Objective and Subjective Evaluation of Motorcycle Helmet Visors Based on ECE 22.05 Regulations

Abstract

AbstractWith the growing demand for helmet mounted displays on motorcycle helmets, it is essential not to compromise the peripheral vision of the motorcyclist. The relevant European standard of motorcycle helmet visors ECE 22-05, equivalent to the DOT standard FMVSS 218, states that the visor should permit peripheral vision horizontally through an arc of 105° from the helmet midline and vertically through an arc of 52°, which is located 7° upwards and 45° downward from the eyes. Consequently, this study compares a 3D environment to a human testing environment and an controlled testing environment using standard headforms to create an objective method to verify the correct field of view of motorcycle helmets. Firstly, the 3D environment is developed in Solidworks and provides a simulation set up that validates the necessary field of view in reference to the ECE 22-05. This environment is matched up to the testing environment with test subjects that are familiar with the use of a motorcycle helmet. The fields of view were determined by 12 indication points for 9 different motorcycle helmet models. The downwards tilt of the helmet of each test subject was individually determined. Each participant was additionally tested with a control helmet. The control helmet was also 3D scanned for use in the 3D environment. This provides a reference for the tilt of the helmet in the other two objective evaluation methods. With an average downwards angle of 21.1° down, the control helmet has a success rate of 66.7% in the testing environment with the test subjects, although a number of external factors influence the determination of the field of view of the test subjects. Lastly, a field of view was generated by means of a human headform model into which a Ricoh Theta 360 camera was inserted. This results in an objective field of view for the control helmet. The synthesized downwards angle was implemented in the 3D environment to generate a 3D render of the field of view with the 3D scan of the control helmet. The render shows a similar field of view to the field of view generated by the Ricoh Theta 360 camera, resulting in a confirmation of the validity of the 3D model. Combining these three methods of testing, guarantees an objective evaluation of motorcycle helmet visors.KeywordsCertified motorcycle helmetField of viewObjective verification tool