A Study on Impact Energy Absorption Performance of Reinforced Rubber Motorcycle Helmet Shells to Improve Protective Motorcycle Headgears
Abstract
This research aimed to study the use of rubber sponge pads as an impact absorber inside the comfort foam of motorcycle helmets to improve the impact absorption capacity. In addition, a user satisfaction survey was conducted to compare the users’ attitudes towards each type of experimental helmet. The specimens were divided into three types: non-reinforced helmets (MH1), inner reinforced helmets (MH2), and outer reinforced helmets (MH3) to evaluate the maximum impact load, acceleration value, Head Injury Criterion (HIC), and the wearers’ satisfaction. Two series of tests, the impact and drop tests, were carried out. The peak load, peak acceleration, and HIC were investigated. The experimental results indicated that the reinforced helmets (MH2 and MH3) had a lower maximum peak load than the typical helmets (MH1). In addition, the reinforced helmets helped reduce the peak acceleration and HIC significantly. In terms of wearers’ satisfaction, it was found that the respondents felt slightly uncomfortable when wearing a helmet that was reinforced with a rubber sponge.
Keywords: helmet, peak load, acceleration, head injury criterion.
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