Motorcyclists are frequently exposed to high levels of wind noise, which can lead to discomfort, reduced awareness and permanent hearing damage. I set out to develop a solution and this helmet design is the result of my work.
This project received considerable recognition from the motorcycling industry. It was featured in multiple print & web publications, demonstrated at New Designers, London (2015) - and won a prestigious award by the Institute for Engineering Designers (IED).
I was also invited to BBC Sussex Radio, to talk about the project live on air.
I was also invited to BBC Sussex Radio, to talk about the project live on air.
CHALLENGE
Less than 20% of motorcyclists regularly use ear plugs and most are mistaken that their helmet provides adequate protection against noise. Hearing damage will also occur over an extended period of time, thus not always showing immediate effects after a ride. The combination of lack of user knowledge and a long-term cause, means this problem has not received the attention it deserves.
DESIGN
The design features a top-mounted suspended shell, which absorbs wind vibrations - the primary cause of harmful noise frequencies. The optional suspension mounts vary in stiffness, to compensate for different frequencies of vibration, to suit varying use cases (racing vs. courier). It also incorporates a series of dimples on the surface, to help to improve airflow and reduce turbulence (a secondary cause of noise). A third feature of the design is its elongated form, to further mimic the streamline teardrop shape.
The design features a top-mounted suspended shell, which absorbs wind vibrations - the primary cause of harmful noise frequencies. The optional suspension mounts vary in stiffness, to compensate for different frequencies of vibration, to suit varying use cases (racing vs. courier). It also incorporates a series of dimples on the surface, to help to improve airflow and reduce turbulence (a secondary cause of noise). A third feature of the design is its elongated form, to further mimic the streamline teardrop shape.
TESTING
Early in development, I carried out reverse engineering on an old helmet, and some initial vibration testing. I performed CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) tests in software, to determine the influence of different design features. These tests were used to optimise the design. Some interesting results were gained when compared with a market-leading Arai helmet. A reduction of turbulent air in the wake region (rear of the helmet) of 7.7% was achieved, resulting in less vibration. After 3D printing the final design, I ran some physical tests in the wind tunnel. I was able to compare the design with a conventional design, by restraining suspension and covering the dimples. The measurements were not easy to capture, so the integrity of the results can be questioned. The improvements were not dramatically better, but through more optimisation of the design and better test conditions, the margin for improvement could be larger.
PROTOTYPING
The development of the 1:1 scale aesthetic model was the most rewarding stage - to finally realise the design. The main shell was 3D printed, and finished by hand. The Acrylic visor was heat-formed and ancillary components made by hand to. I take pride in the craftsmanship of producing prototypes and its great to see the final result.
The development of the 1:1 scale aesthetic model was the most rewarding stage - to finally realise the design. The main shell was 3D printed, and finished by hand. The Acrylic visor was heat-formed and ancillary components made by hand to. I take pride in the craftsmanship of producing prototypes and its great to see the final result.
EXHIBITION
I was fortunate enough to feature the design at two exhibitions, in the summer of 2015. One at the University of Brighton and secondly at a large event in London, called New Designers. It was great for the design to get exposure, and several publications
wrote about my work. After it was featured, other reporters from around the globe published the same story - from France to Japan. I also won a prestigious award from the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED), a national body within the UK.
I was fortunate enough to feature the design at two exhibitions, in the summer of 2015. One at the University of Brighton and secondly at a large event in London, called New Designers. It was great for the design to get exposure, and several publications
wrote about my work. After it was featured, other reporters from around the globe published the same story - from France to Japan. I also won a prestigious award from the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED), a national body within the UK.
