Electrified Baton With Pivotable Electrode Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical weapons struggle to effectively incapacitate targets at a safe distance while minimizing the risk of injury to the user and maximizing versatility and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrified baton and electrode array for an electrical weapon, which includes a signal generator, a shaft, pivotably coupled arms with electrodes, and a joint system allowing for adjustable electrode spacing, enabling the delivery of a stimulus signal through tissue to interfere with voluntary locomotion and cause neuromuscular incapacitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electrodes are positioned close together for compact device design, then device portability is improved, but the ability to deliver effective stimulus signal through tissue is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array employs movable electrodes that can be dynamically positioned along the shaft to achieve optimal spacing for effective stimulus delivery while maintaining a compact overall device structure. The electrodes can be extended or retracted as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array utilizes a linear arrangement of multiple electrodes along the shaft, transforming the spacing problem from a two-dimensional plane to a one-dimensional line, allowing effective electrode separation while maintaining device compactness.
2Reliability
If electrode spacing is increased to deliver effective stimulus signal, then neuromuscular incapacitation effectiveness is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is divided into multiple discrete electrodes arranged in an array along the shaft, allowing selective positioning and spacing of individual electrodes to achieve effective stimulus delivery without requiring excessive overall device length.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array can be configured to serve multiple functions: delivering effective stimulus signals for neuromuscular incapacitation while simultaneously maintaining a compact form factor for portability, thus achieving multi-functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed electrode spacing is used for simple device structure, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but versatility in different application scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array incorporates movable or adjustable electrodes that can be repositioned along the shaft, providing adaptability for different application scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process compared to complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are added to the shaft for versatile stimulus delivery, then application versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is segmented into multiple discrete electrodes arranged in an array, where each electrode can be independently controlled or selectively activated, providing versatility without requiring complex interconnections between all electrodes.
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 effectively incapacitates targets by delivering a stimulus signal that interferes with voluntary locomotion and causes pain, while maintaining a safe distance for the user and allowing for versatile application of physical force and stimulus delivery.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode array... configured to provide the stimulus signal from the first conductor to the second conductor via an electrical discharge in air between the first conductor and the intermediate conductor(s) and between the intermediate conductor(s) and the second conductor
Implementation Method 2
provide the stimulus signal from the first conductor to the second conductor via an electrical discharge in air between the first conductor and the intermediate conductor(s) and between the intermediate conductor(s) and the second conductor
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical weapon may include a shaft, an arm, first electrode, and a second electrode. The arm may be pivotably coupled to the shaft and the first electrode may be coupled to the arm such that a position of the electrode changes in accordance with a change in position of the arm. The electrical weapon may be an electrified baton. The electrical weapon may further include a second arm pivotably coupled to the shaft. The second electrode may be coupled to the second arm. The electrical weapon may enable a stimulus signal to be applied via the electrodes at a distance from a user of the electrical weapon, thus improving safety of the user. An electrode may include an electrode array comprising a plurality of conductors and a stimulus signal may be conducted between pairs of the conductors via ionization of air between the conductors.