Detachable Shoulder Guard for Body Armor Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing body armor designs face challenges in compact transportation and maintaining mobility while providing effective protection, as they often restrict movement and are cumbersome to fold and carry.

Innovation Solution

The body armor features articulated, light metal armor plates with a pin-shaped connecting element allowing rotatable shoulder protection that can be easily detached and reattached, using a magnetic or pull-activated mechanism for secure release and attachment, enabling easier transport and enhanced mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shoulder protector is detachably connected to the vest via a pin-shaped connecting element, then the body armor can be transported more compactly and mobility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional connecting mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The body armor is divided into separate modules: a vest and a detachable shoulder protector. The shoulder protector can be connected to or removed from the vest via the pin-shaped connecting element, allowing the armor to be segmented for easier transport and adjusted for optimal mobility during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element includes a movable part that allows the shoulder protector to be dynamically attached or detached from the vest. This dynamic connection enables the armor to transition between a compact transported state and an assembled protective state, optimizing both mobility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the shoulder protector is detachably connected to the vest, then the body armor can be folded flatter for transport, but the reliability of the connection may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport volumeVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable part of the connecting element is extracted and integrated into the shoulder protector itself, while the fixed part remains on the vest. This extraction allows the shoulder protector to be easily removed and folded away with the vest for compact transport, while the connection reliability is maintained through the secure pin-shaped engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the actuating element is arranged on the outside of the body for releasing the connection, then the detachment operation is simplified, but the shoulder guard cover must be designed to protect and conceal the actuating element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachment operationVSAvoidcover design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder guard cover serves as an intermediary structure that protects the actuating element while allowing access for operation. The cover is designed with a recess or opening that accommodates the actuating element, providing mechanical protection and concealment while enabling the user to easily actuate the release mechanism from the outside of the body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design allows for improved mobility and protection by enabling the shoulder guard to be detached for transport, while maintaining the protective cover and ensuring secure assembly, enhancing wearing comfort and service life.

Implementation Method 1

The actuating element can be actuated by pulling and/or magnets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3764053B1Body protection armour with releasable shoulder protection
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 MULLER PATENTE & SCHUTZRECHTE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3764053B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3764053B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3764053B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(c)

AI summary

Body armor (1) with several articulated, body-shaped armor plates (7), in particular made of light metal, comprising a vest (2) and a shoulder protector (3), in which the shoulder protector (3) is detachably connected to a shoulder strap section (4) of the vest (2) via a connecting element with a fixed and a movable part (13) and is rotatable about the connection point.