Frangible Rubber Bullet Head with Chemical Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nonlethal firearm bullets are inefficient in ensuring immediate incapacitation of targets due to design flaws that may prevent the release of incapacitating agents upon impact, such as minimal collision damage or incomplete dispersal of irritants.

Innovation Solution

A frangible rubber bullet head with a chemical chamber and a plug that drives into the chamber upon impact, releasing an incapacitating agent and minimizing penetration risk, accompanied by a reduced propellant charge and a felt pad to reduce acceleration, ensuring effective incapacitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a non-penetrating bullet design is used with leaves separated only by slits, then the bullet structure is simple, but minimal collision may leave the bullet intact preventing release of the incapacitating agent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebullet structureVSAvoidincapacitating agent release

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bullet head is divided into multiple frangible segments that are pre-separated by scored lines, creating a plug-like structure that can be driven into the chemical chamber. This segmentation ensures that upon impact, the segments will separate and drive the plug into the chamber, reliably releasing the incapacitating agent while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The scored lines are pre-formed during manufacturing to create weak planes that will fracture upon impact. This preliminary action ensures that the bullet head will reliably split and drive the plug into the chemical chamber when struck, eliminating the uncertainty of whether minimal collision will leave the bullet intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a frangible bullet head with plug design is used, then the incapacitating agent release is reliable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincapacitating agent releaseVSAvoidbullet structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug, chemical chamber, and bullet head are combined into a single integrated structure where the plug is formed as part of the bullet head assembly. The frangible segments and scored lines are incorporated directly into the bullet head molding process, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable incapacitating agent release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Force

If a standard propellant charge is used, then the bullet has sufficient stopping power, but the acceleration may cause serious injury to the target

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopping powerVSAvoidinjury to target

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The propellant charge parameters are modified by reducing the amount of propellant and adjusting the grain configuration to achieve lower muzzle velocity and reduced acceleration forces. This parameter change allows the bullet to maintain sufficient stopping power through the frangible design and chemical agent release while minimizing harmful acceleration effects that could cause serious injury to the target.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the bullet head is made solid without frangible sections, then the structure is simple, but penetration harm increases and agent release is less certain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebullet head structureVSAvoidpenetration harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bullet head is segmented into frangible sections separated by scored lines, creating a structure that will reliably fracture upon impact. This segmentation reduces penetration harm by causing the bullet head to break apart rather than penetrate deeply, while also ensuring certain release of the incapacitating agent as the segments drive the plug into the chemical chamber.

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 solution ensures immediate and effective incapacitation of targets by ensuring the release of incapacitating agents and minimizing harm through controlled penetration and dispersal, addressing the inefficiencies of prior designs.

Implementation Method 1

the plug is driven into the chemical chamber, causing the tip to splinter, thereby releasing the incapacitating agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture Mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

a pad between the bullet head and a propellant to tamper acceleration thereby further minimizing serious injury

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCushioning:

Data Source

PatentUS10060715B1Nonlethal incapacitating bullet

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 DAVIS DESI A

AI summary

A nonlethal bullet includes a casing having an open front end with a frangible rubber bullet head seated therein. The bullet head includes a tip with an opening thereon that is in communication with an interior chemical chamber. A plug adhesively secured within the opening is driven into the chemical chamber upon impact with a target. Accordingly, when the bullet is fired by a weapon and strikes an intruder or assailant, the plug is driven into the chemical chamber, causing the tip to splinter, releasing the incapacitating agent.