Head injury in facial impact - A finite element analysis of helmet chin bar performance

The chin bar of a motorcycle helmet protects the rider from facial and head injuries. To evaluate the protective performance of chin bars against head injuries from facial impacts, an explicit finite element method was used t o simulate the Snell Memorial Foundation test and a proposed drop test. The maximum acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HTC) were employed to asse ss the impact-absorbing capability of the chin bar. The results showed that the proposed approach should be moi-e practical than the Snell test, and p rovided more information for improving the chin bar design to protect again st head injuries. The shell stiffness was important in determining the prot ective ability of the chin bar but a chin bar with only an outer shell and comfort from offered inadequate protection. Art energy-absorbing liner was essential to increase the protective performance of the chin bar and the li ner density should be denser than that used bt the cranial portion. of the helmet. For the chin bar with energy-absorbing liner, a shell design that i s less stiff would provide better protection.