The influence of impact location and angle on the dynamic impact response of a Hybrid III headform

摘要

To properly assess sports helmet performance, it is important to select impact conditions that yield high peak linear or angular accelerations. This was done by measuring the kinematic response of a Hybrid III headform when impacted with a modified Wayne State University linear impactor with special consideration for impact locations and angles. The 20 impact conditions (five locations and four angles) were then compared to published thresholds to identify the conditions, which were linked to an increased risk of head injury. These conditions were the following: 1A (linear 121.3g; angular 3.84 krad s?2), 2A (linear 102.1g; angular 9.28 krad s?2), 2C (linear 94.4g; angular 8.67 krad s?2), 3A (linear 132.8g; angular 9.38 krad s?2), 4A (linear 92.8g; angular 11.49 krad s?2), 4D (linear 113.3g; angular 12.86 krad s?2), 5A (linear 116.9g; angular 9.01 krad s?2) and 5D (linear 87.5g; angular 8.81 krad s?2). The results presented in this study were specific to the test rig used as well as the tested conditions; however, it is believed that a test protocol using the above impact conditions could identify the ability of sports helmets to reduce risk of head injuries.