Modular Belly Armor Structure for Blast Deflection and Ground Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional land vehicles face deficiencies in protecting the underbody from blasts and explosive events, with thick floor panels failing to deflect energy away from the crew cabin and energy absorption devices increasing the likelihood of malfunction and promoting fragmentation, while also hindering buoyancy and operational versatility.

Innovation Solution

A modular vehicle belly armor kit comprising a bottom plate with a convex profile, a top plate, and wall sections forming an armor structure that deflects projectiles and includes cavities for buoyancy, providing protection and flexibility for various environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single-piece underbody shield is used, then protection coverage is maximized, but vehicle ground clearance is reduced and access to underbody components is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidvehicle ground clearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The underbody protection system is divided into multiple separate shields (front shield, rear shield, side shields) that can be individually positioned and installed. Each shield is a distinct component that can be attached to different portions of the vehicle underbody, allowing comprehensive coverage while maintaining proper spacing and ground clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a single-piece underbody shield is used, then protection coverage is maximized, but access to underbody components becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidaccess to underbody components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shielding is segmented into multiple separate components rather than one continuous piece. This segmentation creates gaps and access points between the shields, allowing mechanics and technicians to reach underbody components for maintenance and repairs while still maintaining comprehensive protection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of moving object

If multiple separate shields are used, then vehicle ground clearance is maintained and access to components is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle ground clearanceVSAvoidnumber of shields

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The kit includes a standardized set of shields (front shield, rear shield, two side shields) that can be universally applied to various vehicle types and configurations. Each shield serves multiple functions: protection, clearance maintenance, and access facilitation. The standardized design allows for versatile application across different vehicles while keeping the overall system configuration relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4433771B1Techniques involving a modular vehicle belly armor kit

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORP

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AI summary

Techniques are directed to a modular vehicle belly armor kit, as well as systems and methods which utilize such a kit. The kit includes a bottom plate, a top plate, and a plurality of wall sections connecting with the bottom plate and the top plate to form an armor structure that protects a belly portion of the vehicle. After the modular vehicle belly armor kit is positioned underneath a vehicle, the bottom plate may be placed in contact with the vehicle. After the bottom plate is placed in contact with the vehicle, the bottom plate may be fastened to vehicle.