Segmented Blast Absorbing Vehicle Floor Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blast absorbing structures for vehicles, such as armored vehicles, are either expensive and heavy or compromise vehicle performance due to their weight, failing to effectively dissipate blast forces that cause catastrophic injuries to occupants during explosive events.
Innovation Solution
A blast absorbing structure with a flexing or expanding design featuring a bottom section and side sections with steps or slots, which absorb and dissipate blast forces by flexing or expanding to reduce the impact on occupants, utilizing materials like steel, aluminum, and composites, and incorporating energy-absorbing supports to mitigate the effects of high acceleration and velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy metal plates and traditional blast mats are used to protect against blast forces, then blast protection capability is improved, but vehicle weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is divided into multiple modular units with individual cells containing energy-absorbing materials. Each cell is separated by walls, creating a segmented structure that absorbs blast energy through controlled deformation of individual cells rather than requiring a single heavy protective plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor structure combines metal framing with energy-absorbing materials (such as foams, gels, or granular materials) within the cellular compartments. This composite approach provides blast protection through material deformation and energy dissipation mechanisms while maintaining lower weight compared to solid metal plates.
2Reliability
If heavy metal plates and blast mats are used to resist blast forces, then blast protection capability is improved, but fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular cellular floor structure allows for targeted placement of energy-absorbing materials only where needed for blast protection, rather than uniformly heavy armor throughout the vehicle. This reduces overall weight and associated fuel consumption while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor structure is designed to change its mechanical parameters dynamically during a blast event, transitioning from a rigid support structure to a deformable energy-absorbing system. The cellular walls and energy-absorbing materials undergo controlled deformation to dissipate blast energy, reducing the force transmitted to occupants.
3Reliability
If heavy metal plates and blast mats are used to protect against blast forces, then blast protection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is constructed from multiple identical or standardized modular units that can be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation enables economies of scale in production, reduces manufacturing complexity compared to custom-fitted heavy plates, and simplifies replacement or repair of individual damaged modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of standard metal framing with commercially available energy-absorbing materials creates a cost-effective composite structure. These composite materials can be produced through conventional manufacturing processes and are generally less expensive than equivalent protective metal plates while providing comparable blast mitigation.
4Loss of energy
If traditional blast mats are used to dissipate blast energy, then energy absorption capability is improved, but additional weight is added to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The blast energy dissipation function is merged with the floor structure itself. The cellular floor panels both support occupants during normal operation and absorb blast energy during explosive events, eliminating the need for separate blast mats. The energy-absorbing materials are integrated within the floor cells rather than added as separate layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular walls and energy-absorbing materials within the floor panels act as flexible elements that deform under blast loading to absorb energy. This flexible deformation mechanism provides effective energy dissipation without requiring heavy rigid armor plating, achieving protection with reduced weight.
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 structure effectively reduces the impact of blast forces on vehicle occupants by dissipating energy through flexible or expanding components, minimizing injuries while maintaining vehicle performance and reducing weight compared to traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
Energy absorbing supports may also be used in connection with the blast absorbing structures creating a 'floating floor' to improve the absorption and dissipation of forces exerted on the underbelly of the vehicle during a blast event
Implementation Method 2
a blast absorbing structure comprising a bottom section and side sections with steps or ridges, or an expandable floor plate with slots, designed to flex or expand upon blast impact, dissipating energy
Data Source
AI summary
Blast absorbing structures and system for use in absorbing blast forces exerted on a floor of a personnel cabin of a vehicle, are disclosed. The blast absorbing flexing structure comprises a bottom section forming a floor of the cabin, a first side section and opposing second side section, each side section extending from the bottom section and including a plurality of steps along a length of the second side section. The steps flex in response to a blast force. In another embodiment, the blast absorbing expanding structure comprises a force abatement device forming a floor of the cabin, a cover plate having a plurality of slots arranged around a perimeter of the plate. The cover plate is movable between a neutral position and a blast force position to diminish the blast forces prior to the blast forces to reaching an occupant of the cabin.