JP7653722B2 - Smart Helmet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a smart helmet.

The speedometer and other devices that transmit driving information to the rider of a motorcycle are generally located in the center of the handlebars. The rider must look down to check the information. In this case, the rider's gaze is directed away from the road ahead and surroundings, creating a risk of causing an accident.

To avoid this risk, a helmet-mounted display device that is attached to a helmet is known (see, for example, JP 2009-92807 A). This helmet-mounted display device places a display in front of the rider's line of sight, and displays and communicates necessary information to the rider. This display uses, for example, a half mirror and is configured so as not to obstruct the forward field of vision, allowing the rider to check necessary information without taking his or her eyes off the road ahead or surroundings.

JP 2009-92807 A

Such helmet-mounted display devices are troublesome to mount in front of the rider's field of vision and pose a risk of injury to the rider's face in the event of an accident. However, the above-mentioned conventional helmets are said to solve these problems by embedding the display in a transparent face shield that protects the front of the rider's field of vision.

However, even with the above-mentioned conventional helmet-mounted display devices, a device with a certain mass is still placed in front of the rider's eyes, and it cannot be said that it sufficiently reduces the risk of injury to the rider's face in the event of an accident.

In addition, when information is displayed in front of you and changes, it is human nature to be distracted by the changing information, and even if you do not take your eyes off the road, your attention is likely to be drawn away from the information ahead and around you, resulting in reduced safety.

The present invention was made based on the above circumstances, and aims to provide a smart helmet that can acquire information while ensuring the safety of the user.

A smart helmet according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a helmet body that is worn to cover at least the top of the user's head, a visor that is provided on the helmet body so as to protrude forward from above the user's eye line, and a display device that is disposed on the underside and periphery of the visor, the display device having one or more display sections that can transmit information to the user by emitting light, and the display section including a point-like light-emitting element or a group of light-emitting elements in which a plurality of the light-emitting elements are arranged in succession.

In this smart helmet, the display device is located on the periphery of the underside of the visor, and is not located directly in front of the user's eyes. This makes it less likely that the user's face will be injured in the event of an accident. Also, in this smart helmet, the display device is located in the corner of the user's line of sight, so it is less likely to distract the user from looking ahead. Furthermore, because the display device transmits information to the user by emitting light, necessary information can be transmitted accurately in a short amount of time, even though it is located in the corner of the user's line of sight.

It is preferable to provide a control unit that can control the start and stop of light emission of the display unit by the user's contact with the visor or the left side of the helmet body. By providing a control unit that can stop the display unit at the user's discretion in this way, it is possible to make it even more difficult for the user to divert their attention from looking forward. Note that the "left side of the helmet body" refers to the left side of the helmet body in the normal state of use (the direction in front of the user).

The control unit may have a forced light emission mode that forcibly starts light emission regardless of the user's control to start and stop light emission. With this configuration, when it becomes necessary to convey information regardless of the user's wishes, the information can be conveyed appropriately.

It is preferable to provide a vibration oscillator that transmits the information to the user by vibration. By providing a mechanism for transmitting information by vibration in this way, the information can be transmitted to the user more reliably.

The smart helmet of the present invention can obtain information while ensuring the safety of the user.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a smart helmet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a smart helmet according to an embodiment different from that shown in FIG.

The following describes a smart helmet according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

The smart helmet 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a helmet body 10, a visor 20, a display device 30, a contact sensor 40, a vibration oscillator 50, and a control unit 60.

<Helmet body>
The helmet body 10 is a part that is worn to cover at least the top of the user's head. The helmet body 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a full-face type helmet for motorcycles. The helmet body 10 in Fig. 1 does not include a face shield, but may include a face shield.

<Visor>
The visor 20 is provided so as to protrude forward from above the eye line of the user of the helmet body 10. The visor 20 is plate-shaped and may be curved or bent.

The center line of the visor 20 in the width direction (the direction connecting the ears of the user wearing it) preferably coincides with the center line of the helmet body 10 in the width direction, and it is preferable that the visor 20 is configured symmetrically with respect to this center line.

The visor 20 may be configured so that, for example, the width becomes narrower toward the tip, but the lower limit of the ratio of the minimum width of the visor 20 to the maximum width of the helmet body 10 is preferably 90%, and more preferably 95%. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio of the maximum width of the visor 20 to the maximum width of the helmet body 10 is preferably 105%, and more preferably 100%. If the minimum width ratio is less than the lower limit, the positioning of the display device 30 may not be fully optimized. Conversely, if the maximum width ratio exceeds the upper limit, the handleability of the smart helmet 1 may be reduced.

The lower limit of the protruding distance of the visor 20 is preferably 5 cm, and more preferably 10 cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the protruding distance of the visor 20 is preferably 20 cm, and more preferably 15 cm. If the protruding distance of the visor 20 is less than the lower limit, the visibility of the display device 30 from the user may be reduced. Conversely, if the protruding distance of the visor 20 exceeds the upper limit, the display device 30 installed in the front is always within the user's line of sight, and the user may be distracted from the information ahead of the road and the surroundings, which may reduce safety. Here, the "visor protruding distance" refers to the distance between the vertical plane passing through the position of the user's eyes when the user's head is inserted into the helmet body 10 and the tip position of the visor 20.

The visor 20 is preferably configured to be detachable. By configuring the visor 20 to be detachable, it is possible to use only the helmet body 10 when the visor 20 is not required. In addition, by replacing the visor 20 with a helmet equipped with an existing detachable visor 20, the functions of the smart helmet 1 can be realized. Furthermore, helmets are generally stored under the seat or in the rear box of a motorcycle when not in use, but by making the visor 20 detachable, the storage volume can be reduced, making storage easier.

When the visor 20 is removable, it is preferable to configure it so that it can be attached and detached with a metal hook 21, as shown in Figure 1. Making it removable in this way with a metal hook 21 makes it easier to establish electrical connections between the equipment mounted in the helmet body 10 and the equipment mounted in the visor 20.

<Display Device>
The display device 30 is disposed on the underside and periphery of the visor 20. In particular, as shown in Fig. 1, it is preferable to dispose it on the underside of the tip and side of the visor 20. By disposing it on the tip, the visibility from the user can be improved. Also, by disposing it on the side, it is possible to prevent the user's attention from being distracted from looking at the road ahead.

The display device 30 has one or more display units capable of transmitting information to a user by emitting light. In FIG. 1, the display device 30 is composed of three display units: a first display unit 31, a second display unit 32, and a third display unit 33. The first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32 are respectively disposed at both ends of the tip of the lower surface of the visor 20. The third display unit 33 is disposed adjacent to the first display unit 31 at the tip of the lower surface of the visor 20. Note that this arrangement is merely an example, and does not mean that the arrangement is limited to this example.

The first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32 are dot-shaped light-emitting elements 31a and 32a. The light-emitting elements 31a and 32a may be elements capable of emitting different colors.

The third display unit 33 is a light-emitting element group in which multiple (three in FIG. 1) light-emitting elements 33a are arranged in a row. By arranging multiple light-emitting elements 33a in a row in this way, the number and position of the emitting light-emitting elements 33a can indicate the level of danger. In addition, for example, by combining three light-emitting elements 33a in different colors such as green, yellow, and red, it is possible to create a configuration that accurately conveys, for example, the level of danger to the user.

The light-emitting elements 31a, 32a, 33a can be realized by, for example, LEDs. In the smart helmet 1, the light-emitting elements 31a, 32a, 33a are used to transmit information to the user. The light-emitting elements 31a, 32a, 33a transmit information by the presence or absence of light emission and by color, so the user does not need to read letters or numbers. This has the advantage that even if the information is displayed in the corner of one's line of sight, the user can recognize it without staring in the direction of the display. Another advantage is that it can be realized more inexpensively than when using a liquid crystal display or the like that can display two-dimensional images.

The following describes the information displayed by the display device 30. The examples shown below are individual examples, and do not mean that the information displayed by the display device 30 is limited to these examples.

(Example 1: Navigation function)
The display device 30 can use the first display section 31 and the second display section 32 as a navigator that indicates points to turn left and right. In this case, green LEDs are used as the light-emitting elements 31a, 32a of the first display section 31 and the second display section 32, and the light-emitting elements 31a, 32a in the direction in which the vehicle should turn can be notified to the user. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which the LEDs flash to notify the user of the degree of danger depending on the safety or danger situation in the traveling direction.

The third display unit 33 can also be used as a bar graph to show intersections where to turn or the distance to a destination. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the third display unit 33 is composed of three light-emitting elements 33a, but the number of light-emitting elements 33a may be increased for this purpose.

(Example 2: Risk level display function)
The display device 30 can be used as a monitoring device that indicates the degree of danger around the user. In this case, the first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32 indicate the direction of an object that is determined to be dangerous, and for example, if the object is on the right side of the traveling direction, only the first display unit 31 lights up, if the object is on the left side, only the second display unit 32 lights up, and if the object is ahead, both the first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32 light up, etc.

The third display unit 33 can also be used as a bar graph to indicate the degree of risk.

(Example 3: Dashboard display function)
The display device 30 may display the driving conditions of the motorcycle on which the user is riding. By displaying these on the display device 30, the frequency with which the user drops his/her gaze downward to check the gauges can be reduced. Examples of the driving conditions displayed on the display device 30 include speed, engine RPM, driving mode, air temperature, engine temperature, etc.

The first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32 can be used as indicators that light up when a certain condition is met, such as an indication that the air temperature is below 4°C, which is a risk of road surface freezing. It is also preferable to use the third display unit 33 as a bar graph to indicate changing quantities such as speed and engine speed.

The number of display sections may be increased according to the items that need to be displayed, or the display may be switched so that multiple pieces of information are displayed on one display section. In this case, the contact sensor 40 described below may be used to switch the display.

<Contact sensor>
The contact sensor 40 is a sensor that is disposed, for example, on the outer surface of the visor 20 and detects that the user has touched a specific location on the visor 20. A detected signal is sent to the control unit 60.

A known touch pad or the like can be used as the contact sensor 40.

In FIG. 1, the contact sensor 40 is placed in a specific location, but the entire visor 20 can be covered with the contact sensor 40 to detect touching any location. Also, instead of the contact sensor 40, a vibration sensor that detects specific vibrations can be used, and a configuration can be used that detects that the user has touched the visor 20 when, for example, the user taps the visor 20.

<Vibration Oscillator>
The vibration oscillator 50 transmits the above information to the user by vibration. By providing a mechanism for transmitting information by vibration in this manner, information can be transmitted to the user more reliably.

The vibration oscillator 50 can be, for example, a bone conduction speaker capable of emitting voice or a specific frequency sound. Alternatively, the vibration oscillator 50 may be one that emits vibrations that cause the helmet body 10 to rock.

When the vibration oscillator 50 emits sound, it is preferable that the vibration oscillator 50 is disposed within the helmet body 10 so as to be located near both ears of a user wearing the helmet body 10, as shown in FIG. 1.

The vibration of the vibration oscillator 50 is controlled by the control unit 60, which will be described later. Since the control unit 60 is disposed on the visor 20, it is necessary to electrically connect the vibration oscillator 50 and the control unit 60 across the space between the visor 20 and the helmet body 10. In this case, it is preferable to electrically connect the vibration oscillator 50 and the control unit 60 via the metal hook 21 of the visor 20, as described above.

In addition, when using the visor 20 with a helmet that has an existing detachable visor 20, it is assumed that the vibration oscillator 50 is not built into the existing helmet. In this case, the vibration oscillator 50 will not function, but other functions will be realized.

<Control Unit>
The control unit 60 controls the display of the display device 30. The control unit 60 can be configured with, for example, a microcontroller, a battery, a memory, etc. The control unit 60 may also have a built-in antenna that can communicate with the outside. For example, when the smart helmet 1 is made to function as a danger level display function, the danger level may be calculated by a microcontroller included in the control unit 60, or may be calculated by an external computer such as a cloud server connected to a network via an antenna.

The control unit 60 can control the start and stop of light emission of the display unit by the user's contact with the visor 20 detected by the contact sensor 40. This function allows the user to stop or restart the display at their will. By providing a control unit 60 that can stop the display device 30 at the user's will in this way, it is possible to make it even more difficult for the user to be distracted from looking ahead.

In addition, for example, when the smart helmet 1 is made to function as a dashboard display function, the display functions may be divided into two groups, function 1 and function 2, and the light emission of the display unit may be cyclically repeated between function 1, function 2, and stopped when the user touches the visor 20. Repeating the display of function 1 and function 2 at regular time intervals may attract the user's attention when the display switches, which may distract the user from looking at the road ahead. In contrast, by configuring the smart helmet 1 to cyclically repeat function 1, function 2, and stop, it is possible to prevent the user's attention from being distracted from looking at the road ahead.

It is preferable that the control unit 60 has a forced light emission mode that forcibly starts light emission regardless of the control of starting and stopping light emission from above. With this configuration, when it becomes necessary to convey information regardless of the user's wishes, it is possible to transmit information appropriately. Specifically, when the smart helmet 1 is made to function as a danger level display function, this is an effective function in cases where a truly dangerous situation that is related to safety is detected.

The control unit 60 also controls the operation of the vibration oscillation unit 50. The control unit 60 operates the vibration oscillation unit 50 in conjunction with the display of the display device 30, or by selecting information of high importance from the display of the display device 30, so that the user can also recognize the necessary information audibly.

<Advantages>
In the smart helmet 1, the display device 30 is provided on the periphery of the lower surface of the visor 20 and is not located in front of the user's eyes. Therefore, the user's face is less likely to be injured in the event of an accident. In addition, in the smart helmet 1, the display device 30 is located in a corner of the user's line of sight, so the user's attention is less likely to be distracted from looking ahead. Furthermore, since the display device 30 transmits information to the user by emitting light, necessary information can be transmitted accurately in a short time even in a corner of the user's line of sight.

[Other embodiments]
The above-mentioned embodiment does not limit the configuration of the present invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiment may omit, replace or add components of each part of the above-mentioned embodiment based on the description in this specification and common technical knowledge, and it should be understood that all of these are within the scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the helmet body is described as a full-face helmet for motorcycles, but the helmet body of the smart helmet of the present invention is not limited to a full-face helmet for motorcycles. The helmet body may be an off-road helmet, a street jet helmet, or the like. The smart helmet can also be used for other items worn on the head, such as bicycle helmets and school children's hats.

In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the control unit can control the start and stop of light emission of the display unit by the user's contact with the visor, but this control is not essential and can be omitted. If the above-mentioned control is omitted, the contact sensor can be eliminated.

In addition, the user's contact is not limited to contact with the visor, but may be, for example, contact with the helmet body or with a sensor attached to a glove or the like. If contact is detected, a signal is sent to the control unit, which can then perform the same control as described above.

When the user's contact is to the helmet body, it is preferable that the contact is made on the left side of the helmet body. That is, the control unit can control the start and stop of light emission of the display unit by the user's contact with the left side of the helmet body. When driving a motorcycle, the right hand of a user operates the accelerator. By having the user contact the left side of the helmet body, contact can be easily made with the left hand, so that the start and stop of light emission of the display unit can be controlled while minimizing the impact on driving.

In the above embodiment, the smart helmet is described as having a vibration oscillator, but the present invention also contemplates a smart helmet that does not have a vibration oscillator.

In the above embodiment, the control unit is described as being mounted inside the visor, but the control unit may be mounted elsewhere, such as inside the helmet body.

In the above embodiment, the display unit is described as being composed of light-emitting elements and a group of light-emitting elements, but the display unit may be composed of only light-emitting elements or only a group of light-emitting elements. The display unit may also have display elements other than light-emitting elements and a group of light-emitting elements, such as a two-dimensional display mechanism that can display numbers, etc. A liquid crystal panel or an integrated LED can be used as the two-dimensional display mechanism.

Also, as in the smart helmet 2 shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display 34 may be provided at the leading edge of the visor 20 as the display device 30, and a first display unit 31, a second display unit 32, and a third display unit 33 may be realized using a portion of the display area of the liquid crystal display 34. Note that in the smart helmet 2 in FIG. 2, the other components are similar to those of the smart helmet 1 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed description is omitted.

As described above, the smart helmet of the present invention is capable of acquiring information while ensuring the safety of the user.

1, 2 Smart helmet 10 Helmet body 20 Visor 21 Metal hook 30 Display device 31 First display section 31a Light-emitting element 32 Second display section 32a Light-emitting element 33 Third display section 33a Light-emitting element 34 Liquid crystal display 40 Contact sensor 50 Vibration oscillator 60 Control section

Claims (4)

A helmet body that is worn by a user driving a motorcycle so as to cover at least the top of the head;
A visor provided on the helmet body so as to protrude forward from above the eye line of the user;
a display device disposed on the lower surface at the tip and side of the visor,
The display device disposed on the lower surface on the side is not located in front of the user's eyes,
The display device has one or more display units capable of transmitting information to the user by emitting light,
A smart helmet, wherein the display unit includes a point-like light-emitting element or a group of light-emitting elements in which a plurality of the light-emitting elements are arranged in succession. The smart helmet according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit capable of controlling the start and stop of illumination of the display unit by the user's contact with the visor or the left side of the helmet body. The smart helmet according to claim 2, wherein the control unit has a forced light emission mode that forcibly starts light emission regardless of the user's control to start and stop light emission. The smart helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a vibration oscillator that transmits the information to the user by vibration.

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