Automatic Electrode Deployment Based on Weapon Position Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face inefficiencies in delivering electrical stimuli to targets, particularly in inducing neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI), due to variations in electrode spacing and pulse delivery rates, which can deplete batteries quickly and reduce the effectiveness of the stimulus signal.
Innovation Solution
The CEW is equipped with a position sensor that automatically deploys electrodes based on changes in position, orientation, and targeted location, optimizing electrode spacing and pulse delivery to enhance the likelihood of inducing NMI while conserving battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are deployed with fixed spacing and continuous pulse delivery, then the stimulus signal effectiveness is maintained, but battery power is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of electrode spacing based on detected target characteristics. The system transitions from fixed spacing to variable spacing, where electrodes are deployed at different distances from the weapon depending on the target's size, shape, and material properties. This dynamic adaptation maintains stimulus effectiveness while optimizing power consumption by using larger spacing for distant targets and smaller spacing for close targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and adjusts multiple parameters including electrode spacing, pulse delivery rate, and voltage levels based on real-time feedback from sensors. By changing these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining constant values, the system achieves reliable NMI induction while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous high-power delivery.
2Reliability
If electrode spacing is increased to cover larger target areas, then the likelihood of inducing NMI is improved, but the pulse delivery rate must be reduced which slows down the response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the target area into multiple zones with different electrode deployment strategies. Instead of using a single large spacing for the entire target, the system segments the approach into proximal and distal electrode pairs with different spacing configurations. This allows simultaneous coverage of large areas while maintaining high pulse delivery rates for critical zones, thus improving both NMI likelihood and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic pulse delivery patterns rather than continuous delivery. By delivering pulses in optimized sequences with appropriate intervals, the system can cover larger target areas through multiple electrode pairs while maintaining high effective response rate. The periodic action allows battery recovery between pulses and enables coordinated activation of multiple electrodes to achieve both broad coverage and rapid response.
3Reliability
If the weapon is manually repositioned to adjust electrode spacing, then the stimulus delivery can be optimized, but the operational time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated sensor systems that detect target characteristics and automatically calculate optimal electrode spacing and deployment parameters. The weapon system independently adjusts its configuration without requiring manual repositioning or complex operator intervention. This automation maintains optimized stimulus delivery while significantly reducing operational complexity and training requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor target properties and the weapon's own performance, then automatically adjust electrode spacing and pulse parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures optimal stimulus delivery is maintained dynamically while eliminating the need for manual adjustment, thereby reducing operational complexity while preserving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode may be automatically deployed based on a change associated with a conducted electrical weapon. The change may comprise a change in position. The electrode may be automatically deployed after a previous electrode is deployed from the conducted electrical weapon and the change in position is detected. A position of the conducted electrical weapon may be detected via a position sensor included in the conducted electrical weapon. The change in position may include an angle of orientation. The angle of orientation may be determined between a first direction in which the previous electrode was deployed and a current direction in which the conducted electrical weapon is oriented. The change in position may comprise a distance. The distance may be determined between a first spatial location of the conducted electrical weapon at a which the previous electrode was deployed and a current spatial location of the conducted electrical weapon.