Articulated Periscope Safety Mounting for Combat Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding angled mirrors in combat vehicles pose a safety risk to crew members due to the potential for head collisions and eye injuries from the viewing mirror, especially when driving through rough terrain.
Innovation Solution
The viewing mirror is connected to a mounting element via a predetermined breaking point, with the pivot axis mounted in a joint eye and the breaking point located on the joint eye, limiting forces and preventing the mirror from shattering, and featuring a non-hardening adhesive layer and elastic materials to absorb impact, along with rounded edges and a mechanical lever for safe detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the viewing mirror is arranged close to the face of the crew member for optimal viewing, then the viewing quality is improved, but the risk of head collision and injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a predetermined breaking point in the mounting element that acts as a safety mechanism before injury can occur. This breaking point is designed to fail at a specific load threshold, preventing the mirror from causing severe injury while maintaining the optimal viewing position close to the crew member's face.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting element is segmented into distinct functional zones: a rigid mounting portion for secure attachment, a predetermined breaking point section that acts as a safety fuse, and the mirror holder portion. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain strength where needed while providing a controlled failure point for safety.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the viewing mirror is made rigid for structural stability, then the mounting stability is improved, but the risk of shattering and causing eye injuries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The predetermined breaking point serves as a pre-engineered safety feature that prevents catastrophic failure. By designing this weak point in advance, the system ensures that under extreme stress, the mounting element fails in a controlled manner before the mirror can shatter and cause eye injuries, while maintaining normal mounting stability during operation.
3Strength
If the mirror element is made of strong material for durability, then the mirror strength is improved, but the severity of injuries from impact or shattering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The predetermined breaking point creates a safety mechanism that limits the maximum force transmitted to the crew member's head. Even though the mirror element itself is made of strong, durable material, the mounting element's breaking point ensures that the force is capped at a safe level, preventing severe injuries from impact or potential shattering.
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 significantly reduces the risk of health-endangering injuries to crew members by limiting forces and preventing mirror shattering, while the elastic materials and non-hardening adhesive layer further mitigate injury risks.
Implementation Method 1
the frame is at least partially covered with a layer that protects against injuries. All elastically yielding materials can be used as layer materials, in particular rubber or soft plastics, which absorb part of the kinetic energy through deformation when the mirror is impacted.
Implementation Method 2
the mirror element be attached to the frame via a non-hardening adhesive layer. The provision of a non-hardening adhesive layer also helps to reduce the risk of injuries. Even if the mirror breaks, for example caused by a pointed object, the non-hardening and therefore non-brittle adhesive layer ensures that the glass splinters stick to the layer.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The device (22) has a mounting element (1) firmly fastened to a vehicle, and a monocular mirror (2) pivotably and movably arranged in relation to the mounting element. The mirror is connected with the element by a predetermined breaking point. A pivoting axis (3) of the mirror is supported in a spherical bearing, and the predetermined breaking point is provided at the spherical bearing. A mirror element (7) of the mirror is arranged on a side of a lever support. A breaking aid is arranged on another side of the lever support.