COMBAT HELMET PAD SUSPENSION PERFORMANCE FOR ANTHROPOMORPHIC FIT DESIGNS, BRAIN FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND INJURY CONSIDERATIONS

摘要

The effects of combat helmet pad suspension components on explosive device ballistic impact on the helmet shell are determined for four helmet geometric designs with and without pad suspension systems. Finite element analysis of a flat panel test article is used to generate back face deflection (BFD) data as a function of impact obliquity to be input into a computer aided design (CAD) software application. The CAD software is used to evaluate omni-directional ballistic impacts to the helmet using one dimensional equations of motion. The BFD and acceleration results of the CAD software analysis are used to determine a head injury criteria and abbreviated injury score (AIS). The AIS is related to ten focal and diffuse head injuries from trauma literature. The attenuation of helmet back face deflections and projectile deceleration for over-pad impacts compared to between-pad impacts translates into reduced injury predictions. The analysis quantifies these effects and helps to define the helmet trade space, facilitate prototyping, and support helmet design optimization.