&    

(19)

(11) EP 1 662 924 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: A42C 5/04 (2006.01)
21.01.2009 Bulletin 2009/04
(86) International application number:
(21) Application number: 04730895.2 PCT/IB2004/001524

(22) Date of filing: 03.05.2004 (87) International publication number:

WO 2004/112520 (29.12.2004 Gazette 2004/53)

(54) AIR CONDITIONED HELMET APPARATUS

KLIMATISIERTE HELMVORRICHTUNG
CASQUE CLIMATISE

(84) Designated Contracting States: (74) Representative: Dorschner, David et al

AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR Dennemeyer & Associates S.A.
HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR 55, rue des Bruyères
1274 Howald (LU)
(30) Priority: 23.06.2003 US 601964
(56) References cited:
(43) Date of publication of application: EP-A2- 0 078 110 GB-A- 2 014 036
07.06.2006 Bulletin 2006/23 GB-A- 2 316 324 US-A- 3 223 086
US-A- 3 293 659 US-A- 3 736 927
(73) Proprietor: Feher, Steve US-A- 3 911 914 US-A- 4 280 491
Honolulu, Hawai 96825-3418 (US) US-A- 4 475 248 US-A- 5 283 914
US-A- 6 085 369 US-H1- H 902
(72) Inventor: Feher, Steve
Honolulu, Hawai 96825-3418 (US)
EP 1 662 924 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 1 662 924 B1
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a helmet ap-
paratus especially adaptable for providing conditioned
air about the head and face of the wearer, and which is
light-weight and only requires relatively low-power elec-
trical energization.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] There are many situations, both work oriented
and sport, in which the wearing of a helmet is necessary
or highly desirable. Exemplary of but a few instances
where wearing a helmet for a relatively long period of
time is required are: a motorcycle police officer; race car
driver; and a military tank driver. Considerable discomfort
can result from wearing a helmet, especially the full-face
type, for even a short period of time particularly in warm
or humid weather.
[0003] EP 0078110 discloses an apparatus in accord-
ance with the preambles of claims 1 and 12. More spe-
cifically it discloses a powered air respirator and a filter
cartridge on a helmet for providing contaminant free air
to a wearer, but does not disclose providing temperature
conditioned air to the wearer’s head and face. U.S. Patent
No. 3,736,927 discloses a respiratory device on a helmet
to provide purified air at ambient temperature to a wear-
er’s face, but also does not disclose providing tempera-
ture conditioned air to the wearer’s head and face for
cooling and or heating.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] In the practice of a first embodiment of the in-
vention there is provided an air-conditioned helmet ap-
paratus in accordance with claim 1.
[0005] Optionally, a forwardly facing air scoop is
mounted to the outside upper surface of the helmet and
directs ambient air to the heat pump for conditioning while
also serving to protect the heat pump from possible im-
pact or contact damage. As a further option, an air filter
of either the depth variety or carbon absorption type can
be utilized to remove foreign particles (e.g., dirt, dust,
pollen) and noxious fumes from inlet air before it is proc-
essed by the heat pump.
[0006] In a second embodiment of the invention, there
Is provided an air-conditioned headgear apparatus in ac-
cordance with claim 12.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] These and other objects of the present inven-
tion will become more , readily apparent upon reading
the following detailed description and upon reference to
2
the attached drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational, partially sectional view
of a helmet with air conditioning apparatus of this
5 invention mounted thereon;
FIG. 2 is a top plan, partially sectional view of the
helmet apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with a single blow-
er device;
FIG. 3 is a further top plan, partially sectional view
10 of the helmet apparatus of FIG. 1 with a double blow-
er device;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken through
the multi-layer structure lining the helmet;
FIG. 5 is a front elevational sectional view of the hel-
15 met apparatus taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an elevational view of yet another embod-
iment where the heat pump is separately mounted
from the helmet;
FIG. 7 is an elevational partially sectional view of a
20 still further version of the invention as applied to a
patient; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of an alternative
version of a conditioned air conduit connection with
a multi-layer structure.
25
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] There are a number of different human activities
that require or where it is highly desirable to wear, a hel-
30 met to protect the wearer against injury while engaging
in the activity. For example, a helmet is desirably worn
when riding a motorcycle or driving a race car since any
accident could result in a blow being received to the head
and if a helmet is worn the chances of reducing or avoid-
35 ing injury altogether are substantially increased. On
wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle or during car
racing, the driver is subjected to increased temperature
about the head especially during warm weather or humid
conditions which are rather uncomfortable for the driver/
40 wearer. A motorcycle policeman, for example, must wear
a helmet throughout long hours of a work shift and suffer
the inconvenience associated therewith along with the
normal high stress related to his employment.
[0009] With reference now to the drawing and partic-
45 ularly to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of air conditioned
helmet apparatus of the present invention is enumerated
generally as 10 and includes in its major parts a helmet
12 of the rigid variety, an air conditioning apparatus 14
secured to an outer rear surface of the helmet, and an
50 electric cable 16 for removable connection to a conven-
iently adjacent power source.
[0010] The helmet 12 preferably has a rigid and rugged
outer shell which is substantially imperforate other than
having specific openings for purposes to be described
55 and an open bottom 20 via which the helmet is received
onto the head of a wearer (not shown). More particularly,
the helmet shell 12 can be cast from a tough relatively
lightweight plastic or metal and includes a transparent,
2
 3 EP 1 662 924 B1
adjustably movable visor 22 affixed in what is a forward
wall of the helmet shell.
[0011] The air conditioning apparatus 14 is secured to
the rear of the helmet and includes a blower mechanism
24 which delivers pressurized ambient air to a heat pump
26 where part of the air stream is moved across a "cold"
part (when cooling is desired) to a conduit 28 and passed
through a notch or opening 30 in the helmet back lower
edge for distribution to the helmet interior as will be de-
scribed. A further part of the air stream from the blower
mechanism passes simultaneously over the apparatus
"hot" part and moves outwardly through the conduit 32
removing waste heat to the ambient. A compliant support
34 (e.g., rubber, Sorbothane) cooperating with a rubber
or Sorbothane seal 36 serves to mechanically secure the
apparatus 14 to the helmet while maintaining noise and
vibration at a low level.
[0012] Still referring to FIG. 1, an optional air scoop 38
includes a curved elongated central wall 40 extending
from approximately the top center outer surface of the
helmet shell to a point opposite the lower part of the shell
facing the back of a helmet wearer’s neck, which wall 40
is mounted to the helmet shell by first and second side-
walls 42 and 44. By this construction, on movement of
the associated vehicle (e.g., motorcycle), the scoop 38
receives external air from the ambient via an opening 46
that passes along the scoop interior spacing (arrows)
from the helmet shell outer surface to be acted upon by
the air conditioning apparatus 14.
[0013] With simultaneous reference to FIGS. 1 and 4,
the inside of the helmet shell 12 is covered with a multi-
layer structure 48 which serves to both protect the wear-
er’s head, conduct conditioned air along a path adjacent
the helmet shell interior, and finally-release the condi-
tioned air to move past face of the wearer (arrows). More
particularly, the structure 48 includes a first layer 50 cov-
ering and contacting the inner surface of the helmet shell
12 that is constructed of an impact absorbing material
having a primary function of protecting a wearer’s head
against impact shock. Onto the impact absorbing layer,
there is laid down a second or air-conduiting layer 52
preferably formed from a tubular textile material 54 which
readily conducts air along the major axis of the tubular
material and to a lesser extent transversely through the
walls of the material. The tubular material includes woven
tubes interwoven with each other which do not compress
more than 5 percent during wearing use of the helmet
shell. The tubular material extends from approximately
the lower rear edge of the helmet to terminate just in Front
a wearer’s forehead (FIG. 5). Accordingly, the condi-
tioned air effects heat transfer to the head primarily by
convection and moves directly across the face as shown
by the arrows
[0014] Optionally, a third layer 56 laid down on the in-
wardly facing surface of the second layer 52 is construct-
ed of an open-cell cushion foam that is comfortable to
the touch. Alternatively, an extent of cloth 58 covers the
foam layer, or can substitute for the foam layer, and is
4
colored a dark color (e.g., black) to reduce giving a soiled
appearance.
[0015] A band or ribbon 60 of insulation material is
wrapped around the lower rear edge of the multi-layer
5 structure 48 and extending for about one-half of the hel-
met periphery (FIG, 1). The ribbon is sealed about the
structure 48 (e.g., by adhesive) to insure a more uniform
passage of conditioned air along the textile tubular layer
52 and finely directed onto the face of a wearer. Also,
10 the ribbon provides insulation against excessive temper-
ature change being induced in the wearer’s neck region
from the conditioned air.
[0016] A filter 62 can be optionally located at the air
inlet of the pump apparatus 14 for removing foreign par-
15 ticles, such as dirt, dust and pollen, for example or nox-
ious fumes, that are carried by the ambient air.
[0017] As to general operation of the versions de-
scribed, pressurized conditioned air moves from the ap-
paratus 14 through the helmet notch or opening 30, along
20 the tubes of the second layer 52, downwardly onto the
wearer’s forehead, face and temples, and finally exiting
at the lower front of the helmet to the ambient air. This
movement of conditioned air downwardly across the face
not only refreshes the wearer by contact and provides
25 fresh air for breathing, but also reduces the production
of fog on the visor and thus maintains clear visibility.
[0018] Although there are other devices that can be
utilized to cool an air stream for present purposes, be-
cause of use context (e.g., a motorcycle) it is important
30 that the device take as little electrical power as possible
and since the cooling apparatus in a first embodiment is
carried on a helmet the apparatus weight must be mini-
mal. In a practical construction of the invention using a
single blower mechanism(FIGS. 1 and 2) and a Peltier
35 thermoelectric cooling apparatus, the entire weight of the
apparatus 14 did not exceed about 0.23 kg.
[0019] For a further embodiment of the invention that
is especially adapted to for use in an automotive vehicle
(e.g., race car), reference is now made to FIG. 6. A typical
40 automotive vehicle seat 64 and associated backrest 66
are shown with a heat pump 68 (which can be identical
to the heat pump 14) that is conveniently mounted to the
seat 64. Helmet apparatus 70, which can be identical to
the previously described apparatus 10 with the apparatus
45 14 removed, is interconnected with the heat pump 68 by
an appropriate length of flexible tubing 72 that preferably
extends up the back of the backrest 66 (FIG. 3).
[0020] Efficiency improvement of the heat pump in any
of the described embodiments and options can be
50 achieved by adding a separate or second blower mech-
anism 74 solely used to empty waste heat from the ap-
paratus 14 to the ambient (FIG. 3).
[0021] Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown a version
of the invention especially advantageous for wear by a
55 patient 76 in need of having the head maintained at a
prescribed temperature. In particular, an air-conditioned
helmetlike headgear 78 consists of a close fitting textile,
flexible rubber or molded plastic cap 80 which is dimen-
3
 5 EP 1 662 924 B1
sioned for secure fitting to the patient’s head. A layer 82
of textile tubular means which can be identical to the pre-
viously described layer 52 is secured to the interior sur-
face of the cap 80 with the individual tubes extending
from the back lower edge to a termination point at the
forehead of the patient. A conveniently mounted heat
pump 84 (either thermoelectric or Stirling cycle) provides
conditioned air via a flexible conduit 85 and a fitting 86
at the back of the cap to the layer 82 such that conditioned
air moves along the textile tubes adjacent the scalp and
exits at the forehead downwardly onto the face of the
patient.
[0022] An alternative manner of transferring condi-
tioned air from the apparatus 14 to the conduiting layer
52 is shown in FIG. 8. More particularly, a tubular conduit
88 has one end in air receiving connection with the heat
pump 26 and after extending around and past the rear
lower edge of the helmet shell 12 has its other end in
contact with the layer 52. By this construction, a further
or second opening does not have to be formed in the
helmet shell.
[0023] Although the invention has been described in
connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be un-
derstood that those skilled in the appertaining arts may
contemplate modifications within the scope of the inven-
tion as described in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus, comprising:
a rigid helmet shell (12) including a first opening
of such dimensions as to permit receipt onto the
head of a wearer;
a conditioning device (14);
characterized in that
the conditioning device produces a pressurized
stream of temperature conditioned air; and
the apparatus further comprises multi-layer
means (48) secured to an interior surface of the
helmet shell (12) constructed of a first layer (50)
of an impact resistant material adhered to a hel-
met shell interior surface and a second layer (52)
contacting the first layer (50), the second layer
(52) constructed of a tubular textile material in
fluid communication with the conditioning device
(14) and adapted to distribute the temperature
conditioned air across the scalp of a wearer by
convection transversely through the walls of the
tubular textile material and directly onto the face
of a wearer.
2. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
in which a third layer (56) constructed of an open-
cell foam is provided secured onto an outer surface
of the second layer (52).
6
3. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
in which the conditioning device (14) is a heat pump.
4. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
5 in which electric cabling (16) has one end connected
to the conditioning device (14) and extends down-
wardly along path for connection at its other end to
a suitable source of electric power.
10 5. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
in which the tubular textile material (52) includes wo-
ven tubes interwoven with each other which do not
compress more than 5 percent during wearing use
of the helmet shell.
15
6. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
in which the conditioning device (14) is mounted to
an outside surface of the helmet shell (12).
20 7. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 6,
in which there is further provided an air scoop (38)
secured to an outer surface of the helmet shell pro-
tectively covering the conditioning device (14) and
for receiving air and directing it to the conditioning
25 device.
8. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
in which an elongated sealing means (60) is secured
about the multi-layer structure (52) adjacent the low-
30 er rear edge of the helmet shell preventing condi-
tioned air escaping from the structure lower rear
edge.
9. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
35 in which the conditioning device (14) is located re-
mote from the helmet.
10. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 3,
in which the heat pump (14) includes a single blower
40 mechanism moving a first part of pressurized air over
the "cold" place of the pump to the helmet shell in-
terior when cooling is the conditioning mode, and
simultaneously moving a second part of the pressu-
rized air past the "hot" place of the pump to the ex-
45 terior ambient.
11. An air-conditioned helmet apparatus as in claim 1,
in which the conditioning device includes two blower
mechanisms, a first mechanism for moving condi-
50 tioned air to the helmet interior and a second mech-
anism for moving waste heat or waste cold, as the
case may be, to the ambient exterior of the helmet
shell.
55 12. Air-conditioned headgear apparatus, characterized
in that it comprises:
a cap (80) shaped for fitting receipt onto the head
4
 7 EP 1 662 924 B1
of a wearer;
layer means (48) affixed to an interior surface
of the cap (80) including tubular means (52) dis-
tributed substantially throughout and conform-
ing to the cap (80) inferior surface and extending
forwardly to terminate generally in the forehead
region of the cap (80) with open ends directed
toward the face of a wearer;
a heat pump (14) fixedly located exteriorly of the
cap (80) for generating a pressurized stream of
conditioned air; and
a conduit (28) interconnecting the heat pump
(14) and the layer means (48) configured such
that conditioned air from the heat pump (14) is
distributed onto the scalp of the wearer by con-
vection through the walls of the tubular means
(52) and is distributed through the open ends of
the tubular means to the wearer’s face.
Patentansprüche
1. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung, die Folgendes um-
fasst:
eine starre Helmschale (12), die eine erste Öff-
nung mit solchen Abmessungen enthält, dass
ein Träger sie über dem Kopf tragen kann;
eine Klimatisierungsvorrichtung (14);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Klimatisierungsvorrichtung einen Strom aus
temperierter Druckluft erzeugt; und
die Vorrichtung des Weiteren Mehrschichtmittel
(48) umfasst, die an einer Innenfläche der Helm-
schale (12) angebracht sind und aus einer er-
sten Schicht (50) aus einem schlagfesten Ma-
terial, das an einer Helmschaleninnenfläche an-
geklebt ist, und einer zweiten Schicht (52), die
die erste Schicht (50) berührt, aufgebaut sind,
wobei die zweite Schicht (52) aus einem röhren-
förmigen Textilmaterial aufgebaut ist, das in
Strömungsverbindung mit der Klimatisierungs-
vorrichtung (14) steht und dafür geeignet ist, die
temperierte Luft über die Kopfhaut eines Trä-
gers durch Konvektion in Querrichtung durch die
Wände des röhrenförmigen Textilmaterials hin-
durch und direkt auf des Gesicht eines Trägers
zu verteilen.
2. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
bei eine dritte Schicht (56), die aus einem offenzel-
ligen Schaumstoff aufgebaut ist, bereitgestellt und
an einer Außenfläche der zweiten Schicht (52) be-
festigt ist.
3. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
bei die Klimatisierungsvorrichtung (14) eine Wärme-
pumpe ist.
8
4. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
bei eine elektrische Verkabelung (16) mit einem En-
de an der Klimatisierungsvorrichtung (14) ange-
schlossen ist und sich entlang eines Pfades nach
5 unten erstreckt, um an ihrem anderen Ende mit einer
geeigneten elektrischen Stromquelle verbunden zu
werden.
5. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
10 bei das röhrenförmige Textilmaterial (52) miteinan-
der verwobene Geweberöhren enthält, die sich wäh-
rend des Tragens der Helmschale um nicht mehr als
5 Prozent zusammendrücken lassen.
15 6. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
bei die Klimatisierungsvorrichtung (14) an einer Au-
ßenfläche der Helmschale (12) montiert ist.
7. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wo-
20 bei des Weiteren eine Lufthutze (38) bereitgestellt
ist, die an einer Außenfläche der Helmschale befe-
stigt ist und die Klimatisierungsvorrichtung (14)
schützend bedeckt und dazu dient, Luft aufzuneh-
men und sie zu der Klimatisierungsvorrichtung zu
25 lenken.
8. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
bei ein längliches Dichtungsmittel (60) um die Mehr-
schichtstruktur (52) herum neben der unteren Hin-
30 terkante der Helmschale befestigt ist, um zu verhin-
dern, dass klimatisierte Luft von der unteren Hinter-
kante der Struktur entweicht.
9. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
35 bei die Klimatisierungsvorrichtung (14) von dem
Helm räumlich entfernt angeordnet ist.
10. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wo-
bei die Wärmepumpe (14) einen einzelnen Geblä-
40 semechanismus enthält, der einen ersten Teil der
Druckluft über die "kalte" Stelle der Pumpe zu dem
Helmschaleninneren bewegt, wenn der Klimatisie-
rungsmodus ein Kühlmodus ist, und gleichzeitig ei-
nen zweiten Teil der Druckluft an der "warmen" Stelle
45 der Pumpe vorbei ins Freie bewegt.
11. Klimatisierte Helmvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wo-
bei die Klimatisierungsvorrichtung zwei Gebläseme-
chanismen enthält, wobei ein erster Mechanismus
50 dazu dient, klimatisierte Luft in das Helminnere zu
bewegen, und ein zweiter Mechanismus dazu dient,
warme bzw. kalte Abluft ins Freie außerhalb der
Helmschale zu bewegen.
55 12. Klimatisierte Kopfbedeckungsvorrichtung, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass sie Folgendes umfasst:
eine Kappe (80), die so geformt ist, dass sie auf
5
 9 EP 1 662 924 B1
den Kopf eines Trägers passt;
Schichtmittel (48), die an einer Innenfläche der
Kappe (80) befestigt sind und röhrenförmige
Mittel (52) enthalten, die im Wesentlichen über
die gesamte Innenfläche der Kappe (80) hinweg
verteilt sind und sich an die Form der Innenflä-
che der Kappe (80) anschmiegen und sich der-
gestalt nach vorn erstrekken, dass sie allgemein
in der Stirnregion der Kappe (80) enden, wobei
die offenen Enden auf das Gesicht eines Trä-
gers gerichtet sind;
eine Wärmepumpe (14), die fest außerhalb der
Kappe (80) angebracht ist, um einen Strom aus
temperierter Druckluft zu erzeugen; und
einen Kanal (28), der die Wärmepumpe (14) und
die Schichtmittel (48) miteinander verbindet und
so konfiguriert ist, dass klimatisierte Luft von der
Wärmepumpe (14) auf die Kopfhaut des Trä-
gers durch Konvektion durch die Wände der röh-
renförmigen Mittel (52) hindurch verteilt wird und
durch die offenen Enden der röhrenförmigen
Mittel auf das Gesicht des Trägers verteilt wird.
Revendications
1. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné, comprenant :
une coque de casque (12) rigide incluant une
première ouverture de dimensions telles qu’el-
les permettent le placement sur la tête d’un
porteur ;
un dispositif de conditionnement (14) ;
caractérisé en ce que
le dispositif de conditionnement produit un cou-
rant pressurisé d’air conditionné à température ;
et l’appareil comprend en outre des moyens
multi-couches (48) fixés sur une surface inté-
rieure de la coque de casque (12), constitués
d’une première couche (50) d’un matériau ré-
sistant aux impacts collé à une surface intérieure
de coque de casque et une seconde couche (52)
contactant la première couche (50), la seconde
couche (52) étant constituée d’un matériau tex-
tile tubulaire en communication de fluide avec
le dispositif de conditionnement (14) et adapté
afin de répartir l’air conditionné à température
au travers du cuir chevelu d’un porteur par con-
vection transversalement à travers les parois du
matériau textile tubulaire et directement sur le
visage d’un porteur.
2. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel une troisième couche (56)
constituée d’une mousse à cellules ouvertes est pré-
vue en étant fixée sur une surface extérieure de la
seconde couche (52).
10
3. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de condition-
nement (14) est une pompe de chaleur.
5 4. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel un câblage électrique (16)
possède une extrémité connectée au dispositif de
conditionnement (14) et s’étend vers le bas le long
d’un cheminement en vue de sa connexion à son
10 autre extrémité et à une source appropriée d’alimen-
tation électrique.
5. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel le matériau textile tubu-
15 laire (52) inclut des tubes tissés entrelacés en tissa-
ge les uns aux autres qui ne compriment pas de plus
de 5% pendant l’utilisation portée de la coque de
casque.
20 6. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de condition-
nement (14) est monté sur une surface extérieure
de la coque de casque (12).
25 7. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 6, dans lequel il est en outre prévu une
prise d’air de refroidissement (38) fixée à une surface
extérieure de la coque de casque, couvrant de ma-
nière protectrice le dispositif de conditionnement
30 (14) et recevant l’air et le dirigeant vers le dispositif
de conditionnement.
8. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel un moyen de joint d’étan-
35 chéité allongé (60) est fixé autour de la structure mul-
ti-couches (62) à côté du bord arrière inférieur de la
coque de casque en empêchant l’air conditionné de
s’échapper du bord arrière inférieur de la structure.
40 9. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de condition-
nement (14) est situé à distance du casque.
10. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
45 vendication 3, dans lequel la pompe de chaleur (14)
inclut un mécanisme de ventilateur individuel dépla-
çant une première partie de l’air pressurisé sur la
surface « froide » de la pompe vers l’intérieur de la
coque de casque lorsque le refroidissement est le
50 mode de conditionnement, et déplaçant simultané-
ment une seconde partie de l’air pressurisé au-delà
de la surface « chaude » de la pompe vers l’environ-
nement extérieur.
55 11. Dispositif de casque à air conditionné selon la re-
vendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de condition-
nement inclut deux mécanismes de ventilateur, un
premier mécanisme pour dpélacer l’air conditionné
6
 11 EP 1 662 924 B1 12

vers l’intérieur du casque et un second mécanisme

pour déplacer la chaleur résiduelle ou le froid rési-
duel, en fonction des circonstances, vers l’environ-
nement extérieur de la coque de casque.
5
12. Dispositif de protection pour la tête à air conditionné,
caractérisé en ce que il comprend :

un capuchon (80) façonné en vue d’un place-

ment ajusté sur la tête d’un porteur ; 10
des moyens de couches (48) fixés à une surface
intérieure du capuchon (80) incluant des
moyens tubulaires (52) répartis essentiellement
à travers de et se conformant à la surface inté-
rieure du capuchon (80) et s’étendant vers 15
l’avant afin d’aboutir généralement dans la ré-
gion frontale du capuchon (80) avec les extré-
mités ouvertes dirigées vers le visage d’un
porteur ;
une pompe de chaleur (14) située de manière 20
fixe à l’extérieur du capuchon (80) pour générer
un courant pressurisé d’air conditionné ; et
un conduit (28) interconnectant la pompe de
chaleur (14) et les moyens de couches (48) con-
figuré de telle sorte que l’air conditionné prove- 25
nant de la pompe de chaleur (14) soit réparti sur
le cuir chevelu du porteur par convection à tra-
vers les parois des moyens tubulaires (52) et
soit réparti à travers les extrémités ouvertes des
moyens tubulaires vers le visage du porteur. 30

35

40

45

50

55

7
EP 1 662 924 B1

8
EP 1 662 924 B1

9
EP 1 662 924 B1

10
EP 1 662 924 B1

11
 EP 1 662 924 B1

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• EP 0078110 A [0003] • US 3736927 A [0003]

12