, possibly coated with a textile. The internal cap 24 here delimits the internal cavity 25.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

In the example illustrated here, the helmet 1 also comprises a transparent visor 3 making it possible in particular to protect a part of the user's face 7. The visor 3 is fixed to the protective shell 2. At least in the position illustrated in this example, a waterproof junction 4 is formed between the visor 3 and the protective cap 2. In the example illustrated, the waterproof junction 4 is an elastomer layer securing the visor 3 to the shell 2 at a covering. The watertight junction 4 is here formed over the entire upper edge of the visor 3. The visor 3 extends in this example from orifices 223 and 224 up to a frontal zone disposed opposite the mouth 72 and nose 71 of user 7.

The helmet 1 also includes a Corona effect air purification device 5. In the example illustrated, the device 5 is placed in a housing of the internal cap 24.

An air inlet 21 is positioned at the outer face 20 of the protective shell 2. The air inlet 21 is here in the form of an orifice passing through the outer cap 23 in its front part. The air inlet 21 here forms one end of a conduit 220. The conduit 220 extends to an outlet end, opening into an air inlet of the purification device 5. The conduit 220 is formed in the protective shell 2, in this case in the internal cap 24.

The purification device 5 has an outlet. According to the invention, a guide is formed to guide the flow of purified air from the outlet of the purification device 5 to the internal cavity 25, at the nose 71 and / or the mouth 72 of the user. 7. The purified air flow guide here includes:

a pipe connected to the outlet of the purification device 5, and being split into two pipes 221 and 222;

an internal face 31 of the visor 3.

The purified air flow guide is intended to guide the purified air as far as the nose 71 and / or the mouth 72 of the user 7, in order to minimize the mixing of this air purified with surrounding stale air.

The conduit 220 is here delimited by the internal cap 24. The conduits 221 and 222 are here delimited by the internal cap 24. The conduits 221 and 222 are here formed on either side (in the transverse direction) of the purification device 5. The conduits 221 and 222 here extend longitudinally up to respective orifices 223 and 224. The orifices 223 and 224 are formed in the internal cap 24 and open into the internal cavity 25 at the sealed junction 4. The orifices 223 and 224 are provided here (in the transverse direction) on either side of the air inlet 21.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

Advantageously, the air inlet 21 of the duct is delimited by an external deflector 230 (as illustrated in FIG. 2). The deflector 230 is fixed on the external face 20 of the protective shell 2. Such a deflector makes it possible to force an air flow towards the conduit 220 during a movement of the user 7 with his helmet. Such a deflector 230 therefore makes it possible to increase the air flow rate through the purification device 5, which promotes an increase in the flow rate of purified air for dynamic use. Such a deflector 230 advantageously has a relatively small passage section, in order to increase the purification efficiency of the air flow. Tests have notably been carried out with a deflector 230 having a rectangular passage section of 45 mm by 5 mm.

The air inlet 21 is advantageously positioned at the level of the front edge of the shell 2, in order to obtain the maximum air pressure for the stale air entering the duct 220. It is thus possible to maximize the flow of air through the purification device 5.

To increase the air flow through the purification device 5, its air inlet is advantageously in communication with the external face 20 of the shell 2 exclusively through the conduit 20.

It is also possible to envisage providing several stale air intake conduits, opening into one or more devices for purifying the helmet 1, in order to multiply the sources of generation of a stream of purified air.

The air flow is illustrated by the arrows in broken lines in Figure 1. Stale air enters the duct 220 through the air inlet 21. The stale air reaches then the purification device 5, where it is purified. The purified air leaves the device 5 and flows into the conduits 221 and 222. The purified air then enters the internal cavity 25 via the orifices 223 and 224. The purified air is then collected by the part top of the visor 3. The purified air is then guided by the internal face 31 of the visor 3 to an area facing the nose 71 and the mouth 72 of the user.

The use of a sealed junction 4 between the visor 3 and the shell 2 makes it possible to limit as much as possible the mixture between purified air and stale air before reaching the user's nose or mouth 7 Such a configuration makes it possible in particular to avoid as much as possible stale air present at the level of the external face 30 of the visor from reaching the internal cavity 25 without having passed through the purification device 5.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

Figures 5 and 6 are simplified longitudinal sectional views of an exemplary implementation of a purification device 5. The purification device 5 comprises a housing 50 defining an air flow pipe. The purification device 5 has an air inlet 503 connected to the downstream end of the duct 512. The air inlet 503 communicates with the interior of the housing 50. The purification device 5 has an air outlet 504 connected to the upstream end of the outlet pipe. The air outlet 504 communicates with the interior of the housing 50. Grids 501 and 502 are disposed respectively at the level of the air inlet 503 of the air outlet 504, in order to prevent a user from can reach the interior of the housing 50. The arrow in broken lines corresponds to the direction of air flow in the purification device

5.

The purification device 5 with Corona effect comprises a module for generating a Corona effect 51. The module 51 here comprises several electrodes 511 intended to be polarized with a first electrical potential. The module 52 also comprises an electrode 512 positioned opposite the electrodes 511, and intended to be polarized with a second electrical potential. The electrodes 511 are spaced from the electrode 512. Thus, an air space separates the electrodes 511 from the electrode 512.

A potential difference is therefore applied selectively between the electrode 512 and the electrodes 511. The applied potential difference is configured to generate a Corona effect between the electrodes 511 and the electrode 512. This potential difference is therefore dependent on the distance between the electrodes 511 and the electrode 512, in order to obtain an electric field sufficient to generate a Corona effect. For example, for a distance between the electrode 512 and the electrodes 511 of between 2 and 3 mm, the potential difference applied may be equal to 4 kV.

In order to apply appropriate potentials to the electrodes 511 and the electrodes 512, the purification device 5 is connected to a supply circuit 6. The supply circuit 6 is here offset relative to the purification device 5. The circuit power supply 6 is here arranged in a housing formed in the internal cap 24. The power supply circuit 6 is electrically connected to the purification device 5. The power supply circuit 6 here advantageously comprises a low voltage rechargeable battery (for example typically of the order of 3.7 V) and a DC / DC step-up converter to generate the potential difference applied between the electrodes 511 electrodes 512. The supply circuit 6 is here advantageously positioned at an edge of the internal cap 24, which allows its disassembly or its connection to an external voltage source, in order to recharge its battery, the AC if applicable.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

Advantageously, the purification device 5 or the supply circuit 6 have a deactivation switch. Such a switch makes it possible, for example, to interrupt the operation of the purification device 5, for example when the humidity of the air is too high and risks significantly lowering the breakdown voltage of the Corona 51 module.

The electrodes 511 are here fixed to the housing 50 by means of a support 513. The support 513 can be perforated so as not to alter the flow of air through the housing 50.

In order to limit the inspiration effort of the user and in order to increase the flow of purified air through the purification device 5, the Corona module 51 is advantageously arranged so as to generate an ionic wind from the outlet d air 504. According to tests carried out, it was possible to obtain an ionic wind of 0.4 m / s from the purification device 5 towards the outlet conduits 221 and 222. For this purpose, the potential applied to the electrodes 511 is here greater than the potential applied to the electrode 512.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a variant of the Corona module 51. The electrodes 511 are here identical to those described with reference to the previous variant. The electrode 512 is here replaced by a metal foam electrode 514. Such a metal foam electrode is here positioned transversely to the air flow through the housing 50. Such a metal foam electrode 514 promotes an increase in the purification efficiency of the air flow through the device 5.

Advantageously, the electrodes 511 each comprise a conductive tip made of conductive carbon material. Such conductive tips make it possible in particular to reduce or eliminate the amount of ozone generated in the Corona 51 module. The tips can for example have a length of between 3 and 10 mm.

For a housing 50 having a certain width, several electrodes 511 are distributed in the width of the housing 50, in order to generate a Corona effect over this entire width. In the example illustrated, six electrodes 511 are distributed across the width of the housing 50.

Advantageously, the electrode 512 is implemented in the form of a metal grid positioned transversely to the air flow through the housing 50. Such a metal grid promotes the generation of a Corona effect on most of the section for the passage of air through the housing 50, while maintaining a significant ionic wind.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

In order to improve the purification efficiency of the purification device 5, it advantageously includes a particle capture module 52 in the example illustrated. Such a module 52 makes it possible to increase the purification capacity of the device 5, in the presence of a large flow of air through it.

The module 52 comprises conductive plates 521 and 522, polarized at different potentials. The supply circuit 6 is configured to selectively apply a potential difference between the conductive plates. Advantageously, the conductive plates are at the same potential as the electrodes 511, and the conductive plates 522 are at the same potential as the electrode 512, which allows the same simplified supply circuit 6 to be used to supply the module 51 and the module 52. The module 52 is here positioned downstream of the module 51 but it can also be positioned upstream. The plates 521 and 522 can for example be 8mm apart with a potential difference of 4 kV. The plates 521 and 522 are intended to fix particles passing through the device 5 when they pass through the housing 50.

Advantageously, the device 5 is removably mounted relative to the protective shell 2, which can allow the user to clean the plates 521 and 522, for example with repeated shocks or a portable blowing system to unhook the particles from these plates after using the helmet 1.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through the plates 521 and 522 of another variant. In this example, the plates 521 and 522 are not planar. The particle capture surface of the module 52 is thus increased, without affecting the size of the device 5. Advantageously, the plates 521 and 522 are corrugated.

Tests carried out with a prototype made it possible to obtain a processing efficiency of 67% using only a Corona 51 module. By combining the Corona module 51 with the particle capture module 52, it was possible to obtain a processing yield of 97.8%. These tests were carried out with aerosols of urban atmospheric particles. With a power supply circuit 6 powered by 4 x 1.5V AA batteries, we got 3 hours of autonomy. This autonomy is both satisfactory and makes it possible to limit the weight of the batteries to be included in the helmet 1.

Dynamic tests with a helmet according to the invention made it possible to obtain an air flow of 100 l / min at the level of the nose 71 and the mouth 72 of the user, with a displacement speed of 3m / s .

The table below illustrates the processing yields of the device 5 provided with the modules 51 and 52, as a function of the speed of movement:

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

The left column gives the values in m / s of movement speed, the right column gives the corresponding processing efficiency.

0.0 97.3 0.0 96.4 1.4 74.8 1.8 55.3 2.3 50.0 2.5 55.6 3.2 38.4 3.2 41.9 3.5 38.0 4.0 34.6

We have illustrated here a protective helmet having a Jet type configuration, that is to say without a chin guard. The invention also applies to so-called full-face helmets having a chin strap.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a helmet 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. As for the first embodiment, the helmet 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a protective shell 2 delimiting an internal cavity 25 for receiving the head of a user 7, an air purifying device with Corona effect 5, an inlet 21 positioned at the external face 20 of the protective shell 2 and here forming one end of a conduit 220. The conduit 220 extends to an outlet end, opening into an air inlet of the purification device 5.

The purification device 5 has an outlet. According to the invention, a guide is formed to guide the flow of purified air from the outlet of the purification device 5 to the internal cavity 25, at the nose 71 and / or the mouth 72 of the user. 7. The purified air flow guide here includes:

a line 222 connected to the outlet of the purification device 5;

a tube 8, extending from the protective shell 2 to an area facing the nose 71 and / or the mouth of the user 7. The tube 8 is intended to guide the purified air directly to the nose 71 and / or the mouth 72 of the user 7, in order to limit as much as possible the mixing of this purified air with surrounding stale air. The tubing 8 comprises for this purpose one or more outlet orifices opening out at the level of the nose 71 and / or the mouth 72 of the user 7.

ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx

Line 222 has an outlet orifice 224 opening into the internal cavity 25 of the shell 2. An inlet orifice for the tubing 8 is connected to this outlet orifice 224, in order to collect the purified air coming from the duct

Claims (15)

1. Protective helmet (1) comprising a protective shell (2) delimiting an internal cavity (25) for receiving the head of a user (7) and an air purifying device with Corona effect (5), characterized in what the helmet (1) includes: -a conduit (220) having: an air inlet (21) positioned at an external face (20) of the protective shell (2); -an outlet opening into an air inlet (503) of the purification device (5); a guide (221, 222, 3) for guiding a flow of purified air up to the internal cavity (25), and extending from an air outlet (504) of the purification device (5) to a front part (3) configured to be arranged opposite the mouth (72) or the nose (71) of the user (7) of the helmet. 2. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 1, wherein said air inlet (21) of the duct (220) is delimited by a deflector (230) fixed on the external face (20) of the protective shell (2 ); 3. protective helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a visor (3) having a sealed junction (4) with said protective shell (2) and extending to vis-à- screws to the helmet operator's mouth or nose. 4. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 3, wherein the protective shell (2) comprises an internal cap (24) defining a pipe (222) between the air outlet of the purification device (5) and an orifice (224) opening into the internal cavity (25) at the level of said sealed junction (4). 5. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 4, wherein the internal cap (24) delimits said duct (220) between its air inlet (21) and the air inlet (503) of the purification device (5). 6. Protective helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said purification device (5) comprises a module for generating a Corona effect (51) comprising first and second electrodes (511,512) and a supply circuit (6) configured to selectively apply a potential difference between these first and second electrodes. ICG011190 FR-DD18043MT Text Depot.docx 7. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first electrode (511) has a conductive tip made of conductive carbon material. 8. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second electrode includes a metal mesh (512) positioned transversely to the air flow between the air inlet (503) and the outlet d air (504) of the purification device (5). 9. Protective helmet (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second electrode includes a metal foam (514). 10. Protective helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a particle capture module (52) including first and second conductive plates (521, 522) positioned between the air inlet (503) and the air outlet (504) of the purification device (5), and a supply circuit (6) configured to selectively apply a potential difference between these first and second conductive plates. 11. Protective helmet according to claim 10, wherein said purification device (5) is removably attached to said protective shell (2). 12. Protective helmet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said first and second plates (521,522) are not planar. 13. Protective helmet according to claims 6 and 10, in which the particle capture module (52) and the Corona effect generation module (51) share a same supply circuit (6) configured to apply the same potential difference between the first and second conductive plates (521,522) and between the first and second electrodes (511,512). 14. Protective helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said purification device (5) is configured to generate an ionic wind towards said guide. 15. Protective helmet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air inlet (503) of said purification device (5) is in communication with the external face (20) of the protective shell ( 2) exclusively through said conduit (220).