Hip Harness Load Redistribution for Body Armor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The heavy weight of body armor vests, primarily borne by the shoulders, leads to fatigue and discomfort due to the inflexibility of the armor plates, necessitating a solution to redistribute the load effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hip belt support harness with a flexible frame and coupler system that attaches to the rear of the body armor vest, allowing vertical adjustment and load transfer to the hips without modifying the vest, utilizing composite materials and hook-and-loop fasteners for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the weight of the armor vest is borne by the shoulders, then the armor plates are held securely in place, but the wearer experiences fatigue and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into separate components: a vest shell for securing armor plates and a separate support harness with hip belt and frame for weight bearing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function optimally - the vest maintains secure plate attachment while the harness distributes weight to reduce shoulder fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The support harness acts as an intermediary between the armor vest and the wearer's body. It interfaces with the vest via attachment points and distributes the load through the hip belt and frame structure to the wearer's hips and torso, mediating the force transfer to improve comfort while maintaining secure attachment
2Strength
If rigid armor plates are used for protection, then protective coverage is improved, but flexibility and movement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vest shell is constructed from flexible materials such as high-denier nylon that can conform to the wearer's body and allow movement. This flexible shell encloses and secures the rigid armor plates, enabling the plates to provide protective coverage while the flexible material permits necessary flexibility and adaptability during movement
Solution Approach 2:
The support harness incorporates flexible frame members and adjustable components that adapt to the wearer's movements and body shape. The frame can flex with movement while maintaining structural support, and the harness allows dynamic adjustment to accommodate different positions and activities
3Reliability
If a fixed support harness is used for heavy armor, then load transfer to hips is achieved, but adaptability to different users and configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support harness features adjustable components including the frame length, hip belt fit, and attachment point positions. These dynamic, adjustable elements allow the harness to be customized for different users and armor configurations while maintaining effective load transfer to the hips
Solution Approach 2:
The harness design incorporates universal attachment points and adjustable components that can accommodate various armor vest configurations and user sizes. The frame and coupler system can be positioned at multiple locations to adapt to different armor arrangements, making the system universally applicable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A hip harness for supporting upper body armor. The harness includes a hip belt, a frame, and a coupler. The hip belt is securable about the hips of a user of the body armor. The frame provides flexible support and has a lower end secured to the rear portion of the hip belt. The coupler is adjustably securable to the upper end of the frame. It has strips that fit through attachment loops on the back of the body armor to secure the harness to the armor.