Elastomer Particle Bullet Trap for Dust and Ricochet Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bullet traps filled with sand suffer from dust generation, lead contamination, formation of bullet nests leading to ricochets, high maintenance costs, and limited service life due to the abrasive nature of sand and lead deposition, as well as safety concerns with elastomer particles of small diameters posing a fire risk.

Innovation Solution

A bullet trap using energy-absorbing particles with diameters greater than 0 μm and less than 6 mm, specifically self-extinguishing elastomers like ethylene acrylate rubber with additives, which reduces dust, prevents deformation of projectiles, minimizes lead release, and eliminates bullet nests, ensuring safety and efficient energy absorption with high bulk density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If sand is used as energy-absorbing material, then kinetic energy can be absorbed, but dust is generated and lead is deposited causing wear and health hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy absorptionVSAvoiddust generation and lead contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from sand to elastomer particles, fundamentally altering the interaction mechanism between projectile and energy-absorbing material. This parameter change eliminates dust generation and lead deposition while maintaining kinetic energy absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite elastomer particles that combine rubber base material with specific additives (such as carbon black, silica, or other fillers) to achieve optimal energy absorption, dust prevention, and lead containment properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If sand is used as energy-absorbing material, then kinetic energy can be absorbed, but bullet nests form leading to ricochets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy absorptionVSAvoidsafety against ricochets
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from sand to elastomer particles, fundamentally altering the interaction mechanism between projectile and energy-absorbing material. This parameter change eliminates dust generation and lead deposition while maintaining kinetic energy absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite elastomer particles that combine rubber base material with specific additives (such as carbon black, silica, or other fillers) to achieve optimal energy absorption, dust prevention, and lead containment properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of energy

If small diameter elastomer particles (0-300 μm) are used, then energy absorption is improved, but fire risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy absorptionVSAvoidfire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle diameter parameter from small (0-300 μm) to larger (300 μm to 6 mm), which reduces fire risk while maintaining effective energy absorption. The size parameter optimization balances safety and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite elastomer particles that combine rubber base material with specific additives (such as carbon black, silica, or other fillers) to achieve optimal energy absorption, dust prevention, and lead containment properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Loss of energy

If sand is used as energy-absorbing material, then kinetic energy can be absorbed, but high maintenance work and frequent sand replacement are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy absorptionVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from sand to elastomer particles, fundamentally altering the interaction mechanism between projectile and energy-absorbing material. This parameter change eliminates dust generation and lead deposition while maintaining kinetic energy absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite elastomer particles that combine rubber base material with specific additives (such as carbon black, silica, or other fillers) to achieve optimal energy absorption, dust prevention, and lead containment properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Loss of energy

If sand is used as energy-absorbing material, then kinetic energy can be absorbed, but the bullet trap container must be very long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy absorptionVSAvoidbullet trap container length
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from sand to elastomer particles, fundamentally altering the interaction mechanism between projectile and energy-absorbing material. This parameter change eliminates dust generation and lead deposition while maintaining kinetic energy absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite elastomer particles that combine rubber base material with specific additives (such as carbon black, silica, or other fillers) to achieve optimal energy absorption, dust prevention, and lead containment properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides a safer, low-maintenance bullet trap with reduced noise pollution, extended service life, and cost-effective production by using self-extinguishing elastomers that absorb kinetic energy effectively without forming nests or causing ricochets, allowing for a smaller design while maintaining high energy absorption capacity.

Implementation Method 1

They are used to safely dissipate the kinetic energy of the impacting projectiles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy absorption: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

When catching the projectiles, grains of sand are crushed by the projectile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

absorb the kinetic energy of the projectiles in the energy-absorbing material is significantly reduced compared to sand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat generation: Viscous Heating

Implementation Method 4

Due to the elastic properties of the energy-absorbing material, the noise pollution when absorbing the kinetic energy of the projectiles in the energy-absorbing material is significantly reduced compared to sand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 5

the noise pollution when absorbing the kinetic energy of the projectiles in the energy-absorbing material is significantly reduced compared to sand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 6

the energy absorbing material is self-extinguishing. The term elastomer here refers to the elastomer mentioned in combination with the respective additive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFire resistance: Combustion

Implementation Method 7

tests have shown that elastomer particles can pose an increased risk of fire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame inhibition: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3719439B1Bullet catcher
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SCHLAYER MARLENE
  • EP3719439B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3719439B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3719439B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a bullet trap comprising a container (2) with an entry end (10) and an energy-absorbing material (3). The container (2) is filled with the energy-absorbing material (3), which is an elastomer. The energy-absorbing material (3) consists of particles (13). The diameters (d1) of the particles (13) are greater than 0 µm and less than 6 mm.The energy-absorbing material (3) is ethylene acrylate rubber with acrylate as an additive, ethylene propylene rubber with melamines and/or salts as additives, butyl rubber with chlorine as an additive, chlorobutyl rubber with chlorine or bromobythol as an additive, bromobutyl rubber with chlorine or bromobythol as an additive, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber with chlorine as an additive, polyurethane rubber with salts as an additive, polyacrylate rubber with salts as an additive, fluororubber with fluorides as an additive, fluorosilicone rubber with fluorides as an additive, or chloroprene rubber with chlorine as an additive.