Armor Hold-Down Assembly Using Existing Tie-Down Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing armor plating to the interior surfaces of military vehicles without drilling holes or removing existing fasteners, while ensuring the armor remains in place under impact forces, is challenging due to insufficient or inadequately located attachment features and regulatory restrictions.
Innovation Solution
An armor hold down assembly utilizing existing vehicle tie-down features, comprising a base and top components that align with existing attachment points, allowing the armor panel to be securely fastened using existing holes without additional drilling, using a fastener to clamp the panel against the vehicle surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing attachment features are used to secure armor plating, then regulatory constraints are satisfied and no additional holes need to be drilled, but the existing features are often insufficient in quantity or not located where needed for adequate armor attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The armor attachment system is segmented into multiple independent attachment points distributed across the armor panel. Each attachment point can be independently positioned to align with existing vehicle features, allowing the system to overcome the insufficiency of any single attachment location while maintaining ease of installation using those existing features.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing attachment features are utilized, then drilling holes in the vehicle structure is avoided, but the existing features are not readily adaptable for attaching armor plating
Solution Approach 1:
The armor panel incorporates universal attachment mechanisms that can interface with multiple types of existing vehicle attachment features. The attachment points are designed to be adaptable to different configurations of existing features, allowing the same armor panel to be installed on various vehicle platforms without modification, thereby maintaining ease of installation while achieving feature adaptability.
3Reliability
If robust armor attachment is implemented to hold armor under impact forces, then armor security is improved, but the attachment method becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system merges the armor panel attachment function with the vehicle's existing attachment features into a single integrated solution. By combining the armor panel's attachment hardware with the vehicle's existing features, the system achieves robust armor security under impact forces while avoiding the complexity of separate attachment systems or multiple installation steps.
4Reliability
If multiple attachment points are used to secure armor panel, then armor security under impact forces is improved, but installation time and tool requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The armor panel is pre-configured with multiple attachment points and alignment features during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the attachment points to be pre-positioned for optimal security under impact forces, while during installation, the pre-configured features enable quick alignment and attachment to existing vehicle features, thereby achieving armor security without increasing installation time or tool 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
This solution provides a robust and quick attachment method for armor plating that adheres to regulatory constraints, ensuring the armor remains securely in place under impact forces with minimal tool requirements and maintains a low profile to prevent becoming a projectile.
Implementation Method 1
A fastener connecting the top to the base is adapted to pull the top down onto the panel and hold the panel against the interior surface of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for a hold-down assembly for attaching an armor panel to the floor of a vehicle utilizing an existing integrated tie-down feature. The assembly includes a base member positioned underneath the tie-down feature and aligned with a through-hole in the panel. A top positioned over both the base member and the hole in the panel at least partially overlaps the panel around the hole. A fastener extending through the top and into the base is adapted to pull the top down onto the panel, holding the panel against the floor of the vehicle.