Dual Trigger Weapon Control for Assisted Long-Range Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weapon systems face challenges in accurately hitting targets at long ranges due to environmental and ballistic factors, such as gravity, drag, wind, and target motion, especially when mounted on moving platforms, where human reaction times are insufficient to compensate for these factors.
Innovation Solution
A dual trigger weapon control system with integrated manual and assisted targeting, featuring a mechanical trigger for immediate firing and an electronic trigger that activates firing control logic to compensate for environmental and ballistic factors, ensuring the weapon fires only when aiming conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual aiming and firing is used, then the system remains simple and reliable, but accuracy at long ranges deteriorates due to insufficient human reaction time to compensate for environmental and ballistic factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated firing system as an intermediary between the operator and the weapon. The system includes sensors that detect environmental conditions (wind, temperature, pressure), a ballistic computer that calculates trajectory corrections, and an automated trigger mechanism that executes the firing command. This intermediary system compensates for human reaction time limitations while maintaining overall system reliability through the preservation of manual override capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical aiming and firing with an automated electronic system. Sensors electronically detect environmental parameters, a computer electronically processes ballistic calculations, and an electronic trigger mechanism replaces the purely mechanical pull-trigger. This substitution enables real-time compensation for environmental factors that would be impossible to calculate manually.
2Measurement precision
If automated firing control logic is added, then firing accuracy improves by compensating for environmental factors, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firing control system into distinct functional modules: environmental sensors (wind, temperature, pressure sensors), targeting sensors (laser range finder, electro-optical sensors), a ballistic computer for calculations, and a trigger actuator mechanism. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently tested, maintained, and replaced, reducing overall system complexity despite the addition of multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the control system to perform multiple functions: the sensor array detects both environmental conditions and target parameters, the ballistic computer calculates both trajectory and timing, and the trigger actuator can execute both automated and manual firing commands. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic trigger is made interdependent with the manual trigger, then coordinated firing control is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential inhibition of manual firing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic trigger system where the electronic and manual triggers operate independently by default but can coordinate when needed. The system allows the operator to switch between purely manual mode, purely automated mode, and coordinated mode depending on situational requirements. This dynamic flexibility ensures that the electronic system enhances rather than restricts manual firing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the manual trigger dependent on the electronic system (which would reduce reliability), the patent inverts the relationship by making the electronic trigger capable of independent operation while preserving full manual trigger functionality. The electronic system provides assistance rather than control, ensuring that manual reliability is maintained while enabling automated coordination when desired.
Data Source
AI summary
The devices, systems, and methods described herein are directed to a manual and assisted targeting system integrated into a weapon control system that includes dual triggers. One trigger is fully manual and is always operational. The second trigger is electronically controlled and is linked to aiming sensors, targeting sensors, and a controller comprising firing control logic. The firing control logic calculates an aim goal, based at least partially on location information pertaining to the target, and determines when the difference between the aimpoint of the weapon and the aim goal is below a threshold. In response to this determination, a control signal is sent to a trigger actuator to fire the weapon.