Biodegradable Wadding System for Shot Cartridges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wadding systems for cartridges with shots made of materials harder than 40 HV1, such as steel or tungsten, fail to prevent barrel damage and are not biodegradable, leading to environmental pollution from non-biodegradable plastic debris.
Innovation Solution
A wadding system comprising a combination of a pressed cardboard over-powder pad and a separate biodegradable container made from materials like corn starch or polylactic acid, optionally with a felt wad, designed to withstand firing pressures and maintain integrity, preventing shot-barrel contact and ensuring biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-biodegradable plastic materials (PELD/LDPE) are used for wads, then the wad can withstand firing pressure and prevent barrel damage, but environmental pollution occurs due to non-biodegradable debris
Solution Approach 1:
The wadding system is divided into multiple functional components: a biodegradable container holding the shots, a biodegradable wad, and an over-powder pad. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while all being made from biodegradable materials, resolving the contradiction between reliability and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures, such as the container made from biodegradable materials with specific structural designs (flared outlet, circumferential ribs), and combines multiple biodegradable materials (container, wad, over-powder pad) to achieve the required mechanical properties for withstanding firing pressure while maintaining biodegradability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable materials are used for wads, then environmental pollution is reduced, but the wad cannot withstand firing pressure at low temperatures and fails to prevent shot-barrel contact
Solution Approach 1:
The wadding system separates the barrel protection function from the shot containment function into distinct components. The wad specifically protects the barrel, while the container holds the shots, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function despite all being biodegradable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite material structures with specific designs (flared outlet, circumferential ribs, thick base) to enhance the mechanical properties of biodegradable materials, enabling them to withstand firing pressures and maintain reliability while remaining biodegradable.
3Reliability
If a cup-shaped wad with reinforcing element is used, then barrel damage is prevented, but assembly complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wadding system is segmented into separate components (container, wad, over-powder pad) that are assembled in a simple sequence, reducing assembly complexity compared to integrated cup-shaped designs with embedded reinforcing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive biodegradable materials for each component without complex reinforcing structures, accepting that the wadding is disposable after firing, which simplifies both manufacturing and assembly while maintaining adequate functionality.
4Device complexity
If a one-piece polyethylene wad with paper bottom is used, then assembly is simplified, but the wad breaks during firing especially at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The wadding system is divided into separate components (container, wad, over-powder pad) rather than using a one-piece design. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and improves overall reliability during firing, especially at low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite material structures with specific designs (thick base, flared outlet, circumferential ribs) to enhance the mechanical properties of biodegradable materials, enabling them to withstand firing pressures and maintain integrity while remaining simple to assemble.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a wadding system, in particular a specific wadding system dedicated to shot cartridges made of materials other than lead.