Alpine skiing can be a very dangerous sport due to the risk of traumatic brain injury as a result of crashing. This can lead to severe reduction in neurological function, with repeat injuries linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Current alpine helmets are made of two layers: a rigid outer shell and a compressible foam layer of either EPP or EPS. However, the foam layer offers limited protection during compression, and none after it has compressed by roughly a half its thickness. Our objective is to design a new energy absorption system for helmets to improve protection and reduce the risk of concussions. By using non-linear springs our helmet can absorb more energy than foam and withstand multiple impacts without failure.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Preiss, Brian
• Welch, Timothy A.
• Milsark, Cooper D.
• Sevinsky, Aidan J.

Subject

• Innovation
• Health

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-050621-141457
• 23056

Keyword

• Axiomatic Design
• Concussion
• Helmet
• Non-linear spring
• Impact Absorption

Advisor

• Brown, Christopher A.

Year

• 2021

Date created

• 2021-05-06

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2024-05-17