Layered Polymer Impact Suppressor for Ballistic Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bullet-proof and protective devices do not adequately reduce the impact force of projectiles, leading to injuries such as bruising and internal damage despite preventing penetration, as they are not sufficient to absorb the full force of the impact.
Innovation Solution
The use of a layered impact suppressor comprising flat foam polymer layers, peak-and-valley shaped polymer layers, solid polymer layers, and corrugated polymer layers, enclosed within a covering, designed to fit between the user and a bullet-proof vest to distribute and absorb the impact force effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bullet-proof vest is used to stop a bullet, then penetration is prevented, but the impact force is not sufficient to prevent all injury (bruising, rib breaking, internal damage)
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into multiple functional layers: a bullet-proof vest layer for stopping penetration and an impact suppressor layer with multiple polymer layers (foam, peak-and-valley, solid, corrugated) for distributing and absorbing impact force. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in a specific protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact suppressor uses a composite structure of different polymer materials with varying properties - foam polymer for initial cushioning, peak-and-valley polymer for force distribution, solid polymer for structural support, and corrugated polymer for compression resistance. This composite approach optimizes impact absorption across different force vectors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the impact suppressor includes multiple polymer layers to distribute impact force, then impact protection is improved, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each polymer layer is designed with specific local properties optimized for its function: foam polymer with specific density for cushioning, peak-and-valley structure with optimized wave geometry for force distribution, solid polymer with appropriate thickness for structural support, and corrugated polymer with optimized flute depth for compression resistance. This allows maximum protective effect within minimum thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The peak-and-valley and corrugated polymer layers introduce three-dimensional structural features that provide enhanced impact distribution and compression resistance without proportionally increasing thickness. The corrugated structure particularly effectively utilizes the thickness dimension to achieve high structural efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the impact suppressor is designed to fit between the user and bullet-proof vest, then impact protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impact suppressor is segmented into distinct polymer layers that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. This modular approach simplifies the manufacturing process for each layer while achieving complex protective functionality through the combination of layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact suppressor design uses polymer layers that can serve multiple functions: foam polymer provides both cushioning and some force distribution, while the covering provides both structural enclosure and a interface with the bullet-proof vest. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed.
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 impact suppressor significantly reduces the impact force transmitted to the user by distributing it across multiple layers, minimizing the risk of bruising and internal injuries by spreading the force over a greater surface area, while maintaining a thin and comfortable design.
Implementation Method 1
one or more flat foam polymer layers
Implementation Method 2
one or more flat foam polymer layers; one or more secondary polymer layers
Implementation Method 3
peak-and-valley shaped polymer layers each having a repeating pattern of peaks separated by valleys
Implementation Method 4
one or more tertiary polymer layers selected from the group consisting of: solid polymer layers and corrugated polymer layers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are multiple implementations of impact suppressors. Each impact suppressor is formed of multiple polymer layers. In implementations each polymer layer is one of the following: a solid polymer layer, a flat foam polymer layer, a corrugated polymer layer, and/or a peak-and-valley shaped polymer layer. The impact suppressors are configured to be worn by a user below a bullet-proof vest to reduce the impact force from an impact, such as from a bullet or other projectile hitting the bullet-proof vest, thus reducing the likelihood of injury and/or bruising.