Spring-Locked Bolt for Detachable Armored Vehicle Plating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanisms for detaching additional armor from armored vehicles, such as explosive charges, pose a risk to the vehicle crew and are not safely accessible for emergency situations like vehicle tipping.

Innovation Solution

A bolt system with locking bodies that can be manually or actuator-activated to release the additional armor, allowing the bolt to slip out of its receptacle due to gravity, ensuring safe detachment without external tools or additional fastening elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If explosive charges are used to detach additional armor, then the armor can be separated to release the side hatch, but the vehicle crew is endangered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachability of additional armorVSAvoiddanger to vehicle crew

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the explosive charge system with a purely mechanical bolt and locking body mechanism. The bolt includes locking bodies that engage with the bolt receptacle through mechanical interaction, eliminating the need for explosive charges and thereby removing the hazard to the vehicle crew while maintaining the ability to detach additional armor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The bolt mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through gravity. When the vehicle is overturned, gravity automatically causes the bolt to disengage from the bolt receptacle and fall out, enabling automatic release of additional armor without requiring crew intervention or dangerous explosive charges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If locking bodies protrude over the outer circumference of the sleeve, then the bolt is locked securely, but the bolt cannot be removed without actuators or tools in normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking securityVSAvoidremovability of bolt

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the locking bodies can change position between engaged and disengaged states. In normal operation, the locking bodies protrude to secure the bolt. When an actuator applies force or when gravity acts on an overturned vehicle, the locking bodies retract into the sleeve, transforming the bolt from a locked state to a removable state without requiring external tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If the bolt is designed with spring-loaded locking bodies, then automatic locking is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic lockingVSAvoidbolt structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded locking bodies automatically engage with the bolt receptacle when the bolt is inserted, achieving automatic locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The spring mechanism self-actuates based on the insertion motion, providing automated locking functionality while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables safe and accessible detachment of additional armor without endangering the crew, suitable for various armored vehicles, including tanks and personnel carriers, by using a spring-loaded locking mechanism that can be operated internally or externally.

Implementation Method 1

a counter bearing in the sleeve against the force of a spring supported on the bolt head between the bolt head and the abutment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the bolt (driven by gravity) can slip out of the bolt receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3364144B1Armoured vehicle with additional armour attached to an armoured vehicle by at least one bolt

Publication Date: 2018.12.12 FFG FLENSBURGER FAHRZEUGBAU

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

Armored vehicle (100) with additional armor (200) attached to the vehicle (100) by means of at least one bolt (10), characterized in that the bolt (10) comprises a bolt head (20) formed with a bearing flange, a sleeve (30) extending from the bolt head (20), an abutment (40) arranged opposite the bolt head (20) on the sleeve (30), a body (60) slidably mounted in the sleeve (30) against the force of a spring (50) supported on the bolt head (20) between the bolt head (20) and the abutment (40), and at least one locking element (70).in a first position assumed by the body (60), the additional armor (200) is locked to the vehicle (100) with a partial section into an opening provided in the wall of the sleeve (30) via the outer circumference of the sleeve (30), and in a second position assumed by the body (60), the additional armor (200) is released from the vehicle (100) and is completely received by the sleeve (30), and has an opening for access enabling movement of the body (60) in the direction of the bolt head (20).