VAS SCREEN SYSTEM

The impact energy can be attenuated if the head can keep moving.

It can be roughly divided into three components: scalp, skull, and brain. The function of a motorcycle helmet is to minimize and control the impacts suffered by the brain. Laboratory test standards vary in certain respects, but in general they all define levels of shock absorption. These levels are tested by dropping a helmet, with a steel head inside, from a predetermined height onto a steel anvil. Accelerometers located inside the head measure the forces endured in these drop impacts to verify shock absorption performance. Standards like Snell set criteria for testing at a fairly high level to get certification approval.

Upon impact, the helmet acts as a shock absorber: the outer shell deflects energy and the inner lining absorbs energy as it crushes, slowing down the impact speed. The examination of the results obtained in the control of the impact energy corresponding to the standard shows great differences with respect to that of a real accident, which occurs in a demanding and unpredictable environment.

The kinetic energy of a moving object increases proportionally to the square of the speed. Therefore, an urban motorcyclist moving at the legal speed limit may have a kinetic energy 10 times greater than that corresponding to the speed of a drop test. It is not foreseeable that any helmet, regardless of brand or design, will directly absorb such energies.

Therefore, Arai believes that "diversion" features must be important to divert energy while keeping the head moving. For potential impacts with energies higher than the standards, and even higher than what a helmet can directly withstand, Arai has always, throughout its history, tried to make helmets that are more rounded, smooth and resistant.

However, even on the Arai, there are limitations to how smooth and rounded a helmet can be due to the restrictions of its unique pivot visor mechanism. The geometry of today''''s screen systems require a high pivot position. This elevated pivot point falls within the test area of the norm, crossing the norm limit lines at the left and right temples.

The screen is attached to the helmet by means of a support and pivot mechanism. To preserve a smooth and level transition between screen and shell, the area of the latter where said mechanism is attached must have a sunken area or a hole. Current screen systems, with part of the mechanism inside the test area, prevent maintaining a curved, smooth and continuous surface of the shell.

PSS (PRO SHADE SYSTEM)

An excellent example of Arai''''s vision for safety and security is the development of the PSS, the Pro Shade system. A clever drop-down sun visor system, coupled with the famous wide Max Vision visor with optional Pinlock.

It is the solution for all types of weather that protects from the glare of the sun, mist and humidity. The sun visor is raised and lowered with a quick twist of the hand, and locks into position. However, a very common question is why Arai has not used an integrated sun visor. There are three good reasons not to use an integrated sun visor:

No reduction in the thickness of the EPS inner shell is required. When the visor is integrated, the space for it is created by thinning the EPS liner.

They do not affect the integrity of the outer shell due to the air space required for an integrated visor and the lack of a bond between the outer shell and the inner EPS liner.

No drive mechanism is needed. The drive system will also require space, further reducing the EPS liner. In addition, it often includes metal parts inside the EPS liner, which can be dangerous in the event of an impact.

How does the PSS system work when wearing the helmet?

If lowered, the visor effectively functions as a sun visor. There''''s no need to change visors when the sun goes down, so there''''s no need to carry extra visors, and you can quickly switch between sun visor and clear visor functions, especially handy when driving through a tunnel or gallery. The PSS system is a complete package consisting of the sun visor, the Max Vision visor and the Pinlock insert anti-fog lens. It''''s the true solution for all-weather driving, offering glare and fog protection alike. The PSS system has been extensively tested in the wind tunnel and under real conditions on European roads and weather conditions. During these tests it was shown that the PSS system did not increase wind noise and did not cause any hull shake, even at high speeds.

But the ingenious PSS system offers additional advantages, which no internal viewer can bring up. With the visor in the raised position it functions as a visor. The locking mechanism holds the visor in position. This filters the glare caused by the sun. (Image 1)

When the sun is low, a subtle tilt of the head is enough to reduce the intensity of ambient light. The PSS system will not block the entire field of vision, only the part that causes glare. You still enjoy a clear view through the transparent visor. (Image 2)

You can compare it to a sun visor on a car, except that PSS works much faster. All it takes is a nod of the head. You don''''t have to take your hand off the handlebars to operate a lever or button. Drivers'''' visibility is not blocked by a full sun visor, as the transparent part offers a clear view of the road ahead. The PSS system eliminates glare, not vision from the road or traffic. An additional advantage offered by the Arai PSS system that no common internal drop-down design can offer is that, if it is raised, it works even at night, effectively avoiding glare that could be caused by urban lights.