Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics (한국항공운항학회지)

The Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics (한국항공운항학회)
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The Research on the Development of Passenger Helmet to Prevent Head Trauma

두부 손상 보호를 위한 승객용 헬멧 개발 연구

  • Received : 2010.03.08
  • Accepted : 2010.03.27
  • Published : 2010.03.31
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Abstract

Introduction : Head trauma is the main cause of death in aircraft crash. In a Michigan study of structurally survivable, fatal accidents, 80% of the fatally injured had received head trauma. We tried to develop a new helmet for passengers, and perform its efficiency test. Methods : An aircraft helmet requires an excellent protection against head trauma, lightness, and small volumes. In addition, it must be wearable, fire resistant, and non toxic when it is burning. We developed two new helmets made from silicone foam which met all theses requirements. One was thin (2.5cm), and the other was thick (6.3cm). These looked like a motorcycle helmet and had only a soft silicone as liner material without an outer hard shell. Therefore we can carry them easily inside aircrafts. The standard test for helmet is Snell's drop test. It measures the impact acceleration of head shaped metal wearing helmet during we drop it at certain heights. Impact sites were total 5 sites (front, back, right, left and top) for each helmet. All these sites were impacted twice. Results : The thickness of impact sites varied from 2.5cm to 6.3cm. The impact acceleration of 2.5cm thickness site when it was dropped from 1.0 meter was 379g. But, that of 6.3cm thickness site when it was dropped from 1.5 meter was only 163g. Unfortunately, both helmets didn't meet the Snell Standard for motorcycle helmets. Discussion : If we add suitable outer hard shell, and change its thickness and design, the efficiency will be increased. A study indicated that helmet could reduce the risk of head trauma up to 85%. We made helmet for passengers in aircraft crash for the first time. If we improve its weak points, it will decrease the frequency of head trauma in aircraft craft.

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References

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