Ballistic Impact Detection Grid in Protective Garments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective vests for first responders do not provide adequate evaluation of impact location and severity, nor do they notify responders of the need for further assistance, potentially leading to blunt force injuries or failure to stop projectiles.
Innovation Solution
A protective garment with a grid arrangement of force-sensitive regions, including pressure-sensitive or piezoelectric materials, connected to a detection circuit that samples and analyzes impacts to determine location and severity, and transmits this information via a personal electronic device to first responders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional protective vests are used, then impact protection is provided, but impact location and severity cannot be evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent force-sensitive regions arranged in a grid pattern across the protective garment. Each region contains pressure-sensitive or piezoelectric materials that independently detect impacts, allowing precise localization and severity assessment of impacts at different locations on the vest.
Solution Approach 2:
The force-sensitive regions are arranged in a two-dimensional grid arrangement, transforming a single-point detection system into a spatially distributed detection network. This dimensional expansion enables the system to not only detect impacts but also precisely determine their location and severity across the surface of the protective garment.
2Loss of time
If conventional protective vests are used, then projectile protection is provided, but timely notification of first responders cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The detection circuit is pre-configured with communication capabilities to automatically notify first responders upon detecting a high-velocity impact. The system performs preliminary detection and analysis, then immediately triggers notification to emergency services, eliminating delays in seeking medical assistance after an impact event.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where impact detection automatically triggers communication with first responders. The detection circuit continuously monitors the force-sensitive regions and provides real-time feedback about impact events, enabling immediate notification and coordination of medical response.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protective vests only provide impact protection, then physical safety is improved, but evaluation of wearer condition and notification of need for assistance cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective garment is designed with multi-functionality, combining traditional impact protection with integrated impact detection, location identification, and automatic notification capabilities. The force-sensitive regions and detection circuit enable the vest to not only protect against projectiles but also monitor wearer condition and communicate with first responders, making it a universal protective and monitoring 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
Enables accurate assessment of impact location and severity, facilitating timely and appropriate remedial care by alerting first responders, thereby reducing the risk of life-threatening injuries.
Implementation Method 1
The force sensitive regions include pressure sensitive or piezoelectric characteristics such that an impact varies the electrical response of each region
Implementation Method 2
the impact varies the electrical response of each region. A detection circuit connects to each region for sampling. A sampling of the regions computes a high velocity impact by a sudden change in the sensed electrical characteristics, such as a sudden drop in resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A protective garment contains a projectile detection device, in addition to impact and breach resistant materials for protecting the wearer. An arrangement of force sensitive regions defines a grid arrangement responsive to an incoming projectile. The force sensitive regions include pressure sensitive or piezoelectric characteristics such that an impact varies the electrical response of each region. A detection circuit connects to each region for sampling. A sampling of the regions computes a high velocity impact by a sudden change in the sensed electrical characteristics, such as a sudden drop in resistance between two planer sheets. The grid arrangement identifies the impact placement on the garment, and can be mapped to anatomical regions to evaluate a severity. Placement and impact force, along with GPS coordinates of the wearer, are transmitted by the detection circuit and/or in conjunction with an app on a mobile device of the wearer for alerting first responders.