2.16 PCM Salt Hydrate
51
or fully enclosed helmet such as motorcycle helmet. The attempt by Tan and Fok
[259] using salt hydrate PCM to cool the rider’s head would lead to the helmet being
non-compliant to the regulatory safety standards. Also, in this concept, the amount of
PCM required to provide effective cooling was calculated to be approximately 1 kg
which would increase the weight of the helmet substantially. This leads to further
research to investigate the possibility of using appropriate PCM in smaller amounts
and in addition, without altering the helmet structure or compromising the safety
standards of the helmet [261].
A review of motorcycle safety standards does not restrict the application of textile
substrates or other similar items that could be retrofitted between the scalp and the
helmet to provide thermal comfort. This raises the research question of whether these
materials can be applied in an effective manner inside the helmet to manage the heat
stress. The advantage of such an approach by using textile substrates is to facilitate
the use of standards compliant helmets irrespective of the brand and manufacture.
The fundamental utility of the textile substrates and their behaviour in such a new
application is yet to be explored. This research sets out to establish the parameters that
characterise the behaviour of the textile substrates. The outcome of this investigation
provides the knowledge necessary to facilitate the design of such a textile substrate
to be applied inside the helmet. The progressive developments of these materials in
future can be easily incorporated without any difficulties and, in addition, may be
applied to helmets in other fields.
2.17 Conclusions
This chapter described the needs of motorcycle helmets and various types of helmets
in use. Various regulations relating to motorcycle helmets are also described. Components of motorcycle helmets and cooling mechanisms used to reduce the heat stress
have also been discussed. The application of phase change materials including their
types and mechanism of cooling are also included in this chapter. This chapter is
essential for the readers to understand the concept of motorcycle helmets and the
mechanisms to cool them.
References
1. R.J. Nairn, Motorcycle Safety Research Literature Review: 1987–1991 (Federal Office of
Road Safety, Canberra, 1993)
2. T.C. Chenier, L. Evans, Motorcyclist fatalities and the repeal of mandatory helmet wearing
laws. Accid. Analy. Prevention 19, 133–139 (1997)
3. B.L. Bachulis, W. Sangster, G.W. Gorrell, W.B. Long, Patterns of injury in helmeted and
non-helmeted motorcyclists. Am. J. Surgery 155, 708–711 (1988)
4. D. Sosin, J. Sacks, P. Holmgren, Head injury: associated deaths from motorcycles crashes. J.
Am. Med. Assoc. 264, 2395–2399 (1990)
51
or fully enclosed helmet such as motorcycle helmet. The attempt by Tan and Fok
[259] using salt hydrate PCM to cool the rider’s head would lead to the helmet being
non-compliant to the regulatory safety standards. Also, in this concept, the amount of
PCM required to provide effective cooling was calculated to be approximately 1 kg
which would increase the weight of the helmet substantially. This leads to further
research to investigate the possibility of using appropriate PCM in smaller amounts
and in addition, without altering the helmet structure or compromising the safety
standards of the helmet [261].
A review of motorcycle safety standards does not restrict the application of textile
substrates or other similar items that could be retrofitted between the scalp and the
helmet to provide thermal comfort. This raises the research question of whether these
materials can be applied in an effective manner inside the helmet to manage the heat
stress. The advantage of such an approach by using textile substrates is to facilitate
the use of standards compliant helmets irrespective of the brand and manufacture.
The fundamental utility of the textile substrates and their behaviour in such a new
application is yet to be explored. This research sets out to establish the parameters that
characterise the behaviour of the textile substrates. The outcome of this investigation
provides the knowledge necessary to facilitate the design of such a textile substrate
to be applied inside the helmet. The progressive developments of these materials in
future can be easily incorporated without any difficulties and, in addition, may be
applied to helmets in other fields.
2.17 Conclusions
This chapter described the needs of motorcycle helmets and various types of helmets
in use. Various regulations relating to motorcycle helmets are also described. Components of motorcycle helmets and cooling mechanisms used to reduce the heat stress
have also been discussed. The application of phase change materials including their
types and mechanism of cooling are also included in this chapter. This chapter is
essential for the readers to understand the concept of motorcycle helmets and the
mechanisms to cool them.
References
1. R.J. Nairn, Motorcycle Safety Research Literature Review: 1987–1991 (Federal Office of
Road Safety, Canberra, 1993)
2. T.C. Chenier, L. Evans, Motorcyclist fatalities and the repeal of mandatory helmet wearing
laws. Accid. Analy. Prevention 19, 133–139 (1997)
3. B.L. Bachulis, W. Sangster, G.W. Gorrell, W.B. Long, Patterns of injury in helmeted and
non-helmeted motorcyclists. Am. J. Surgery 155, 708–711 (1988)
4. D. Sosin, J. Sacks, P. Holmgren, Head injury: associated deaths from motorcycles crashes. J.
Am. Med. Assoc. 264, 2395–2399 (1990)