Foregrip Pressure Sensor for Marksmanship Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marksmanship instructors face challenges in diagnosing and remedying poor shooting techniques due to the transient nature of firing events and the difficulty in observing subtle differences in weapon handling, limiting their ability to effectively address root causes of poor marksmanship.
Innovation Solution
A device that captures pressure data from a weapon's foregrip during live fire, utilizing sensor bodies mounted on the Picatinny accessory rail, which communicate pressure data to a computer for analysis, aiding instructors in identifying performance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If instructors rely on heuristic measures like fall of shot to diagnose marksmanship issues, then they can identify performance problems, but they cannot determine the root cause in which fundamental the shooter is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressure sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly measure shooter technique by detecting pressure applied to the trigger and foregrip. These sensors serve as mediators between the shooter's actions and the instructor's diagnosis, providing objective data about grip pressure, trigger control, and weapon handling that would otherwise be impossible to measure directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the instructor's subjective visual observation and heuristic judgment with electronic pressure sensing technology. Mechanical pressure sensors substitute for human sensory limitations, automatically capturing and quantifying forces applied during firing, thereby eliminating the need for instructors to visually assess and interpret subtle physical differences in weapon handling.
2Reliability
If instructors closely observe shooters to diagnose technique issues, then they may identify problems, but the transient nature of firing events and difficulty of close observation limit their ability to detect subtle differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human visual observation with electronic pressure sensors that automatically detect and record forces applied during firing. This substitution eliminates the limitations of human sensory perception and allows for reliable detection of subtle pressure variations that indicate technique deficiencies, providing objective and repeatable measurements regardless of the transient nature of firing events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing instructors with real-time or post-fire analysis data from pressure sensors. This feedback mechanism allows instructors to objectively assess shooter technique based on measured pressure data rather than relying on subjective observation, enabling more reliable and consistent marksmanship evaluation across multiple students and firing sessions.
3Ease of operation
If instructors spend disproportionate time diagnosing and remediating individual shooter deficiencies, then they can address performance issues, but this takes instruction away from other trainees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual diagnosis with automated pressure sensing technology that quickly captures and analyzes shooter technique. This substitution enables instructors to efficiently assess multiple students in succession, as the sensors automatically record detailed pressure data during each firing session, eliminating the need for instructors to spend extensive time observing and analyzing each student's technique individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the shooter's physical actions through pressure sensor data. This digital representation of grip pressure, trigger control, and weapon handling allows instructors to analyze technique remotely and efficiently, without needing to physically observe or interact with each shooter for extended periods. The copied data can be reviewed and analyzed at the instructor's convenience, significantly improving workflow efficiency.
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 device enhances the instructor's ability to diagnose and remediate poor marksmanship by providing detailed pressure data, increasing efficiency and effectiveness in training, and reducing the need for repeated shots and ammunition.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor body has a pressure sensitive region that can capture pressure data placed on the pressure sensitive region
Data Source
AI summary
A device to capture pressure data from a weapon's foregrip during live fire, the weapon having a Picatinny accessory rail, the device comprising a plurality of sensor bodies that are mountable to the Picatinny accessory rail, each sensor body having a pressure sensitive region that can capture pressure data placed on the pressure sensitive region, each sensor body having channels that correspond to the Picatinny accessory rail, retention latch system that attaches the sensor body to the weapon; and, a communication assembly that allows data communication between the plurality of sensor bodies and a computer.