The protective part of a helmet consists of the outer shell and inner liner that are integrated together. The outer shell of the helmet is the most important element as it is the part that takes the brunt of the impact.
Table of Contents
- The Plastic Shell
- A Helmet Liner
- MIPS Technology
- WaveCel Technology
- SPIN technology:
- Benefits Of Riding A Bicycle And Your Safety
- How to take care of your bicycle helmet
- When to replace your bicycle helmet
The Plastic Shell
The plastic shell on a helmet provides a level of protection for the skull. When an impact occurs, the plastic shell will slide off, protecting the skull.
A Helmet Liner
A helmet liner is made of a compound of polystyrene and polycarbonate plastic. Its impact absorption qualities are created through engineering and not through physical or chemical differences. The EPS in a helmet act as a cushion, separating and absorbing impact energy, and keeping your head from hitting the ground.
Currently, most bicycle helmets are tested by dropping them from a set height onto an anvil to simulate a crash. The bike helmet is designed to protect the head from direct impacts, but it is not designed to prevent the more dangerous and potentially more common rotational forces generated in a crash. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Colorado Hospital found that helmets fail to prevent rotational brain injuries in most concussion-inducing crashes. The researchers looked at data from more than 300 cyclists treated at the hospital over seven years, and they identified 15 cases in which the cyclists suffered brain injuries that were due to rotational forces. Below mentioned advancements have provided an extra support in mitigating the risky impacts during accident.
MIPS Technology
Mips technology is a low friction layer between the liner and shell of a helmet that allows the helmet to slip relative to the head when it’s struck. This relationship effectively reduces the rotational forces transferred to the head. In theory, this can reduce or eliminate the chances of a concussion during an impact.
Further information on MIPS Technology can be searched via google
WaveCel Technology
WaveCel is a revolutionary helmet shell construction that combines advanced polymer materials and an intricate lattice structure of internal honeycomb. This honeycomb structure is engineered to create a sophisticated “crumple zone” that absorbs both primary impact forces and rotational energy from a blow. This construction combines the best properties of both hard and soft materials to reduce the forces transferred to the head.
SPIN technology:
Shearing Pads Inside technology is found in POC helmets and consists of silicone-injected pads that slide inside the shell to divert rotational forces across a larger area inside the helmet during an accident. Not only will this provide you with better protection, but it will also result in less damage to the helmet itself.
Benefits Of Riding A Bicycle And Your Safety
The benefits of riding a bicycle are many, from helping you lose weight and add fitness to your schedule to giving you the chance to explore a new part of town. Biking can help boost your mood and improve your cardiovascular health, and even lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. For all these reasons, making biking a regular part of your life is a great idea. However, riding your bike on a sunny day can be dangerous, and there are lots of ways you can hurt yourself on your bike. So, it’s smart to take a few safety precautions before you hit the roads. One of those precautions is wearing a properly fitted helmet.
How to take care of your bicycle helmet
Buying a new helmet can be an expensive purchase—especially if you give up and hit the mall without considering some basic steps to caring for your helmet. But it doesn’t have to be. Follow these simple bicycle helmet care tips when you bring your new helmet home, and you’ll have a pleasant experience with your new helmet for many years to come.
When cleaning your helmet, use a soft cloth or sponge, plus mild soap and water. Removable pads may be washed. Avoid using chemical solvents such as paint thinner or acetone, as they may damage the helmet’s protective coating.
When you loan out your helmet, you are not only taking away your own ability to track the history of your helmet, but you are also allowing others to have access to critical information about your helmet that you have no control over. It is not uncommon for someone to toss a helmet in a pile of random gear and leave it in a garage or storage unit for months on end.
Excessive heat may cause the inner foam of a helmet to deteriorate. This can lead to the helmet losing its effectiveness in a crash. If a helmet is exposed to a temperature above 140° F for an extended period, the EPS (expanded polystyrene) will begin to break down and bubble up. This is called calibration. Compression of the EPS foam cells, and the build-up of gas can cause the inner surface of the helmet to soften, swell and bubble. This can also happen on helmets that have been stored in areas of high heat and humidity.
When to replace your bicycle helmet
A helmet should be replaced after an accident because it has been damaged. Whenever a helmet suffers a structural impact such as a blow to the top or an impact on the side, the energy-absorbing foam inside the helmet has been compromised. When a helmet is damaged, it can no longer protect you as well as it did before the accident.
After an accident, the foam inside a bicycle helmet can change its shape. Such accidents may not be visible, because they are on the inside. This can make the helmet less effective in another accident. One of the most important reasons why a helmet should be replaced after an accident is to make sure you are optimally protected in the next accident.
Even if you haven’t had any accidents which is fantastic, any helmet should be replaced after five years. Pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and weathering may cause critical components to deteriorate over time.
Source:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle-helmet.html
Contact Us
If you have any suggestions or advise, please feel free to reach us via our Contact Us here.