SLAT Protection with Movable Connecting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SLAT protection systems are vulnerable to damage when driving off-road due to restricted angle of departure, particularly in the front and rear areas of vehicles, which limits their effectiveness in asymmetric threat environments.
Innovation Solution
The SLAT protection system is designed with movable connecting elements, such as steel springs or rubber elements, allowing the SLAT elements to move out of the way when encountering obstacles, combined with a detachable feature for enhanced protection and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SLAT protection is placed close to the vehicle chassis to maintain protection effectiveness, then protection against anti-tank grenades is improved, but the SLAT protection becomes vulnerable to damage when driving off-road
Solution Approach 1:
The SLAT protection system employs movable connecting elements (steel springs, rubber elements, or hinges) that allow the lower SLAT elements to move relative to the upper elements. This dynamic configuration enables the protection system to adapt between a rigid protected state during normal operation and a flexible state during off-road contact, resolving the contradiction between maintaining protection effectiveness and resisting ground contact damage
2Strength
If SLAT protection is designed with fixed rigid connections to ensure structural strength, then resistance to damage is improved, but mobility and adaptability to obstacles are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The SLAT protection is divided into multiple elements (upper SLAT elements and lower SLAT elements) connected by movable connecting elements. This segmentation allows each element to maintain structural strength while the connections provide adaptability, enabling the system to respond to obstacles without compromising overall structural integrity
3Ease of operation
If SLAT protection is made detachable to improve mobility and accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable design incorporates movable connecting elements that provide both stability during operation and ease of detachment when needed. The steel springs, rubber elements, or hinges maintain structural stability during normal use while allowing controlled detachment for mobility and accessibility, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural stability
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
This design enhances the protection against anti-tank grenades while maintaining vehicle accessibility and usability, particularly in off-road conditions by adjusting mobility and rigidity through varying connecting element designs.
Implementation Method 1
The SLAT elements are connected to one another by movable connecting elements 3, primarily steel spring elements
Implementation Method 2
The moving connecting elements can consist of steel springs or steel spring spirals
Implementation Method 3
Alternatively, versions made of rubber elements, chain elements or hinges are possible
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An improved SLAT protection, especially for a military or paramilitary vehicle, has SLAT panels (2a, 2b) linked to each other and to the mounting (1) via sprung elements (3). These can be metal springs, chains, hinges or elastomer springs, or a combination of all. Separate panels can be removed and replaced.