EP1949017B1 - Composite armor element and active body element for insertion into a composite armor element - Google Patents

Abstract

A composite armor element for protection against projectiles. At least one layer of effective bodies is disposed in rows next to one another in the composite armor element, the effective bodies being embedded in a matrix material. The effective bodies of one row are fixedly interconnected at least partially by means of webs to form a chain which is a monolithic element. An effective body element for insertion in a composite armor element comprises at least two effective bodies fixedly interconnected by at least one web to form a chain. The effective body element is a monolithic element, and a plurality of effective body elements are embedded in a matrix material.

Description

The invention relates to a composite armor element for the protection from projectiles with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 and to an active body element for introduction into a composite armor element with the features of the preamble of patent claim 12.

Composite armor elements, such as composite armor plates or composite armor mats, which consist of a composite of several materials, are known per se. Frequently composite armor elements are constructed such that filling materials or active bodies are introduced between two, for example, plate-shaped elements, which are then encapsulated with a pourable matrix material such as plastics or metals.

The plates are often provided with finishing layers. The manufactured composite armor plates can be glued to the back with thick fiber composite layers and thus form self-supporting Panzerurigselemente or they are attached to metallic vehicle housings such as a welded steel tub, while they reach the full protective effect together with the housing structure. It is also known to arrange shock-absorbing materials between the active bodies, so that the active bodies do not lie directly against each other in a disadvantageous manner.

The DE 1 578 324 describes a composite armor plate, being used as the active body individual balls or cylinders of a hard ceramic material. The cylinders are arranged in rows in the plate in several discontinuous layers or layers, ie their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to the plane of the plate and parallel to each other, the cylinders of one layer being offset relative to the cylinders of the other layer. The cylinders are further spaced apart using a plurality of layers of spacer material such that each layer of spacer material is alternately wound over and under the cylinders in their respective locations.

The EP 1 071 916 B1 describes a composite armor plate with individual cylindrical ceramic active bodies, wherein the space between the active bodies is filled with form-fitting three- or hexagonal Zwischenraum pellets.

The EP 1 363 101 A1 describes a composite armor plate, wherein the individual active bodies are provided with a belt in order to reduce the total weight of the plate.

A disadvantage of the known plates that the production due to the large number of small active body and the introduction of shock-absorbing materials is complex and inaccurate.

The FR 2 419 498 A , which forms a basis for the preambles of claims 1 and 12, describes a method for producing a metal armor plate with cylindrical, ceramic active bodies, which are introduced before casting into a metal mold. The molds have pins and corresponding recesses, so that they can be plugged together with the ceramic bodies according to a predetermined scheme, so that a positioning of the active body is made possible before the casting. A disadvantage of this configuration is that the introduction of the active body in the molds and the mating of the dies is complex.

The invention has the object to improve the disadvantages mentioned. The invention solves the problem with the features of the characterizing part of patent claim 1 and with the features of the characterizing part of claim 12. Advantageous developments are part of the dependent claims.

It is a basic idea of the invention to connect the active body with in particular short and narrow webs to longer rows and thus to create easily manufacturable, called active body chains active body elements, wherein the active body of a series at least partially by webs (3) chain-shaped to form active body chains together are, and wherein the active body chains (1) are made in one piece. These active body elements are easier to handle in the context of the production of the composite armor element, since considerably fewer work steps are necessary due to the reduction in the number of parts. In addition, no shock-absorbing materials need to be introduced between the active body, since the webs ensure a minimum gap between the active bodies and thus a shock absorption by means of the webs or the matrix material in the gaps between the active bodies.

The individual active bodies of an active-body element can be made of high-hardness materials, in particular of ceramic, metal, sintered or fiber materials, with small dimensions with respect to the plate dimensions. They can be cylindrical, spherical or tetrahedral or rod-shaped with a polygonal cross-section. The faces may be straight, curved, conical, angular or oblique cut. The active bodies preferably have, at least partially, a ratio between height and maximum width extension that is greater than 0.8. The active bodies are preferably aligned parallel to one another. Further a vertical arrangement of the active bodies in the composite armor element is preferred, wherein a horizontal or an oblique arrangement is applicable. The active bodies of a layer can be arranged offset with respect to the active body of an adjacent layer. In the same way, the active bodies of a row can be staggered with respect to the active bodies of an adjacent row.

The webs have predetermined dimensions, wherein the extent in relation to a rod-shaped or cylindrical active body radial direction is referred to as web length. The extent of the web in an axial direction is referred to as web height. The extension, which is tangential to the lateral surface of a cylindrical active body, is referred to as web width.

It is also possible to use two or more webs between two active bodies. As a result, the stability of the active bodies can be improved, so that the risk of the chains breaking unintentionally during manufacture, transport or processing is reduced.

By joining the active body by means of webs arise chain-shaped active body elements containing a plurality of individual active bodies. The webs may be in relation to the main dimensions of the active body of short length and / or of small width, ie short and / or narrow. The web height can be in the range of the height of the active body. The number of connected active bodies can vary as desired and is preferably in the range of 5 to 20. The webs should have sufficient stability to allow safe handling in production. On the other hand, it may be advantageous, the webs in such a way to accomplish that the chain can be broken by hand or by machine in the manufacture of a composite armor to obtain the proper length. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the minimum web width to the maximum main dimension of the active body cross-section is less than 0.4. In addition, the web may have a score, so that when laying the chains of active bodies in the composite armor shorter chains of active bodies can be canceled if this is required, for example, at the edge of the composite armor element ("Toblerone principle"). Thus, the production can be simplified.

The geometry of the webs may be straight or have a fillet, further, a notch may be provided on one or more sides. The notch width can extend over the entire web length and the notch angle can be in the range between 40 ° and 100 °. Furthermore, the ratio of the web width at the notch base and the web length in the range of 0.3 to 2.5 can be.

The invention provides that the chains of active bodies are produced in one piece, so that rigid, "urgeformte" chains of active bodies arise. Thus, no individual active bodies are produced any more, but entire active-body chains are manufactured in one operation, in which the webs consist of the same material as the active body. Here, the shock absorption is realized by the described formation of the land areas.

When the composite armor element is struck by an armor-piercing hard core bullet, the bullet core is crushed and destroyed when hitting a high-strength active body. In this case, the affected active body is completely destroyed and the top layer or the wall of the vehicle structure absorbs the residual impulse so that no penetration takes place in the interior to be protected. Due to the high local energy input, this process produces pronounced shockwaves, which are transmitted to the direct impact of the neighboring active body and also destroy it, even though it was not hit directly. This would be transferred to other adjacent active bodies and it would create a large damaged area, which would no longer be safe in a subsequent shot. The webs according to the invention dampen the transmission of the shock wave by using the described materials or by the application of the described design of the thin webs or the provision of special notches. The destructive radii of the hit are thus minimized and a good "multi-hit capability" results, i. even with several subsequent hits at a small distance, the protective function is maintained.

The chain-shaped active body elements can be laid in straight rows within a layer in the composite armor plate. However, it could also be executed zigzag-shaped or curved. It is also possible to use multi-row active body matrices, which can be produced in one piece in particular and which can be arbitrarily broken during the production of the composite armor element.

The arrangement of the active body chains is included after the compilation in the matrix material, in particular plastics such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyester or rubber, and can on the front side be completed by a cover layer. The other side may consist of layers made of materials with shock absorbing properties, which should also have a high tensile strength. The composite armor element may be self-supporting mounted in a frame construction or applied to a structural casing made of armor steel or light metal, wherein an intermediate air layer of the shock absorbing intermediate layers may be provided.

The invention is not limited to using only identical geometries and materials within a composite armor element. Rather, combinations of the described materials and geometries are encompassed by the invention.

A particularly simple production can be achieved if, during production, the chain-shaped active-body elements are inserted into a cassette of steel, light metal, plastic or fiber composite material, in particular dimensionally accurate, and then cast or vulcanized with a matrix material. In this case, the cassette becomes part of the protection module and can represent its outer layer or boundary. The active-body chains can also be inserted in a particularly accurately manufactured manufacturing mold or in a production mold frame and then encapsulated or vulcanized with the matrix material.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 1 to 9 described.

Fig. 1a

ein kettenförmiges Wirkkörperelement in einer isometrischen Darstellung;

Fig. 1b

das Wirkkörperelement nach Fig. 1a aus einer anderen Perspektive;

Fig. 2

das Wirkkörperelement nach Fig. 1 mit geänderten Stirnflächen;

Fig. 3

das Wirkkörperelement nach Fig. 2 in der Draufsicht;

Fig. 4

eine weitere Ausführung eines Wirkkörperelements;

Fig. 5

einen Ausschnitt des Wirkkörperelements nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 6

den Ausschnitt nach Fig. 5 in einer geänderten Ausführung;

Fig. 7

zu einer Wirkkörpermatrix verbundene Wirkkörperelemente nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 8

eine Verbundpanzerplatte mit in einer Kassette angeordneter Wirkkörpermatrix nach Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine auf einem Kampffahrzeuggehäuse aufgesetzte Verbundpanzerplatte im Querschnitt.

Show it:

Fig. 1a

a chain-shaped active body element in an isometric view;

Fig. 1b

the active body element after Fig. 1a from another perspective;

Fig. 2

the active body element after Fig. 1 with changed faces;

Fig. 3

the active body element after Fig. 2 in the plan view;

Fig. 4

a further embodiment of a Wirkkörperelements;

Fig. 5

a section of the active body element after Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 6

the clipping after Fig. 5 in a modified version;

Fig. 7

to an active body matrix associated active body elements after Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8

a composite armor plate with arranged in a cassette active body matrix according to Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

a mounted on a combat vehicle housing composite armor plate in cross section.

The FIGS. 1a and 1b show an active body chain 1 as an active body element, which is composed of individual ceramic active bodies 2a of the same geometry, which are firmly connected by straight webs 3 together. The active body chain 1 is made in one piece, so that the webs 3 are made of the same material as the active body 2a. The active bodies 2a of the height h have a cylindrical basic shape with a substantially circular cross section with the extension b. The end faces are configured as a cone 4a with a rounded tip. In Fig. 2 is shown an active body chain, in which the end faces are convexly convex outwards.

By the webs 3 is a predetermined distance between the individual active bodies 2a before. The Fig. 3 shows that the substantially circular cross-section in the region of the webs 3 has a gate 5. The configuration of the active body chain is such that the centers of the similar circular cross-sectional areas are exactly spaced apart at a distance corresponding to the diameter of the circle. With In other words, the active bodies in the region of the webs 3 recesses 5, whose length in the radial direction of the half web length (D) correspond.

The webs 3 have a constant web width E and web length D, which have approximately the same dimensions and are significantly smaller than the web height F. It can also be seen that the ratio of the minimum web width E to the maximum main dimension of the active body cross-section b is less than 0.4 is.

The Fig. 4 shows an active body chain 1, in which the individual active body 2b have a hexagonal cross-sectional area. The end faces 4c are designed pyramid-shaped.

The Fig. 5 shows that the webs 3a have two notches 6a, so that the active body chain can be broken during manufacture. The notch 6b with the Kerbgrundradius B can according to Fig. 6 extend at predetermined notch angle A over the entire web length D, wherein the ratio of the notch root web width C and the web length D is in the range of 0.3 to 2.5.

The Fig. 7 shows an integrally produced active body matrix 7, in which the active body 2a are connected to one another via webs 3. Each active body 2a is connected via six webs 3 with other active bodies 2a. The webs 3 have the fracture notches 6 already described. The active bodies 2a, which have conical end faces 4a, are also offset from one another.

The Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of the active body matrix 7 in a metal cassette 8. The cassette 8, the outer cover layer of a composite armor plate is and is cast or glued to the active body matrix 7 and a lower end layer 9 of a fiber material with a matrix material, not shown.

The Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of a composite armor plate as a composite armor element on a metallic housing 12 of an armored combat vehicle. The plate consists of the cassette 8, a matrix material 13 designed as a potting compound or adhesive mass, a layer of the highly hard active substance chains 2 and the finishing layer 9. Between the finishing layer 9 and the vehicle 12 a damping elastomeric intermediate layer 11 is arranged.

Claims (16)

1. Compound armour element for protecting against projectiles, comprising at least one layer of effective bodies (2, 2a, 2b) that are disposed in rows alongside one another in the compound armour element and are embedded in a matrix material (13), wherein the effective bodies (2, 2a, 2b) of a row are firmly connected to one another at least partially by bridges (3) in a chain-like manner to form effective body chains (1), characterized in that the effective body chains (1) are manufactured in a single piece.
2. Compound armour element according to claim 1, characterized in that the effective bodies (2, 2a, 2b) of a layer are firmly connected in adjacent rows to one another at least partially by bridges (3) in a matrix-like manner.
3. Compound armour element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the effective bodies (2, 2a, 2b) are designed at least partially in the shape of a cylinder having a round or oval cross section, wherein in particular at least one of the end faces (4) of the plurality of effective bodies (2, 2a, 2b) is designed in the shape of a cone, in particular with a rounded-off point.
4. Compound armour element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the effective bodies are designed at least partially in the shape of a sphere.
5. Compound armour element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the effective bodies (2b) are designed at least partially in the shape of a rod having a polygonal cross section, wherein in particular at least one of the end faces (4) of the plurality of effective bodies (2b) is designed in the shape of a pyramid, in particular with a rounded-off point.
6. Compound armour element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the end faces of the plurality of effective bodies are of a concave or convex design and/or that the effective bodies have at least partially straight or transversely cut end faces.
7. Compound armour element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bridges (3) comprise at least partially a notch (6), wherein in particular the notch (6) extends over the entire bridge length (D).
8. Compound armour element according to claim 7, characterized in that the notch angle (A) is in the region of between 40° and 100°.
9. Compound armour element according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the ratio of the notch-base bridge width (C) and the bridge length (D) is in the region of 0.3 to 2.5.
10. Compound armour element according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the effective bodies (2, 2a) have at least partially in the region of the bridge connection recesses, the length of which in radial direction corresponds to half the bridge length (D).
11. Compound armour element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the effective bodies (2) are disposed inside a cartridge (8), in particular made of steel, light metal, plastics material or composite fibre material, which in particular represents at least one terminating layer of the plate.
12. Effective body chain (1) for introduction into a compound armour element, in which a plurality of effective body chains (1) are embedded in a matrix material, wherein it comprises at least two effective bodies (2) that are firmly connected to one another in each case by at least one bridge (3) in a chain-like manner, characterized in that it is manufactured in a single piece.
13. Effective body chain (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the effective bodies (2) are firmly connected to one another by bridges (3) in a matrix-like manner.
14. Effective body chain (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the ratio of the minimum bridge width (E) to the maximum main dimension (b) of the effective body cross section is less than 0.4.
15. Effective body chain (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the bridges (3) comprise at least partially a notch (6), wherein in particular the notch (6) extends over the entire bridge length (D).
16. Effective body chain (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises the features of one or more of the characterizing portions of claims 8 to 10.

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