Military Vehicle Monocoque Hull for Blast Protection and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional military vehicles face challenges in efficient assembly and protection of components due to the reliance on frame rails for lifting, which can impact the passenger compartment during blast events and require sequential assembly, and lack effective blast mitigation and energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
The military vehicle incorporates a passenger capsule with integrated armor and a modular frame structure that includes a monocoque hull, breakaway sections, and a robust armor assembly to absorb blast energy, along with a hydraulic brake system and a control system for enhanced operational efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional frame rails are used for lifting and structural support, then the vehicle can be transported and supported, but the passenger compartment is exposed to blast effects and sequential assembly is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lifting function and blast protection function into a single integrated monocoque hull structure. The hull serves as both the primary structural element for lifting operations and the protective barrier against blast effects, eliminating the need for separate frame rails and reducing overall structural complexity while improving protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The monocoque hull is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for lifting operations, protects the passenger compartment from blast effects, and serves as the primary body structure. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating multiple roles into one structure.
2Productivity
If frame rails are used as primary structure, then lifting and support are achieved, but assembly time increases due to sequential assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular sections (front module, passenger capsule, rear module) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing of modules and reduces overall assembly time compared to traditional sequential assembly of frame-based structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The monocoque hull integrates the body structure and frame functions into a single unit, eliminating the need for separate frame assembly operations. This merging of structural functions significantly reduces assembly steps and time while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If traditional frame structure is used, then structural support is provided, but strength-to-weight ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The monocoque hull is constructed using composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. These composite structures offer equivalent or superior structural support compared to traditional metal frame rails while reducing overall vehicle weight, directly addressing the strength-to-weight performance requirement.
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 solution provides improved strength-to-weight performance, blast protection, and efficient assembly, while reducing the risk of component damage during lifting and blast events, with enhanced operational capabilities and safety features.
Implementation Method 1
an air-to-hydraulic intensifier coupled to the brake housing, the air-to-hydraulic intensifier configured to receive a supply of air and provide a hydraulic fluid to the brake housing based on the supply of air
Implementation Method 2
a resilient member positioned within the inner volume and configured to generate a brake biasing force against the piston such that the rod is biased into engagement with the brake
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system includes an air-to-hydraulic intensifier configured to couple to a brake actuator that engages a brake to limit movement of a tractive element where the air-to-hydraulic intensifier is configured to receive a supply of air and provide a hydraulic fluid to the brake actuator based on the supply of air to overcome a brake biasing force of the brake actuator to disengage the brake actuator from the brake to permit movement of the tractive element, a hydraulic reservoir coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, and a valve. The valve includes a first port fluidly coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, a second port fluidly coupled to the hydraulic reservoir, a third port fluidly coupled to the brake actuator, and a valve gate that is repositionable between a first position that couples the first port to the third port and a second position that couples the second port to the third port.