Frangible Door Design for CEW Cartridge Electrode Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face accuracy issues due to variability in the force required to open the door of the cartridge, leading to inconsistent electrode trajectory and reduced accuracy in target delivery, as well as potential injury to the target from the electrode's momentum.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a door with frangible tabs and vents, where a rapidly expanding gas breaks the covers and tabs, allowing the electrode to exit without interference, and a spear that retains the door to the electrode, improving accuracy and reducing impact force by using a pliable material for the door.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the door is made rigid to ensure structural integrity, then the door can withstand launch forces, but the electrode trajectory becomes inconsistent and accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor structural integrityVSAvoidelectrode trajectory consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The door is segmented into multiple frangible tabs that can break independently. This segmentation allows the door to maintain structural integrity through its overall design while enabling controlled fragmentation during launch, ensuring consistent electrode trajectory by allowing the door to decouple cleanly from the electrode without exerting inconsistent forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door material properties are changed to be pliable rather than rigid. This parameter change allows the door to flex and adapt during the launch process, accommodating variations in launch forces while maintaining consistent electrode trajectory and improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the door is retained firmly to the electrode to improve delivery accuracy, then the electrode trajectory is more consistent, but the impact force on the target increases causing injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode delivery accuracyVSAvoidtarget injury from impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The door is divided into multiple frangible tabs that can break separately during impact. This segmentation allows the door to remain attached to the electrode for accurate delivery while reducing impact force by distributing and dissipating the force through tab fracture, thereby minimizing target injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible tabs are designed to break at predetermined points during impact, providing beforehand cushioning. This pre-planned fracture mechanism reduces the impact force on the target while maintaining accurate electrode delivery, preventing injury before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the door is made from pliable material to reduce impact force, then target injury is reduced, but the door may not withstand the forces required for consistent launch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget injuryVSAvoiddoor launch durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The door is segmented into multiple tabs that can withstand launch forces collectively while allowing individual tab fracture during impact. This segmentation enables the use of pliable material that is sufficient for launch durability but will safely break during target impact to reduce injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door is designed with dynamic characteristics, being rigid enough for launch but capable of fracturing during impact. The frangible tab design allows the door to transition from a load-bearing structure during launch to a force-dissipating structure during impact, reconciling the conflicting requirements of strength and pliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enhances the accuracy of electrode delivery and reduces the likelihood of injury to the target by ensuring consistent launch and decoupling of the door from the electrode, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of the CEW.

Implementation Method 1

a rapidly expanding gas breaks the covers and tabs, allowing the electrode to exit without interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRapidly expanding gas: Gas Compressor

Data Source

PatentUS11473879B2Inner bore detents for a cartridge of a conducted electrical weapon

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 AXON ENTERPRISE INC

AI summary

A CEW includes a handle and one or more cartridges. A cartridge may cooperate with the handle to launch one or more electrodes. Launched electrodes fly toward the target to couple to the target to provide a stimulus signal through the target to impede locomotion of the target. Prior to launch, detents may retain an electrode in a bore of the cartridge. The bore may be sealed with a door. Launching the electrode may remove the door from the cartridge. The door may couple to the electrode. The door may remain coupled to the electrode during flight and impact of the electrode with the target. The door may cushion the impact of the electrode against the target. Cushioning the impact may reduce the likelihood of injuring the target. Retaining the door coupled to the electrode during flight may improve the flight characteristics of the electrode.