PL226453B1 - Sweat-cloth for industrial protective helmets - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention

The subject of the invention is a sweatband for industrial safety helmets. The invention is intended to protect the health and life of workers employed in industries such as: construction, mining, production, transport, energy, as well as in rescue and firefighting. Particularly advantageously, the invention can be used by underground workers and rescue workers employed in mining, i.e. where severe climatic hazard conditions prevail.

From application description US 07/107 269 of October 9, 1987, a sweat sweat is known to be used to support physical exercise. The device is intended to be used during sports training in order to minimize the number of interruptions during exercise. The device consists of a headband-shaped sweatband in which a flexible vinylidene fluoride (PVDF film) is placed, on which an electronic circuit is placed. The electronic system consists of, among others, a heart rate sensor, a pace sensor, buttons activating functions, an in-ear headset and is based on a microcomputer for data processing and control of the entire device. The sensors are connected to the microcomputer by analog signals via operational amplifiers or filters. During work, the device measures the pulse and pace of exercises and transmits voice messages regarding measurements and exercises helpful during training. The functions are activated by buttons located around the perimeter of the sweatband.

Chinese utility model description no. CN 201 928 272 (U) of 8 December 2010 discloses a safety helmet with a wireless transmission system for miners used to monitor the health of miners and to facilitate rescue operations after an accident. The device consists of components such as a control system with a microprocessor, a transmitting and receiving system with a headset and a microphone, a gas sensor, two pulse sensors, a battery, and LED flashlights. The components are positioned at different locations on the helmet, both on the inside and outside of the helmet shell. The pulse sensors are attached to the helmet's headband. An LED flashlight is attached to the outer helmet shell above the visor to illuminate the space in front of the miner. The components are interconnected by wiring that is attached to the helmet's structural components. The device, via additional transmitters in mining tunnels, sends measurements from sensors to the ground management center. Thanks to this, in emergency situations, the management center has information about the health of miners in the mine and can communicate with them by voice. Additionally, if too much concentrated gas is detected, the device will alert the miner through an audible alarm in the handset.

A smart helmet for use by miners is known from Chinese utility model description No CN 202 980 317 (U) of 27 November 2012. The device consists of a radio system, LED-based light module, microcontroller, communication device, body temperature sensor, respiratory rate sensor, pulse sensor, three-axis acceleration sensor, ambient temperature sensor, carbon monoxide sensor, humidity sensor, gas sensor, display, microphone, speaker, storage and power adapter. The components are located in various places on the helmet shell and on other structural elements. During operation, the device performs the functions of wireless identification and location of the miner in real time, tracks the path traveled by the miner, measures the environment and physical condition of the miner, allows for wireless monitoring of the miner and sending wireless voice messages and messages on the display.

From the application description no. AU 2012 271 910 of 21 December 2012, a brain monitoring system is known to be mounted in a cap with a visor or other headgear with a sweatband. The device consists of an elastic sweatband on which there are discrete sensors that measure electrical impulses corresponding to brain waves. The signal is processed by the processor in the control circuit, the processed information is stored on the SD memory card. The connections between the components are made through conductive materials. The control system with the SD memory card slot is located outside the sweatband. The sweatband can be cleaned and can be disconnected from the control system during this time. The device allows for convenient implementation of the method of measuring brain waves during fatigue, mainly by operators of heavy industrial machines, e.g. miners in mines.

From application description No. US 12/093 654 of November 13, 2006, a method for measuring the heart rate in aviation helmet applications is known. The solution describes the operating principle of oximetry pulse sensors, where the transmitting LEDs of visible light or the infrared IR illumination illuminate the blood flowing in the veins. The different oxygen content in the blood, depending on the pulse, causes a different refraction and reflection of the transmitting wave, thanks to which the photodetector receives different values of the reflected wave. The described elements are placed in the helmet in the area of the head forehead and the temporal part. In addition, the helmet has elements for signaling the exceeded pulse value in the form of stimulating electrodes, a loudspeaker set and a lit LED diode. An LED located on the side of the helmet at eye level illuminates the helmet's mask. The described method of measuring the pulse on the example of a flight helmet allows the pilot to be signaled about exceeding the set thresholds through sound signals, electrical impulses and light signals visible on the transparent mask of the helmet.

From application description No. US 11/344 476 of January 31, 2006, a device for measuring body temperature in applications for helmets or other headgear such as headbands is known. The device is intended for people who practice sports and workers in warm environmental conditions, such as miners in mines. The device consists of a temperature sensor in the form of a thermistor, a control system, signaling elements in the form of a LED, a display or a loudspeaker. A thermistor measures the temperature of the scalp in the forehead area. Additionally, in order to measure the pulse, the device has a positive electrode and a negative electrode located in the forehead to measure the voltage that is correlated with the pulse. All components are connected to each other by wires. The control circuit is assembled on the printed circuit board. The signaling elements are placed on the lateral side of the head. The device, on the example of a helmet or a band, allows you to monitor the health of an employee or athlete in terms of measuring skin temperature and pulse, and displays the measured values on the display, which is located on the side of the head. Exceeding the set temperature value is signaled by an acoustic signal or a light signal in the form of an LED diode located on the side of the head.

From the Korean application description no. KR 2002 0 043 471 of 10 June 2002, an open headband helmet with a shape similar to a headset is known for measuring psychological states. The device has sensors to measure the electrical potential of the brain, brain waves, skin resistance, body temperature and blood flow rate. The sensors are located in the forehead area. In addition, the device has a wired and wireless transceiver system for transmitting information to an external computer as well as a headset with a microphone for voice communication.

From the application description no. PCT / KR 2009/007 927 of 30 December 2009, a protective helmet and a bandage measuring physiological parameters are known. The protective helmet has a pulse sensor, a body temperature sensor, a converter of non-electrical values into electrical signals and a system for wired or wireless communication. The components are placed on the helmet's main strap. The device measures the pulse and body temperature, processes the signals and transmits them to other devices outside the helmet. In conjunction with additional system elements such as a wristband or a computer, the device allows you to monitor, detect and signal health emergencies.

There is a prototype of a mining protective helmet for pulse measurement, which is generally described in the Miro News magazine of the Mineral Industry Research Organization, edition V26 / 1 spring / summer 2012. The helmet has built-in non-contact optical sensors for pulse measurement called MiMoS (Mining Industry Mobile Sensor), and a wireless transmitting system to transmit the measured information via the local network to a remote monitoring station. The MiMoS sensors are based on the photoplasmogram technology (PPG, variable light absorption through the skin, similar to the principle of the pulse oximeter) and are installed on the headband of the helmet. The helmet was developed by the University of Nottingham, UK.

The SMART Cycling Helmet of the manufacturer LifeBEAM (Israel) is known and is a product currently available on the market. The device has an oximetric pulse sensor located in the front part of the helmet in the forehead area, a 3-axis acceleration sensor, a radio module transmitting information in the bluetooth standard and a control system based on a microcontroller. During operation, the helmet sends information about the pulse and the parameters of the cyclist's movement to the mobile device on which a dedicated application is installed. Through the application, the user receives information about the completed training. A similar product of the same company with the same principle of operation is the sports cap SMART Hat LifeBEAM, which is the carrier of the components described above.

The subject of the invention is a sweatband for industrial safety helmets. It consists of a removable sweat-absorbent material, shaped to be attached to helmets

PL 226 453 B1 protective. The sweatband has a built-in printed circuit with an installed electronic circuit. The electronic circuit comprises at least one integrated face ambient temperature sensor connected to at least one integrated temperature sensor on the skin surface at the forehead area and at least one integrated infrared or visible light sensor for pulse measurement and at least one vibration motor for tactile signaling. The said electronic system is connected, via a connection, to an external control system which, by means of a vibration motor, signals that the parameters monitored by said sensors have been exceeded.

Preferably, the electronic circuit includes at least one integrated infrared proximity sensor.

Preferably, the printed circuit is permanently attached to the sweatband through an adhesive joint, and the printed circuit is made of a rigid-flexible or flexible material.

Preferably, the integrated temperature sensor for measuring the temperature on the skin surface at the forehead is molded with thermally conductive plastic to form a shield that passes through an opening in the sweat-wicking material such that it protrudes from 0.1 to 2 mm. .

The sweatband for industrial safety helmets is intended for use with an industrial safety helmet with an integrated control system. The inventive sweatband in conjunction with the control system is able to measure the physiological parameters of workers wearing a helmet with the sweatband attached.

Thanks to the use of a vibration motor, the sweatband signals the employee's health hazard through vibrations felt by the employee. The vibration motor allows the employee to be signaled regardless of the degree of contamination of the elements in the case of standard traffic lights and jamming by ambient sounds, as is the case with sound signals.

Each helmet sweatband is the element that gets dirty most quickly and loses its sweat-wicking properties over time. Due to this fact and taking into account the need to locate the sensors of physiological parameters in the place where the sweatband is mounted so that the measurement points are located near the forehead, these sensors are mounted in the removable sweatband for industrial protective helmets, which is the subject of this application.

The sweatband for industrial safety helmets, depending on the type of helmet, is attached by fixing holes on the hooks on the main helmet strap or by Velcro fastening. Both attachment methods allow the sweatband to be detached from the helmet and replaced with a new one. The sweatband for industrial safety helmets has a built-in printed circuit with an installed electronic system, which consists only of the elements necessary for proper operation, i.e. it has mounted sensors for measuring temperature, pulse and distance, a vibration motor and a connection with signals derived from sensors. These components are inexpensive compared to the value of the control system. Thanks to the minimum number of elements in the sweatband and their low value, it is possible to replace a worn sweatband with a new one without major economic losses.

Thanks to the use of integrated sensors and digital transmission, there is no signal interference between the sensors and the control system. In addition, integrated sensors, unlike analog sensors and measuring systems, are more resistant to environmental factors, one housing integrates all the above components, which makes the measuring system smaller, has low measurement inertia, and consumes less energy necessary for proper operation. .

The use of an integrated ambient temperature sensor in front of the face on the outer side of the sweatband allows for automatic temperature compensation, thus eliminating disturbances in the temperature measurement on the forehead in the form of sudden temperature jumps caused by wind gusts towards the face with a temperature significantly different from the body temperature in the forehead area. As a result, the value measured by the temperature sensor in the forehead area is corrected by the value of the temperature of the wind gust. The drafts can be long-lasting or short-lived, for example from the exhaust or cooling exhaust systems of machines operating in the worker's environment. Several such sensors may be used to increase the accuracy of the ambient temperature measurement in front of the face. The use of an ambient temperature sensor in front of the face minimizes the risk of triggering the alarm at the wrong time, i.e. when the employee is in good health.

PL 226 453 B1

The integrated temperature sensor on the skin surface in the forehead area is an essential and indispensable element for the health hazard signaling function. The measurement of the skin temperature on the forehead is strongly correlated with the internal temperature of the body, which allows detecting the states of overheating of the body, and in combination with the measurement of the pulse and additional measurements of the ambient temperature, it allows to detect overheating of the body in advance. In order to exclude measurement disturbances due to random errors, such as the presence of dirt on the sensor cover, which mediates the measurement, three sensors are used simultaneously to measure the temperature on the skin surface in the forehead area. The sensors are arranged in series with a distance of a few centimeters from each other. Measurements from three sensors are averaged, but if one of the three temperature values differs significantly from the others, it is not taken into account.

The integrated sensor of infrared radiation or visible light for pulse measurement is an essential and indispensable element for the implementation of the health hazard signaling function. Pulse (heart rate) measurement is strongly correlated with the general condition of the body, the state of overheating of the body, and employee fatigue. The sensor is an oximetry pulse sensor in which LED or infrared IR emitting diodes illuminate the blood flowing in the blood vessels. The different oxygen content in the blood, depending on the pulse, causes a different refraction and reflection of the transmitting wave, thanks to which the sensor's photodetector receives different values of the reflected wave. The best place to measure the heart rate in the head is the temporal arteries, which run close to the skin and are clearly visible. In order to exclude measurement disturbances resulting from random errors such as the displacement of the helmet on the head, two sets of pulse sensors can be used simultaneously for the arteries on the left and right side of the head. Additionally, for the same reason, each set of heart rate sensors may consist of an array of sensors, e.g. 1 x 3, i.e. 3 sensors in 1 vertical column. Measurements from sensors are averaged, however, taking into account the fact that the range of the measured value is known (expected) and the fact that an incorrectly positioned or dirty sensor indicates the measurement significantly deviates from the range of the expected values (the difference is 2-3 times), it is easy to reject an erroneous measurement.

The heart rate sensor uses an optical measuring method. Therefore, there must not be a diaphragm between it and the skin that would suppress the transmitted or received radiation to a degree that would prevent proper operation. For this reason, rectangular openings are made in the sweat-evacuation material at the locations where the pulse sensors are installed.

The integrated proximity sensor of infrared radiation used in the sweatband allows the detection of objects in the vicinity of the employee's face at a distance of up to 10 cm and signaling the employee about the possibility of a risk in the form of a mechanical injury. The proximity sensor, in its structure, has at least an infrared emitting diode (IR) and a photodetector. The proximity sensor works by measuring the distance from an object by measuring the transit time of the IR wave between the sensor and the closest object within range. To extend the range of this solution, more than one proximity sensor is used. In order to monitor the wide-angle area in front of the face, two extreme proximity sensors are used at the two ends of the sweatband and one proximity sensor at the middle of the sweatband. Taking advantage of the fact that the head is oval, the proximity sensors arranged in this way are able to detect objects not only in front of the face but also on the sides of the head. Due to this feature, the device is able to alert the worker who suddenly turns his head towards a dangerous object before the end of the movement. This avoids a collision with an object or reduces the force of the impact and reduces the severity of the injury. The worker is alerted by a vibration motor.

The printed circuit is permanently embedded in the sweatband through the glue joint, which eliminates its displacement in relation to the sweat-wicking material. Such shifts change the position of the sensor measuring points. In the case of the integrated pulse sensor, its measurement is most accurate in the location on the skin, under which the temporal artery runs. In the case of integrated temperature sensors at the forehead location, the location of the measurement points should be the same as during the device calibration process. Shifts of the printed circuit board during use of the device are undesirable as they can lead to distorted measurements and erroneous readings.

The printed circuit is permanently embedded in the sweatband through the glue joint, which ensures that there is no gap between the printed circuit board and the sweat wicking material, i.e. the two elements adhere tightly to each other. Thanks to this property, when using the helmet in difficult environmental conditions, such as in a mine, where large loads circulate in the air.

Due to dust values, small stones and chemically aggressive gases, these pollutants do not affect the surfaces of the printed circuit and do not damage it mechanically or chemically. Indirectly, this feature reduces the failure rate of the device. For joining electronic components and in the case described above, hot melt adhesives, for example epoxy, acrylic, are used. The glue connection described above can also be realized with a double-sided tape that has glue joints.

The built-in printed circuit is made of a rigid-flexible or flexible material, which allows the bending radius of the circumference to be adjusted to the shape of the main belt at the point where the sweatband is mounted in the helmet. Depending on the size of the helmet, the main belts are of different length and have different bending radii along the circumference, thanks to which the main belt adheres to the scalp and adapts to its shape, ensuring a stable fixation. The entire sweatband for industrial safety helmets is flexible, that is, both the printed circuit as well as the sweat wicking material and other layers of the sweatband such as an adhesive layer. The scope of the sweatband's flexibility is slightly limited by the components mounted in it, for example integrated sensors, the housings of which are non-deformable and hard. Rigid-flexible printed circuits are a hybrid structure containing both a rigid and flexible part connected into one whole. They are made in multi-layer technology. The copper traces of the flexible part enable the connection to the rigid part of the printed circuit. Rigid fragments are made of laminates on glass-epoxy (FR4), aluminum MCPCB (Metal Core Printed Circuit Board), Teflon and ceramic substrates. On the other hand, flexible fragments as well as flexible printed circuits are most often made on a polyimide laminate.

The housing of the integrated temperature sensor on the surface of the skin at the forehead, which is soldered on the printed circuit board, is sealed with a thermally conductive plastic, forming a shield that passes through the holes in the sweat-wicking material, so that the shield protrudes by a distance of 0.1 up to 2 mm. This is a feature that enables correct measurement. The thermally conductive plastic sensor cover mediates the heat flow between the skin and the sensor field. The openings in the sweat-wicking material allow the cover to protrude above the material, thereby ensuring the necessary skin contact. The distance that the cover protrudes from the sweat guide material depends on the thickness of the material and its ability to flatten with wear. The cover also protects the sensor against mechanical damage! and environmental factors such as moisture and chemically aggressive gas. Such a measuring system enables the correct measurement of the temperature on the surface of the skin at the forehead.

The thermally conductive plastic cover of the sensor housing mediates the heat flow between the skin and the sensor measuring field, which introduces the measurement time inertia to the measuring system. This delay is due to the time it takes to transfer heat from the body to the sensor's measuring field. This eliminates disturbances related to instantaneous temperature jumps from external sources, which are treated as measurement disturbances. Temperature surges can be caused by temporary warm or cold external gusts of wind, a large amount of sweat or dirt between the sensor cover and the body, temporary removal of the helmet from the head to clean the sweatband, for example. Thus, the sensor sheath provides an analog filter against measurement noise from external sources.

The integrated sensor of the ambient temperature in front of the face, in order to protect against mechanical damage and environmental factors, can also be protected by a thermally conductive plastic cover.

Due to the production technology and ensuring greater tightness of the device in the vicinity of the sensors, it is allowed that the cover of the temperature sensor housing on the skin surface in the forehead area, as well as the possible cover of the ambient temperature sensor housing in front of the face, overlap the sweat-wicking material.

The subject of the invention in an exemplary embodiment is shown in the drawing, in which fig. 1 shows a block diagram of the electronic system of a sweatband for industrial safety helmets according to the invention, fig. 2 and fig. 3 - sweatband for industrial safety helmets in two isometric views, fig. 4 - integrated circuit the temperature sensor on the skin surface in the forehead area is shown approximately, Fig. 5 - an embodiment of the invention in the form of a mining protective helmet with an attached sweatband according to the invention.

PL 226 453 B1

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The operating principle of the sweatband for industrial safety helmets (Fig. 2, 3) is based on an electronic system, the block diagram of which (Fig. 1) consists of the following elements:

- an integrated ambient temperature sensor in front of the face (1), an integrated temperature sensor on the skin surface in the forehead area (2), an integrated infrared or visible light sensor for pulse measurement (3),

- integrated proximity sensor of infrared radiation (4), vibration motor (5) for tactile signaling, connection (6) with leads of digital binary signals and bi-directional serial bus.

The sensors (1, 2, 3, 4) are connected to the terminal (6) via a bi-directional serial bus, such as for example 12C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface). The vibration motor (5) is connected to the connection (6) via a binary signal, for example one where the logic state "0" corresponds to a voltage of 0 V and the logic state "1" corresponds to a voltage of 3.3 V. All sensors (1, 2 , 3, 4) are integrated sensors, i.e. they have in their structure an analog sensor of non-electrical quantities, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital circuit for processing the digitized measured value and communication with an external controller via a bidirectional serial bus and single binary lines.

For the correct operation of the sweatband according to the invention, the industrial protective helmet has an installed control system (12).

An embodiment of the invention is its use in a mining protective helmet (Fig. 5), which is intended to protect the head of underground workers (miners).

The sweatband according to the invention, in conjunction with the control system (12), obtains new functions in the form of monitoring the health of the miner during work and warning him against health hazards. Such a sweatband is mounted in a protective helmet. Due to the harsh environmental conditions, including high ambient temperatures during the work and the nature of the work requiring high physical effort, the risk of hypothermia, i.e. overheating of the body and exhaustion of the body caused by e.g. dehydration, is a great threat to miners. Such health hazards are detected in advance by the sweatband and signaled by perceptible vibrations, light or sound signals. After detecting the signaling, the underground worker should stop working, leave the workplace and go to the designated place to rest. In many mines, these places are additionally cooled. Such places are located in different places of the mine in horizontal workings underground. Other cases of health hazards include mechanical injuries to the head, such as, for example, a blow by quickly turning the head sideways towards dangerous objects. In such situations, the protective helmet (fig. 5) is able to warn the worker of a possible head bump against surrounding objects. Detection of these objects is carried out by integrated proximity sensors of infrared radiation (4).

Due to the fact that the sweatband for industrial safety helmets is flexible, it is installed in the same way as when putting on a standard sweatband. The sweatband for industrial safety helmets is put on the main helmet belt (19) in the place of the standard installation of the sweatband (16). It is put on by sliding the sweatband over the main belt towards the bottom of the helmet in such a way that the printed circuit (9) and the sweat drainage material (7) are on both sides of the main helmet belt in the place where the sweatband (16) is mounted, i.e. on the inside and outside. Then, the sweatband is mounted by fixing the holes (8) on the hooks on the headband of the helmet (19). The location of the holes (8) on the sweatband and the corresponding hooks on the main belt (19) depends on the helmet model.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the printed circuit (9) are smaller than the dimensions of the sweat wicking material (7). Therefore, in the figures 2 and 3 shown, the printed circuit (9) is only visible through the holes in the material (7) in the vicinity of the sensors. In other embodiments of the invention, the shape and size of the printed circuit (9) may be different, for example a smaller length of the printed circuit (9) of 1/4 of the length of the material (7). Also, the shape of the printed circuit (9) can be different, for example it can include a cable harness (13). The shape of the printed circuit (9) is then enlarged by a projecting flexible strip of the printed circuit with a connector (6) in the form of a plug at its end. The plug allows you to connect the sweatband to the socket in the control system (12).

PL 226 453 B1

The control system (12) has at least a power source, such as a battery or a battery, a power supply unit for conditioning the power supply, a microcontroller for controlling the vibration motor (5) and for data processing and communication with sensors (1, 2, 3, 4), passive components necessary for its proper operation, a system for two-way wired communication.

The control system (12) is mounted within the helmet on the inside of the helmet shell (14) overhead by fastening with Velcro straps to the upper side of the harness (15). The control unit (12) is connected to the connector (6) of the sweatband (Figs. 2, 3) via a cable harness (13). The connection (6) mediates the information exchange between the integrated sensors (1, 2, 3, 4) and the vibration motor (5) and the control circuit (12) and supplies power. The measured values from the sensors are processed by a microcontroller in the control circuit (12) which activates the actuation of the vibration motor (5). The harness of the helmet (15) is attached to the main belt with the harness hook (18). The standard clip (17) is used to attach an additional chinstrap.

Claims (5)

1. A sweatband for industrial safety helmets consisting of a removable material for absorbing sweat, shaped to be attached to safety helmets, characterized in that it has an integrated printed circuit (9) with an integrated electronic circuit, which includes at least one integrated ambient temperature sensor in front of the face (1) combined with at least one integrated temperature sensor on the skin surface at the forehead area (2) and at least one integrated infrared or visible light sensor for pulse measurement (3) and at least one vibration motor (5) for signaling touchscreen, said electronic system being connected, via a connection (6), to an external control system (12) which, by means of a vibration motor (5), signals that the parameters monitored by said sensors have been exceeded. Sweatshirt according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises at least one integrated infrared proximity sensor (4). Sweatshirt according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the built-in printed circuit (9) is permanently attached to the sweatband by means of an adhesive joint. A sweatshirt according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the built-in printed circuit (9) is made of a rigid-flexible or flexible material. Sweatshirt according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the integrated temperature sensor for measuring the temperature on the skin surface at the forehead (2) is flooded with thermally conductive plastic, forming a cover (10) that passes onto the skin (10). outlet through the opening (11) in the sweat-wicking material (7) such that it protrudes by a distance of 0.1 to 2 mm.