Movable Anti-Laser Armor for Vehicle Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional armor elements are ineffective against laser attacks due to localized energy input from high-energy laser beams, leading to material failure and destruction, especially in military land vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The development of movable laser armor elements that distribute energy input over a larger area by moving relative to the laser beam, combined with a cooling system and optical active bodies to dissipate and impair the laser radiation, respectively, reducing the risk of material failure and enhancing protective effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional armor elements are used, then protection against ballistic projectiles is good, but protection against laser attacks is poor due to localized energy input causing material failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against laser attacksVSAvoidmaterial failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The armor element is made movable relative to the object to be protected, allowing it to move in response to laser beam detection. This dynamic positioning distributes the laser energy input over a larger area and prevents localized overheating that would cause material failure, thereby improving laser protection while maintaining structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state and position of the armor element dynamically. By detecting laser radiation and adjusting the armor element's position in real-time, the system transforms the static protection approach into a dynamic one, changing parameters such as position, temperature distribution, and energy density to prevent material failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the armor element is made movable to distribute energy input, then protection against laser fire is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional drive mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser beam resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armor element is designed with movable mounting that allows it to shift position relative to the object. This dynamic capability enables energy distribution across a larger area when exposed to laser beams, significantly improving laser resistance without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The armor element can move automatically in response to laser radiation through integrated sensors and drive mechanisms. The system detects laser threats and autonomously positions the armor element to distribute energy input, reducing the need for external control and minimizing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a protective shield is added to conceal armor element movements, then the attacker cannot track the armor element, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A protective shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the attacker and the movable armor element. The shield conceals the armor element's movements from the attacker, preventing tracking and sustained laser attacks on specific areas, thereby enhancing protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shield is positioned specifically to cover areas where the armor element moves, providing localized concealment where it is most needed. This targeted approach maintains protection effectiveness while minimizing the overall complexity and cost of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Significantly improves the protective effect against laser fire by distributing energy input and dissipating heat, reducing the risk of material failure and providing redundant protection, while also impairing the laser radiation to prevent destructive overstressing.

Implementation Method 1

This avoids a localized energy input limited to a single point of impact. Instead of being concentrated at a single point, the laser beam's energy is distributed over a larger area along the armor element's path of movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy distribution through movement:

Implementation Method 2

Another advantageous embodiment provides that the armor element is spring-mounted. Due to the spring mounting of the armor element, it can, for example, move automatically when attached to a military vehicle as a result of the forces occurring during driving.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

Another embodiment provides that the armor element is designed to be movable via a drive, in particular an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. Defined movement sequences can be transmitted to the armor element via the drive.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical radiation interaction: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3019817B1Anti-laser armor
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 KRAUSS MAFFEI WEGMANN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3019817B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3019817B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3019817B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present invention relates to an anti-laser armor for protecting an object (10), particularly a vehicle, against laser weapons. Said anti-laser armor comprises an armor element (2) which can be arranged on the object (10), said armor element (2) being movably arranged in relation to the object (10).