Ballistic Helmet with Titanium Shell and Fiber Composite Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ballistic protective helmets, particularly those for special forces and police, are inadequate in protecting against projectiles of higher kinetic energy from long weapons, as they tend to deform and allow penetration, compromising the wearer's safety without significantly increasing weight or impairing comfort.

Innovation Solution

A ballistic protective helmet design featuring a titanium or titanium alloy metal helmet cap combined with a fiber composite material layer on the outside, which absorbs and deflects projectile impact, preventing lethal deformation and providing enhanced protection without excessive weight or reduced comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aramid and/or polyethylene helmets are used, then fragmentation protection is provided, but protection against direct fire from projectiles is insufficient and severe deformation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against fragmentationVSAvoidprotection against direct fire
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines aramid and polyethylene fiber materials in a composite structure where aramid provides fragmentation protection and polyethylene provides protection against direct fire from projectiles. This composite material approach allows the helmet to simultaneously achieve both fragmentation protection and direct fire resistance without severe deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If helmet weight is increased to improve protection against higher kinetic energy projectiles, then protective effectiveness is improved, but wearing comfort and handling are significantly impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against higher kinetic energy projectilesVSAvoidwearing comfort and handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining aramid and polyethylene materials that provides protection against higher kinetic energy projectiles from long guns without requiring a proportional increase in helmet weight. The synergistic combination of materials achieves enhanced protective effectiveness while maintaining acceptable weight and comfort levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If metal helmet shell is used, then protection against direct fire is improved, but weight increases and comfort is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against direct fireVSAvoidhelmet weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces solid metal construction with a composite fiber structure combining aramid and polyethylene that provides equivalent protection against direct fire from projectiles. This composite approach achieves the necessary strength and deformation resistance without the excessive weight associated with metal helmet shells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 combination of metal and fiber composite materials significantly enhances protective effectiveness against higher kinetic energy projectiles, offering protection equivalent to helmets three times heavier, while maintaining acceptable weight and comfort levels, and providing coverage from all directions.

Implementation Method 1

the protective effect of metal helmets, such as the titanium helmets known from the prior art, can be significantly improved if the projectile first impacts a layer of fiber composite material and then the metal helmet shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy absorption: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

they can convert the projectile's kinetic energy into plastic deformation over a larger area, preventing the helmet from deforming inward to the point where it would cause a fatal impact on the head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 3

such helmets have a deflecting effect on the projectile and/or its fragments, preventing the entire momentum of the projectile from being transferred to the helmet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMomentum deflection: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3520641B1Ballistic protective helmet
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 ULBRICHTS GMBH
  • EP3520641B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3520641B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3520641B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ballistic protective helmet (1) comprising a helmet shell (2) made of a metal material, wherein the helmet shell (2) has an inner surface facing the wearer's head and an opposite outer surface (4). Furthermore, the ballistic protective helmet (1) has a layer (3) arranged on the outer surface (4) of the helmet shell (2), which is made of a fiber composite material.