U.S. patent application number 13/848551 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for vehicle floor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Navistar Defense Engineering, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Navistar Defense Engineering, LLC. Invention is credited to David M. Gerst, Craig F. Hughes, Jeff Mears, Craig Alan Newman, James G. Rasico.
Application Number | 20140182449 13/848551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48226735 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140182449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mears; Jeff ; et
al. |
July 3, 2014 |
VEHICLE FLOOR
Abstract
A blast absorption structure and system for use in absorbing
blast forces exerted upon an armored vehicle is disclosed. The
blast absorption structure includes a first absorption component
and a second absorption component, wherein the first and second
absorption components deform to absorb and slow the forces prior to
reaching an occupant of the cabin. Deformation of the first and
second components reduces the blast force load transmitted through
the vehicle structure to the occupants' lower extremities, thereby
avoiding catastrophic injury to the lower extremities.
Inventors: |
Mears; Jeff; (Chandler,
AZ) ; Gerst; David M.; (Fort Wayne, IN) ;
Rasico; James G.; (Farmington, MI) ; Newman; Craig
Alan; (East Lansing, MI) ; Hughes; Craig F.;
(Hancock, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Navistar Defense Engineering, LLC; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Navistar Defense Engineering,
LLC
Lisle
IL
|
Family ID: |
48226735 |
Appl. No.: |
13/848551 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61615694 |
Mar 26, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 7/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.08 |
International
Class: |
F41H 7/04 20060101
F41H007/04 |
Claims
1. A blast absorbing structure for use in absorbing blast force
energy exerted on an underside of a personnel cabin of a vehicle,
the structure comprising: a first absorption component for initial
absorption of the blast forces exerted on the floor of the vehicle;
and a second absorption component supported on the first absorption
component for secondary absorption of the blast forces, wherein the
first and second absorption components cooperatively move between
an initial position and a blast force position to diminish the
blast forces reaching an occupant of the cabin.
2. The blast absorbing structure of claim 1, wherein the first
absorbing component is an energy absorbing support.
3. The blast absorbing structure of claim 2, wherein the first
absorbing component further includes a plurality of energy
absorbing supports.
4. The blast absorbing structure of claim 1, wherein the first and
second absorbing components form a floating floor of the
vehicle.
5. The blast absorbing structure of claim 2, wherein the energy
absorbing support receives an initial blast force exerted on the
underside of the vehicle.
6. The blast absorbing structure of claim 2, wherein the energy
absorbing support deforms in response to the initial blast
force.
7. The blast absorbing structure of claim 1, wherein the second
absorption component is a moveable surface.
8. The blast absorbing structure of 7, wherein the moveable surface
is horizontally supported by the first absorbing component.
9. The blast absorbing structure of claim 8, wherein the moveable
surface is a floating surface.
10. The blast absorbing structure of claim 7, wherein the surface
is moveable in a vertical direction in response to the deformation
of the energy absorbing support when the blast force is exerted on
the energy absorbing support.
11. The blast absorbing structure of claim 10, wherein the vertical
movement of the surface is diminished by the deformation of the
energy absorbing support.
12. The blast absorbing structure of claim 8, wherein the moveable
surface is in direct contact with at least one lower extremity of
the occupant of the cabin.
13. The blast absorbing structure of claim 1, wherein the structure
further includes a plurality of guides for limiting movement of the
surface prior to a blast event.
14. A blast absorbing system for use in absorbing blast energy
exerted on a personnel cabin of a vehicle, the system comprising:
at least one energy absorbing component; a floating surface
supported by the energy absorbing component, the floating surface
moveable between an initial position and a blast force position; a
guide for retaining the floating surface in a horizontal position,
wherein upon receipt of a blast force upon the floor, the energy
absorbing component deforms to absorb the blast force and diminish
movement of the floating surface from the initial position to the
blast force position.
15. The blast absorbing system of claim 14, wherein the system
further includes a second guide for limiting movement of the
floating surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/615,694 filed on Mar. 26, 2012.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a blast absorbing
structure and system for use in decreasing the extent of
catastrophic injury to the occupants of a vehicle, including a
military vehicle subjected to a blast. More specifically, the
structure and system absorbs the energy from a blast before it
reaches the lower extremities of the occupants in the vehicle
cabin.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Armored vehicles are frequently threatened by improvised
explosive devices (IEDs) designed to cause harm to the vehicle and
its occupants. IEDs are typically one or more grouped artillery
shells redeployed and detonated in an effort to inflict casualties.
These explosive devices when detonated beneath a floor of a vehicle
often create localized deformation of the floor of the vehicle
thereby transmitting large vertical loads onto the lower
extremities of occupants of the vehicle. For example, detonations
below the underbelly of an armored vehicle may cause the vehicle
floor to accelerate at 100 G or more and reach velocities of 7 to
12 m/s over a time period of 3 to 5 msec. These high rates of
acceleration and velocity transmit large mechanical forces on the
lower extremities of the occupants within the vehicle cabin, often
resulting in catastrophic injury or worse.
[0004] Armor countermeasures typically consist of heavy metal
plates placed between the threat and the vehicle in such a way as
to resist hull breach and aggressive floor accelerations. These
heavy metal plates also work in concert with layers of additional
metal, ceramic, composite or plastic materials designed to prevent
lethal high velocity fragments from entering the vehicle. The heavy
metal plates are typically mounted to the underside of the vehicle
in shapes to take advantage of venting efficiency, inherent
geometric stiffness, and deflection characteristics when presented
with incoming pressure and fragmentation. Carrying a heavy blast
and fragment resistant hulls results in significant performance
disadvantage to the vehicle in terms of reduced fuel economy, lost
cargo capacity and increased transportation shipping costs.
[0005] In addition to the outer metal plates, the interior of the
personnel cabin may include a blast mat. During a blast event on an
armored vehicle, the lower extremities of the occupants of the
vehicle are frequently subjected to injuries from the blast energy
being transmitted through the vehicle structure. One current
solution to dissipate the energy is to use blast mats on the floor
where the occupants of the vehicle rest their feet. However,
current blast mats are expensive and heavy, often contributing
unwanted additional weight to an already heavy vehicle.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an efficient, cost-effective
energy absorbing system for use during a high acceleration event,
such as a blast event underneath the vehicle. The present structure
and system is usable, for example, in a personnel cabin of a
vehicle, specifically as a floor, and includes an energy absorbing
device for absorbing and dissipating the blast forces from an
explosive device, thereby lessening the impact of the forces on the
lower extremities of the occupants of the vehicle. The device
includes energy absorbing supports, a flat panel or surface
positioned on top of the supports, and at least one retainer or
guide to maintain the movement direction of the surface. The energy
absorbing supports suspended the top surface, creating a "floating
floor" to improve the absorption and dissipation of forces exerted
on the underbelly of the vehicle during a blast event, while
avoiding the negative tradeoffs of alternative designs.
SUMMARY
[0007] There is disclosed herein a structure and system, each of
which avoids the disadvantages of prior structures and devices
while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
[0008] Generally speaking, a blast absorbing structure for use in
absorbing blast forces exerted on a floor of a personnel cabin of a
vehicle is disclosed.
[0009] In an embodiment, the blast structure comprises a first
absorption component for initial absorption of the blast forces
exerted on the floor of the vehicle and a second absorption
component for secondary absorption of the blast forces, wherein the
first and second absorption components cooperatively move between
an initial position and a blast force position to diminish the
blast forces prior to the blast forces to reaching an occupant of
the cabin.
[0010] In another embodiment, a blast absorbing system for use on a
floor of a personnel cabin of a vehicle, is disclosed. The system
comprises at least one energy absorbing component, a floating
surface supported by the energy absorbing component, the floating
surface moveable between an initial position and a blast force
position, and a guide for retaining the floating surface in a
horizontal position, wherein upon receipt of a blast force upon the
floor, the energy absorbing components deform to absorb the blast
force and diminish movement of the floating surface from the
initial position to the blast force position.
[0011] These and other features and advantages of the present
structure and system can be more readily understood from the
following detailed discussion with reference to the appended
drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blast absorbing
structure in use;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the blast absorbing structure of
the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of blast absorbing structure during
the initial phase of a blast event;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the blast absorbing structure after
the initial blast phase;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of the blast absorbing structure;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the blast absorbing structure;
and,
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the blast absorbing structure
showing the guides.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is illustrated an exemplary
embodiment of an blast energy absorbing structure and system,
generally designated by the numeral 10, as well as the components
thereof. The structure 10 is designed for use as a blast energy
absorbing system on the cabin hull or lower floor structure 12 of a
personnel cabin 14 of a vehicle (not shown). The blast energy
absorbing structure is particularly useful on a military vehicle,
which is used in war-zones for transporting personnel or cargo.
This structure 10 will absorb energy from a blast, thus lessening
the impact on the vehicle occupants' lower extremities, which rest
on the structure, thereby reducing injury to the occupants.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure includes at least
one energy absorbing support 20, which may also be referred to as a
first absorption component. Although the present disclosure
includes four supports, one at each corner of the structure 10, it
should be understood that any number of supports may be used.
Additionally, the energy absorbing support 20 may have any suitable
shape, including but not limited to that of a pillar, square or
rectangle (FIGS. 2-7) or a triangle or tapered side shape (FIG. 1).
The energy absorbing support 20 are positioned directly on the
lower floor structure 12 of the cabin 14, and can be secured
through any suitable fastener device including, but not limited to
screws, bolts or studs. Optionally, the supports 20 may be
integrated into the lower floor structure 12 of the cabin.
[0021] The energy absorbing support 20 can be constructed from any
suitable material such as a foamed material, including, but not
limited to foamed aluminum, aluminum honeycomb, synthetic foams,
such as polystyrene and/or polyethylene, other plastics, etc.
Regardless of the material used for the supports, the material must
be able to both support the normal walking loads (for example, a
300 pound load spread over a foot pressure representative area
results in a deflection characteristic of existing production
vehicle floors) and within a common specified working temperature
range (-50.degree. F. to 160.degree. F.). Finally, the material
must progressively crush during a blast load.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2-7, the structure 10 includes a top panel
or surface 30 supported on the plurality of energy absorbing
supports 20. The surface 30 is designed to "float" above the cabin
hull or lower floor structure 12 of the vehicle. As illustrates,
there is a deliberate air space 22 between the surface 30 and the
lower floor structure 12 of the cabin. As will be explained below,
the panel or surface 30 is not in a fixed position, which allows
the surface to move in response to a blast event. In addition to
being a second energy absorbing component, the surface 30 serves as
a walking surface, essentially a floor, within the interior of the
cabin. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the surface 30 is in direct contact
with the lower extremities of the occupants of the vehicle, as the
occupant's feet 16 rest directly on this surface.
[0023] The surface 30 or second absorption component can be
constructed from a variety of material, including, but not limited
to steel, aluminum, aluminum honeycomb, and any variety of plastics
and composites of the same. Construction of the surface can be
accomplished by any suitable method including cutting, metal
molding, plastic injection molding, forming, bonding welding,
etc.
[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the energy absorbing
supports 20 and floating surface 30, work together to lessen in
impact of a blast on the lower extremities of the occupants of the
vehicle. In particular, immediately after an explosive blast, all
of the components naturally move in an upward direction. It is this
accelerated, upward movement of the floor structure during a blast
that can cause catastrophic injuries to the lower extremities.
However, in the present disclosure, the energy absorbing supports
30 crush in advance of the blast energy reaching the floating
support, and thus, the floating support moves upward less quickly,
lessening the impact of the blast on the lower extremities of the
occupants. In addition, the air space 22 between the lower floor
structure 12 of the cabin and the floating surface 30 provides an
area to slow the blast forces.
[0025] In addition to the energy absorbing supports 20 and the
moving floor 30, the structure 10 also includes a guide or
retainer. Specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 5-7, there are
several guides in the present system. The guides include retention
plate 40, lateral guide 42 and fore/aft guides 44. The guides limit
movement of the floating surface 30 generally during both blast and
non-blast events. For example, because the floating surface 30 also
acts as a walking floor, it should maintain some stability for
walking, rather than constantly moving from the pressure of being
walked upon. Therefore, the lateral guide 42 keeps the surface 30
from moving laterally, while the side guides 44 prevent the surface
from moving fore and aft. The retention plate 40 not only
compliments the lateral and side guides to secure the surface, but
also prevents the surface from being propelled into the interior of
the cabin during a blast event. However, the guides do not keep in
the floating surface 30 in such a secured position that it cannot
move in response to the crush of the energy supports 20 during a
blast event.
[0026] In operation, and as described, the various components of
the blast absorbing structure and system 10 work separately and in
conjunction to dissipate at least some of the energy exerted on the
underbelly of a vehicle cause by, for example, the explosion of an
IED below the vehicle. In various exemplary embodiments, when an
IED, or similar explosive device, is detonated below the vehicle,
the force of the explosion causes the lower floor structure 12 of
the vehicle to deform. This deformation in turn forces the floor
against the lower extremities of any occupants of the vehicle. The
blast absorbing system deforms and slows the upward motion of the
force to help dissipate the force being exerted on the lower
extremities of the occupants, thereby reducing the likelihood of
injury to the occupants.
[0027] It should be appreciated that the above-referenced forces
may include general deformation forces, localized deformation
forces, general displacement forces, localized displacement forces,
or any other force that may be exerted upon the underbelly of a
vehicle.
[0028] It should also be appreciated that, while the above
discussion is related to deformation forces caused by, for example,
IED explosions, embodiments described herein may be usable to
dissipate other forces, such as, for example, blunt forces impacts,
grenade detonations, small arms fire, and any other force that may
be exerted upon the underbelly of a vehicle.
* * * * *