Blast Mitigating Differential Housing for Armored Vehicle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing military vehicle suspension systems are not adequately protected against blast forces, leading to damage and incapacitation of the vehicle, which leaves occupants stranded after a blast event, as current blast-resistant hull designs do not effectively safeguard the suspension and drivetrain systems.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system module integrated with blast mitigating structures, featuring a Short-Long Arm (SLA) and Road Arm (RA) suspension system connected to a blast mitigating differential housing, which includes a steering system and drivetrain components, designed to absorb and dissipate blast energy while allowing for selective disengagement of damaged wheel assemblies to maintain vehicle mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If blast resistant hull designs are used to deflect blast force away from the vehicle hull, then the vehicle hull is protected from significant harm, but the suspension and drive systems are damaged by blast force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the 'Blessing in disguise' principle by designing the suspension system to utilize blast forces beneficially. The differential housing is specifically engineered to channel and direct blast forces through the suspension components in a controlled manner, converting the harmful blast energy into useful mechanical motion that maintains wheel contact with the ground and actually improves traction during and after blast events.
2Productivity
If the suspension system is designed to provide maximum rebound and jounce, then mobility performance is enhanced, but the system becomes more vulnerable to blast damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the 'Dynamics' principle by making the suspension system adaptable and adjustable. The system incorporates selectable disengagement mechanisms that allow operators to dynamically change the suspension characteristics based on terrain conditions and threat levels. This enables the system to optimize between mobility performance and blast vulnerability depending on the operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the 'Segmentation' principle by dividing the suspension system into modular components with independent control. Each wheel assembly can be selectively engaged or disengaged from the drivetrain, allowing damaged sections to be isolated while maintaining overall system functionality. This modular approach enables the vehicle to maintain mobility even when some suspension components are compromised by blast forces.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle maintains all wheel assemblies engaged during combat, then maximum drivability is achieved, but damaged wheels reduce vehicle mobility after blast events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the 'Dynamics' principle by implementing a dynamically reconfigurable drivetrain system. The selectable disengagement mechanism allows the vehicle to transition between different operational modes: all wheels engaged for maximum drivability in safe conditions, and selective disengagement for post-blast mobility when certain wheels are damaged. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between maintaining ease of operation and ensuring reliability under varying combat conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, there is disclosed a modular, blast resistant suspension module for an armored vehicle. Each suspension module has a first and second axle assembly. The first axle assembly has a Short-Long Arm (SLA) suspension system pivotally connected to a blast resistant differential housing and the second axle assembly has a Road Arm (RA) suspension system pivotally connected to the differential housing. The suspension modules may be used to form 4×4 or 8×8 vehicle configurations.