Sensor module for a protective head top

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11039652-B2
Application number	US-202016741789-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2020
Priority date	Jun 23, 2016
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a sensor module comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to sense ambient temperature in an interior portion of a head top of an article of personal protective equipment configured to be worn by a person;
a position sensor configured to sense a position of a visor of the head top;
an attachment mechanism configured to mate the sensor module with the head top, wherein the visor is configurable to move to a plurality of positions; and
a first communication device configured to communicate with a communication hub configured to be used by the person; and

the communication hub comprising a computing device, the computing device comprising:
a second communication device configured to communicate with the sensor module;
one or more computer processors; and
a memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to:
perform an operation in response to a determination, based at least in part on data received from the sensor module, that the head top of the article of personal protective equipment sensed the ambient temperature in the interior portion of the head top and the visor is in a particular position of the plurality of positions.

2. The sensor module of claim 1 further comprising a battery.

3. The sensor module of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer to sense movement of a head of the person wearing the head top.

4. The sensor module of claim 1 further comprising an audio transducer.

5. The sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED).

6. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to replace a hinge component of the head top.

7. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is not configured to replace any components of a hinge assembly when installed in the head top.

8. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be installed without using any tools.

9. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is configured to fit in an interior of the visor of the head top when the sensor module is installed in the head top and when the visor is in a down position.

10. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module does not impair the performance of a hinge assembly when installed in the head top.

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

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

13. The sensor module of claim 2 , wherein the battery is configured to be replaced without the use of any tools while the sensor module is installed in the head top.

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

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

16. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein a head presence sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein to perform the operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to send information to a remote computing device.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the information at least comprises the data received from the sensor module or is based at least in part on the data received from the sensor module.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein to perform the operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to generate at least one of an audible or visual output.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein to perform the operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to perform a comparison based at least in part on the data received from the sensor module and at least one other set of data.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the at least one other set of data comprises data from an environmental beacon, a sensor in a work environment, or a remote computing device.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein to perform the operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to determine a threshold based at least in part on a detected hazard in the work environment.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the threshold is at least one of adjustable or individualizable based at least in part on a factor associated with the person.

24. The system of claim 1 , wherein to perform the operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to predict a physiological condition of the person based at least in part on the data received from the sensor module.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein to perform the operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more computer processors to predict a heat related illness for the person.

26. The system of claim 1 , wherein to perform the operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more computer processors to indicate at least one of a hydration event or rest period to the person.

27. A computing device comprising:
one or more computer processors; and
a memory comprising instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to:
receive data from a sensor module, configured for an article of personal protective equipment, comprising (a) a temperature sensor configured to sense ambient temperature in an interior portion of a head top of the article of personal protective equipment configured to be worn by a person; (b) a position sensor configured to sense a position of a visor of the head top; an attachment mechanism configured to mate the sensor module with the head top, wherein the visor is configurable to move to a plurality of positions; and (c) a first communication device configured to communicate with a communication hub configured to be used by the person; and
perform an operation in response to a determination, based at least in part on the data received from the sensor module, that the head top of the article of personal protective equipment sensed the ambient temperature in the interior portion of the head top and the visor is in a particular position of the plurality of positions.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor of a computing device to:
receive data from a sensor module, configured for an article of personal protective equipment, comprising (a) a temperature sensor configured to sense ambient temperature in an interior portion of a head top of the article of personal protective equipment configured to be worn by a person; (b) a position sensor configured to sense a position of a visor of the head top; an attachme

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Egeland Marc A
• Awiszus Steven T
• Jents Charles P
• Johnson Benjamin A
• Kanukurthy Kiran S
• Nash James E
• Oien-Rochat Milo G

Classifications

• A62B9/006 Primary

  Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination · CPC title

• A42B3/30

  Mounting radio sets or communication systems · CPC title

• A42B3/046

  Means for detecting hazards or accidents · CPC title

• A62B18/082

  Assembling eyepieces, lenses or vision-correction means in or on gas-masks · CPC title

• A42B3/0433 Primary

  Detecting, signalling or lighting devices · CPC title