Segmented Ballistic Ceramic Tiles for Flexible Body Armor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulletproof protection structures face challenges in providing flexible coverage for irregular surfaces and limiting mobility due to rigid ballistic panels, which are heavy and offer inadequate protection against calibres greater than .357 and .44 Magnum, such as those from AK47 rifles and M2AP ammunition, beyond the level IIIa standard.
Innovation Solution
A bulletproof protection structure featuring a ballistic panel finely divided into structurally independent, hexagonal or square elementary components made of sintered materials like aluminium oxide or carbides, which are associated with a flexible ballistic fabric base, allowing for complete coverage and flexibility, including irregular surfaces without exposed areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ballistic panels are made with large thicknesses (5-12 mm) to protect against calibres greater than .357 and .44 Magnum, then protection level increases above NIJ IIIa, but weight and rigidity increase, limiting flexibility and mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic panel is divided into multiple small elementary components (tiles) with dimensions of 5-20 mm, arranged in a matrix pattern. Each tile is made of ballistic ceramic material and is individually associated with the flexible base. This segmentation allows the panel to maintain high protection levels while reducing overall weight and increasing flexibility, as the small tiles can conform to body contours without requiring large thick panels.
2Reliability
If ballistic panels are made with large thicknesses (5-12 mm) to protect against calibres greater than .357 and.44 Magnum, then protection level increases above NIJ IIIa, but rigidity increases, limiting flexibility and ability to cover irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic panel is divided into multiple small elementary components (tiles) with dimensions of 5-20 mm, arranged in a matrix pattern. Each tile is made of ballistic ceramic material and is individually associated with the flexible base. This segmentation allows the panel to maintain high protection levels while reducing overall weight and increasing flexibility, as the small tiles can conform to body contours without requiring large thick panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid ballistic ceramic tiles are associated with a flexible base made of high tenacity fibres (such as aramid fibres). This combination allows the rigid protective elements to maintain their protective function while the flexible base enables the overall structure to conform to irregular body surfaces and provide the necessary flexibility for wearability.
3Reliability
If ballistic panels are used to break up faster bullets (more than 700 m/s) into smaller parts, then protection against higher calibres is achieved, but impact traumas are still caused by the impact on the panel
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic panel is divided into multiple small elementary components (tiles) with dimensions of 5-20 mm, arranged in a matrix pattern. Each tile is made of ballistic ceramic material and is individually associated with the flexible base. This segmentation allows the panel to maintain high protection levels while reducing overall weight and increasing flexibility, as the small tiles can conform to body contours without requiring large thick panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic panel consists of multiple discrete ceramic tiles rather than a single continuous panel. This local quality approach allows each tile to independently absorb and dissipate impact energy, reducing the transmission of impact forces to the wearer's body while maintaining effective bullet breakup capability.
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 provides enhanced protection up to higher calibres while maintaining flexibility, allowing for extensive surface coverage and improved mobility, as the finely divided ballistic panel distributes the impact force effectively, reducing weight and impedance to movement.
Implementation Method 1
ballistic panel able to break up the faster bullets (more than 700 m/s) into smaller parts which can be more easily stopped by the underlying fibre structure, owing to the reduction of their energy (divided up among the different fragmented parts)
Implementation Method 2
structures which are realized by means of suitable combinations of interwoven fibres able to absorb and disperse the stopping force and penetration of the bullets by means of plastic deformation (elongation) of said fibres
Implementation Method 3
elementary components made of sintered materials like aluminium oxide or carbides
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
A bulletproof protection structure (20) is described, said structure comprising at least a flexible base (21) and a reinforcing structure realized by means of at least one ballistic panel (22) associated with the flexible base (21). Advantageously, the ballistic panel (22) is finely divided into a plurality of elementary components (23), individually associated with the flexible base (21), structurally independent of one another and not bound to each other, so as to ensure flexibility for the structure (20) as a whole, the elementary components (23) being associated with the flexible base (21) in correspondence with at least a surface of maximum extension thereof through at least a thermoplastic film apt to provide the association of the elementary components (23) with the flexible base (21) by gluing.