DE102022121500A1 - Flexible protective composite against cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible protective composite against the effects of cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters. The protective material offers improved ballistic protection, which is particularly effective against long weapons. The invention is used, for example, in the areas of personal protection, fire protection, security vehicle technology, military technology, aerospace technology. The object of the invention is to propose a flexible protective composite consisting of a composite of soft ballistic and hard ballistic protective materials. This should have a low weight, high flexibility and low noise and should be easy to manufacture and use effectively with an easy and universal shape. The soft ballistic protective material is a multi-layered fabric made of high-strength, textile materials. The hard ballistic protective material consists of a three-dimensional wire structure of lightweight construction, which consists of several wires that cross and interconnect to form a large number of cells in three-dimensional space. The three-dimensional wire structure (2) is formed in each level from interlocking transverse spirals (3) and longitudinal spirals (4). There are at least 2 levels provided, which are also connected to each other.

Description

The invention relates to a flexible protective composite against the effects of cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters, consisting of a sandwich composite made of soft-ballistic and hard-ballistic protective materials. The protective material offers improved ballistic protection, which is particularly effective against long weapons. The invention is used, for example, in the areas of personal protection, fire protection, security vehicle technology, military technology, aerospace technology.

Solutions for protecting people and objects are divided into soft and hard ballistic solutions. The soft ballistic solutions, for example, consist of multi-layer textiles. These only protect against handguns, but not against long guns. For protection against long-fire weapons, there are currently mainly plate solutions, especially made of metal or ceramic. Plates are rigid, inflexible and, in the higher protection classes required against long weapons, very heavy in weight. If several plates are combined for better mobility, there are less protected areas between the plates. Breathability is almost non-existent. When the people carrying them move, fall or are impacted by objects, plate solutions emit noise, which can have a disadvantageous effect in combat operations, for example. Shaping is difficult with plate variants.

A bulletproof vest consisting of fiberglass mats, synthetic resin and clay plates for rounded chest, body and body protection is in DE 21 35 571 A listed.

In DE 68 08 297 U describes a bulletproof vest whose front and back parts consist of armored sheets or plates, each of which is contained in fabric covers.

These are arranged in a scale-like overlapping manner and are surrounded all around by a closed outer shell made of fabric or the like of the size of the front or back part.

EP 33 77 841 B1 shows that several textile layers are connected to a binder matrix in the middle part. This middle part is pressed. There is also a removable armor plate or a ceramic plate here.

Describe a solution to defend against 9 mm cartridges EP 30 86 077 A4 and EP 30 86 077 A1 . A sandwich solution consisting of alternating polyethylene film and several layers of aramid material is used for this.

EP 425 394 A1 describes a two-part ballistic protective vest, consisting of an underprotection and a chest protector. The underprotection consists of several layers of textile and is in a scale-like or folded form. The chest protector consists of a rigid jacket made of, for example, metal.

In EP 30 98 560 A1 Many small segments made of a sintered material, independent of one another and not bound to one another, are glued to a “ballistic” textile using a thermoplastic film. Additionally, this safety liner includes pockets to accommodate panels to increase protection.

In EP 34 57 075 A1 For example, a vest for protection against bullets and/or bladed weapons is described. At least one panel and at least one second panel are manufactured. A plate consists of a fabric, in particular aramid fibers, and a film made of thermoplastic material fixed on one side. Each individual panel is provided with reinforcing threads. In the overall structure, the fibers are unidirectional, depending on the plate, cutting at -45°/+45° or unidirectionally cutting at 0°/90°/0°/90°.

In DE 724 202 A Body protection is described with a movable protective device that does not hinder body movements. A protective compound made of a metal ring mesh made of light metal wire is sewn into the garment on a layer of fabric or cotton wool or into the fabric itself, which is adapted to the shape of the garment part and in which the wire ends of the individual ring links are connected by welding.

Disadvantages of the invention mentioned are, among other things, that the metal rings are too large for optimal protection against cutting, stabbing weapons and projectiles. The wire ends must be welded. This means that there are irregularities in the structure. There is no protection against strong forces, such as long weapons, or against thin weapons, such as a stiletto or a syringe. The spatial shape is also limited by the metal rings.

EP 670 466 A1 describes a stab protection insert for a protective vest comprising a ballistic protection package, which can be presented to it away from the body. It consists of a steel chain net, which is formed into a flexible, stable mat by embedding it in a plastic matrix. The plastic matrix can be a PU matrix. The stitch Protective insert, which is held in shape by the plastic matrix, can be inserted into the cover of a protective vest.

The steel chain net can be formed as a flexible, stable mat by embedding it between two layers of thermoplastic material, which are fused together under pressure under the influence of heat.

The steel chain net can be formed as a flexible, stable mat by embedding it between two layers of fabric coated with thermally activated glue, which are glued together by pressure under the influence of heat. With the solution described, there are weak points in the protection of the entire body, especially in the areas between the insertions. It only protects against stabbing weapons but not against bullets or splinters.

Solutions for protecting people and objects are divided into soft and hard ballistics. The soft ballistic solutions, such as those made from multi-layer textiles, only protect against handguns, but not against long weapons. For protection against long-fire weapons, there are currently only plate solutions made of metal or ceramic, for example.

Plates are rigid, inflexible and very heavy in the higher protection classes, such as those required against long weapons. There are fewer protected areas between the plates. Breathability is almost non-existent. If you fall, get into position or are impacted by objects, plate solutions emit noise, which can have a disadvantageous effect in combat operations, for example. Shaping is difficult with plate variants.

EP 000002384248 B1 relates to a three-dimensional wire structure of lightweight construction, which consists of several wires that cross and are connected to one another to form a large number of cells in three-dimensional space. The invention is used, for example, in medical technology, vehicle and mechanical engineering as well as in construction.

The object of the invention is to propose a flexible protective composite against cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters, consisting of a composite of soft-ballistic and hard-ballistic protective materials. This should have a low weight, high flexibility and low noise and should be easy to manufacture and use effectively with an easily possible and universal shape.

According to the invention the object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Design features are described in subclaims 2 to 8.

The flexible protective composite according to the invention against cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters consists of a composite of soft-ballistic and hard-ballistic protective materials.

The soft ballistic protective material is a multi-layer fabric made of high-strength textile materials. The hard ballistic protective material consists of a three-dimensional wire structure of lightweight construction, which consists of several wires that cross and interconnect to form a large number of cells in three-dimensional space. The three-dimensional wire structure (2) is formed in each level from interlocking transverse spirals (3) and longitudinal spirals (4). There are at least 2 levels provided, which are also connected to each other. The connection takes place in certain nodes, which again occurs through the interlocking of the transverse spirals (3) and longitudinal spirals (4), analogous to interlocking in a plane.

For possible protection against firearms, the maximum cell opening (12) should be smaller than the projectile diameter of the firearm that is to be protected against.

The soft-ballistic and hard-ballistic protective materials are connected to each other in such a way that the individual layers are kept stable in their position.

In a preferred embodiment, particularly when used for protective vests, there is a hard ballistic layer between two soft ballistic layers. A sandwich structure is formed that is particularly flexible and universally applicable for a wide range of applications, especially for all types of protective vests.

In a special embodiment, several hard-ballistic layers are provided, with soft-ballistic layers in a sandwich structure between the hard-ballistic layers.

A further embodiment describes that the shape of the flexible protective composite is adapted to the external shapes of the people or objects to be protected, or at least parts thereof.

It is advantageous if the soft-ballistic fabrics have the hard-ballistic protection material are connected to one another at least in the edge area, in particular sewn, glued, welded, resinified or fused.

The soft ballistic protective material can preferably consist of synthetic chemical fibers, for example polymer fibers, polymer condensate fibers, polyaddition fibers, polyaromatic fibers, polyheterocyclic and/or homoaliphatic fibers. Polyethylenes with ultra-high molecular weight (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) or high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE), so-called high-performance polyethylene fibers, such as Dyneema, are particularly suitable. Other materials are also suitable, such as Aramid, carbon or glass.

Surprisingly, it was found that a three-dimensional wire structure was chosen as a hard ballistic protective material EP 00002384248 B1 a particularly high level of protection can be achieved.

The advantages of the invention are that the flexible protective composite can be dimensioned differently and thus offers people, animals and objects protection against harmful influences, such as punctures, cuts, splinters, handguns, long weapons and the like. Especially in the higher protection class range, the solution offers a clear weight advantage, is not rigid and does not offer any weak points in the overall structure. The shape can be any desired without affecting the protection.

In the event of falls and hits, the noise is significantly reduced compared to plates. Overall, it can be estimated that the flexible protective composite obtained has a low weight, high flexibility and low noise and can be used with an easy and universal shape.

• 1 Flexibler Schutzverbund in Sandwichbauweise
• 2 weichballistisches Schutzmaterial als mehrlagiges, multiaxiales Flächengebilde
• 3 Strukturaufbau eines hartballistischen Schutzmaterials
• 4 hartballistisches Schutzmaterial in mehreren Ebenen

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• 1 Flexible protective composite in sandwich construction
• 2 Soft ballistic protective material as a multi-layer, multi-axial fabric
• 3 Structural structure of a hard ballistic protective material
• 4 Hard ballistic protective material in several levels

First, the basic structure of a flexible protective composite against cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters, consisting of a composite of soft-ballistic and hard-ballistic protective materials, is described.

Out of 1 a flexible protective composite can be seen, which is designed in a sandwich construction and in which the soft ballistic protective material arranged on both sides is a multi-layer fabric 1, which consists of high-strength, textile materials. High-strength polyethylene threads serve as the basis. The threads are stretched and placed parallel to each other without being connected to each other. A layer 9 is created consisting of a group of threads. The fixation takes place through material connection or mechanically through friction and/or positive connection. Depending on the intended use, additional layers 9 are placed on this group of threads according to the same principle. To achieve a certain property in several directions, the thread sheets are laid at different angles to the production direction. 2 shows the manufacturing process schematically with fixation by sewing using a needle 10 and a sewing thread 11.

In 1 For reasons of illustration, only 4 layers 9 are shown on both sides. However, these fabrics actually consist of a large number of layers 9. Depending on the intended use, the number can range from at least 2 to over 100 layers 9. To improve the resistance, the individual layers 9 or groups of layers are arranged offset at an angle. In 1 the inner two layers 9 are arranged offset by 90°. The third layer 9 is shown offset by a further 45° and the fourth layer 9 by a further 90° to the 3rd layer (135°).

The use of a fabric referred to in commercial transactions as Dyneema ^® has proven to be particularly advantageous, for example Dyneema ^® product SB 115 or Dyneema ^® product HB 210. In these variants, the thread sheets are available at angles of 0° and 90°.

For the exemplary production of test specimens, the parts are cut into parts measuring 500 mm x 500 mm. This is done on the cutting machine. Five layers of textile are covered with paper, a knife oscillation of 4020 and a speed of 50% are set and a vacuum of 75 - 80% is applied. The blanks are placed on top of each other in several layers 9 and each layer is twisted further by 45° to the previous layer. The layers are alternately at 0°, 45°, 90° and 135°. These layers can be present loosely or combined into layer packages using all possible connection technologies. For example, 50 layers can be sewn on a saddlery machine using a Nm 200 sewing needle Needle system 70.4, using a sewing thread with a fineness of Nm 20/3 and a stitch length of 5 mm.

A hard ballistic protective material is provided between the two soft ballistic surfaces. This is formed from a three-dimensional wire structure 2 in lightweight construction. The hard ballistic layer consists of several metal meshes made of wires 8 that intersect to form a large number of cells in three-dimensional space. For its construction, a wire 8, for example made of stainless steel 1.4567, with a wire diameter of, for example, 0.63 mm, is formed into spirals and connected to each other by screwing. At the end there is a braid that is shifted three times into one another.

In the 3 and 4 The three-dimensional wire structure is shown in lightweight construction. This consists of a large number of helically wound wires 8, interconnected to form cells 7 in three-dimensional space, which are arranged in alternating alignment of their axes and different planes. Example in 3 What is shown is a wire structure made up of two levels, which can be expanded to include additional levels in the third direction.

According to 2 In a first plane, several helical wires 8 running parallel with their axes to one another are designed as a transverse spiral 3 by overlapping at their respective crossing points to form a wire mesh positively connected in the x and y directions, in which two adjacent wires are connected via a crossing point 13 per turn in are connected. By integrating additional wires, the wire mesh can be expanded as desired in the y direction. The length of the wires used results in the expansion in the x direction.

With reference to the 2 Furthermore, transverse to the axes of the transverse spirals 3, several helical wires 8, which run parallel with their axes to one another, are provided as longitudinal spirals 4, which intersect within the first plane at their crossing points both with each other and with the crossing points of the transverse spirals 3. For a complete cell 7, four wires are in contact with each other at four crossing points, each of which forms a fully-fledged crossing point in the sense of this structure.

If two adjacent transverse spirals 3 are positively connected to one another with two adjacent longitudinal spirals 4, they have the smallest distance from one another at one point, the so-called large node 5. A cell 7 on this level is delimited by four nodes.

When additional levels are added, connection points are created by intertwining the transverse spirals of one level with the longitudinal spirals of the other level(s). These connection points form a small knot 6. The wire mesh of the first level is thereby connected to the wire mesh of the second levels congruently in the z direction. This structure is reinforced by adding additional levels. This causes the inserted cells to shift into one another in such a way that the cell sizes become smaller because there is more material.

For a sandwich solution, a further multi-layer fabric 1 made of high-strength polyethylene threads can be used as a third component. This is also cut into pieces measuring 500 mm x 500 mm to produce a flexible protective composite with the settings listed. 110 cuts of the HB 210 fabric are placed on top of each other and the individual cuts are rotated by 45°. Viewed individually, the 110 blanks are alternately stacked at 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° one above the other. This ensures the same properties of the fabric in all directions.

The flexible protective composite is now manufactured by connecting the two multi-layer fabrics 1 and the three-dimensional wire structure 2 to one another. This connection can be made, for example, at specific points using a two-component polyethylene resin. The soft-ballistic and hard-ballistic protective materials are connected to each other in such a way that the individual layers are kept stable in their position. This can be done by sewing, gluing, welding, resinating or fusing. In this way, for example, a structure with dimensions of 500 mm x 500 mm x 5 mm can be produced, which can be used for a test specimen or with dimensions of 350 mm x 250 mm x 30 mm as an insert for a protective vest.

The flexible protective composite according to the invention can be used universally against cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters.

• - Schutzweste
• - Kugelsichere Autos/LKW/Baumaschinen für Krisengebiete
• - Flugzeug und Helikopter (Schutz bei leichterem Gewicht)
• - Schiffschutz
• - Anzüge für Sprengkommandos (wie Westen nur das die komplette Person in Schutzsegmenten steht)
• - Kugelsichere Wände/Zelte/Container/mobile Garagen
• - Stoßdämpfer für Palettenabwürfe aus Fluggeräten, z.B. Care-Pakete in Katastrophengebieten
• - Drohnenverstärkung
• - Raketenverstärkung vor Einschlägen
• - Abbruchmaßnahmen als Splitterschutz bei Abbruchmaßnahmen,
• - Schutzwand bei Sprengmaßnahmen,
• - Tankverstärkung vor Explosionen oder beim Munitionstransport.

Possible areas of application are as follows:

• - Protective vest
• - Bulletproof cars/trucks/construction equipment for crisis areas
• - Airplane and helicopter (lighter weight protection)
• - Ship protection
• - Suits for demolition squads (like vests only with the entire person standing in protective segments)
• - Bulletproof walls/tents/containers/mobile garages
• - Shock absorbers for pallet drops from aircraft, e.g. care packages in disaster areas
• - Drone reinforcement
• - Rocket reinforcement before impacts
• - demolition measures as splinter protection during demolition measures,
• - protective wall during blasting operations,
• - Tank reinforcement against explosions or when transporting ammunition.

So-called plate carriers are used in bulletproof vests for long weapon protection, which hold the corresponding segments and hold them in their position. To produce such segments, a flexible protective composite measuring 300 mm x 250 mm is produced and inserted. They are therefore compatible with existing plate carriers, so that a new one does not have to be purchased. The segments are located at the level of the left and right chest, 2x at stomach level, 2x each in the upper and lower back area and 1x each on the shoulders.

The positions of the segments and their size depend on the application. Shaped segments, such as those suitable for the shoulder, among others, can be produced in a simple manner due to their flexible formability. Larger segments up to a complete vest are also possible without the need for plate carriers, over vests and the like. Since a protective composite produced is very flexible and lightweight, it can be made larger than conventional, rigid plate solutions, especially for protective vests. This means that the possible body protection can also be extended to more lateral parts of the body without the people to be protected having to experience movement restrictions. Depending on the desired protection class, the segments can be thinner and more flexible or thicker.

In the case of armored vehicles for land, water and air use as well as drones, the armor can also be done using a protective composite according to the invention. For this purpose, the protective composites are dimensioned according to the desired level of protection; the thicker, the higher the protection against harmful effects. The segments are shaped and manufactured according to the location in the area of application. The segments are then attached in front of or behind the outer panels. In vehicles, they can be located inside the doors, driver's compartments, hoods, trunk lids, vehicle roofs and loading areas. In drones, airplanes and helicopters, the segment is formed and inserted as a corresponding body. Segments are also embedded in the pilot's room as well as its floor and doors. At sea, the segments are shaped accordingly and inserted into the hull and the outside. It is also possible to specifically reinforce individual areas.

When used to protect walls, tents, containers or mobile garages against projectiles or splinters, for example, 2.50 m x 2.00 m segments can be produced. If necessary, these segments are provided with a carrying handle. This structure serves as a portable protective wall or shield and can also be of other sizes. Mobile garages or containers can be made from several of these segments. To do this, the segments are set up as walls and one is used as a roof. These can then be firmly connected to each other using adhesives or other connection technologies. The individual segments can also be used directly as a tent, tarpaulin or cover.

The flexible protective composites are low in weight and highly flexible. When used, these are characterized by low noise development. They are easy to manufacture with a universal shape and can be used simply and effectively.

List of reference symbols

1

multi-layered fabric

2

three-dimensional wire structure

3

Transverse spiral

4

Longitudinal spiral

5

big knot

6

small knot

7

cell

8th

wire

9

Position

10

needle

11

sewing thread

12

Cell opening

13

crossing point

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2135571 A [0003]
• DE 6808297 U [0004]
• EP 3377841 B1 [0006]
• EP 3086077 A4 [0007]
• EP 3086077 A1 [0007]
• EP 425394 A1 [0008]
• EP 3098560 A1 [0009]
• EP 3457075 A1 [0010]
• DE 724202 A [0011]
• EP 670466 A1 [0013]
• EP 000002384248 B1 [0018]
• EP 00002384248 B1 [0030]

Claims (8)

Flexible protective composite against cutting, stabbing and firearms as well as splinters, consisting of a composite of soft-ballistic and hard-ballistic protective materials, characterized in that - the soft-ballistic protective material is a multi-layer fabric (1) which consists of high-strength, textile materials, - the hard-ballistic Protective material is a three-dimensional wire structure (2) in lightweight construction, which consists of several wires (8) that cross and are connected to one another to form a large number of cells (7) in three-dimensional space, - that the three-dimensional wire structure (2) consists of in each plane interlocking transverse spirals (3) and longitudinal spirals (4), - there are at least 2 levels, which are connected to each other in large nodes 5 and small nodes 6, - the soft ballistic and hard ballistic protective materials are connected to one another in such a way that the individual layers are stable be kept in their position. Flexible protective composite Claim 1 , characterized in that the maximum cell opening (12) is smaller than the projectile diameter of a firearm or the largest diameter of another indenter. Flexible protective composite Claim 1 and 2 , characterized in that a hard ballistic layer is provided between two soft ballistic layers and a sandwich structure is formed. Flexible protective composite according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that several hard ballistic layers are provided, with soft ballistic layers between the hard ballistic layers and a sandwich structure is formed. Flexible protective composite according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the shape of the flexible protective composite is adapted to the external shape of the person to be protected or an object to be protected or at least parts thereof. Flexible protective composite according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the soft ballistic fabrics are connected to one another with the hard ballistic protective material at least in the edge area, in particular sewn, glued, welded, resinified or fused. Flexible protective composite according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the soft ballistic protective material consists of synthetic chemical fibers, for example polymer fibers, polymer condensate fibers, polyaddition fibers, polyaromatic fibers, polyheterocyclic and / or homoaliphatic fibers. Flexible protective composite according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the hard ballistic protective material is a three-dimensional wire structure according to EP 2 384 248 B1.

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