RETROFIT SENSOR MODULE FOR A PROTECTIVE HEAD TOP

• US 20170367426A1
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Egeland, Marc A., Awiszus, Steven T., Jents, Charles P., Johnson, Benjamin A., Kanukurthy, Kiran S., Nash, James E., Oien-Rochat, Milo G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,848,666 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0433 Detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0466 Means for detecting that the user is wearing a helmet
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/225 with full face protection, e.g. for industrial safety applications
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/082 Assembling eyepieces, lenses or vision-correction means in or on gas-masks
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/006 Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a retrofit sensor module for use with a protective head top with a helmet and a visor. The sensor module includes a sensor housing and an attachment mechanism. The sensor housing encloses a head presence sensor to sense when the protective head top is being worn. The sensor housing also encloses a position sensor to sense the position of the visor relative to the helmet. The retrofit sensor module further comprises an attachment mechanism secured to the housing. The attachment mechanism mates with a first hinge component of a hinge assembly in the protective head top to removably install the sensor module into the protective head top, wherein the hinge assembly allows the visor to move relative to the helmet.

Claims

1. A retrofit sensor module for use with a protective head top with a helmet and a visor, the sensor module comprising:

a sensor housing, the sensor housing enclosing;

a head presence sensor to sense when the protective head top is being worn; and

a position sensor to sense the position of the visor relative to the helmet;

an attachment mechanism secured to the housing, wherein the attachment mechanism mates with a first hinge component of a hinge assembly in the protective head top to removably install the sensor module into the protective head top, wherein the hinge assembly allows the visor to move relative to the helmet.

2. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor housing further encloses a battery.

3. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor housing further encloses a temperature sensor to sense ambient temperature in the interior of the protective head top.

4. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor housing further encloses an accelerometer to sense movement of the head of an individual wearing the head top.

5. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor housing further encloses an audio transducer.

6. The sensor module of claim 1, further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises at least one LED.

7. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism replaces a second hinge component of the hinge assembly.

8. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor module does not replace any components of the hinge assembly when installed in the protective head top.

9. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor module can be installed without using any tools.

10. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor module fits in the interior of the visor of the protective head top when the sensor module is installed in the protective head top and when the visor is in a down position.

11. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor module does not impair the performance of the hinge assembly when it is installed in the protective head top.

12. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is removably secured to the sensor housing.

13. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is an integral part of or permanently secured to the sensor housing.

14. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the battery can be replaced without the use of any tools while the sensor module is installed in the protective head top.

15. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor module has an Ingress Protection (IP) rating.

16. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor housing further comprises a Bluetooth communication component.

17. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the head presence sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

18. A kit comprising the sensor module of claim 16 and a personal communication hub, wherein the sensor module communicates with the personal communication hub using Bluetooth.

19. A kit comprising the sensor module of claim 1 and the protective head top.