Experimental research of energy absorbing structures within helmet samples made with the additive manufacturing method - preliminary study

Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics

article

WOJCIECH TOBOŁA¹  D.Jastrzębski¹  R.Perz¹ 

[1] Warsaw University of Technology: Institute of Aeronautics and Applied Mechanics

关键词: energy absorbing structures;    bicycle helmets;    additive manufacturing;    destructivetesting;   

DOI  :  10.37190/ ABB-02226-2023-03

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Politechnika Wroclawska

【 摘 要 】

Purpose: This study aims to develop an energy-absorbing structure for bicycle helmetsto minimize head injuries caused by collisions. The research team explores three geometricstructures produced through additive methods and compares their energy absorption propertieswith a standard bicycle helmet made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam.Methods: The study prepared samples of three geometric structures (a ball, ahoneycomb, and a conical shape) and a fragment of a bicycle helmet made of EPS foam withthe same overall dimensions. Laboratory tests were conducted using a pneumatic hammer,piston compressor, anvil, triaxial accelerometer, and data processing systems. Three crash testswere performed for each type of structure, and the anvil's maximum acceleration and stoppingdistance after the crash were analyzed.Results: The study found that the energy absorption properties of the Polylactic Acid(PLA) material printed with the incremental method were comparable or better than those ofthe EPS material used in helmets. The geometric structure of the energy-absorbing materialplayed a crucial role in its effectiveness. The most promising results were obtained for the ballsamples.Conclusions: The study concluded that further research on energy-absorbing structuresmade using the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method could be useful in the productionof bicycle helmets. The results show that the geometric structure of the energy-absorbingmaterial is a crucial factor in its effectiveness. The findings suggest that the ball-shapedstructure made with PLA material printed using the incremental method could be a promisingdesign for bicycle helmets to minimize head injuries caused by collisions.

【 授权许可】

Unknown