Interference Damper for Vehicle Blast Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for mitigating the effects of underbody blast events in military vehicles, such as electronic energy absorption systems and shear pins, are cumbersome, expensive, and imprecise, failing to effectively reduce the forces exerted on vehicle occupants and cargo due to their inability to handle rugged terrain conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interference damper system comprising a common member with a first breakaway member connected to a second breakaway member, featuring deformable connectors and curved members that provide a defined yield point and deceleration force, coupling the vehicle external hull to the floor to absorb and reduce the impact of sudden forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic energy absorption systems are used to detect and compensate for explosion forces, then the ability to mitigate blast effects is improved, but the system becomes cumbersome, expensive, and maintenance intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic detection and control systems with a purely mechanical interference damper system. The damper uses a common member with interference-fit connection features that automatically engage and disengage based on blast forces, eliminating the need for electronics while maintaining reliability in rugged terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference damper employs a simple, inexpensive mechanical design that can be easily replaced after use. The common member with its interference fit connection features is designed as a disposable component that absorbs blast energy through controlled separation, avoiding the high cost and maintenance requirements of electronic systems.
2Force
If shear pins or similar devices are used to fail under load, then the system provides force absorption, but the precision is poor and damage from rugged terrain impacts the ultimate failure load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter from material strength (shear pin failure) to geometric interference fit. The connection features use precise dimensional tolerances and interference geometry to define a specific separation force threshold, providing much greater precision than shear pin designs while remaining insensitive to terrain-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference fit connection features utilize curved or tapered geometries that provide controlled engagement and separation. The curved surfaces guide the separation process and ensure consistent force thresholds, improving precision over straight shear pin designs.
3Strength
If the vehicle floor is rigidly coupled to the external hull, then structural strength is improved, but the acceleration forces are transmitted directly to occupants and cargo during blast events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection between the vehicle floor and external hull by introducing an interference damper with a common member. This creates a controlled separation point that maintains structural integrity during normal operation but allows the floor to decouple from blast-induced acceleration, protecting occupants and cargo.
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
The interference damper system effectively reduces the acceleration of the vehicle hull, thereby minimizing the forces exerted on personnel and cargo, ensuring safety and durability even in rugged terrain conditions by providing a controlled separation and deceleration mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The connectors are deformable and have a defined yield point at which the first breakaway member separates from the second breakaway member when subjected to a tensile force
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of curved members providing a resistive force against the separation of the first breakaway member and the second breakaway member
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods described herein provide a vehicular force absorption system that includes an interference damper that couples a vehicle external hull with a vehicle floor that is spaced apart from the vehicle external hull. The interference damper includes a common member having a first breakaway member coupled or connected to a second breakaway member. The coupling or connection between the first breakaway member and the second breakaway member may have a defined yield point at which the first breakaway member separates from the second breakaway member when subjected to a tensile force. The interference damper further includes a plurality of curved members that provide a resistive force against the separation of the first breakaway member and the second breakaway member. The resistive force provided by the interference damper beneficially reduces the force exerted on personnel and/or cargo in contact with the vehicle floor.