A Biomechanical Evaluation of a Novel Airbag Bicycle Helmet Concept for Traumatic Brain Injury Mitigation

Abstract

In this study, a novel expandable bicycle helmet, which integrates an airbag system into the conventional helmet design, was proposed to explore the potential synergetic effect of an expandable airbag and a standard commuter-type EPS helmet. The traumatic brain injury mitigation performance of the proposed expandable helmet was evaluated against that of a typical traditional bicycle helmet. A series of dynamic impact simulations on both a helmeted headform and a representative human head with different configurations were carried out in accordance with the widely recognised international bicycle helmet test standards. The impact simulations were initially performed on a ballast headform for validation and benchmarking purposes, while the subsequent ones on a biofidelic human head model were used for assessing any potential intracranial injury. It was found that the proposed expandable helmet performed admirably better when compared to a conventional helmet design—showing improvements in impact energy attenuation, as well as kinematic and biometric injury risk reduction. More importantly, this expandable helmet concept, integrating the airbag system in the conventional design, offers adequate protection to the cyclist in the unlikely case of airbag deployment failure.

Grand Theft Auto-Based Cycling Simulator for Cognitive Enhancement Technologies in Dangerous Traffic Situations

“…However, as the cycling infrastructure develops, it is crucial also to improve the quality of technology for cyclists. Continuous research on optimal parameters for bicycle helmets and equipping them with solutions, such as airbags [ 58 ], is one option, but legislative changes to grant cyclists more rights also contribute to greater cyclist safety. The automotive industry already places great emphasis on the use of IT applications and numerous sensors to ensure safety, e.g., parking sensors, distance sensors about the vehicle ahead, and overtaking information systems.…”

Neurotrauma Prevention Review: Improving Helmet Design and Implementation

“…Similarly, the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) is a slip liner (compared to the standard expanded polystyrene foam bicycle helmet liner) that covers the inside of a helmet to allow for head-helmet sliding during collisions, and also demonstrates significant rotational acceleration mitigation [ 95 ]. Another helmet technology involves airbag expansion based on impact sensors, and also demonstrates promising brain injury mitigation results [ 97 , 98 ]. MIPS, WAVECEL, and airbag (Hövding) helmets also reduce brain strain in important regions, according to computational analysis [ 95 , 99 ].…”

An Air-Filled Bicycle Helmet for Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Recently, bicycle helmets based on airbag technology have been designed [18,19], paving the way for a new generation of helmets. Based on these preliminary works, we developed the Bumpair bicycle helmet, which is filled with pressurized air and uses patented (FR1901909, PCT/FR2020/050360, EP20713723, US17433035) and certified (EN1078/N • 2754/4465/158/11/21/0659, [20].…”