Armor Damage Detection via Plastic Deformation Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for checking the condition of bulletproof vests and similar armor are inadequate, as they rely on complex techniques like radiography to detect damage in brittle materials, making it difficult to ensure the wearer's protection against catastrophic failure from microcracking.
Innovation Solution
A device with a deformation sensor that deforms plastically under minimum damaging stress, allowing for continuous monitoring of the armor's condition without continuous deformation measurement, using a sensor matrix with electrically conducting particles that modify impedance in response to stress, enabling detection of microcracking and damage evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radiographic techniques are used to detect damage in brittle armor, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex radiographic inspection techniques with a simple deformation sensor that detects damage through mechanical deformation. The sensor undergoes plastic deformation when subjected to minimum damaging stress, providing a direct mechanical indicator of armor damage without requiring complex imaging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation sensor is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily attached to and removed from the armor. Unlike expensive radiographic equipment, the sensor is a low-cost device that provides sufficient detection capability for its intended purpose.
2Reliability
If continuous deformation measurement is performed using conventional strain gauges, then reliability of monitoring is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation sensor is designed to automatically indicate damage occurrence through its own plastic deformation, eliminating the need for external power sources, continuous measurement systems, or complex monitoring equipment. The sensor serves itself by physically changing state to indicate damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor utilizes phase transition from elastic to plastic deformation to indicate damage. When the applied stress exceeds the minimum damaging stress, the sensor permanently deforms, providing a lasting indication of damage without requiring continuous active measurement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the deformation sensor is designed to deform elastically under all stresses, then reversibility is improved, but ability to detect minimum damaging stress is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deformation characteristic of the sensor from purely elastic to plastic deformation at a specific stress threshold. This parameter change allows the sensor to remain reversible under normal operating stresses while providing permanent indication when minimum damaging stress is exceeded.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is pre-configured with a plastic deformation threshold set at or below the minimum damaging stress level. This preliminary setup ensures that the sensor is ready to permanently deform and indicate damage as soon as the threshold is reached, providing early warning before catastrophic failure.
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 solution provides a reliable, autonomous method for monitoring the physical condition of armor, allowing for early detection of damage and preventing catastrophic failure by measuring residual deformation and stress amplitude without breaking the sensor or the armor.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation sensor being configured to deform plastically under the effect of at least a stress applied to the piece of armor and that causes damage to the piece of armor
Implementation Method 2
using a sensor matrix with electrically conducting particles that modify impedance in response to stress
Data Source
AI summary
A device that includes a piece of armor made from a material that has a domain of plastic deformation under bad before breaking and an elastic deformation domain. The plastic deformation domain represents less than 1% of the elastic deformation domain. The device includes a deformation sensor fixed to the piece of armor and configured to deform plastically under the effect of at least a stress applied to the piece of armor and leading to damage of the piece of armor.