US20150173445A1

US20150173445A1 - Apparatuses and Methods for Adjusting the Temperature Inside a Helmet

Info

Publication number: US20150173445A1
Application number: US14/139,463
Authority: US
Inventors: Grant Charles Gordon; David Shanahan; Kaleb Omar Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-23
Filing date: 2013-12-23
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

This disclosure includes various helmets that may include: a thermoelectric element having at least one heating surface and at least one cooling surface, a thermally conductive cloth disposed within the helmet and selectively coupled to either the heating surface or the cooling surface such that the cloth is in thermal communication with the thermoelectric element, and a power source. Some of the present helmets include a switch configured to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric element. Others of the present helmets include a plurality of thermally conductive fins disposed on an exterior surface of the helmet.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to helmets and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to helmets with adjustable internal temperature (e.g., heating and/or cooling the climate inside a helmet).
2. Description of Related Art
Examples of helmets with mechanisms for adjusting internal temperature are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,021, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,304.
During an impact, a user's brain is particularly susceptible to injury, for example, traumatic brain injury, which can result in death or life-long disability. Such brain injuries can occur in various settings, including, but not limited to, sporting activities such as football or automobile racing, recreational activities such as bicycling, and/or occupational activities such as construction work. Typically, helmets are a necessary safety feature for preventing serious injury during such activities, and are often mandated by law. While helmets can significantly reduce the risk and/or severity of head injuries, helmets can pose their own unique problems related to the helmet/head interface.
A helmet typically covers the top and sides of a user's head. These portions of the head are known to account for up to 10% of the body's ability to regulate internal temperature. For example, if the user's environment is warmer than the user's body temperature, the user's head can radiate substantial portions of heat through evaporation of perspiration. Conversely, if the user's environment is cooler than the user's body temperature, the human head may, through radiation or convection, transmit heat to the surrounding environment. Currently, helmets are generally designed for a specific environment (e.g., for hot or cold environments), or primarily for safety with little regard for the temperature of the surrounding environment (for example, construction hard hats, mountain climbing helmets, and racing helmets). Therefore, depending on the type of helmet and the environment in which it is worn, current helmets can noticeably inhibit a user's ability to regulate their body temperature. For example, a typical automobile racing helmet consists of a full helmet that covers all of a user's head, with many including a full face shield. If a user wears such a helmet in a hot climate (e.g., the interior of a racing car), evaporation of perspiration may be inhibited due to the insulating nature of the full helmet and/or helmet padding. Therefore, such a helmet may make the user may be more susceptible to overheating, dehydration, and/or exhaustion. Some helmets designed for hot climates and less rigorous activities, such as certain bicycle helmets, seek to remedy this problem by providing air flow channels within the helmet to channel air over the user's head. However, such air flow channels may make such helmets less desirable in cold environments. For example, in a cold environment, air flow channels within the helmet may improve convective heat transfer away from the user's head and result in an increased risk for illness, exhaustion and/or hypothermia. Therefore, a user may be required to wear an additional insulating item underneath the helmet or a different helmet without cooling channels to ensure adequate warmth. Additionally, cooling vents can compromise the structural strength of a helmet and may be unsuitable for applications requiring full head coverage (e.g., hard hats).

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present helmets can be configured to selectively cool and/or heat the interior of the helmet such that the helmet is suitable for a wide range of activities in varying environmental conditions without compromising the structural integrity of the helmet.
Embodiments of the present apparatuses and methods can be configured, through a thermally conductive cloth in thermal communication with a plurality of cooling fins disposed outside of (e.g., on an external surface of) a helmet, to transmit heat from a user's head to the environment, thereby cooling the user's head. Other embodiments of the present apparatuses and methods can be configured, through a thermoelectric element inside of a helmet in thermal communication with a thermally conductive cloth, to adjust the temperature inside of a helmet (e.g., cooling and/or heating) by varying the voltage and/or current supplied to the thermoelectric element.
Some embodiments of the present helmets comprise a thermoelectric element having at least one heating surface and at least one cooling surface, a thermally conductive cloth disposed within the helmet and selectively coupled to either the heating surface or the cooling surface such that the cloth is in thermal communication with the thermoelectric element, a power source, and a switch configured to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric element. In some embodiments an external surface of the helmet comprises a plurality of thermally conductive fins, the helmet configured such that either the heating surface or the cooling surface may be selectively thermally coupled to the external surface of the helmet. In some embodiments, the cloth comprises carbon fiber. In some embodiments, the cloth comprises silver. In some embodiments, the cloth comprises silicon. In some embodiments, the power source is configured to accept a battery. In some embodiments, the power source comprises a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the power source comprises a solar power source. In some embodiments, the cloth is disposed within the helmet such that when the helmet is worn by a user, a majority of the cloth that contacts the user's skin contacts the user's temples. Some embodiments comprise a thermostat configured to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet. In some embodiments, the thermostat is configured to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric element when a temperature inside of the helmet reaches a threshold temperature. Some embodiments comprise a timer configured to deactivate the thermoelectric element after the thermoelectric element has been activated for a certain period of time. Some embodiments comprise at least one sensor configured to capture data indicative of conditions inside of the helmet and a processor configured to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet at least partly based on the data captured by the at least one sensor. Some embodiments comprise a user input device configured to receive inputs indicative of a user's desired internal helmet temperature and a processor configured to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet at least partly based on the user inputs. In some embodiments, the helmet comprises a sports helmet. In some embodiments, the helmet comprises a motorsports helmet. In some embodiments, the helmet comprises a construction helmet.
Some embodiments of the present helmets comprise a thermally conductive cloth disposed within the helmet and a plurality of thermally conductive fins disposed on an outer surface of the helmet and in thermal communication with the cloth.
Some embodiments of the present methods comprise applying power to a thermoelectric element in thermal communication with a thermally conductive cloth that is in contact with the user's head and disposed within the helmet.
The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled” may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed embodiment, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of” what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, 10, and 20 percent.
Further, a device or system that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described.
The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, an apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those elements. Likewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.
Any embodiment of any of the apparatuses, systems, and methods can consist of or consist essentially of—rather than comprise/include/contain/have—any of the described steps, elements, and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb.
The feature or features of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, even though not described or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the embodiments.
Some details associated with the embodiments described above and others are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers. The figures are drawn to scale (unless otherwise noted), meaning the sizes of the depicted elements are accurate relative to each other for at least the embodiment depicted in the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of a first embodiment of the present helmets.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an example of a suitable thermoelectric element for use in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A depicts a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the present helmets comprising a plurality of thermally conductive fins.

FIG. 3B depicts an cutaway and partially cross-sectional side view of a portion of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present helmets comprising a control circuit.

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present helmets comprising a processor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment 100 of the present helmets. Helmet 100 may be any type of helmet configured to be worn by a user, including, but not limited to, a sports helmet (e.g., helmets for football, in-line skating, skate boarding, snowboarding, skiing, and/or biking), a motorsports helmet (e.g., helmets for on-road racing, off-road racing, for use with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes, and/or four wheelers), a construction helmet (e.g., hard hats), and/or the like. Helmet 100 comprises a thermoelectric element 101 (described in more detail below) having at least one heating surface (e.g., 101 a) and at least one cooling surface (e.g., 101 b). Helmet 100 further comprises a thermally conductive cloth 102 (described in more detail below) disposed within the helmet and selectively coupled to either heating surface 101 a or cooling surface 101 b such that the cloth is in thermal communication (e.g., as indicated by arrow 103) with the thermoelectric element. In this embodiment, helmet 100 is configured to selectively transmit heat from the thermoelectric element to the cloth (e.g., to heat the inside of the helmet) and/or from the cloth to the thermoelectric element (e.g., to cool the inside of the helmet) depending on which surface (e.g., heating surface 101 a or cooling surface 101 b) of the thermoelectric element is coupled to the cloth. Such selective coupling between the thermoelectric element and the cloth can be accomplished, facilitated, and/or retained with various physical coupling structures, including, but not limited to, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, tape, adhesive, interlocking features, and/or the like disposed on thermoelectric element 101, thermally conductive cloth 102, and/or helmet 100; however, it is desirable that at least a portion of cloth 102 directly contact thermoelectric element 101 and/or that any coupling structures between cloth 102 and thermoelectric element 101 have a high thermal conductivity to maximize heat transfer between thermoelectric element 101 and cloth 102. In the embodiment shown, helmet 100 further comprises a power source 104 (described in more detail below). Power source 104 is configured to provide power (e.g., through electrical wiring) to thermoelectric element 101. In the embodiment shown, helmet 100 further comprises a switch 106 configured to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric element (e.g., to allow or interrupt electrical communication between power source 104 and thermoelectric element 101 to turn on or off thermoelectric element). In some embodiments of the present helmets, switch 106 may be further configured to reverse the polarity of voltage and/or current applied to thermoelectric element 101 in order to accomplish the selective coupling feature described above (e.g., to reverse the polarity of voltage and/or current applied to thermoelectric element 101 and thereby change heating surface 101 a to a cooling surface and cooling surface 101 b to a heating surface). Switch 106 can comprise any switch that allows the functionality described in this disclosure, including, but not limited to, a push button switch, a toggle switch, a rocker switch, and/or the like.
Thermoelectric elements can be configured to provide a conversion between temperature differences and voltages, and generally comprise a plurality of alternating p- and n-type semiconductor elements electrically connected in series. When a voltage is applied to the free ends, the thermoelectric element transfers thermal energy from a cooling surface to a heating surface. FIG. 2 depicts an example of such a thermoelectric element 101 that includes alternating semiconductor elements (p-type semiconductor elements 202 a and n-type semiconductor elements 202 b) that are electrically connected in series (e.g., with electrically conductive plates 203) with at least two free ends 204 such that voltage can be applied to semiconductor elements 202 a and 202 b. Thermoelectric element 101 further comprises thermally conductive plates 206 (shown partially cutaway) which can, for example, comprise ceramic and/or metallic plates. Thermally conductive plates 206 can be configured to enhance heat transfer between the semiconductor elements and the adjacent environment by evenly dispersing heat across the surface and/or functioning as a heat sink. Thermoelectric elements (e.g., 101) typically have no moving parts, are capable of precise temperature control (e.g., through control of applied voltage and/or current), and are relatively small, making them suitable for temperature control in user-wearable items (e.g., helmet 100).
Thermally conductive cloth 102 can be constructed from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, carbon fiber, silver, copper, and/or silicon. Thermally conductive cloth 102 can, for example, be constructed from a material with a high thermal conductivity (indicative of the quantity of heat transmitted through a unit thickness in a direction normal to a surface of unit area, due to a unit temperature gradient under steady state conditions) to maximize heat transfer to or from thermoelectric element 101 (e.g., a thermal conductivity above 100 watts per meter kelvin (W/mK)). In some embodiments, the thermally conductive cloth (e.g., 102 and/or 102 a) further comprises an insulating liner disposed between the outer surface of the helmet and the thermally conductive portion of the cloth. Through such features, undesired heat transfer between the environment and the helmet can be minimized such that the majority of heat transfer within helmet 100 occurs between the user's head and the thermally conductive cloth. In the embodiment shown, thermally conductive cloth 102 is disposed within helmet 100 such that when the helmet is worn, substantially all of a user's head within the helmet contacts thermally conductive cloth 102. However, in other embodiments, cloth 102 is configured such that a majority of the portion of the cloth that contacts the user's skin when the helmet is worn contacts specific areas of a user's head (e.g., areas of a user's head that are most sensitive to heat transfer, such as, for example, a user's temples). In such embodiments, the present helmets can be configured to require less power and/or focus the heat transfer effects of thermoelectric element 101 (e.g., a smaller thermally conductive cloth can experience larger absolute temperature changes than a larger thermally conductive cloth given the same amount of heat transfer, where smaller and larger refer to the relative surface areas of thermally conductive cloths with the same or similar thicknesses).
In the embodiment shown, helmet 100 comprises a power source 104. Power source 104 can be any suitable power source that permits the functionality described in this disclosure, including, but not limited to, batteries (disposable and/or rechargeable), and/or the like. In embodiments configured to use disposable batteries (e.g., 1.5 volt batteries such as AA or AAA size, 9 volt batteries, and/or the like), power source 104 is configured to accept the batteries (e.g., a battery holder configured to allow a user to install the batteries). In other embodiments, power source 104 can comprise internal rechargeable batteries (e.g., not configured to be replaced by a user) (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion, lithium-ion polymer, and/or the like). In such embodiments, the helmets and/or power source 104 can further comprise a charging port configured to accept an alternating current to direct current (AC) adapter jack (e.g., such that the user may recharge the batteries inside helmet). In other embodiments, power source 104 can comprise a solar power source (e.g., one or more solar cell(s) and/or panel(s) disposed on the external surface of the helmet). In other solar-powered embodiments, power source 104 can comprise thin film solar panels that are disposed on and contoured to the outer surface of the helmet (e.g., resembling a painted coating).
FIG. 3A depicts another embodiment 300 of the present helmets. Helmet 300 is substantially similar to helmet 100, with the primary exception that an external surface 301 of helmet 300 comprises a plurality of thermally conductive fins 302. Thermally conductive fins 302 may be constructed from a variety of thermally conductive materials, including, but not limited to, carbon fiber, copper, silver, silicon, and/or aluminum. In the embodiment shown, thermally conductive fins are elongated (e.g., having a maximum longitudinal dimension of approximately 70% of a largest corresponding dimension of the helmet), thin, and substantially flat (e.g., having a thickness or transverse dimension of no greater than 5 millimeters (mm)). In this embodiment, thermally conductive fins 302 comprise a small cross-sectional shape when viewed from the front of helmet 300 and thus are capable of transferring a substantial amount of heat to the environment (e.g., through the sides of the fins), without creating excessive drag on the helmet as the helmet moves through the environment (e.g., when helmet 300 is worn by a user who is moving, for example, riding a bicycle). In some embodiments, the thermally conductive fins (e.g., 302) can comprise a beveled and/or contoured front and/or rear edge (e.g., resembling an airplane wing) configured to further improve aerodynamic performance (e.g., to reduce drag).
In the embodiment shown, helmet 300 is configured such that either heating surface 101 a or cooling surface 101 b of thermoelectric element 101 may be selectively thermally coupled to external surface 301 and/or fins 302 of helmet 300. For example, and referring to FIG. 3B, which depicts a cutaway and partially cross-sectional side view of helmet 300, external surface 301 can be detached from helmet 300 (e.g., through snaps, hook and loop fasteners, tape, adhesive, interlocking features, and/or the like disposed on helmet 300 and/or external surface 301). In the embodiment shown, thermoelectric element 101 can be disposed in a recess 303 of helmet 300 underneath external surface 301 and in thermal communication with thermally conductive cloth 102 a (e.g., through recess 303). In other embodiments, thermoelectric element 301 can be accessible through the interior of the helmet, such that external surface 301 and/or fins 302 may be unitary with the shell of the helmet. Through the above features, a user may place either surface (heating surface 101 a or cooling surface 101 b) in thermal communication (e.g., contact) with thermally conductive cloth 102 a depending on whether the user desires helmet 300 to cool or heat the user's head (e.g., for helmet 300, by removing outer surface 301, placing a selected surface of thermoelectric element 101 into recess 303, and replacing outer surface 301). In the embodiment shown, recess 303 is configured to allow electrical communication between power source 104 and thermoelectric element 101 in either alternative orientation (e.g., via wired connection 304 to the power source that need not be disconnected to change the orientation of thermoelectric element 101). Embodiment 300 of the present helmets is thus capable of selectively heating or cooling through configuration changes (e.g., relatively quick and easy configuration changes that need not require tools). In other embodiments, the present helmets may only comprise an external surface (e.g., 301) with a plurality of thermally conductive fins (e.g., 302) in thermal communication with a thermally conductive cloth (e.g., 102 or 102 a) disposed within the helmet. Such embodiments provide for passive cooling, for example, heat from inside the helmet is conducted to thermally conductive fins which transfer the heat to the environment.
FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment 400 of the present helmets. Helmet 400 is substantially similar to helmet 100, with the primary exception that helmet 400 comprises a control circuit 401 in electrical communication with thermoelectric element 101 and power source 104 (e.g., such that control circuit 401 can control the voltage and/or current supplied to thermoelectric element 101 from power source 104). In some embodiments, control circuit 401 comprises a thermostat configured to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet, for example, a bi-metallic strip thermostat. Bi-metallic strip thermostats can comprise two thin strips, each comprising a different type of metal. When the temperature of and/or within the thermostat changes, the differential thermal expansion of the two strips causes the strips to move relative to one another, which can be used to break or complete a circuit (e.g., similar to an on-off switch). Embodiments of the present helmets with control circuits (e.g., 401) comprising thermostats can thus be configured to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric element when a temperature inside of the helmet reaches a threshold temperature (e.g., a temperature that is too warm to be comfortable, for example, 90 degrees Fahrenheit (° F.), and/or too warm to be safe, for example, above 110° F.). In such embodiments, control circuits (e.g., 401) can deactivate the thermoelectric element (e.g., if the helmet is in a heating configuration) and/or activate the thermoelectric element (e.g., if the helmet is in a cooling configuration) in order to adjust the temperature inside of the helmet. Such thermostats can be very small (e.g., a maximum transverse dimension of 5 centimeters (cm) or less). In such embodiments, control circuit 401 can also comprise a user input device (e.g., a knob or a multi-positional switch) so that the user can set a desired temperature (e.g., the knob or switch can be configured to move the thin strips within a bi-metallic thermostat relative to one another to adjust the temperature at which the thermostat control circuit is closed or open). In other embodiments, control circuit 401 can comprise a timer, alone or in a series or parallel circuit with a thermostat as described above. In such embodiments, the timer can be configured to deactivate (e.g., interrupt electrical communication between power source 104 and thermoelectric element 101) the thermoelectric element after the thermoelectric element has been activated for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 minutes). Such embodiments can be configured to save battery power, and/or to prevent harm to a user caused by prolonged exposure to hot and/or cold temperatures within the helmet. As with embodiments with a thermostat, embodiments having a timer can also comprise a user input device (e.g., a knob or a multi-positional switch) so that the user can set a desired time (e.g., by rotating the knob, or setting the multi-positional switch to a desired time setting, for example, greater than any one of, or between any two of: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and/or 60 minutes). Embodiments of the present helmets can comprise any number and/or configuration of control circuit(s) (e.g., 401) that permits the functionality described in this disclosure (e.g., control circuit(s) comprising any number and/or configuration of thermostats, timers, and/or the like).
FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment 500 of the present helmets. Helmet 500 comprises at least one sensor 501 configured to capture data indicative of conditions inside the helmet (e.g., thermocouple(s), thermistor(s), resistance temperature detector(s) (RTD(s)) and/or infrared temperature sensor(s)). Helmet 500 further comprises a processor 502 (e.g., a microprocessor) configured (e.g., through microprocessor-executable instructions) to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet at least partly based on the data captured by at least one sensor 501 (e.g., by controlling the voltage and/or current applied to thermoelectric element 101). Unless otherwise indicated by the context of its use, the terms “a processor” or “the processor” mean one or more processors and may include multiple processors configured to work together to perform a function. Such embodiments can be configured to monitor and control the temperature inside of the helmet in real-time. For example, processor 502 can receive data indicative of the temperature inside the helmet from sensor(s) 501, determine if the temperature is above or below a threshold temperature (e.g., similar to as described above), and control the voltage and/or current provided to thermoelectric element 101 from power source 104 to adjust the temperature inside the helmet. Processor 502 can also be configured to provide at least some of the functionality of control circuit 401 described above with reference to FIG. 4. In the embodiment shown, helmet 500 further comprises a user input device 503 configured to receive inputs indicative of a user's desired internal helmet temperature. Suitable user input devices include, but are not limited to, buttons, switches, knobs, touch screens, and/or the like. Additionally, user input device 503 can further comprise a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), and/or the like). In such embodiments, processor 502 can be further configured (e.g., through microprocessor-executable instructions) to adjust the temperature inside of the helmet at least partly based on the user inputs. For example, processor 502 can receive user input from user input device 503 indicative of a desired helmet temperature, compare the user inputs to data captured by sensor(s) 501 indicative of helmet temperature, and control the voltage and/or current provided to thermoelectric element 101 from power source 104 to adjust the temperature inside the helmet to correlate with the user inputs. Various components (e.g., thermoelectric element 101, thermally conductive cloth 102, power source 104, switch 106, outer surface 301, thermally conductive fins 302, control circuit 401, sensor(s) 501, processor 502, user input device 503, and/or the like) can be disposed at any suitable location on and/or within helmet 500. The locations of such components as drawn in FIGS. 1-5 are merely exemplary.
Some embodiments of the present methods comprise controlling a temperature inside of a helmet (e.g., helmets 100, 300, 400, and/or 500) when the helmet is worn by a user by applying power (e.g., from power source 104) to a thermoelectric element (e.g., 101) in thermal communication with a thermally conductive cloth (e.g., 102 or 102 a) that is in contact with the user's head and disposed within the helmet.
The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of illustrative embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the methods and systems are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted embodiment. For example, elements may be omitted or combined as a unitary structure, and/or connections may be substituted. Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and/or functions, and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.
The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising:

a thermoelectric element having at least one heating surface and at least one cooling surface;

a thermally conductive cloth disposed within the helmet and selectively coupled to either the heating surface or the cooling surface such that the cloth is in thermal communication with the thermoelectric element;

a power source; and

a switch configured to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric element.

2. The helmet of claim 1,

where an external surface of the helmet comprises a plurality of thermally conductive fins;

the helmet configured such that either the heating surface or the cooling surface may be selectively thermally coupled to the external surface of the helmet.

3. The helmet of claim 1, where the cloth comprises carbon fiber.

4. The helmet of claim 1, where the cloth comprises silver.

5. The helmet of claim 1, where the cloth comprises copper.

6. The helmet of claim 1, where the cloth comprises silicon.

7. The helmet of claim 1, where the power source is configured to accept a battery.

8. The helmet of claim 1, where the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

9. The helmet of claim 1, where the power source comprises a solar power source.

10. The helmet of claim 1, where the cloth is disposed within the helmet such that when the helmet is worn by a user, a majority of the cloth that contacts the user's skin contacts the user's temples.

11. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat configured to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet.

12. The helmet of claim 11, where the thermostat is configured to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric element when a temperature inside of the helmet reaches a threshold temperature.

13. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a timer configured to deactivate the thermoelectric element after the thermoelectric element has been activated for a certain period of time.

14. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one sensor configured to capture data indicative of conditions inside of the helmet; and

a processor configured to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet at least partly based on the data captured by the at least one sensor.

15. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising:

a user input device configured to receive inputs indicative of a user's desired internal helmet temperature; and

a processor configured to adjust a temperature inside of the helmet at least partly based on the user inputs.

16. The helmet of claim 1, where the helmet comprises a sports helmet.

17. The helmet of claim 1, where the helmet comprises a motorsports helmet.

18. The helmet of claim 1, where the helmet comprises a construction helmet.

19. A helmet comprising:

a thermally conductive cloth disposed within the helmet; and

a plurality of thermally conductive fins disposed on an outer surface of the helmet and in thermal communication with the cloth.

20. A method of controlling a temperature inside of a helmet, the helmet worn by a user, the method comprising:

applying power to a thermoelectric element in thermal communication with a thermally conductive cloth that is in contact with the user's head and disposed within the helmet.