Firearm Training Target With Lattice Deflector and Fragment Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ballistic targets made of thick steel plates pose safety risks due to splinter generation and potential ricochets when bullets impact at angles, compromising shooter safety.

Innovation Solution

A firearm training target design featuring a metal bottom wall surrounded by a lattice structure and a protective screen, with padding and adjustable components to absorb and deflect bullets, reducing the risk of ricochets and splinters, and incorporating removable parts for easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a thick hardened steel plate is used as the target, then bullet capture effectiveness is improved, but shooter safety deteriorates due to fragment generation and ricochet risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebullet capture effectivenessVSAvoidshooter safety
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The target is divided into multiple functional layers: a steel back plate for bullet capture, a lattice structure for angular impact management, and a protective screen for fragment containment. This segmentation allows each layer to address specific aspects of bullet interaction while collectively improving safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lattice structure acts as an intermediary element between the steel back plate and the external environment. It intercepts bullets at angles before they reach the steel plate, preventing both fragment generation and ricochet while allowing the steel plate to maintain its bullet-stopping capability for direct hits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a thick steel plate is used to stop bullets, then bullet stopping capability is improved, but the target generates numerous fragments that can injure shooters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebullet stopping capabilityVSAvoidfragment generation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective screen is positioned in advance between the steel plate and the shooters to catch and contain fragments before they can reach the shooting area. This preemptive protective measure allows the steel plate to perform its bullet-stopping function without compromising shooter safety from fragment injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the target structure is made complex with multiple components, then shooter safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshooter safetyVSAvoidtarget structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The target is divided into modular components (steel back plate, lattice structure, protective screen) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation improves safety through functional specialization while managing complexity through modular design principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design significantly enhances shooter safety by minimizing the risk of ricochets and splinters, while allowing for adjustable thickness and easy maintenance, effectively capturing bullets across various angles and calibers.

Implementation Method 1

A target for target practice for a firearm comprises a back wall designed to capture bullets having an angle of incidence of 0° with respect to a principal direction of fire, a lattice structure arranged in front of the back wall in the normal direction of fire to deflect bullets having an angle of incidence greater than 0°

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a protective screen arranged in front of the lattice structure in the normal direction of fire to stop any bullet fragments produced when the bullets impact against the back wall or against the lattice structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3333531B1Firing target for firearm shooting training
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 SWISS DEFENSE SOLUTIONS SARL
  • EP3333531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3333531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3333531B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a target (10) for firearm training, comprising a bullet-collecting housing (20) mounted on a base (12). The housing (20) has three main constituent parts, namely a back wall (22) intended to capture bullets having an angle of incidence of 0° with respect to a principal direction of fire, a lattice structure (26) arranged in front of the back wall (22) in the normal direction of fire, said lattice structure (26) being intended to deflect bullets having an angle of incidence oblique with respect to said principal direction of fire, and a protective screen (28) arranged in front of the lattice structure (26) in the normal direction of fire, the function of which is in particular to stop any bullet fragments produced when the bullets impact the back wall (22) or the lattice structure (26).