Smart Helmet

Project Description

Injuries occur every day and especially when one plays in any physical contact sports, whether that is from hockey to simply as riding a bicycle. Traumatic brain injuries occurs when an impact against the head is taken or rapid movements of the head. These brain injuries can have long-term effects on people. A smart helmet will be able to protect the user as they are playing their respective sport by analyzing the environment and make any preparations to ensure the safety of the person. This task will be done by using sensors to see the oncoming impact and have a sensor harden a specific material as the helmet reads the current situation. At the same time, the smart helmet will be able to collect data of the impact and will be able to be accessed to any personnel of the respective sport. As of now, the team will focus on the American sport, football. This will allow the team to focus on one sport and create a system that will be able to withstand constant impacts and be able to monitor players as they play so any staff can determine the player's eligibility. Once testing is completed, the team will be able to create a smart helmet for any sports.

 

Concept Design Selection

Here is the concept design selection process of how the team chose the final design.

Pugh Chart

Decision Matrix

Final Design

The final design that scored the highest is the Magnetorheological(MR) Fluid. The final design will incorporate the MR Fluid along with the viscoelastic material.

Bill of Materials

Here is the BOM as of December 13,2018. This is only a predicted BOM for the following semester. There may be some change to the BOM in the future.

 

Prototype

Here is a document outlining the team's prototype of the Smart Helmet.

Team's Prototype: Summary of Prototype

Below shows a rough CAD drawing on how the team will be able to test the Smart Helmet. The front and back of the helmet has extruded parts to allow the laser sensors see any oncoming impacts. The piece that is off to the side is how the padding will look. A fluid will be able to flow inbetween the padding that will be the viscoelastic material.