Segmented Ballistic Shielding for Moving Vehicle Attachments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for components connected to moving objects, such as military vehicles and their attachments, provide insufficient protection when the relative movement between the objects reduces the coverage of ballistic threats, especially when the attachment is lowered or extended.
Innovation Solution
A protective device with multiple, movably connected segments that can adjust length and angle to maintain coverage, using armor steel or non-ferrous metals, and designed as a channel or tunnel to enclose the elements, allowing for relative movement without exposing them to threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective element is connected to the vehicle, then the lifting cylinder or supply lines can be protected when the attachment is in a raised position, but when the attachment is lowered, the lower part of the lifting cylinder or supply lines becomes exposed and no longer protected
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to each other. The first protective segment is connected to the vehicle, while the second protective segment is connected to the attachment, allowing each segment to adapt to different positions of the attachment while maintaining continuous protection of the lifting cylinder and supply lines throughout the range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element is designed with movable connections between segments, enabling it to dynamically adjust its configuration as the attachment moves between raised and lowered positions. This dynamic design ensures that the protective coverage continuously follows the movement of the lifting cylinder and supply lines without exposing them to ballistic threats.
2Reliability
If additional protective elements are added to cover all positions, then protection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex protective structure, the solution divides the protective element into multiple simpler segments that can be independently connected to the vehicle and attachment. Each segment performs a specific protective function, and their combined effect provides comprehensive coverage without requiring an overly complex single-structure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connections between protective segments allow the system to adapt to various positions of the attachment through a relatively simple mechanical linkage rather than requiring multiple fixed protective structures. This dynamic approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high protection reliability across all operational positions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for protecting an element (30) which is coupled to two objects (10, 20) that are movable relative to each other, in particular a vehicle (10) and a vehicle attachment (20) that is movable relative to the vehicle (10), with a protective element (2) for protecting the element (30) from ballistic threats, wherein the protective element (2) can be connected to the two objects (10, 20) that are movable relative to each other via connection points (3), wherein the protective element (2) has several protective segments (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) that are movably connected to each other and form a protective channel (4) that is open on one side.