About the Project
We intend to retrofit a Rawlings size large Impulse football helmet to incorporate an accelerometer so that accurate measurements of the forces on the player’s head can be continuously monitored. Therefore, companies, physicians, and coaches can examine the forces a player endures throughout practices and games. This entails finding the proper positioning for the accelerometer in the helmet padding in order to obtain the most accurate force data. Unlike the current 6-sensor system being used by Riddell, this system will incorporate one accelerometer unit in the helmet. Accurate force data in the accelerometer will reflect the exact G forces felt at the center of gravity of the head. This will likely involve developing a method to normalize the force values of the accelerometer to the center of gravity of the head. If necessary, mathematical calculations will be used to convert the accelerometer force data into head center of gravity data. The helmet should be cheaper (<$1500) and provide more accurate force data (in relation to the center of gravity of the head) than the existing Riddell football helmet accelerometer system. Retrofitting the Impulse helmet with the accelerometer must not compromise the safety, comfort, or performance of the helmet. In other words, the player should not be able to notice any difference in the helmet with or without the accelerometer system. The player should not feel extra force or pressure from the accelerometer, nor should the player affect the accelerometer readings. Furthermore, the Impulse helmet should perform similarly with or without the accelerometer system during the same force testing used before initial production of the helmet.
Note: The accelerometer system being used can measure forces as high as 100-200 Gs, which is adequate for football collisions. In addition, the developers of the system do not foresee interference being an issue among multiple accelerometer systems being used on the field. Lastly, the developers have already made a wireless system to read the force data off of the accelerometer system.
Note: The accelerometer system being used can measure forces as high as 100-200 Gs, which is adequate for football collisions. In addition, the developers of the system do not foresee interference being an issue among multiple accelerometer systems being used on the field. Lastly, the developers have already made a wireless system to read the force data off of the accelerometer system.