Global and local heat transfer analysis for bicycle helmets using thermal head manikins

• Nine-zone thermal head manikin for quantification of heat loss through headgear.
• Novel local heat loss data for detailed thermal analysis of helmet designs.
• Basis for optimised designs with enhanced comfort for work and leisure activities.

Predicting thermal comfort of protective headgear is of particular interest since the head is one of the most heat-sensitive body parts. Thermal head manikins enable systematic investigation of heat transfer properties of headgear. Such investigation provides valuable inputs for the development of new helmet concepts to improve thermal comfort.This study presents a nine-zone thermal head manikin (9zM) to evaluate local heat transfer effects of headgear. Performance of the new manikin and local data were assessed by comparing with data from a two-zone thermal head manikin (2zM) published previously. Variation for heat flux data was found to be lower for 9zM than for 2zM in tests including convective and radiative heat transfer. The calculation of radiant heat gain revealed similar variation at cranial section for both manikins but it increased at facial section for 9zM. Classification of helmets based on heat transfer data differed for head manikins likely due to slight differences in head geometries. Moreover, local heat transfer data obtained from the 9zM allowed a more detailed investigation of headgear properties. This knowledge contributes to a better understanding of the thermal interaction of head and headgear and, therefore, to a more justified development of optimised headgear designs.