Segmented Pivoting Hatch Cover for Combat Vehicle Injury Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combat vehicle hatch designs often result in severe injuries to individuals sitting with their head protruding, as they may hit the hatch edge during crashes, and existing solutions either fail to provide adequate protection or hinder observation and access.

Innovation Solution

A protective device featuring two pivoting cover parts with padding and bulletproof materials, designed to engage with each other to form a secure, cushioned closure over the hatch opening, allowing safe 'driving over' while maintaining access and observation capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hatch opening is left open for observation and access, then observation and boarding/alighting are maintained, but the risk of severe head and neck injuries during crashes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation and accessVSAvoidinjury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is divided into two separate cover parts that can be independently positioned. One cover part can remain in place to protect the opening while the other can be removed or opened for observation and access, allowing simultaneous protection and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover parts are designed to be dynamically positionable between closed (protective) and open (accessible) states. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements - protected during movement, accessible during observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the hatch opening is covered for protection, then injury risk during crashes is reduced, but observation and boarding/alighting are hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury riskVSAvoidobservation and access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cover into two parts, the system allows selective opening - one cover part can stay closed for protection while the other is opened for observation or access, eliminating the need to choose between protection and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the opening can have different protection levels - areas requiring observation or access can have their cover part opened while other areas remain protected, allowing localized adaptation to functional needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the hatch cover is reinforced with protective material, then ballistic protection is improved, but the complexity and weight of the hatch structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic protectionVSAvoidhatch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented into separate cover parts that can be independently managed. This allows reinforcement to be applied only where and when needed, rather than reinforcing the entire hatch structure permanently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover parts can be dynamically deployed or removed based on operational requirements, allowing ballistic protection to be applied only when threats are present, rather than maintaining permanent reinforced structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 injury risks during crashes by providing neck and chin support, while also offering ballistic protection and enabling safe entry/exit without obstructing observation or movement, with the added benefit of reduced need for reinforced hatch cover protection.

Implementation Method 1

A first cover part (7) which can be swiveled up backwards is provided with padding material (7.3) on its underside and assumes the function of a neck support when pivoted up

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCushioning:

Implementation Method 2

The second cover part (8), which can be swiveled up forwards, is provided with padding material (8.3) on its edge facing the first cover part (7) or the person sitting in the hatch when closed and thus serves as padding when the chin area hits the edge when closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption:

Implementation Method 3

one or both cover parts can be provided with a protective layer made of bulletproof material on their outside. In the case of the first rear cover part, this has the particular advantage that the head of the person driving 'over the hatch' is protected against being shot from behind

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBallistic resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP1843123B1Protection device on the entry/escape hatch of a combat vehicle, in particular a tank

Publication Date: 2008.10.22 KRAUSS MAFFEI WEGMANN GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The device has a cover part (7) swiveled backwards about a horizontal swivel axle (7.1) that is arranged behind a passage opening (6.2), while a cover part (8) is swiveled about a horizontal swivel axle (8.1) that is arranged before the passage opening (6.2). A bottom side of the cover part (7) is provided with a bolster material (7.3), while the cover part (8) is provided with a bolster material (8.3) at an edge that faces the cover part (7) in a closed condition.