Curved Ballistic Shield Cover for Higher Rating and Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballistic shields with flat profiles lack the coverage and ballistic rating enhancement provided by curved profiles, and existing curved covers are difficult to process due to material limitations.
Innovation Solution
A ballistic shield system comprising a shield with a curved profile and a ballistic cover with a complementary curved profile, attached via a fastening system such as a nut and bolt assembly, hook and loop material, magnets, or adhesive, to enhance the ballistic rating and maintain coverage even in the event of cover damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flat profile shield is used, then the shield structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ballistic rating and coverage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The shield system is divided into two separate components: a base shield and a ballistic cover. This segmentation allows the base shield to maintain a simple flat profile for easy manufacturing, while the ballistic cover provides the enhanced curved profile and higher ballistic rating. The cover can be independently manufactured and then attached to the base shield, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ballistic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic cover is constructed from composite materials (such as ceramic plates embedded in a polymer matrix or multiple layers of ballistic-rated materials) that provide superior ballistic protection and can be formed into curved profiles. This allows the cover to achieve high ballistic ratings while the overall shield system remains manufacturable through modular assembly.
2Strength
If a curved profile ballistic cover is used to enhance ballistic rating, then the ballistic protection is improved, but the cover is difficult to process due to material limitations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shield into a base shield and a separate ballistic cover, the complex curved profile is isolated to the cover component only. This allows specialized manufacturing processes (such as molding, curving, or forming operations) to be applied only to the cover where they are needed, while the base shield remains simple and easy to manufacture. The segmentation resolves the processing difficulty by localizing the complex geometry to a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic cover utilizes materials with changed physical or mechanical parameters that enable curved profile formation. For example, using thermoplastic polymers that can be heated and molded into curved shapes, or using composite materials that can be formed during the manufacturing process. These parameter changes allow the cover to achieve the desired curved profile without excessive processing difficulty.
3Strength
If a ballistic cover is attached to the shield, then the ballistic rating is enhanced, but the system complexity increases due to the fastening system
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic cover can be designed as a shell or panel structure that is attached to the base shield using a fastening system. The cover acts as a flexible or semi-rigid element that can be secured with simple fasteners (such as clips, latches, or adhesive bonds) rather than requiring a complex integrated structure. This approach enhances ballistic rating while minimizing the addition of system complexity through the use of straightforward attachment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a ballistic shield system may comprise a shield, a ballistic cover, and a fastening system. The shield may have a first curved profile and a first ballistic rating. The ballistic cover may have a second curved profile and a second ballistic rating. The fastening system may be configured to attach the ballistic cover to the shield. Moreover, the second curved profile may match the first curved profile.