Deployable Netting Device for Rapid Vehicle Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for immobilizing land vehicles, such as spike strips, require close proximity for deployment and may not effectively deter or immobilize vehicles quickly, as they rely on manual tossing and may not provide sufficient time for evasive action by the driver.
Innovation Solution
A deployable device with a netting package and deployment module that unrolls rapidly across a roadway, featuring a housing with a deployment mechanism, including a kicker plate and inflatable bladders, which deploys spikes to engage the tires of an oncoming vehicle, thereby immobilizing it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spike strips are manually tossed in the path of a target vehicle, then the device can be deployed to immobilize the vehicle, but personnel must remain in close proximity which increases risk to personnel safety
Solution Approach 1:
A launcher mechanism serves as an intermediary device that propels the spike strip toward the target vehicle, allowing operators to deploy the immobilization device from a safe distance without manual tossing. The launcher acts as the mediator between the operator and the spike strip, eliminating the need for close proximity deployment.
2Device complexity
If conventional spike strips are manually deployed, then the device structure can be simple, but deployment time is insufficiently rapid allowing driver evasive action
Solution Approach 1:
The launcher mechanism uses a spring-loaded or compressed gas system that rapidly propels the spike strip in a single periodic action. This periodic ejection mechanism achieves rapid deployment in under 3 seconds, preventing driver evasive action while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the use of pre-compressed energy storage elements.
3Ease of operation
If the device uses a rolled configuration for storage, then portability is improved, but deployment speed may be reduced due to unrolling time
Solution Approach 1:
The spike strip is pre-loaded into the launcher mechanism in a compact configuration before deployment. The launcher system pre-positions the spike strip for immediate ejection, eliminating the need for unrolling during deployment. This preliminary loading action allows the device to maintain portability while achieving rapid deployment speeds under 3 seconds.
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 device allows for quick and remote deployment, reducing the risk to personnel and effectively immobilizing vehicles by entangling tires, even at high speeds, with deployment times under 3 seconds and the ability to arrest vehicles traveling at 60 mph in less than 100 meters.
Implementation Method 1
a deployable device with a netting package and deployment module that unrolls rapidly across a roadway, featuring a housing with a deployment mechanism, including a kicker plate and inflatable bladders
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may be positioned at the side of a roadway for ensnaring tires of an oncoming land vehicle. The apparatus comprises a base layer further comprising a plurality of receptacles to hold spikes at both lengthwise edges of the base layer. The base layer is adapted to support a net package in a rolled stowed configuration. The net package includes a set of spikes tethered to netting. A deployment hose is connected to the base layer to cause the base layer to become unrolled for deployment when the deployment hose is inflated.