Armoured Vehicle Body Shell with Extended Struts for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armored vehicles face a trade-off between ballistic protection and occupant visibility due to the thickness and positioning of glazing frames, which restrict the field of vision and require substantial support structures that reduce mechanical strength and increase weight.
Innovation Solution
The armored vehicle design features an upright that extends beyond the front face of the vehicle, allowing the glazing opening to be positioned closer to the front face, reducing the masking angle and enabling improved visibility while maintaining or enhancing ballistic protection by adjusting the junction between the upright and the front face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the glazing is made very thick to resist kinetic projectiles, then ballistic protection is improved, but the weight and complexity of fixing frames increase
Solution Approach 1:
The upright is extended in the longitudinal dimension beyond the front face of the vehicle, allowing the glazing opening to be positioned closer to the front face. This dimensional extension repositions the support structure to provide adequate ballistic protection while reducing the masking angle and improving occupant visibility without increasing frame weight
2Strength
If the support surface is positioned to securely fix the glazing, then fixation strength is improved, but the masking angle increases and field of vision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the upright longitudinally beyond the front face, the support surface can be positioned optimally for fixation strength while the opening itself is moved forward closer to the front face, reducing the masking angle and improving the field of vision
Solution Approach 2:
The upright is segmented into distinct functional zones: an extended portion beyond the front face that provides structural support and positioning, and a portion that integrates with the front face to support the glazing opening. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function independently
3Area of stationary object
If the upright width is reduced to improve visibility, then masking angle is reduced, but mechanical strength and ballistic protection are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The upright is extended in the longitudinal dimension beyond the front face, allowing it to maintain sufficient width for mechanical strength and ballistic protection while the opening is repositioned forward to reduce the masking angle and improve visibility
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject of the invention is a body shell (101) of an armoured vehicle (101), comprising: a front face (40) supporting an armoured windscreen (11) projecting toward the outside of the body shell (101); and at least one side wall (20) comprising an opening (21), which side wall is secured to the front face (40) at a strut (20a) which is defined by part of the side wall comprised between an edge (22) of the opening (21) and a rim (23) of the side wall (20) situated furthest outwards at the front of the vehicle. The armoured vehicle body shell is characterized in that: the strut (20a) extends beyond the front face (40) towards the outside of the body shell (101); and at least one edge (22) of the opening (21) is situated near the front face (40) so that the junction between the strut (20a) and the front face (40) of the vehicle occurs near the edge (22) of the opening which forms a rear edge (22) of the strut (20a).