Antiballistic Panel with Transparent Composite for Visual Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inspecting antiballistic plates, such as ultrasound, require specialized equipment and expertise, making them impractical and expensive for field use.

Innovation Solution

An antiballistic panel with a ceramic plate covered by a transparent fibre-reinforced composite layer, where the transparency allows for visual detection of damage by changes in reflectivity, indicating intact or broken interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ultrasound inspection method is used, then measurement precision of ceramic plate integrity is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring specialized equipment and expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical ultrasound inspection system with an optical inspection system. The transparent fibre-reinforced composite layer acts as an optical indicator that visually reveals ceramic plate damage through light reflection changes, eliminating the need for complex ultrasound equipment and specialized expertise while maintaining damage detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes optical property changes in the transparent fibre-reinforced composite layer to indicate ceramic plate integrity. When the ceramic plate is damaged, the interface between the ceramic and composite layer changes, causing visible alterations in light reflection patterns through the transparent layer, enabling simple visual inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If ultrasound inspection method is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring specialized expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex ultrasound operation requiring specialized expertise with simple visual inspection. The transparent composite layer provides direct optical visibility of ceramic plate damage through light reflection changes, allowing any user to perform inspection without training in ultrasound equipment operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If ultrasound inspection method is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time deteriorates due to time required to perform control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming ultrasound inspection with immediate visual inspection. The transparent composite layer provides real-time visual feedback on ceramic plate integrity through light reflection patterns, eliminating the time required to set up and perform ultrasound scanning and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If transparent fibre-reinforced composite layer is used, then ease of operation is improved by enabling visual inspection, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate due to interface integrity requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual inspection capabilityVSAvoidinterface bonding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent intentionally designs the transparent composite layer to change its optical properties based on interface integrity. The light reflection patterns are engineered to visibly indicate whether the ceramic-ceramic interface is intact or damaged, transforming a potential manufacturing challenge into a useful inspection feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure of transparent fibre-reinforced composite material bonded to the ceramic plate. This composite layer serves dual purposes: providing structural reinforcement and acting as an optical indicator for damage detection, with the interface between materials designed to provide visual feedback on integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient, instrument-free visual inspection of antiballistic plates in the field, allowing for quick verification of the integrity of the ceramic plate without the need for specialized equipment.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the joint (4) towards the front surface (11) has a basically first optical property (43) visible through the transparent fibre-reinforced surface composite layer (2) where the joint (4) is intact, and wherein the joint (4) towards the front surface (11) has a second optical property (44) visible through the transparent fibre-reinforced surface composite layer (2) where the joint (4) is locally broken

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4028713B1Antiballistic panel arranged for optical inspection and method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 BUSCH PROTECTIVE GERMANY GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4028713B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4028713B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4028713B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an optically detectable antiballistic plate, and a method of producing it. The antiballistic plate comprises a core of a ceramic plate (1), coated with a transparent fibre-reinforced surface composite layer (2) of plastic matrix (26) and reinforcement fibre (27). According to the invention, cracks visible to the human eye in daylight will occur, in the event of damage to the ceramic plate (1).