Operator Fixation Support for Stable Military Vehicle Aiming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Military vehicles experience unpredictable movements during operation, affecting the aiming operation of vehicle operators, leading to muscle fatigue and reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A military vehicle with an aiming operation arrangement that includes a support device with fixation devices operable between non-fixated and fixated states, providing stabilization of one or more body parts of the operator to reduce the influence of vehicle movement, thereby enhancing aiming accuracy and reducing muscle fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the operator remains unrestrained during vehicle movement, then the operator can maintain freedom of movement and comfort, but the vehicle movement causes muscle fatigue and reduced aiming accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaiming accuracyVSAvoidoperator freedom of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the operator to switch between restrained and unrestrained states based on operational needs. The fixation devices can be activated during vehicle movement for stability and deactivated when vehicle movement ceases to maintain operator freedom, resolving the contradiction between aiming accuracy and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the operator from unrestrained to restrained by activating fixation devices that contact and stabilize specific body parts. This parameter change (from free movement to constrained movement) directly addresses the accuracy problem while being reversible to maintain operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If fixation devices are activated to stabilize the operator during vehicle movement, then aiming accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaiming accuracyVSAvoidrestraint system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system is divided into multiple independent fixation devices, each targeting specific body parts (thighs, torso, head/neck). This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive stabilization through simple, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation devices serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical restraint to reduce vehicle movement influence, distribute forces to prevent injury, and can be independently activated or deactivated. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for different purposes, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple fixation devices are used to restrain multiple body parts, then the stabilization effect is enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator stabilizationVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fixation devices are integrated into a unified restraint system with common control mechanisms. The activation and deactivation of individual fixation devices can be coordinated through a single control interface, allowing the operator to manage multiple restraint points without proportionally increasing operational complexity. This merging maintains simplicity while achieving comprehensive stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 support device facilitates stable aiming by damping vehicle movements, allowing operators to maintain accuracy and reduce fatigue through controlled fixation of body parts, thus improving operational effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the thus provided fixation provides a damping of the vehicle movements for the vehicle operator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4107467B1A military vehicle comprising an aiming device and an aiming operation arrangement for a vehicle operator
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BAE SYSTEMS HAGGLUNDS AKTIEBOLAG
  • EP4107467B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4107467B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4107467B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a military vehicle (V). Said military vehicle comprises an aiming device (D) and an aiming operation arrangement (A) for a vehicle operator (O) to operate the aiming device (D). Said aiming operation arrangement (A) comprises a support device (40) for providing support for the operator (O) when operating the aiming device (D). The support device (40) comprises one or more fixation devices (44A, 44B, 44C, 44D) operable between a non-fixated state and fixated state, said one or more fixation devices (44A, 44B, 44C, 44D) being configured to, in the fixated state, provide fixation of one or more body parts of the vehicle operator (O) so as to reduce influence of vehicle movement during aiming operation.