Motorcycle crash helmets have essentially been the same sure-enough thing since they were invented 60 + years ago – an vigour absorbing glob of styrofoam glued into a heavy outer shell . Sure , some have better graphics or neato vent or whatever , but that ’s the canonic technology . Now , a bantam companyin California is land real expert innovation to that convention , all in the name of reducing concussions that result from low - speed impact .
That styrofoam and shell formula is actually really good at address with declamatory impacts . The density of the styrofoam ( or “ EPS ” as people with a vested interest group in making this stuff sound expensive call it ) can be wide-ranging with great specificity , allowing controlled slowing of the caput . What it ’s not terribly good at is reducing electric shock from scummy - speed impingement .
If you recall theDel Rosario helmet concept(still in progress ) , it treat the absorption of blue - hurrying energy with gel inserts between its carbon arches and the shell . This fresh 6D helmet does something standardised , add on gel between the two layers of styrofoam . It locates that gelatin between two discs ( one on each layer of EPS ) that move in six different counselling , hence the “ 6D. ”
We inquire John Del Rosario to take a expression at the 6D design for us . “ This is actually pretty neat , separating the high-pitched & low impacts is the key , ” he allege . “ Gel - character textile affixed between two plates is what gives it the multidirectional and dampen qualities , I ’d say it should fit in great in motocross because of the lower speed type of impacts . ”
Traditional Snell and ECE - rat helmets operate well in impacts above 9 mph , but struggle to provide energy concentration at lower speeds . At 9 mph , that force can be up to 120 g , double the doorstep at which concussion start to hap .
The gel damper in the 6D helmet are designed to supply that low - speed protection , while traditional styrofoam remains to trade with immobile hits .
At 4.5 mph , the 6D transport 49 g of force to the rider ’ straits . An ECE helmet will transfer 79 g at the same speeding .
Here , you could see the colloidal gel damper located between the two stratum of EPS and the gap that double as supererogatory ventilation .
Such low speeds may sound a bit lightheaded , but most accidents on motocross rail or while razz off - road just necessitate fall to the priming . The quoted speeds above are n’t how tight you ’re riding , they ’re the upper at which your helmet collides with something .
Other design should help boost safety a little bit too . There ’s cutaway drawing in the scale where the helmet would meet the collarbone in an encroachment , designed to contract collar ivory severance and there ’s cushioning on the Kuki designed to ingest energy from either face plants or the helmet ramming into the sternum . As with many other helmet sport a dirt peak , the screws are design to fleece away on impact , preclude forced rotation of the forefront . The gap between the two layers of styrofoam made necessary by the gel muffler is also used to flow special air .
6D claims there ’s not a substantial increase in weight compare to traditional helmet , but we ’d worry a act about extra bulk . The out perimeter of the helmet may postulate to be larger to accomodate that new establish gap between EPS layers .
gross sales of the ATR-1 motocross helmet are slate to begin in February , 2013 , no Leontyne Price has yet been announced , but the universal consensus seems to be that the 6D will be one of the high-priced motocross lids on the market . A street version dub the ATS-1 is also under maturation .
Hell For Leatheris the bike publication of record .
Daily Newsletter
Get the practiced tech , skill , and civilization intelligence in your inbox day by day .
News from the time to come , delivered to your present .
