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Design and Analysis of a Neck-Support-Incorporated Helmet

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Design and Analysis of a Neck-Support-Incorporated Helmet Design and Analysis of a Neck-Support- Incorporated Helmet for Reducing the Risk of Concussion in Ice Hockey A Major Qualifying Project Proposal to be submitted to the faculty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science Submitted by: Brittany Wasserman In collaboration with: Stefano Berti Ashleigh Collins Amanda Pierce Kimberly Zielinski Project Advisor: Prof. Brian Savilonis, WPI Project Number: CS15 | P a g e January 6, 2015 Abstract The goal of this project is to reduce the risk of concussion for ice hockey players by incorporating neck support into the current helmet design. This will provide an additional restoring moment during impact that will reduce the acceleration of the head. Computational analysis and mathematical modelling were used to distinguish which preliminary design features should be used in the prototype. The neck support will utilize smart fluids that exhibit shear thickening in response to force that will provide the restoring moment to reduce the acceleration of the head upon impact; while also allowing the player full range of motion when not experiencing an impact. The prototype and an unmodified helmet will be tested on a head-form equipped with accelerometers in an air cylinder impact test. Comparing the test results of the prototype to those of the unmodified helmet will determine if the neck support improves the helmet’s ability to reduce the acceleration of the head upon impact. Additionally, head injury assessment functions were researched and the Head Impact Power (HIP) equation was chosen as a means of determining whether the prototype reduces risk of concussion. i | P a g e Acknowledgements Several individuals made this project possible. First, I would like to thank my group members who collaborated with me to get our project this far and whom will complete the project after I graduate. Each of my group members made indispensable contributions to this project, for which I am extremely grateful. I would also like to thank Peter Hefti for letting us use the lab space and equipment, and Dr. Adriana Hera for assisting us with the Ansys WorkBench analysis. Additionally, this project would not have been possible without the guidance and support from our advisor, Professor Brian Savilonis. i | P a g e Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 2. Background .............................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Defining Concussions ...................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Injuries in hockey ........................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Head Injury Criterion ..................................................................................................... 17 2.4 Head Impact Power ........................................................................................................ 18 2.5 Helmet Standards ........................................................................................................... 21 2.6 In Play Regulations ........................................................................................................ 23 2.7 Current Protective Equipment in Ice Hockey ................................................................ 24 2.8 Testing Methods ............................................................................................................. 31 2.8.1 Drop Weight Impact Test........................................................................................ 31 2.8.2 Pendulum Impact Test ............................................................................................ 32 2.8.3 Air Cylinder Impact Test ........................................................................................ 33 2.9 Smart Materials .............................................................................................................. 34 3. Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 37 3.1 Project Goal and Objectives ........................................................................................... 37 3.2 Designing the Neck-Support-Integrated-Helmet ........................................................... 40 3.2.1 Evaluating the Options for the Smart Fluids ........................................................... 42 3.2.2 Evaluating Material Options for Oobleck Capsules ............................................... 62 3.2.3 Neck Support Enclosure Material ........................................................................... 64 3.2.4 Evaluating the Options for the Neck Support Pattern ............................................. 64 3.2.5 Evaluating the Options for Implementation Methods ............................................. 66 3.2.6 Evaluating the Options for How Much Overlap there is Between the Helmet and the Neck Support and How Far Down the Back the Neck Support Should extend. ............. 68 3.2.7 Preliminary Computational Analysis ...................................................................... 69 4. Test Set-Up and Procedure .................................................................................................... 78 4.1 Assessing Feasibility Objectives .................................................................................... 78 4.1.1 Range of Motion Assessment ................................................................................. 79 4.1.2 Ease of Use Assessment.......................................................................................... 80 4.1.3 Comfort Assessment ............................................................................................... 82 i | P a g e 4.2 Developing the Test Rig ................................................................................................. 82 4.2.1 Developing the Structure of the Test Rig ............................................................... 83 4.2.2 Pneumatic Circuit Connecting Air Supply to Air Cylinder .................................... 87 4.2.3 Impact Testing Methods ......................................................................................... 88 4.2.4 Rethinking the Test Set-Up ..................................................................................... 88 5. Conclusions and Recommendations ...................................................................................... 92 5.1 Accomplishments Contributed to Project ...................................................................... 92 5.2 Summary of Project Progress ......................................................................................... 93 5.3 Steps to Complete Project .............................................................................................. 94 6. References ............................................................................................................................. 96 ii | P a g e List of Figures Figure 2-1: Mayo TBI Severity Classification [11] ........................................................................ 5 Figure 2-2: F2220 Specifications for Head forms, Area of Coverage [16] .................................. 22 Figure 2-3: Helmet Comparison ................................................................................................... 25 Figure 2-4: Comparison of Hockey Vs Football Helmet .............................................................. 28 Figure 2-5: Types of Neck Laceration Protectors and Percentage of Players who Wear Each [63] ............................................................................................................................................... 31 Figure 2-6: Drop Weight Impact Test ........................................................................................... 32 Figure 2-7: Pendulum Impact Test ............................................................................................... 33 Figure 2-8: Air Cylinders .............................................................................................................. 34 Figure 3-1: Illustration of the Effect of Oobleck Settling at the Bottom of the Neck Support ..... 43 Figure 3-2: Free Body Diagram of Head During Impact .............................................................. 49 Figure 3-3: Graph of Angular Displacement of the Head versus Time, F = 476 N...................... 50 Figure 3-4: Graph of Angular Velocity of Head versus Time, F = 476 N .................................... 51 Figure 3-5: Graph of Acceleration of Head versus Time, F = 476 N ........................................... 51 Figure 3-6: Graph of Angular Displacement of Head versus Time F = 4.195*103 N .................. 53 Figure 3-7: Graph of Angular Velocity of Head versus Time, F = 4.195*103 N .......................... 53 Figure 3-8: Graph of Acceleration of Head versus Time F = 4.195*103 N .................................. 54 Figure 3-9: Graph of Angular Displacement of Head versus Time, F=3.35*103 N ..................... 55 Figure 3-10: Graph of Angular Velocity of Head versus Time, F = 3.35*103 N .......................... 55 Figure 3-11: Graph of Acceleration of Head versus Time F = 3.35*103 N .................................. 56 Figure 3-12:
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