Making bicycle helmets cool to wear – Information Centre – Research & Innovation

Supplied an possibility among protection and consolation, some consumers are possible to opt for consolation. The exact same is correct when it arrives to bicycle helmets, which are likely to experience far too warm right after very long or intensive rides. The condition and non-optimised vents in the helmet as properly as the insulated liners generally conclude up trapping considerably far too considerably warmth.

Individuals commuting to do the job on a bike, for instance, do not want a sweaty head and tussled hair for the reason that of donning a helmet. With no compromising protection, scientists have been challenged to make the helmets a large amount cooler to have on. The dilemma was tackled by the EU-funded SMARTHELMET job which introduced jointly analysis and sector gurus to come up with a novel resolution.

‘SMARTHELMET job concentrated on producing helmets with energetic thermal administration, the place the air flow can be controlled autonomously dependent on a rider’s cooling requirements,’ states job coordinator Tiago Sotto Mayor of the College of Porto in Portugal.

By creating and developing new helmets that are cooler and more comfy, the hope is that lots of more will begin donning them. Much more bikers imply a more energetic population and possibly cleaner air for all those who opt for no for a longer period to commute by car or truck. Also, engineering that could help save lives is not only good but is also socially dependable.

‘Moreover, helmets are passive objects with a preset geometry and condition which can’t adapt to riders’ distinctive thermal environments and air flow requirements,’ states Sotto Mayor.

Cooler heads prevail

Regular helmets serve only to protect a person’s head. So producing one particular that can also sense, forecast and adapt its air flow to the cooling requirements of a rider needs a large amount of experience.

For SMARTHELMET, this intended initial bringing jointly a combine of gurus in biomechanics, electronics, thermo-regulation, engineering, producing and innovation.

SMARTHELMET scientists then integrated electronics into bicycle helmets to allow actual-time sensing of physiological and environmental parameters. These parameters provided heart charge, temperature and relative humidity, which have been used to gauge a rider’s warmth output and different cooling requirements.

‘We investigated means to adapt the helmet air flow via changes in the functions of its vents and linked their operation with the rider’s thermo-regulation requirements,’ states Sotto Mayor.

The results have been then integrated into an ground breaking helmet principle to optimise air flow via sensing, electronics and good operation. The principle also took in other components like surrounding environmental situations and the cyclist’s amount of actual physical exercise.

Further than cycling

LAZER, a organization that types and sells bicycle helmets in more than sixty five countries spread above five continents, was also concerned in the job. Sotto Mayor describes the business as a organic spouse to change the analysis into ground breaking good bicycle helmets.

Nevertheless, he also notes that the analysis has a large possible in other sectors as properly, including objects these as motorcycle helmets, industrial protective headgear and even protective apparel.

‘The possible impact of the do the job developed in the SMARTHELMET job goes over and above the cycling earth,’ he provides, noting that the job has also given youthful scientists a fantastic option for palms-on encounter throughout distinctive sectors.