Bayonet With Polymer Overmolded Non-Ferrous Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bayonets are heavy due to their steel composition, making them cumbersome for soldiers to carry and potentially triggering magnetic IEDs, and they lack design improvements for modern combat needs.
Innovation Solution
A bayonet with a polymer attachment portion and a non-ferrous structural core over-moulded with polymer, featuring an exposed titanium tip section and a cruciform or circular shaft section to prevent rotation, allowing for efficient penetration and easy removal, and an additional spike for secondary striking or tool use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bayonets are made of steel, then they have high strength and durability, but they become heavy and may trigger magnetic IEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet uses a composite construction with a non-ferrous structural core (providing strength and rigidity) over-moulded with polymer material (reducing weight and eliminating magnetic properties). This composite approach maintains the necessary mechanical strength while achieving weight reduction and magnetic neutrality for modern combat requirements.
2Weight of moving object
If the entire bayonet is made of non-ferrous material, then weight is reduced and magnetic IEDs are avoided, but penetration effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet features a tip section of the non-ferrous core that is exposed and not over-moulded with polymer, creating a locally optimized penetrating tip. This local quality change ensures the tip maintains superior penetration characteristics while the rest of the bayonet benefits from reduced weight and non-magnetic properties through the polymer over-moulding.
3Weight of moving object
If the bayonet is made of polymer, then weight is reduced, but structural strength and rigidity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet employs a composite structure where a non-ferrous structural core provides the necessary strength and rigidity, while the polymer material over-moulds this core to reduce overall weight. The core acts as a reinforcement skeleton, allowing the polymer to contribute weight reduction without sacrificing structural integrity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bayonet handle is hollow for tool use, then versatility is improved, but structural integrity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow handle construction is achieved through the polymer over-moulding process, where the polymer forms a hollow structure around the non-ferrous core. The core provides structural reinforcement to compensate for the hollow construction, maintaining structural integrity while enabling the handle to serve multiple functions including tool use and improved grip characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bayonet is significantly lighter, non-ferrous to avoid triggering IEDs, and designed for effective penetration and easy extraction, addressing the weight and safety issues of traditional bayonets while providing enhanced functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the attachment portion substantially comprises a polymer and the extension portion comprises a non ferrous structural core substantially over-moulded with a polymer
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a bayonet (10) comprising an attachment portion (12) having a first opening (16) for receiving the muzzle of a gun. A second opening is also provided that is aligned with the first opening to allow the passage of a bullet therethrough. An extension portion (14) extends from the attachment portion in the opposite direction of the gun barrel and terminates in a point (24). The attachment portion (12) substantially comprises a polymer and the extension portion (14) has a non ferrous structural core substantially over-molded with a polymer.