Broadhead Push-Out Bullet With Spring Thrust Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bullets made of lead are ineffective at penetrating bulletproof vests and hardened targets due to deformation upon impact, and high-powered, non-deformable bullets cause collateral damage by piercing unintended targets.
Innovation Solution
A bullet with an extensible arrowhead that deploys from a cartridge, featuring a spring metal thrust plate that pushes the arrowhead out upon firing, allowing it to pierce and expand within the target, combining the penetrating effect of an arrow with the damage of a bullet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lead bullets are used, then they are effective for normal targets, but they deform and become ineffective when striking hard targets like ballistic vests
Solution Approach 1:
The bullet is segmented into two functional parts: a rigid arrowhead component for penetration and a deformable bullet body for expansion. The arrowhead (made of hardened metal) is separated from the lead bullet body, allowing each component to perform its specialized function independently - the arrowhead maintains its shape for piercing while the bullet body can deform for maximum damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties: hardened metal for the arrowhead (providing rigidity and penetration capability) and lead for the bullet body (providing deformability and expansion). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing the rigid arrowhead to pierce ballistic vests while the soft bullet body expands upon impact.
2Reliability
If high-powered, hardened metal bullets are used to penetrate ballistic vests, then they can pierce the target, but they cause collateral damage by piercing unintended targets and breaching buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The bullet applies local quality by concentrating the hardened, non-deformable material only in the arrowhead portion needed for penetration, while the majority of the bullet body remains soft and deformable. This localized hardness allows penetration of ballistic vests without the entire bullet being rigid, thereby reducing collateral damage from over-penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the bullet by using a dual-material construction with vastly different hardness and deformability characteristics. The arrowhead maintains high hardness for penetration while the bullet body has low hardness for expansion, creating a controlled transition from penetration mode to expansion mode that prevents excessive penetration and collateral damage.
3Reliability
If non-deformable hardened metal bullets are used, then they resist expansion upon impact, but this inherently diminishes the effectiveness of the bullet for causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bullet is divided into a rigid arrowhead for penetration and a deformable bullet body for damage. The segmentation allows the arrowhead to maintain its shape for piercing hard targets while the bullet body is free to deform and expand, generating the harmful effects (damage) needed for effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines hardened metal (arrowhead) and soft lead (bullet body) to achieve both penetration and damage. The hardened metal provides the penetration capability while the soft lead provides the expansion and deformation needed for maximum damage, resolving the contradiction between penetration and damage effectiveness.
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 broadhead push-out bullet effectively penetrates bulletproof vests and expands upon impact, causing maximal damage within the target while maintaining compatibility with standard firearms and minimizing collateral damage.
Implementation Method 1
The thrust plate is spring metal and when the cartridge is fired, the thrust plate rises pushing the arrowhead so that it extends from the leading end of the bullet. When the thrust plate rises to the second portion of the chamber, it stops at the top of the second portion preventing further outward movement of the arrowhead. Upon entering the second portion, the thrust plate springs open to prevent subsequent downward motion of the thrust plate and consequently prevents subsequent retraction of the arrowhead during flight and after impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for a firearm has a bullet that defines an internal chamber. The chamber has a broader top portion than a lower portion. The bullet further defines a channel passage leading out of the top end of the bullet. The bullet contains an arrowhead slidable engaged within the channel passage. A shaft is connected to the arrowhead and passes down from the arrowhead into the lower portion of the chamber. A thrust plate is connected to the shaft end in the chamber. The thrust plate is spring metal and when the cartridge is fired, the thrust plate rises pushing the arrowhead so that it extends from the leading end of the bullet. When the thrust plate rises to the second portion of the chamber, it springs open to prevent subsequent downward motion of the thrust plate and consequently prevents subsequent retraction of the arrowhead during flight and after impact.