Military Vehicle Capsule Structure for Blast Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional military vehicles rely on sequential assembly of components to the structural frame rails for lifting, which complicates the assembly process and may not effectively distribute blast forces, leading to potential damage during operations.
Innovation Solution
The military vehicle design incorporates a passenger capsule, front module, and rear module with integrated subframes and a lift structure that allows for simultaneous lifting and distributes blast forces, eliminating traditional frame rails and enhancing strength-to-weight performance and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional frame rails are used for sequential assembly of components, then structural support is provided, but assembly complexity increases and blast force distribution is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frame rails into an integrated passenger capsule structure where the capsule itself serves as the structural frame. This eliminates the need for separate frame rails and sequential assembly of components to the frame, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The passenger capsule is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a protective enclosure, and distributes blast forces throughout its structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated frame rails that would otherwise be required for structural support and component mounting.
2Ease of operation
If traditional frame rails are used for lifting, then lifting capability is provided, but lifting force distribution is inadequate leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting capability is merged into the passenger capsule structure itself. The capsule's integrated structure provides multiple lifting attachment points distributed throughout its structure, allowing lifting forces to be distributed across the entire capsule rather than concentrated on specific frame rail sections, thereby reducing damage risk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional frame rails are used, then component mounting is enabled, but blast force distribution is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The passenger capsule serves as a universal mounting structure for all vehicle components. Its integrated structure distributes blast forces throughout the entire capsule body, protecting mounted components from concentrated blast impacts while maintaining versatile component mounting capability through the capsule's structural integration.
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
This design enables efficient assembly and improved blast force distribution, reducing the risk of damage during lifting and blast events, while providing enhanced strength, abuse tolerance, and life-cycle durability.
Implementation Method 1
an air-to-hydraulic intensifier coupled to the brake actuator where the air-to-hydraulic intensifier is configured to receive a supply of air and provide a hydraulic fluid to the brake actuator based on the supply of air
Implementation Method 2
a resilient member positioned within the inner volume and configured to generate a brake biasing force against the piston such that the rod is biased into engagement with the brake
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system includes a brake actuator configured to engage a brake to limit movement of a tractive element, an air-to-hydraulic intensifier coupled to the brake actuator where the air-to-hydraulic intensifier is configured to receive a supply of air and provide a hydraulic fluid to the brake actuator based on the supply of air to overcome a brake biasing force of the brake actuator to disengage the brake actuator from the brake to permit movement of the tractive element, a hydraulic reservoir coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, and a valve. The valve includes a first port fluidly coupled to the air-to-hydraulic intensifier, a second port fluidly coupled to the hydraulic reservoir, a third port fluidly coupled to the brake actuator, and a valve gate that is repositionable between a first position that couples the first port to the third port and a second position that couples the second port to the third port.