Ballistic Vest Communication Device Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable communication devices, such as radios worn in military or emergency applications, face the risk of damage and user injury due to external cabling that can be snagged or caught on obstacles, necessitating a solution to conceal and protect these devices within wearable items like vests or backpacks.
Innovation Solution
A communication device form factor that can be completely concealed within a vest or backpack, with self-contained battery options, integrated sensors, and minimized cabling, utilizing trauma plates for protection and heat dissipation, while allowing flexibility and ease of maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cabling is used to connect wearable radios to handheld units and batteries, then the radios can function properly, but the cabling can be snagged or caught on projections causing user injury and radio damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cabling function from the wearable radio system by integrating batteries and speaker/microphone units directly into the vest or backpack, eliminating the need for external cables and connectors that could be snagged or cause injury
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions (power supply, audio output, communication) into the wearable vest or backpack structure itself, creating an integrated system where components are combined rather than connected through cabling
2Ease of operation
If cabling runs outside the user gear, then connections can be made to handheld units, but the user can be injured and the radio can be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the speaker and microphone units directly into the wearable vest or backpack structure, eliminating external cabling and the associated snagging hazards while maintaining full audio communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the vulnerable external cabling element from the system by integrating all necessary connections internally within the wearable gear structure
3Reliability
If communication devices are integrated into ballistic resistant panels, then protection is provided, but heat dissipation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal interface materials and heat dissipation structures as intermediaries between the electronic devices and the ballistic panels, allowing heat to be conducted away from sensitive components while maintaining the protective function of the panels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized heat dissipation features at specific thermal hotspots within the ballistic panels, applying different thermal management properties to different regions based on their specific heat generation and dissipation needs
4Adaptability or versatility
If all system components are incorporated into personal wear, then protection and integration are achieved, but maintenance and repair become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wearable communication system into modular segments or components that can be independently accessed, removed, or replaced, allowing maintenance personnel to service specific parts without disassembling the entire integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic or adjustable features into the integrated system that allow for easy access to components during maintenance, such as removable panels or adjustable configurations that simplify repair operations
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for operating a communication device. The methods comprise: concealing the communication device and/or at least one cable in a ballistic wearable item (e.g., a ballistic vest) such that the communication device resides in a storage slot for a trauma plate, where the communication device comprises a frame having a cross-sectional profile that matches a cross-sectional profile of the trauma plate by a given amount (e.g., 75-100%); and performing communication operations by a radio module integrated with the frame of the communication device.