CEW Magazine Locking and Self-Alignment for Electrode Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face challenges in efficiently delivering a stimulus signal to cause neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) due to electrode spacing and pulse delivery rates, which can deplete batteries quickly and fail to consistently induce NMI without causing unnecessary pain.
Innovation Solution
A CEW design with a magazine system that includes a handle and magazines, where electrodes are launched remotely, and a mechanism for secure alignment and locking to ensure consistent delivery of stimulus signals, optimizing electrode spacing and pulse parameters for effective NMI induction while conserving battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrodes are spaced closer together to reduce pain, then subject comfort improves, but the ability to induce neuromuscular incapacitation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into multiple cartridge positions (e.g., three positions) with each cartridge containing electrodes at different spacing configurations. This allows the system to segment the NMI delivery function across multiple electrode pairs, selecting appropriate spacing for different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which cartridge to deploy based on operational conditions. The magazine release mechanism allows quick switching between cartridges with different electrode spacing, enabling the operator to adapt electrode spacing to the specific situation - closer spacing for lower pain applications, wider spacing for more effective NMI induction.
2Reliability
If pulse delivery rate is increased to reliably induce NMI, then effectiveness improves, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different cartridges contain electrodes with different spacing parameters, which directly affects the electrical parameters needed for NMI induction. Wider electrode spacing requires different pulse characteristics compared to closer spacing, allowing optimization of pulse delivery rate and energy consumption based on the specific cartridge configuration being used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multiple cartridge options with varying electrode spacing, allowing the operator to select the minimum effective configuration for each situation. This avoids consistently using maximum pulse delivery rates, thereby reducing overall battery consumption while maintaining reliability when needed.
3Ease of operation
If magazine locking mechanism is simplified for ease of operation, then ease of operation improves, but alignment precision and stimulus delivery consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine incorporates self-aligning features such as guide rails, alignment pins, or tapered interfaces that automatically position the cartridge correctly relative to the handle as it is inserted. This self-alignment mechanism ensures precise electrode-to-target alignment without requiring complex locking procedures or manual adjustment, maintaining both ease of operation and alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) comprises one or more mechanisms for receiving, aligning, and maintaining a position of a magazine within a bay of the CEW. Bias spring and datums may be used to align the magazine to be coupled to the CEW, wherein bias springs are configured to apply pressure to push the magazine to interact with datums to align the magazine. A spring and ramp mechanism may be used to maintain a position of the magazine coupled to the bay of the CEW. Respective grades of a locking ramp and a release ramp are used to lock a spring in place when a magazine is coupled to the bay of the CEW.