Engineering news
A biomedical engineering firm has developed a helmet drop test apparatus that enables the more accurate measurement of linear and rotational head forces.
Use of the system has led to the development of a sports helmet prototype that is claimed to reduce head injuries and concussions by up to 50 per cent.
US-based firm Lloyd Industries developed the test apparatus to measure both linear and angular kinematics. It consists of a twin wire fall test system equipped with a drop arm that incorporates a 50th percentile head and neck assembly. The aluminum flyarm runs on Teflon sleeves through parallel braided stainless steel wires, which are attached to mounting points in the building structure and anchored into the concrete foundation.
The anvil onto which the head drop systems impacts consists of a 350mm x 350mm steel based plate. Existing and helmet and prototype helmets were dropped from a height 2.0 meters generating an impact velocity of 6.2 m/s (13.9 mph). Slow motion videos show the impact.
A triaxial accelerometer and three angular rate sensors affixed to a triaxial block were installed at the centre of mass of the head form. Data from the accelerometer and angular rate sensors were acquired using National Instruments compact DAQ hardware and associated software.
John Lloyd of Lloyd Industries said: “The test system means we can measure both peak linear and rotational force. The National Instruments kit allows us to collect all the required data simultaneously.
“Previously it has been hard to collect data pertaining to rotational force. And rotational injuries are a major cause of concussion and brain injury.”
As a result of the work, Lloyd Industries has developed a safety helmet that promises to provide up to 50 percent more protection against head injuries and concussions. The technology has wide application across sports, including football, cycling, skiing and horse riding.
Lloyd added: “The patent-pending matrix of non-Newtonian materials will not only benefit football, but can be used in all sports helmets as well as military, motorcycle and even baby helmets to improve protection and dramatically reduce the risk of brain injuries.”
The materials are inexpensive, and produce a helmet that is considerably lighter and more comfortable than a traditional helmet. Two additional applications of this new safety technology include medical flooring especially in hospitals and nursing homes or child play areas, as well as vehicle interiors.
Lloyd said he was in discussions with sporting equipment manufacturers who were interested in taking the helmet towards commercialisation.”We are looking for manufacturers for different applications,” he added. “The helmet design is equally applicable across sporting sectors.”