Protective helmet with an optimized aerodynamic deflector

Abstract

A protective helmet (1) comprising a cap (2) having a rear portion on which an aerodynamic deflector (3) is mounted, the protective helmet (1) being characterised in that at least one aerodynamic flap (4) is mounted so as to move freely on the aerodynamic deflector (3) in order to be able to be deployed by aerodynamic forces generated by an air flow. A favoured, non-limiting use of the invention is in the field of motorbike racing.

Claims

1. A protective helmet comprising a cap having a rear part on which is mounted an aerodynamic deflector, wherein at least one aerodynamic flap is movably mounted on said aerodynamic deflector, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is mounted freely movable on the aerodynamic deflector between a retracted position and a deployed position, the at least one aerodynamic flap thus being able to be deployed from the deployed position to the retracted position under the effect of aerodynamic forces generated by an air flow circulating along the cap and the aerodynamic deflector.

2. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is configured to be in the deployed position at rest, in the absence of air flow circulating along the cap and the aerodynamic deflector.

3. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the aerodynamic deflector has an external deflecting face which gradually moves away from the cap, and the at least one aerodynamic flap does not project externally with respect to the external deflecting face of the aerodynamic deflector in the deployed position.

4. The protective helmet according to claim 3, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap extends in an extension of the external deflecting face of the aerodynamic deflector in the deployed position to ensure aerodynamic continuity with said aerodynamic deflector.

5. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is folded down or brought closer towards the cap in the retracted position, compared to the deployed position, to open an air circulation passage.

6. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is movable between the deployed position and the retracted position, and vice versa, in a continuously progressive manner.

7. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is movable on the aerodynamic deflector at least pivotally along a pivot axis.

8. The protective helmet according to claim 7, wherein the pivot axis has an angle of inclination (Al) comprised between 30 and 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the protective helmet.

9. The protective helmet according to claim 7, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap has a front ridge facing the front of the protective helmet and a rear ridge facing the rear of the helmet, said front ridge being pivotally coupled to the aerodynamic deflector along the pivot axis and said rear ridge being free.

10. The protective helmet according to claim 7, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is pivotally movable on the aerodynamic deflector by means of an articulation element connecting the at least one aerodynamic flap to the aerodynamic deflector.

11. The protective helmet according to claim 10, wherein the articulation element is selected from one of the following elements: a flexible membrane made of an elastomeric material or a textile material: a mechanical hinge; an elastically deformable folding line.

12. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is coupled to at least one elastic return element which urges the at least one aerodynamic flap towards a return in the deployed position.

13. The protective helmet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one elastic return element comprises a compressible element with elastic return, which is compressed by the at least one aerodynamic flap when it is displaced in the direction of the retracted position.

14. The protective helmet according to claim 13, wherein the compressible element with elastic return is a spring or a layer of compressible material with elastic return.

15. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap is movably mounted in an opening provided on the aerodynamic deflector.

16. The protective helmet according to claim 15, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap closes the opening in the deployed position, and partially opens the opening in the retracted position.

17. The protective helmet according to claim 15, wherein the opening is delimited by rims and the at least one aerodynamic flap is adjacent to these rims in the deployed position, and is away from at least one of these rims in the retracted position.

18. The protective helmet according to claim 15, wherein the aerodynamic deflector has a rear trailing edge, and the opening is formed in said rear trailing edge.

19. The protective helmet according to claim 18, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap has a rear ridge which is free and which forms a trailing ridge, said rear ridge of the at least one aerodynamic flap coming in continuity with the rear trailing edge of the aerodynamic deflector in the deployed position.

20. The protective helmet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerodynamic flap comprises at least two aerodynamic flaps arranged on either side of a sagittal plane of the protective helmet, respectively on a right side of the protective helmet and on a left side of the protective helmet.

21. The protective helmet according to claim 20, wherein the at least two aerodynamic flaps are independent in their respective mobility.

22. The protective helmet according to claim 20, wherein the aerodynamic deflector has a central wall extended to the right and to the left, on either side of the sagittal plane, by two lateral walls, and the at least two aerodynamic flaps are movably mounted on the two respective lateral walls.

23. The protective helmet according to claim 22, wherein the two lateral walls of the aerodynamic deflector are symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane, and the at least two aerodynamic flaps are symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane when they are in the deployed position.

24. The protective helmet according to claim 20, wherein the at least two aerodynamic flaps have respective surface areas which are greater than or equal to 50% of the surface areas of the lateral walls of the aerodynamic deflector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, of a non-limiting example of implementation, made with reference to the appended figures wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a helmet according to an embodiment of the invention, with an aerodynamic deflector whose lateral flaps are in the deployed position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the helmet in FIG. 1, with an aerodynamic deflector whose lateral flaps are in the retracted position;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the helmet in FIG. 1, with the lateral flaps in the deployed position;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the helmet in FIG. 1, with the lateral flaps in the retracted position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic rear perspective view of the helmet in FIG. 1, with the lateral flaps in the deployed position;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic rear perspective view of the helmet in FIG. 1, with the lateral flaps in the retracted position;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic front perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1, with the lateral flaps in the deployed position; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic front perspective view of the helmet in FIG. 1, with the lateral flaps in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(10) With reference to the Figures, a protective helmet 1 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a rigid cap 2 in the general shape of an open spherical cap, intended to be worn on the head of a wearer and to protect it. This cap 2 has a front part 20 having an opening for the wearer face, such a front part 20 being able to be equipped with a screen 22 and possibly a chin guard 23. This cap 2 also has a rear part 21 on which is mounted an aerodynamic deflector 3. The helmet 1 has a sagittal plane PS which extends vertically along the length of the helmet 1 and which divides the helmet 1 into right part and left part.

(11) This aerodynamic deflector 3 is fixed on the rear part 21 of the cap 2 statically, for example by screwing or any other means of fixing, whether removable or not. The aerodynamic deflector 3 has a central wall 30 extended to the right and left, on either side of the sagittal plane, by two lateral walls 31: these two lateral walls 31 being symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane PS of the helmet 1. The aerodynamic deflector 3 has an external deflecting face 33 which gradually moves away from the cap 2, and also has an opposite internal face which faces the cap 2. The aerodynamic deflector 3 has a rear trailing edge 34 (possibly curved), as well as a front edge 35 pressed against the cap 2. As visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, this front edge 35 can have a notch 36 at the level of its central wall 30, centered on the sagittal plane PS of the helmet 1, so as to allow a flow partially under the central wall 30 of the aerodynamic deflector 3. On the other hand, the front edge 35 is pressed against the cap 2 at the level of the two lateral walls 31.

(12) According to the invention, at least one aerodynamic flap 4 is movably mounted on this aerodynamic deflector 3, and more precisely in the illustrated example, two aerodynamic flaps 4 are movably mounted on the aerodynamic deflector 3. The two aerodynamic flaps 4 are movably mounted on the two respective lateral walls 31 of the aerodynamic deflector 3, with therefore an aerodynamic flap 4 on the right and an aerodynamic flap 4 on the left and thus arranged on either side of the sagittal plane PS.

(13) Each aerodynamic flap 4 is movably mounted in an opening 37 provided on the corresponding lateral wall 31 of the aerodynamic deflector 3, where this opening 37 is provided in the rear trailing edge 34. Thus, the aerodynamic deflector 3 has two openings 37 provided in the two respective lateral walls 31, and each opening 37 is in the form of a notch in the rear trailing edge 34. Each opening 37 is delimited by rims, including a front rim 38 and at least one lateral rim 39 (two lateral rims 39 in the illustrated example).

(14) Each aerodynamic flap 4 is movable on the corresponding lateral wall 31 in pivoting along a pivot axis 40. More precisely, each aerodynamic flap 4 has a front ridge 48 facing the front of the helmet 1 and a rear ridge 44 facing the rear of the helmet 1, as well as at least one lateral ridge 49 joining the front ridge 48 to the rear ridge 44, and the front ridge 48 is pivotally coupled to the front rim 38 of the opening 37 of the corresponding lateral wall 31 along the pivot axis 40. The rear ridge 44 is free and forms a trailing ridge. The at least one lateral ridge 49 is also free. As visible in FIG. 3, the pivot axis 40 has an angle of inclination AI comprised between 20 and 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction X of the helmet 1, and in particular an angle comprised between 30 and 70 degrees or even between 30 and 50 degrees: the longitudinal direction X being defined here as a horizontal direction, comprised in the sagittal plane PS, when the helmet 1 is placed flat on a horizontal surface.

(15) The front ridge 48 is coupled or pivotally movable on the corresponding lateral wall 31 by means of an articulation element (not shown) connecting the front ridge 48 of the aerodynamic flap 4 to the front rim 38 of the opening 37 of the corresponding lateral wall 31. This articulation element can be a flexible membrane, for example made of an elastomeric material or a textile material, which joins the front ridge 48 of the aerodynamic flap 4 to the front rim 38, and the pivoting is done by deformation or folding of this flexible membrane. Alternatively, this articulation element can be a mechanical hinge comprising two knuckles mechanically coupled in rotation by a physical axis of rotation, such knuckles being fixed respectively on the front ridge 48 of the aerodynamic flap 4 and on the front rim 38 of the concerned opening 37. In another variant, this articulation element can be an elastically deformable folding line, such as for example a line of lesser thickness, formed in a continuous material between the aerodynamic flap 4 and the aerodynamic deflector 3, so that this aerodynamic flap 4 and this aerodynamic deflector 3 are made in a single unit or in one piece.

(16) It should be noted that each aerodynamic flap 4 is mounted freely movable on the aerodynamic deflector 3 and that these two aerodynamic flaps 4 are independent in their respective mobilities, in order to be movable independently under the sole action of a circulating air flow along the cap 2 and the aerodynamic deflector 3. In addition, each aerodynamic flap 4 has a surface area which is greater than or equal to 50%, or even greater than or equal to 65%, of the surface area of the corresponding lateral wall 31 of the aerodynamic deflector 3.

(17) Each aerodynamic flap 4 is therefore movable between a retracted position (visible in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8) and a deployed position (visible in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7), each aerodynamic flap 4 is deployed from the deployed position towards the retracted position under the effect of aerodynamic forces generated by an air flow circulating along the cap 2 and the aerodynamic deflector 3. Moreover, each aerodynamic flap 4 is movable between the deployed position and the retracted position, and vice versa, in a continuous or progressive manner, in other words smoothly.

(18) Each aerodynamic flap 4 is in the deployed position at rest, in the absence of air flow circulating along the cap 2 and the aerodynamic deflector 3. Also, and although not illustrated, it is advantageous for each aerodynamic flap 4 to be coupled to at least one elastic return element which urges the aerodynamic flap 4 towards a return to the deployed position. Such an elastic return element can for example comprise a compressible element with elastic return, which is compressed by the aerodynamic flap 4 when it moves towards the retracted position; this compressible element with elastic return being, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, a spring or a layer of compressible material with elastic return, such as an elastomeric material or a foam.

(19) As visible in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7, when in the deployed position, each aerodynamic flap 4 does not project externally with respect to the external deflecting face 33 of the aerodynamic deflector 3, and more precisely each aerodynamic flap 4 extends in the extension of the external deflecting face 33 to ensure aerodynamic continuity with the aerodynamic deflector 3. Thus, in the deployed position, each aerodynamic flap 4 closes the corresponding opening 37, so that the aerodynamic flap 4 is contiguous with the rims 38, 39 of the opening 37. In other words, in the deployed position, the or each lateral ridge 49 of the aerodynamic flap 4 is adjacent to the lateral rim(s) 39 of the opening 37. Moreover, in the deployed position, the rear ridge 44 of the aerodynamic flap 4 is in continuity with the rear trailing edge 34 of the aerodynamic deflector 3. It should be noted that the two aerodynamic flaps 4 are symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane PS when they are in the deployed position.

(20) Although not illustrated, it is advantageous to provide, for each aerodynamic flap 4, at least one upper stop on the aerodynamic deflector 3 or on the aerodynamic flap 4 to stop the aerodynamic flap 4 in the deployed position, so that it does not project externally from the external deflecting face 33. By way of non-limiting example, such an upper stop can be in the form of a recess at the level of a lateral ridge 49 of the aerodynamic flap 4, capable of coming to rest against the corresponding lateral rim 39 of the opening 37.

(21) As visible in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8, when in the retracted position, each aerodynamic flap 4 is folded down or brought closer towards the cap 2, compared to the deployed position, to open an air circulation passage below of the aerodynamic deflector 3. In other words, in the retracted position, each aerodynamic flap 4 has pivoted (relative to the deployed position) so that the rear ridge 44 has moved closer to the cap 2. Thus, in the retracted position, each aerodynamic flap 4 partially opens the corresponding opening 37, so that the aerodynamic flap 4 is moved away from the lateral rim(s) 39 of the opening 37. In other words, in the retracted position, the or each lateral ridge 49 of the aerodynamic flap 4 is offset downwards (in the direction of the cap 2) relative to the lateral rim(s) 39 of the opening 37. Moreover, in the retracted position, the rear ridge 44 of the aerodynamic flap 4 has passed under the trailing rear edge 34 of the aerodynamic deflector 3. Although not illustrated, it is advantageous to provide, for each aerodynamic flap 4, at least one lower stop on the cap 2 or on the aerodynamic flap 4 to stop the aerodynamic flap 4 in the retracted position.