Bullet Impact Point Determination Using Light Curtain Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the impact point of a bullet on a target disc or plane lack sufficient accuracy, particularly in short-range shooting competitions where high precision is required, such as the ±0.125 mm accuracy demanded by the ISSF for 10 m air rifle events.
Innovation Solution
The use of a system comprising multiple light curtains formed by light diodes and sensors, arranged in a specific pattern, to detect the passage of the bullet through light planes and calculate its impact point by measuring time differences and velocities, accounting for bullet width and trajectory angles to determine precise coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional single light plane or simple timing method is used, then the system complexity is low, but the measurement precision of bullet impact point is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement space into multiple light planes (at least three) arranged at different positions and angles. Each light plane independently detects the bullet passage time, and the processor combines these segmented measurements to calculate the precise impact point, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from simple temporal measurement to spatio-temporal measurement by arranging light planes in three-dimensional space at different positions and angles. This dimensional expansion enables precise impact point determination through geometric calculation, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple light planes at different angles are used, then the measurement precision of bullet trajectory is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically calculates bullet trajectory parameters by processing time measurements from multiple light planes arranged at different angles. The processor determines entry and exit points, velocity, and impact coordinates through dynamic geometric computation, achieving high trajectory measurement precision while keeping the physical light curtain arrangement relatively simple
3Measurement precision
If light planes are placed close to target plane, then the parallax error is reduced, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space constraint by utilizing three-dimensional angular arrangement of light planes rather than simply placing multiple planes close together along the bullet path. This dimensional approach reduces parallax error through geometric calculation while minimizing the system depth requirement
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
This approach significantly enhances the accuracy of bullet impact point determination, meeting the stringent precision requirements of short-range shooting competitions by providing precise coordinates and correcting for parallax errors and bullet shape effects.
Implementation Method 1
use of a plurality of light curtains, which may be formed by light diodes and light sensitive sensors and which are arranged in a predetermined pattern, for registering the times at which a bullet projectile passes through predetermined (light) planes by detecting the shadow cast thereby
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for accurately determining the point of impact of a bullet on a shooting disc or target plane and optionally the position of the shooter, wherein a number of light curtains are used for registering time instants of the passage of the bullet projectile through predetermined light planes by detecting the shadow cast by the bullet. Differences between the measured times and/or the measured times themselves are then used for calculating the velocity of the bullet and the points at which the trajectory of the bullet intersects the light planes and the target plane, which may be arranged or located behind or in front of the target disc/target disc arrangement of the system having the particular pattern of light curtains, allowing for the calculation of the centre impact point of the bullet on the shooting disc or target plane in 3D.