Armor Plate Fastening System Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for armor plates on military vehicles face issues with load concentration at weld seams, leading to potential detachment and weak points under ballistic impact, especially when heavy armor plates are used in non-combat zones where they are not necessary.

Innovation Solution

The integration of receiving elements that pass through the outer parts of the vehicle, distributing the load across the entire cross-section and eliminating concentrated load peaks, with a materially bonded connection to the outer parts using welding or gluing, and a cylindrical section with an internal thread for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy armor plates are attached to provide ballistic protection in combat areas, then protection capability is improved, but fuel consumption increases and stress on vehicle components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveballistic protection capabilityVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The armor plates are designed to be detachably mounted on the vehicle body using fastening devices with receiving elements. This allows the armor configuration to be dynamically adjusted - fully armored for combat operations, partially armored for transitional zones, and unarmored for peaceful areas, thereby optimizing fuel consumption based on operational requirements while maintaining protection capability when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If armor plates are fastened using welded fastening devices, then attachment strength is improved, but load concentration at weld seams causes potential detachment and creates weak points under ballistic impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidresistance to detachment and ballistic impact
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into multiple receiving elements distributed across the armor plate and vehicle body interface. Each receiving element has a conical shape that distributes loads through its geometry. The armor plate itself is divided into modular sections that can be independently fastened, preventing stress concentration at any single weld seam while maintaining overall attachment strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving elements feature a conical geometry that transforms the load distribution from a two-dimensional weld line concentration into a three-dimensional stress distribution throughout the conical structure and into the vehicle body. This dimensional transformation allows the load to be dispersed through the volume of the conical element rather than concentrated at a linear weld seam, eliminating weak points while maintaining attachment strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If receiving elements are inserted into solid or shell construction outer parts, then load distribution across the entire cross section is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distribution capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving elements are pre-formed with their conical geometry and load-distributing features before installation on the vehicle. This preliminary manufacturing of standardized receiving elements allows for optimized load distribution designs without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each installation location. The elements can be produced using standard forming processes and then simply inserted into the outer parts, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining superior load distribution capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enhances the carrying capacity of the vehicle, allowing for the attachment of heavy armor plates even on thin sheet metal and provides increased ballistic protection with balanced load distribution and reduced risk of weak points during ballistic impacts.

Implementation Method 1

the receiving elements are inserted in the outer parts so that they protrude approximately evenly... A rigid or non-rotatable fastening of the receiving elements in the openings can be achieved in a simple manner if they are connected to the outer parts of the vehicle in a materially bonded manner, in particular by welding and/or gluing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

A rigid or non-rotatable fastening of the receiving elements in the openings can be achieved in a simple manner if they are connected to the outer parts of the vehicle in a materially bonded manner, in particular by welding and/or gluing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP1865278B1Military motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.08.06 RESSENIG FAHRZEUGBAU GES
  • EP1865278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1865278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1865278B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The vehicle has an in-shell exterior design and manufactured from parts (10, 11) and attached (8) as appropriate. Protective armour plates (9) are applied. The outer parts are applied with storage elements (5) and applied together with the attachment part. The outer parts have openings where the storage elements are introduced and have a length (L) which indicates that the outer parts are correctly fitted.