Planar Web Energy Absorber for Military Vehicle Blast Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorption devices for military vehicles are large and fail to effectively balance elastic storage and energy absorption during plastic deformation, inadequately protecting vehicle elements from detonation effects.
Innovation Solution
A compact energy absorption device with a first and second fastening element connected to a vehicle chassis and element, featuring webs arranged in a common plane that deform plastically to absorb energy, incorporating deformation zones and flexible design to provide both elastic support and progressive energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deformation elements are designed to deform in the event of a mine impact to absorb energy, then the impact is not directly transferred to the vehicle component, but the devices become relatively large and fail to effectively balance elastic storage and energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption device is divided into multiple webs (at least two) arranged in parallel between the fastening elements. Each web can deform independently to absorb energy, distributing the deformation across multiple segments rather than requiring a single large deformation element. This segmentation allows the device to achieve effective energy absorption in a more compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The webs are arranged in a planar configuration between the fastening elements, utilizing a two-dimensional arrangement to achieve three-dimensional energy absorption functionality. This dimensional approach allows the device to compactly store elastic energy and absorb impact energy without requiring excessive volume, as the parallel web structure efficiently utilizes spatial arrangement.
2Strength
If the device provides elastic support for the vehicle element, then the vehicle element remains protected, but the device must be compact while maintaining both elastic storage and energy absorption capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the web structure are designed with varying properties: the webs themselves are designed for elastic deformation and energy storage, while specific deformation zones are created within the webs to facilitate controlled plastic deformation for energy absorption. This local differentiation of material properties and structural characteristics allows the compact device to simultaneously provide elastic support and dissipate impact energy effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes composite structural design combining regions designed for elastic deformation with deformation zones designed for plastic deformation. This composite approach integrates materials or structural configurations with different mechanical properties within the same device, enabling both elastic support functionality and energy absorption through controlled deformation in a compact form factor.
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 device effectively protects vehicle elements from detonations by allowing controlled plastic deformation, ensuring the vehicle element remains undamaged while providing both elastic support and high-energy absorption capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two webs are arranged such that they lie one above the other in a common plane and are designed to deform plastically to absorb energy
Implementation Method 2
The webs are designed to be flexible, so that the energy absorption device provides spring support for the vehicle element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an energy absorption device (100) for protecting a vehicle element (10, 10', 10"), in particular a military vehicle (1, 1', 1"), from a detonation impact, comprising a first securing element (110) which can be connected to a vehicle chassis (2) and/or a vehicle hull (2) and comprising a second securing element (120) which can be connected to the vehicle element (10, 10', 10") to be protected, wherein at least two webs (130, 140, 150, 160) are arranged between the first and the second securing element (110, 120). The at least two webs (130, 140, 150, 160) are arranged so as to lie one over the other on a common plane (E).