Variable Overlap Plate Assembly for Blast Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate assemblies for protecting the chest and abdomen from ballistic impacts and blast/shock waves face challenges in combining articulation and decoupling from blast waves without causing injury to the wearer.
Innovation Solution
A protective plate assembly with overlapping rigid plates featuring a peg and slot arrangement for variable overlap and compressible material elements that adjust with plate movement, allowing for increased flexibility and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the plates are rigid and overlapping to protect against ballistic impacts and blast waves, then protective capability is improved, but freedom of movement and articulation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The protective assembly is divided into multiple separate rigid plates that overlap and can move independently relative to each other, allowing articulation while maintaining protection. The plates are connected through a mechanism that enables relative movement between adjacent plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between plates is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the plates to articulate and adjust their positions relative to each other. This enables the wearer to bend and move naturally while the plates maintain their protective function.
2Strength
If the plates are rigid to maintain structural integrity against ballistic impacts, then protective capability is improved, but injury to the wearer from blast waves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A decoupling mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid plates and the wearer's body. This mechanism includes compressible elements that absorb blast wave energy and prevent direct transmission to the wearer, while allowing the rigid plates to maintain their structural integrity for ballistic protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between plates and the wearer's body is designed to change its mechanical parameters under different loading conditions. Under normal conditions, the connection is flexible and compliant; under blast wave impact, the compressible elements deform to absorb energy and change the transmission characteristics.
3Device complexity
If the plates are fixed with constant overlap to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but articulation and adaptability to body movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The overlap between plates is made variable rather than fixed. The connection mechanism allows adjacent plates to move relative to each other, changing the amount of overlap dynamically as the wearer moves their body. This provides articulation while maintaining relatively simple construction.
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 provides enhanced freedom of movement and effective energy absorption, preventing injury from blast waves while maintaining structural integrity and protecting vital areas.
Implementation Method 1
elements of compressible material are provided, distributed on an inner side of the assembly, such that when the amount of overlap between the plates increases, said elements move closer together
Implementation Method 2
The elements of compressible material may comprise strips intended to lie substantially horizontally when the assembly is worn... The compressible material may comprise a soft, foamed fabric
Data Source
AI summary
A protective plate assembly comprises a plurality of overlapping rigid plates (1, 2, 3) for covering a wearer's chest and abdomen, the plates being attached together such that the amount of overlap between successive plates is variable. Elements (13, 16) of compressible material are provided, distributed on an inner side of the assembly, such that when the amount of overlap between the plates (1, 2, 3) increases, the elements move closer together in the direction in which said overlap increases, and vice versa. Two adjacent plates of the assembly are attached to each other by means of a peg (12) extending from one of said plates, which peg is captive within a slot (9) on the other of said plates, the slot running substantially perpendicular to the overlapping edges of the plates.