Electronic Weapon Electrode Deployment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic weaponry has limited accuracy, range, and functionality, making it inefficient for effective deployment of electrodes to interfere with skeletal muscle control in targets.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a body with an electrode storage cavity, a cover mechanism using hooks and a ram for uniform propulsion, a terminal for conducting current, and a barrier that reduces interference during deployment, along with a propulsion system using a conductive tether and spark gap to activate the electrode launch, allowing for both local and remote stun functions without physical reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrode storage and propulsion methods are used, then the device structure is simple, but the accuracy and uniformity of electrode propulsion is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a first door and a second door that can separate from each other. The first door is hinged to the body while the second door is not permanently attached. This segmentation allows the doors to move independently during propulsion, with the first door remaining attached and the second door detaching to allow electrode ejection, thereby improving propulsion accuracy while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are pre-positioned on the doors and body before operation. The first hook on the first door is pre-aligned with the first hook on the body, and the second hook on the second door is pre-aligned with the second hook on the body. This preliminary positioning ensures that when propulsion occurs, the doors are already in the correct configuration for accurate and uniform electrode ejection.
2Volume of moving object
If electrodes are stored closer together, then the device size is reduced, but the distance between electrodes is insufficient for effective muscle interference
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode storage cavity is oriented at an angle relative to the weapon's aiming axis. Specifically, the cavity's longitudinal axis is angled so that when electrodes are propelled, they travel in a direction that compensates for drag forces and achieves the required 7-inch separation distance. This angular orientation allows compact storage while ensuring effective electrode spacing upon deployment.
3Reliability
If the cover is made secure to prevent accidental opening, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of opening by ram impact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system transitions from a static secured state to a dynamic opening state upon ram impact. The hooks are designed with specific mechanical properties that allow them to remain securely attached during normal handling but detach when subjected to the force of ram impact. This dynamic behavior ensures accidental opening is prevented while allowing intentional opening by ram.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are pre-positioned and pre-loaded in a manner that creates a threshold for detachment. The first hook and second hook are arranged so that normal operational forces cannot disengage them, but the specific force vector and magnitude from ram impact exceed the retention threshold, causing controlled detachment. This preliminary configuration ensures both security and ease of opening by ram.
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
This solution enhances the accuracy and range of electrode deployment, enabling more effective muscle interference and longer battery life by ensuring repeatable and uniform propulsion, and allowing for multiple functional applications without operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Another apparatus further includes a ram to make impact with the cover to disjoin the first door from the second door
Implementation Method 2
The ram abuts an electrode stored in the cavity so that the electrode drives the ram into contact with the cover
Implementation Method 3
the terminal conducts the current via ionized air between the terminal and the electronic weapon
Implementation Method 4
the electrodes are propelled from the electronic weaponry toward the person to be stopped or controlled. After impact, a pulsing electric current is conducted between the electrodes sufficient for interfering with the person's use of his or her skeletal muscles
Data Source
AI summary
A method is performed by a deployment unit for an electronic weapon. The method includes describing the apparatus to a launch device of the weapon; and propelling the electrode in response to the launch device. The electrode conducts a current through a provided target to impede locomotion by the target.