Parker TrowIndustrial Design Studio 10A

Head Protection

Phase 1: Research

Helmetica

Parker Trow

Samantha Albert

Samantha Scipio

Amanda Bolton

Katie LevySave face.

Please wear a helmet.

Crash Injuries

Four basic components work together to provide protection inthe motorcycle helmet; and outer shell, an impact-obsorbing liner,the comfort padding, and a good retention system.

1) Outer Shell Usually made from �ber-reinforced composites or thermoplastics like polycarbonate. It is designed to compress when it hits anything hard. That action disperses energy from the impact to lessen the force before it reaches the head.2) Impact-absorbing Liner Made of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) which cushions and absorbs the shock as the helmet stops and the head wants to keep moving.

Both the shell and the liner compress if hit hard, spreading the forces of impact throughout the helmet material. The more impact-energy absorbed, the less there of it to reach the head and do damage. Some helmets are designed to break at the jaw to prevent the neck from breaking. A helmet should be replaced if any damage occurs to the inner liner, even if the helmet has no cracks or damage on the shell.3) Comfort Padding Soft foam and cloth layer which helps keep you comfortable and the helmet �tting snugly.4) Retention System (chin strap) This is the one piece which keeps the helmet on in a crash. Keep it securely fastened.

Helmet Ergonomics

Finding the Right Size:

Instead of guessing a helmet size, a good starting pointis to measure your hat size. To do this, measure yourhead at its largest circumference, which is usually justabove the eyebrows and around the back. Use the chart below in order to determine your hat size, roundingup if your size falls between numbers.

Trying on the Helmet:

- The helmet should fit snugly and may even feel a bit too tight until itis in place correctly. A helmet loosens up a bit as the comfor liner compresses through use. A new helmet should be as tight as you cancomfortably wear it.- Move it from side to side and up and down. If it fitsright, your skin should move as the helmet is moved. - The cheek pads should touch your cheeks without pressinguncomfortably- There should be no gaps between your temples and the brow pads- If the helmet has a neck roll, it shouldn’t push the helmet awayfrom the back of your neck- On full-face helmets, press on the chin piece. The helmet or face shield should not touch your nose or chin. If it does, it will surely do so at speed from wind pressure. - With the chin strap securely fastened, try rolling the helmet forwardoff your head. You shouldn’t be able to pull it off. If you can, the helmet is too big.

Fitting Helmets

Helmet Ergonomics

Materials

Polycarbonate

Thermoplastic polymer•

Water and heat • resistant.

Used for outer shell. • Absorbs the large • initial shock during an impact.

More expensive, • lighter.

Fiberglass

Glass reinforced • polymer

Cheaoer to contruct • than competing products.

Heavier than • competitors.

Meant to tear apart on • impact.

Carbon Fiber

Fiber reinforced • polymer Composition can have • strength of metal at a fraction of the weight.

More expensive than • fiberglass. (Somehw-ere in between the two previous) Fire resistant.•

EPS Foam

Makes up layer be-• tween shell and inner foam padding.

A hard plastic.•

Absorbs additional • impact from shell.

Designed to mold and • crush on impact.

Inner Foam

Last barrier before • face.

Acts as cushion, • conforms to face shape inside helmet.

Designed to bounce • back on impact.

Sometimes removable • and washable.

Competitive Benchmarking

Half “Shorty”

No protection of face, • ears or chin.

Other eye protection/ • goggles needed.

Noisier than helmets • with ear coverage.

Lightest option •

“open-air feeling” •

Popular among • “crusier” set.

No vision contriction • from full-face visor.

Three-Quarter

No protection of face • or chin.

Other eye protection/ • goggles needed.

Brims or similar sun • protection popular additions.

Removable face shield • an option.

“open-air feeling” •

No vision constriction • from full-face visor.

Off-Road

Elongated visor and • chin protection.

Inner pads and • outer guards are often replacable due to high-stress situations. Better air-flow for face. • Large facial opening • for goggles.

Modular

Protects face and chin, • as well as head.

Chin bar flips up over • forehead, allowing for speech and eating convenience.

Riding in “up” position • can cause more wind resistance.

Can be heavier: two • pieces instead of one. Has a middle-aged fan • base.

Full-Face

Protects face and chin, • as well as head.

Restrictive airflow.•

Rear covers base of • skull.

Plastic face shield • swivels open.

Most protective on-• road helmet on market.

Non-Competitive Benchmarking

Sport Helmets

Same basic head pro-• tection needs

Different methods of • padding / types of foam used.

Materials are thinner. • Lots of ventilation • options.

Mountain climbing, • lacrosse, biking, etc.

Animal Skulls

Natural methods of • protecting the brain.

Reinforcement from • other bones / whole system.

Different sections of • skull.

Protection not • an option - natural selection.

Video Games

Futuristic forms not on • the market.

Full-body systems, • helmet takes into account environment while in use.

Different parts, many • different kinds of visors and face shields.

Impractical? •

Skydiving

Speedform - extremely • aerodynamic

Keeps head protect-• ed, must remain fairly quiet and unobtrusive for use.

Materials must be • strong, similar format to motorized vehicle helmets.

Related Gear

Protection for other • parts of the body while riding motorized vehicles.

Similar materials.•

Helmet needs to fit into • needs not found by other related gear. Same market.•

Motorbikes

Glasses 28.68%

Padded Pants %4.84

None 11.11%

Padded Jacket 6.67%

Boots 20.02%

Gloves 28.68%

City Streets 39.19%

Dirt Trails 3.92%

Off Road 7.85%

Suburbs 19.62%

Counrty Roads 29.41%

School 18.16%

Errands 36.38%

Work 25.48%

Road Trips 19.98%

Moped 35.49%

Dirtbike 7.28%

Scooter 21.74%

Motorcycle 35.49%

Wears Helmet 84.68%

Hat 3.8%

Nothing 11.5%

Survey Results

Terrain

ExtrasVehicle

Places

Helmet?

“Retro will always be cool.”

“The average customer will buy the cheapest helmet or a half helmet, then come back

after a few thousand miles for a full face, safer helmet.”

“I wear the best.”

“It’s more fun to ridea slow bike fast than a

fast bike slow.”

“A ten dollar helmetfor a ten dollar head.”

Common Modifications

Quick Strap

Normal straps are “D Ring” closures

•

Hard to use while wearing gloves

•

Helps with latching

•

Costs about $10•

Tape Visor

Clear visors let ina lot of light

•

Tinted visors onlydull bright glares

•

Many people usenormal tapes to mask the sun out

•

Goggles/Glasses

Eye protection is required by law

•

Many riders needprotection from thesun

•

Goggles also helpeyes from gettingtoo dry

•

Typical cost is$20 - $100

•

Comm System

Helmets can make onefeel disconnected fromthe experience and pasengers

•

Communicationssystems allow formusic and riderinteraction

•

Can cost severalhundred dollars

•

Squeegee

Visors are prone togetting covered withrain drops

•

Can also get mud thatobstructs view

•

Costs about $5•

Mind Map

Lifestyles

Target Users

The MBR(Mysterious Black Rider)

Mid 20 Male • Owns a Ducati 848 • Evo. Willing to spend • money on best equiptment possible. Somewhat of a • risk taker, but experienced.

Road driving - esp. • loves the highway.

The Scooter Guy

33 year old Male•

Rides a 1977 Puch • Pinto.

Loves the process of • fixing and upgrading his bike.

Wears a helmet at all • times.

Rides in the city - his • moped is main form of transportation.

The Cafe Racer

25-35 Male • Rides a cafe racer/• street tracker bike.

Into customization • and working on his motorcycle. Mostly wears 3/4 • helmet, appearance is important.

‘Retro’ style.•

The Cruiser “Bud”

Middle age Male •

Rides cruiser and • naked sports bikes.

Middle class, has a • budget for his bike.

Wears a helmet, but • not always.

Avoids the interstate • on his bike.

The Frat Boy

23 year old Male • Rides a Honda CBR • 600, also owns a moped.

Doesn’t have a lot • of time to spend on detailing his bike.

Usually wears a • helmet.

Road driving, • interstate trips less than 3 hours.

JasonCafe Racer

Jason is aware of the risks involved with not having afull-face helmet, but doesn’t think that there arealternatives that match his style. He loves workingon his custom-made motorcycle, and likes theconnection he has to it when he rides.

Design Objectives

- Provide excellent protection

- Be easy to use and to store

- Be comfortable to wear

- Have good ventilation

- Be aesthetically appealing

- Enhance the riding experience

Our designs should

Phase 2: Concept Development

Phase 3: Validation

Phase 4: Refinement

Phase 5: Finalization