Ballistic Sheet Hybrid Structure for Drapeability and Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ballistic resistant sheets lack improved drapeability and enhanced ballistic protection without compromising wearing comfort, particularly in soft ballistic articles like vests, where the existing multi-monolayer structures do not effectively balance flexibility and bullet stopping ability.
Innovation Solution
A three-layer hybrid ballistic resistant sheet structure comprising a core layer with unidirectionally oriented fibers and matrix material, sandwiched between two face layers also made of unidirectionally oriented fibers and matrix material, with the flexibility of the face layers being higher than the core layer, and optionally incorporating a trauma reducing layer for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-monolayer structure with unidirectionally oriented fibers and matrix material is used, then ballistic protection is improved, but drapeability and wearing comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic resistant sheet is segmented into multiple monolayers with unidirectionally oriented fibers, where each layer is oriented at different angles (e.g., 0°, 90°, ±45°). This segmentation allows the structure to stop bullets through cumulative energy absorption while maintaining flexibility and drapeability through the layered configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials consisting of high-strength fibers (such as aramid, polyethylene, or glass fibers) combined with a matrix material (such as polyester or polyurethane). This composite structure provides both the ballistic protection needed to stop bullets and the flexibility required for good drapeability and wearing comfort.
2Strength
If the core layer is made with high strength fibers and matrix material, then bullet stopping ability is improved, but flexibility of the sheet deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the ballistic resistant sheet have different local qualities: the core layer uses high-strength fibers and matrix material optimized for bullet stopping, while the face layers use materials and structures optimized for flexibility and comfort. This local differentiation allows the sheet to achieve both high bullet stopping ability and sufficient flexibility for wearing comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a ballistic resistant sheet (12) comprising a three-layer hybrid structure, with a core layer (12-1) and two face layers (12-2; 12-3) wherein the core layer comprises at least one first monolayer comprised of first unidirectionally (UD) oriented fibers and a matrix material, and wherein each of the face layers comprise at least one second and at least one third monolayer comprised of second UD oriented fibers and third UD oriented fibers respectively and wherein the stiffness of the face layers is higher than the stiffness of the core layer.