Calibration-Enabled Hit-Sensing Target Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive-type hit sensing targets face issues with short-circuiting when using metallic foils and have lower conductivity problems when replacing them with non-foil materials, leading to inaccurate hit detection due to varying resistance in conductive coatings.
Innovation Solution
A calibration-enabled hit-sensing target panel with electrically insulated conductive layers and a calibration trace structure that allows users to adjust resistance settings for accurate hit detection, using non-foil conductive coatings to prevent short-circuiting and improve conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aluminum foil is used for both front and back conductive layers, then high conductivity is achieved, but short-circuiting occurs when foil shards are displaced through bullet holes
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layers are segmented into front and back layers with different material properties. The front layer uses aluminum foil for high conductivity, while the back layer uses a non-foil conductive coating that is more frangible and less likely to cause short-circuiting when displaced.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the target panel have different conductive layer configurations. The front conductive layer is optimized for conductivity while the back conductive layer is optimized for frangibility, creating local quality differences that prevent short-circuiting while maintaining sensing capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If metallic foils are replaced with non-foil conductive coatings, then short-circuiting is prevented, but conductivity significantly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The target panel uses a composite structure with aluminum foil in the front layer and non-foil conductive coating in the back layer. This composite approach combines the high conductivity of metallic foil with the frangible properties of non-foil coatings, achieving both short-circuit prevention and adequate conductivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-foil conductive coatings are used, then frangibility improves and short-circuiting is reduced, but hit sensing accuracy decreases due to varying resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the hit threshold parameter based on the actual resistance characteristics of the non-foil conductive coating. By measuring the resistance of the back conductive layer and adjusting the threshold accordingly, the system maintains accurate hit sensing despite variations in coating resistance.
4Measurement precision
If calibration is implemented to adjust hit thresholds, then hit sensing accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring the resistance of the back conductive layer and adjusting the hit threshold parameter without requiring external calibration equipment or complex user intervention. The controller autonomously adapts to the specific target panel's electrical 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 solution enhances the accuracy of hit detection by allowing users to calibrate the target panel to specific conductivity levels, reducing false hits and missed detections, and enabling the use of non-foil materials while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A bullet striking a target zone passes through these conductive regions creating a brief closed circuit connection as registered on a target controller
Implementation Method 2
The described target panels include at least one conductive calibration trace having a set, and/or adjustable, resistance based on conductive characteristics of that target panel
Data Source
AI summary
A bullet hit detecting target panel which is configured with at least one calibration trace having a resistance that is set, and/or adjusted, to meet the characteristics of the target panel, such as panel type, zone arrangement and resistance characteristics of the conductive layers. When the target is physically and electrically connected to a target controller, then a calibration procedure is entered by applying a conductor to one or more resistive calibration structures on the target panel. Electrical characteristics of the resistive calibration structures are measured, and used for setting a hit threshold for target zones on the target panel. After which the conductor may be removed and the target is ready to accurately register hits based on the established hit threshold.