Soft Ballistic Armor with Slip Planes for Conformability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soft body armor incorporating composite materials with fiber in a resin matrix is rigid and non-conformable to the human body, limiting its effectiveness and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A soft armor panel is created by work-softening a rigid panel with a lamination of ply groups, each comprising composite materials with fibers embedded in a matrix, and introducing slip planes between adjacent ply groups to allow unconnection and sliding, enabling the panel to conform to the body while maintaining ballistic resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If composite materials with fiber in resin matrix are used in soft body armor, then ballistic resistance is improved, but the armor becomes rigid and non-conformable to the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The armor panel is segmented into multiple ply groups (first ply group, second ply group, third ply group) separated by slip planes. This segmentation allows each ply group to move independently, enabling the rigid composite material to conform to body contours while maintaining ballistic resistance through the distributed fiber reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
Slip planes are introduced as intermediary layers between the ply groups of composite materials. These slip planes act as mediators that allow relative movement between adjacent ply groups, enabling the armor to deform and conform to the human body without compromising the structural integrity and ballistic resistance provided by the fiber-reinforced composite layers.
2Strength
If rigid composite panel is used, then ballistic properties are improved, but weight increases and conformability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid composite panel is divided into multiple thinner ply groups separated by slip planes. This segmentation reduces the overall weight compared to a single thick rigid panel while maintaining ballistic protection through the distributed reinforcement. The segmented structure also enables flexibility and conformability without sacrificing strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stitching and bonding methods are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but flexibility and conformability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Slip planes are introduced as intermediary layers between ply groups, replacing conventional continuous stitching and bonding methods. These slip planes maintain structural integrity by holding the armor panels together while allowing controlled sliding and movement between ply groups, thereby preserving flexibility and conformability that would be lost with rigid bonding methods.
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 results in a lightweight, conformable, and highly effective ballistic panel that retains significant ballistic properties, enhancing comfort and performance compared to traditional soft body armor.
Implementation Method 1
a slip plane between at least one set of adjacent ply groups, the adjacent ply groups remaining unconnected or substantially unconnected at the slip plane
Implementation Method 2
work softening an otherwise rigid panel... The soft armor panel includes a work softened lamination of a plurality of ply groups
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A soft armor panel is provided by work softening a panel formed of a ballistic material. The panel also includes slip planes between adjacent ply groups, the adjacent ply groups remaining unconnected or substantially unconnected at the slip plane. The soft, or conformable, body armor, is resistant to various projectile threats, in which the panel is made by work-softening an otherwise rigid panel. The soft armor panel includes a work softened lamination of a plurality of ply groups. Each ply group comprises one or more layers, each layer comprising a composite material of fibers embedded in a matrix material. A slip plane is disposed between at least one set of adjacent ply groups, such that the adjacent ply groups remain unconnected or substantially unconnected at the slip plane. The softened ballistic panel retains significant ballistic properties, is light weight and can be readily conformed to various torso configurations.