Suspended Floor Assembly Blast Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional military vehicle floor assemblies face inefficiencies in energy absorption during blast events, leading to unpredictable and uncontrollable deformations, and fixed mounts contribute to higher accelerative loads on occupants, necessitating improved blast mitigation solutions for increased survivability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of suspended floor assemblies with partial decoupling through suspension arms and yaw plane energy absorbers, which absorb energy in multiple directions and reduce accelerative loads, allowing for predictable and controlled deformation during blasts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fixed mounts with high stiffness are used to secure energy absorbers to the vehicle structure, then the energy absorbers are securely attached, but the mounts contribute to higher moment and accelerative loads on occupants and cause less predictable behavior in blast events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed rigid mounts to dynamic flexible mounts that allow controlled movement and deformation during blast events. The flexible mounts can accommodate unpredictable blast loads while maintaining attachment, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and predictable behavior by allowing the system to adapt dynamically to varying blast conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the mounts from high stiffness to flexible characteristics. This parameter change allows the mounts to deform in a controlled manner during blasts, reducing moment and accelerative loads on occupants while maintaining reliable attachment, thus resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and behavior predictability.
2Device complexity
If unitary or connected energy absorbers are used to absorb energy in multiple directions, then the structure is simplified, but the energy absorbers are less effective than multiple separate energy absorbers for absorbing energy in separate directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy absorption system into multiple separate energy absorbers positioned at different locations and orientations. Each absorber is specialized for absorbing energy from specific directions (e.g., yaw plane absorbers for lateral blasts, vertical absorbers for upward blasts). This segmentation improves energy absorption effectiveness in multiple directions while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different energy absorption characteristics to different locations and directions. Each energy absorber is positioned and oriented to address specific blast vectors, creating localized optimization for each direction. This allows the system to effectively handle multi-directional blasts without requiring a single complex universal absorber.
3Use of energy by moving object
If under-floor energy absorbers are used, then energy absorption capacity is increased, but the absorbers consume space between the floor platform and vehicle underbody that could be used for other purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions energy absorbers in multiple spatial dimensions and orientations rather than concentrating them all in the vertical under-floor space. By distributing absorbers across different locations and angles, the system achieves comprehensive energy absorption capacity while utilizing available volume more efficiently, reducing the impact on other space requirements.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the military vehicle is raised further away from the ground, then blast mitigation is improved, but the overall distance of the lowermost surface from the ground increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy absorption function into multiple separate absorbers distributed throughout the vehicle structure rather than relying on a single large clearance space. This allows effective blast mitigation through distributed energy absorption while maintaining a compact vehicle profile, as the absorbers are integrated into the existing structure rather than requiring additional vertical clearance.
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 effectively reduces accelerative loads on occupants and enhances survivability by improving energy absorption in vertical, lateral, and longitudinal directions, while maintaining a compact vehicle profile and reducing the impact on subsequent energy absorbers.
Implementation Method 1
floor assemblies in military vehicles may absorb energy to reduce the impact to occupants
Implementation Method 2
suspended floor assemblies with partial decoupling through suspension arms and yaw plane energy absorbers, which absorb energy in multiple directions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has improved energy absorbing capability and occupants have increased blast survivability. The vehicle includes a suspended floor assembly. The floor assembly may be suspended by, at least in part, one or more suspensions arms that have an extendable portion. The floor assembly may also have a yaw plane energy absorber between the floor assembly and a wall of the vehicle.