High-Voltage CEW Pulse Circuit for NMI With Lower Battery Drain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face challenges in effectively incapacitating targets through neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) while conserving battery power and ensuring safe delivery of stimulus signals without causing unnecessary pain or tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

A CEW design that utilizes low voltage stimulus signals, spaced electrodes, and controlled pulse delivery rates to induce NMI, combined with a signal generator and processing circuit to manage energy distribution and electrode deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high voltage stimulus signals are used to effectively incapacitate targets, then neuromuscular incapacitation effectiveness is improved, but battery power consumption increases and risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneuromuscular incapacitation effectivenessVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic pulsed voltage delivery instead of continuous high voltage. The signal generator delivers controlled voltage pulses at specific repetition rates (e.g., 1-100 Hz), allowing the battery to recharge between pulses and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining NMI effectiveness through cumulative neural muscle stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts voltage, current, pulse width, and repetition rate parameters based on target impedance and desired effect. By optimizing these parameters rather than using fixed high voltage, the system achieves effective NMI with lower energy consumption and reduced tissue damage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high voltage stimulus signals are used to effectively incapacitate targets, then neuromuscular incapacitation effectiveness is improved, but risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneuromuscular incapacitation effectivenessVSAvoidtissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Pulsed voltage delivery with controlled duty cycles allows tissue to recover between pulses, preventing thermal accumulation and electrochemical damage that would occur with continuous high voltage application, while still achieving NMI through repeated neural stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts voltage amplitude, pulse width, and repetition rate based on target characteristics and real-time feedback, delivering the minimum effective parameters needed for NMI rather than fixed high values, thereby reducing tissue damage risk while maintaining incapacitation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If continuous stimulus signal delivery is used to maintain incapacitation, then target control is improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget control effectivenessVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The signal generator delivers voltage pulses at controlled repetition rates rather than continuous waveforms. By adjusting the pulse frequency and duty cycle, the system maintains cumulative neuromuscular incapacitation effect while allowing battery recharging intervals, significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Through carefully selected pulse repetition rates and cumulative stimulation effects, the system maintains continuous incapacitation control despite intermittent pulse delivery. The neuromuscular system remains suppressed between pulses due to cumulative physiological effects, preserving target control while reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Effectively incapacitates targets through neuromuscular incapacitation while optimizing battery life and ensuring safe, controlled signal delivery.

Implementation Method 1

a charge storage device configured to store a charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a switch device having a control terminal and an output terminal. The switch device is disposed between the charge storage device and the first driver circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS20260036407A1Methods and apparatus for a high voltage circuit

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 AXON ENTERPRISE INC

AI summary

A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) comprises one or more switch devices and a charge storage circuit for delivering a stimulus signal via a deployed electrode. A charge may be stored in the charge storage circuit. A first switch device of the one or more switch devices may be selectively turned on according to the charge of the charge storage circuit. The stimulus signal may be delivered via a current flow path comprising the first switch device and the deployed electrode according to the charge of the charge storage circuit.