Convertible Ballistic Shield Hinge Mechanism for Rapid Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ballistic shields are bulky, difficult to deploy in emergency situations, and vehicle doors lack sufficient ballistic protection for occupants, leaving enforcement officers vulnerable, especially when seated or needing to exit the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A convertible ballistic shield with an upper and lower panel hingedly connected, allowing for both unfolded and folded configurations, with mounting structures for vehicle doors, enabling rapid deployment and protection for both seated and standing users, as well as those concealed behind a vehicle door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ballistic shields are used to provide protection, then ballistic protection capability is improved, but the shield becomes bulky and difficult to deploy quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic shield is divided into an upper panel and a lower panel that can be separated or folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the shield to be stored in a compact configuration while maintaining full protection capability when deployed, resolving the contradiction between bulky size and quick deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield incorporates a hinge mechanism allowing it to dynamically transition between folded and unfolded configurations. This dynamic capability enables rapid deployment from a compact stored state to a full protection state, addressing both the need for quick response and comprehensive ballistic coverage.
2Reliability
If a large ballistic shield is used to protect the full body, then protection coverage is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lower panel is designed to nest within or fold against the upper panel when not in use, allowing the full-size protective shield to be stored in a compact form factor. This nesting capability reduces storage volume while preserving the ability to provide complete body coverage when deployed.
3Reliability
If the shield is designed for standing users, then protection for standing personnel is improved, but adaptability to seated and concealed positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed with both upper and lower panels that can be configured to serve multiple functions: the upper panel provides protection for seated users and those concealed behind vehicle doors, while the lower panel can be folded down to provide additional coverage for standing users. This multi-functional design achieves universality across different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism enables the shield to dynamically adapt its configuration based on the user's position and threat scenario, transitioning between providing seated protection, standing protection, or concealed position protection, thereby achieving versatility across multiple operational contexts.
4Ease of operation
If vehicle doors are used for concealment, then mobility is improved, but ballistic protection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shield integrates with the vehicle door system through mounting structures that allow the door to serve as a mounting surface. The upper panel of the shield can be attached to the door, combining the door's concealment function with the shield's ballistic protection function, thereby maintaining mobility while enhancing protection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A ballistic shield convertible between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration is disclosed. The ballistic shield includes a first ballistic panel including a ballistic material, and a second ballistic panel including a ballistic material. A pivotable connection between the first ballistic panel and the second ballistic panel is disposed such that, when the ballistic shield is in the unfolded configuration, an overlapping area exists between a portion of the first ballistic panel and a portion of the second ballistic panel.