A modular impact diverting mechanism for football helmets

Abstract

To mitigate the injurious effect of the rotational acceleration of the brain, a modular Impact Diverting Mechanism (IDM) has been developed. The IDM can replace stickers (decals) that normally attach to the exterior of a football helmet. The IDM decals reduce friction and catch points between the covered area with the IDM on the outer shell of the helmet and the impacting surface, thereby decreasing rotational acceleration acting on the player's head. A Riddell Speed helmet's exterior was prepared with the IDM and outfitted to a headform equipped with linear accelerometers and gyroscopes. The helmets were tested at an impact velocity of 5.5 m/s at 15°, 30°, and 45° to the vertical: on the front, side, and back of the helmet. Results of 135 impact tests in the lab show that the IDM decal, when compared to helmets without it, reduced the rotational acceleration, rotational velocity, SI, HIC, and RIC ranging from 22% to 77%, 20% to 74%, 13% to 68%, 7% to 68%, 31% to 94%, respectively. Protection against rotational acceleration from oblique impacts is not prioritized in modern football helmets, as evident by current standard helmet testing protocols. This study demonstrates that the inclusion of the IDM decals in football helmets can help reduce the effects of rotational acceleration of the head during oblique impacts.

Keywords: Concussion; Helmet; Oblique impact; Rotational acceleration; Traumatic brain injury.