Method and apparatus for simulating head impacts for helmet testing
First Claim
1. A method for testing a helmet, said method comprising:
- i. selecting a head form adapted and constrained to rotate about a first axis of rotation of a plurality of axes of rotation;
ii. impacting the head form at a first designated location with a force actuator operable to exert a constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said one axis of rotation;
iii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said head form;
iv. determining a baseline rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said head form;
v. installing a helmet on said head form;
vi. impacting the helmet installed on said head form at said first designated location with a force actuator operable to exert said constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said one axis of rotation;
vii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said head form;
viii. determining a rotational acceleration of said selected head form when said helmet is installed on said head form; and
ix. determining a degree of protection against rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis afforded by the helmet for said impact point;
x. selecting a head form adapted and constrained to rotate about a second axis of rotation of a plurality of axes of rotation;
xi. impacting the head form at a second designated location with a force actuator operable to exert a constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said second axis of rotation;
xii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration of said head form;
xiii. determining a baseline rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said head form;
xiv. installing said helmet on said head form;
xv. impacting the helmet installed on said head form at said second designated location with a force actuator operable to exert said constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said one axis of rotation;
xvi. measuring an indictor of rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said head form;
xvii. determining a rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said selected head form when said helmet is installed on said head form; and
xviii. determining a degree of protection against rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis afforded by the helmet for said impact point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed that includes a frame, an impact delivery unit for delivering an impact force and at least one head form. The head form is adapted to be mounted to the frame such that the impact delivery unit can deliver an impact force to a designated location on the head form. The head form is configured to have a helmet installed thereon. The head form is selectively rotatable about each of a plurality of different axes of rotation, wherein movement of the head form is constrained to be able to move only in rotation and in rotation about only one axis of rotation of the plurality of axes at any time. A measuring system provides an indicator of the rotational acceleration of the head form when rotated about each of the plurality of axes. Also disclosed are methods for comparing the degree of protection afforded by first and second helmets.
34 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for testing a helmet, said method comprising:
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i. selecting a head form adapted and constrained to rotate about a first axis of rotation of a plurality of axes of rotation; ii. impacting the head form at a first designated location with a force actuator operable to exert a constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said one axis of rotation; iii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said head form; iv. determining a baseline rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said head form; v. installing a helmet on said head form; vi. impacting the helmet installed on said head form at said first designated location with a force actuator operable to exert said constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said one axis of rotation; vii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said head form; viii. determining a rotational acceleration of said selected head form when said helmet is installed on said head form; and ix. determining a degree of protection against rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis afforded by the helmet for said impact point; x. selecting a head form adapted and constrained to rotate about a second axis of rotation of a plurality of axes of rotation; xi. impacting the head form at a second designated location with a force actuator operable to exert a constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said second axis of rotation; xii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration of said head form; xiii. determining a baseline rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said head form; xiv. installing said helmet on said head form; xv. impacting the helmet installed on said head form at said second designated location with a force actuator operable to exert said constant force against said head form to thereby cause said selected head form to rotate about said one axis of rotation; xvi. measuring an indictor of rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said head form; xvii. determining a rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said selected head form when said helmet is installed on said head form; and xviii. determining a degree of protection against rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis afforded by the helmet for said impact point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for testing a helmet, said method comprising:
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providing a head form adapted and constrained to rotate separately about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation; generating a baseline rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said head form; generating a rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis when said helmet is installed on said head form; determining a degree of protection against rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis afforded by the helmet; generating a baseline rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said head form; generating a rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis when said helmet is installed on said head form; and determining a degree of protection against rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis afforded by the helmet.
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30. A method for comparing first and second helmets, said method comprising:
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providing a head form adapted and constrained to rotate separately about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation; generating a rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis when said first helmet is installed on said head form; generating a rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis when said second helmet is installed on said head form; comparing the rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis and the second axis between when the first and second helmets are installed on the head form.
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31. A method for comparing first and second helmets, said method comprising:
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i. selecting a first head form adapted and constrained to rotate about a first axis of rotation of a plurality of axes of rotation; ii. installing a first helmet on said first head form; iii. exerting a first force on said first helmet installed on said first head form at a first designated location to thereby cause said first head form to rotate about said first axis of rotation; iv. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said first head form; v. determining a rotational acceleration in relation to said first axis of said first head form when said first helmet is installed on said first head form; and vi. installing a second helmet on said first head form; vii. exerting said first force on said second helmet installed on said first head form at said first designated location to thereby cause said first head form to rotate about said second axis of rotation; viii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said first head form; ix. determining a rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said first head form when said second helmet is installed on said first head form; and x. comparing the rotational accelerations in relation to said first axis between said first and second helmets; xi. selecting a second head form adapted and constrained to rotate about a second axis of rotation of a plurality of axes of rotation; xii. installing said first helmet on said second head form; xiii. exerting a second force on said first helmet installed on said second head form at a second designated location to thereby cause said second head form to rotate about said second axis of rotation; xiv. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said second head form; xv. determining a rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said second head form when said first helmet is installed on said second head form; xvi. installing a second helmet on said second head form; xvii. exerting said force on said second helmet installed on said second head form at said second location to thereby cause said second head form to rotate about said second axis of rotation; xviii. measuring an indicator of rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said second head form; xix. determining a rotational acceleration in relation to said second axis of said second head form when said second helmet is installed on said head form; xx. comparing the rotational accelerations in relation to said first axis between said first and second helmets.
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Specification