Munition Fuze Power Activation Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronically initiated munition fuzes face challenges in safely and reliably indicating unintended power activation, which can lead to safety and operational issues due to the lack of visual cues for power state changes and potential discharge during storage or transport.
Innovation Solution
A device with a visible marker, such as an LED or mechanical indicator, that provides a visual cue for power activation and an irreversible indicator strip that changes state upon power usage, ensuring safe and operational awareness of power status, even after power depletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a visible marker is used to indicate power activation, then safety and operational awareness are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visible marker operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when power is present to provide visual indication. This periodic operation maintains safety awareness while minimizing cumulative power consumption over the battery's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs low-cost, low-power visible markers such as LEDs that can operate intermittently without significantly impacting the battery's overall service life. These markers are designed to provide sufficient indication functionality while consuming minimal energy compared to continuous operation requirements.
2Loss of information
If continuous power indication is provided, then operational awareness is improved, but power source depletion accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The visible marker provides power status indication periodically rather than continuously, activating only when power is available to display the armed state. This maintains essential operational awareness while preserving battery life for the munition's intended service duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback about power status through the visible marker, allowing operators to understand when the fuze is armed without requiring continuous power consumption. The feedback mechanism activates only when necessary to convey critical information about the fuze's operational state.
3Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical indicators are used instead of electrical markers, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical indicators with simple electrical visible markers such as LEDs that consume minimal power. This substitution reduces the overall complexity of the indicator mechanism while maintaining low power consumption, as electronic components are simpler to implement than reliable mechanical systems with moving parts.
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 effectively indicates power activation and remaining charge, enhancing safety and operational reliability by providing a clear visual notification of power status, preventing false impressions of sufficient power and ensuring the munition's readiness for use.
Implementation Method 1
the visible marker is a light source and may be a bulb, laser diode, or a Light Emitting Diode (LED), preferably an LED
Implementation Method 2
the visible marker is a light source and may be a bulb, laser diode, or a Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Implementation Method 3
In an alternative arrangement the visible marker may be a mechanical indicator active in a first and second state. In a first state a mechanical shutter may cover a visually distinct surface
Implementation Method 4
Mechanical indicators in use with a reflective surface have the advantage of not drawing a current as they reflect ambient light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to the field of munition fuzes (10, 20) and is a device for monitoring the status of a munition fuze, said device comprising; a visible marker (14, 24) capable of being switched between an off state and an on state; an indicator strip (18, 28), capable of actuation, from a first state to a second state; a power source (25), capable of activation, wherein the power source (25) provides power to the munition initiation system, the visible marker (14, 24) and the indicator strip (18, 28); wherein said visible marker (14, 24) and indicator strip (18, 28) are positioned to be visible to an observer when the fuze (10, 20) has been fitted for use on said munition; and wherein activation of the power source (25) causes switching of the visible marker (14, 24) from an off state to an on state and actuation of the indicator strip (18, 28) from a first state to a second state, such that the power source's activation is indicated by the actuation of the indicator strip (18, 28) to its second state; and wherein the visible marker (14, 24) remains in an on state only if there is sufficient power to operate the initiation system.