Ballistic Armor Element Covering Welded Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Welded connections in armor elements compromise the microstructure of the base material, creating ballistic weak points that reduce the protective effectiveness of the armor, particularly at the welded joints.

Innovation Solution

A covering element is introduced to cover the welded joint, providing ballistic support and maintaining the structural integrity of the armor element by being arranged on the inside, thus hiding it from external threats and avoiding additional welded joints that could further weaken the material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a mounting element is welded to the armor element, then the mounting element can be securely attached to provide fastening functionality, but the welded joint creates a ballistic weak point that reduces the protective effectiveness of the armor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting element attachmentVSAvoidballistic protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A covering element is introduced as an intermediary component between the mounting element and the armor element. The covering element covers the welded joint from the exterior side, preventing ballistic projectiles from directly attacking the weakened welded area. This mediator restores the ballistic protection level while maintaining the welded attachment method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution segments the protective function into two parts: the mounting element provides mechanical attachment, while the covering element provides ballistic protection. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, with the covering element specifically addressing the ballistic weakness created by the welded joint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the covering element is welded to the armor element, then the covering element is securely fixed, but additional welded joints are created that further compromise the microstructure and create more ballistic weak points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecovering element fixationVSAvoidballistic protection
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A connection element is introduced as a mediator between the covering element and the mounting element. The connection element provides secure fixation through threading or other mechanical means without requiring welding to the armor element itself, thus avoiding additional ballistic weak points in the base material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The welding connection is replaced with a mechanical connection system consisting of the connection element that can be threaded or mechanically fastened to the mounting element. This substitution eliminates the need for additional welded joints while maintaining secure fixation of the covering element.

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

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 covering element enhances the ballistic protection at the welded joint area to match the level of the pure base material, reducing the risk of penetration by ballistic projectiles and maintaining the structural integrity of the armor element.

Implementation Method 1

with an assembly element welded on via a welded joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2649403B1Armor element for protecting against ballistic threats and ballistically protected housing comprising an armoring element
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 KRAUSS MAFFEI WEGMANN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2649403B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2649403B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2649403B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an armoring element for protection against ballistic threats, comprising a mounting element (2), which is welded on by means of a weld connection (3), for securing an object to the armoring element (1), wherein a cover element (4) covering the weld connection (3) as ballistic support is provided. The invention further relates to a ballistically protected housing, in particular a vehicle housing, comprising an armoring element (1) having a mounting element (2), which is welded on by means of a weld connection (3), for securing an object to the armoring element (1), wherein the armoring element (1) is designed in the manner described above.