Aramid Laminate Structure for Ballistic Trauma Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballistic materials for bullet-proof vests are deficient in effectively reducing trauma from projectile impacts while maintaining flexibility and compatibility with other ballistic products, often requiring thick and rigid components that compromise user comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
A laminated composite material composed of aramid fabric with a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix, produced in roll form, which optimizes trauma reduction by balancing fiber denier, matrix percentage, and weave configuration to enhance flexibility and compatibility with other ballistic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thick and rigid trauma reducer materials are used, then trauma reduction effectiveness is improved, but flexibility and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible polymer foam backing material instead of thick rigid structures. The foam material provides trauma reduction through energy absorption while maintaining flexibility and conformability to the body, directly resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the trauma reducer by using foam materials with specific density ranges (10-60 pcf) and controlled thickness (0.25-2 inches). These parameter optimizations allow the material to achieve adequate trauma reduction with minimal thickness, maintaining flexibility while providing protection.
2Reliability
If multiple layers of ballistic materials are added to improve trauma reduction, then safety margin is improved, but area density and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible foam backing layer provides trauma reduction functionality in a thin, lightweight form factor. This allows the ballistic vest to meet trauma reduction requirements without adding significant weight or area density, as the foam material achieves protection through volumetric energy absorption rather than mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining the foam backing material with ballistic fabric layers. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimized function - the fabric for ballistic stopping and the foam for trauma reduction - achieving overall safety margin improvement without excessive weight penalty.
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid polymer sheets are used for trauma reduction, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but effectiveness and compatibility with ballistic products deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible polymer foam instead of rigid sheets, which maintains ease of manufacture through common foam fabrication processes while dramatically improving effectiveness. The foam material conforms to body contours and works synergistically with flexible ballistic fabrics, enhancing compatibility rather than deteriorating it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes foam material parameters including density (10-60 pcf), thickness (0.25-2 inches), and chemical composition to achieve the desired balance of effectiveness and manufacturability. These parameter choices allow the use of cost-effective foam materials while meeting performance requirements.
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
The laminated composite material provides effective trauma reduction with enhanced flexibility, compatibility with other ballistic products, and meets user requirements for size and form, improving overall vest performance without increasing the risk of perforation.
Implementation Method 1
A laminated composite material composed of aramid fabric with a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix
Implementation Method 2
their capacity to absorb and/or disperse the energy discharged during the impact
Implementation Method 3
The fact that they are composed of fiber held together by a certain amount of plastic matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A ballistic protective material, characterized in that it comprises a laminate made of aramid fabric having one or more layers of thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix. The resulting composite can be produced by using a film, by applying powders or resins; the material is very flexible, in the form of a roll having the desired width and length.