Armor Plate Redirection Channels for Back Face Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armor systems face challenges in minimizing back face deformation (BFD) during projectile impacts, which can cause blunt force trauma to the wearer, especially in thinner profile designs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating redirection channels on the rear face of armor plates to guide and spread the pressure wave laterally, reducing the impact on the wearer by redirecting it outward from the plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If armor systems use thinner profiles to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but back face deformation increases causing greater risk of blunt force trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is segmented into multiple sections by redirecting channels that divide it into separate zones. These channels create distinct segments that can independently manage pressure wave propagation, allowing the foam to be more effective at reducing back face deformation while maintaining a thinner overall profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The redirecting channels act as intermediary structures between the rigid armor plate and the foam layer. They guide and redirect pressure waves laterally through the foam, preventing direct transmission to the wearer's body. This intermediary mechanism allows thinner foam layers to achieve the same protection level.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional foam layers are used without redirection channels, then manufacturing is simpler, but back face deformation is greater and less consistent
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is segmented into multiple sections by redirecting channels that divide it into separate zones. These channels create distinct segments that can independently manage pressure wave propagation, allowing the foam to be more effective at reducing back face deformation while maintaining a thinner overall profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The redirecting channels modify the physical parameters of the foam layer by creating defined pathways for pressure wave propagation. This changes how the foam responds to impact, improving consistency of back face signature reduction while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding techniques.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thicker foam layers are used to reduce back face deformation, then protection level improves, but weight and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer is segmented into multiple sections by redirecting channels that divide it into separate zones. These channels create distinct segments that can independently manage pressure wave propagation, allowing the foam to be more effective at reducing back face deformation while maintaining a thinner overall profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The redirecting channels introduce a new dimensional aspect to pressure wave management by creating lateral pathways through the foam. Instead of relying solely on increased thickness in the vertical dimension, the channels provide alternative routes in the horizontal dimension, allowing thinner foam layers to achieve equivalent protection.
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 effectively reduces back face deformation, as demonstrated by armor plates with foam layers and channels achieving lower average back face signature depths and improved consistency in testing, while allowing for thinner, lighter armor systems that maintain protection levels.
Implementation Method 1
a foam layer attached to the rigid layer... the foam layer and the rigid layer together reduce a back face signature depth resulting from a projectile impact
Implementation Method 2
redirection channels provided in the foam layer so as to extend along the back face of the armor plate... whereby the pressure or shock wave generated by projectile impact, which would normally propagate rearwardly toward the wearer, is guided or spread laterally along the channels and out of the plate
Data Source
AI summary
An armor system or plate designed to reduce the extent of back face deformation by re-directing the pressure wave created by a projectile impact. More specifically, armor systems according to embodiments of the invention are provided with redirection channels whereby the pressure or shock waves generated by projectile impact are guided or spread laterally along the channels and out of the plate so as to reduce back face deformation and consequent impact to the wearer.