The invention of safety helmets made it possible to protect the head of the wearer against an impact. The shape and structure of a safety helmet are customized to suit its purpose. Safety helmets have to provide a particularly high degree of protection.
Product development plays an important role in the optimization of wearing comfort, which according to SHOEI forms a crucial component of rider's concentration. New models that guarantee a perfect fit can thus be launched on the market and can thus increase the preventive protection offered by a helmet. The following provides further details about the various aspects that make up SHOEI's product development. protection.
A: DESIGN STAGE
During this stage, the design of a helmet is created under consideration of the required functions, easy handling and an attractive appearance. Not only state-of-the-art technologies, but also the company's many years of manufacturing experience play a part in optimizing the helmet structure. In the final analysis, though, the success of the design stage depends on the commitment and expertise of the design team.
B: WIND TUNNEL
During a ride, the rider's head – protected by the helmet – naturally travels through the air at the same speed as the motorcycle is traveling on the road, i.e. at speeds of between 20 and over 100 km/h. A large but invisible air stream is thus created around the helmet. The company's own wind-tunnel facility enables such an air stream to be generated artificially. The results of such tests are then saved. SHOEI already began investigating aerodynamics at an early stage of the company's history and constructed the wind-tunnel facility shown in the photo for this purpose. The controlled tests conducted with the help of the wind tunnel form a part of the development process and ensure that the aerodynamic form of SHOEI helmets is based on objective data and not just on what looks good.
C: TEST RIDE
All newly developed models that have successfully passed the design and wind-tunnel stages described above are subjected to a test ride. This ensures that the required functions can be provided in practice. Depending on the price category of the helmet and its specific properties, the conditions in which it is used can differ greatly. For this reason, the test ride is not just carried out on a normal road, but additionally on a race track for some models.
