Composite Armor Element With Offset Submunitions For Surface Imperfections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite armor elements struggle to effectively protect surfaces with outward protrusions, such as curvatures or structural elevations, as they require complex production steps and often create ballistic weak points when applied over such areas, reducing the overall protection level.
Innovation Solution
The composite armor element is designed with submunitions arranged offset within layers to match the surface imperfections, featuring an indentation on the facing surface that accommodates protrusions, allowing for continuous coverage without gaps and maintaining high protection efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flat and rigid composite armoring element is used, then the structural strength and ballistic protection are improved, but the ability to accommodate surface imperfections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite armor element is divided into multiple sections, each with different arrangements of filling elements. Some sections have offset arrangements to accommodate surface imperfections, while others maintain homogeneous structures for optimal ballistic protection. This segmentation allows the armor to simultaneously achieve high strength and adaptability to complex surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the composite armor element are designed with different structural characteristics. Sections requiring adaptation to surface imperfections feature offset filling element arrangements, while other sections maintain homogeneous dense packing for maximum ballistic resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
2Reliability
If composite armor elements are made to accommodate surface imperfections, then the coverage and protection continuity are improved, but the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The desired offset arrangement of filling elements is pre-established during the manufacturing process rather than requiring complex post-production adjustments. The mold or assembly process is designed to directly place filling elements in their final offset positions, simplifying production while achieving the goal of continuous protection coverage over surface imperfections.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of complicating the two-dimensional arrangement of filling elements, the invention introduces a dimensional variation by creating offset patterns that simulate the effect of accommodating three-dimensional surface imperfections. This approach achieves protection continuity without significantly increasing production complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If homogeneous composite armor elements are used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the protection effectiveness on complex surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armor element is segmented into homogeneous and heterogeneous sections. The homogeneous sections maintain simple manufacturing processes, while the heterogeneous sections with offset filling elements provide enhanced protection effectiveness for complex surfaces. This segmentation balances manufacturing ease with protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the entire armor element complex to accommodate all possible surface variations, only specific local sections are designed with offset filling element arrangements. This local quality approach maintains overall manufacturing simplicity while providing enhanced protection effectiveness where needed.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The flat composite armor element (10) has a layer of active bodies (11). The active body is arranged in displaced layers within a location in a partial section (T) of the composite armor element, such that the partial section of the cladding surface (18) of the composite armor element has a notch (19), opposite to the surface to be protected. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a vehicle, particularly combat vehicle with a surface to be protected; and (2) a method for manufacturing a composite armor element.