Illuminating Projectile Sleep Mode Launch Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illuminating projectiles are prone to unnecessary battery drainage due to constant power consumption by sensor systems and can initiate illumination from unintentional forces, leading to battery drain and reduced functionality.

Innovation Solution

The projectile incorporates a processor with a sleep state and a piezoelectric sensor that transitions the processor to a working state only in response to a launch force or acceleration, minimizing power usage and ensuring proper identification of a launch event.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor systems are constantly consuming power to ensure the device is ready to detect a launch, then the device can reliably detect launch events, but the battery is drained unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch detection reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The processor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between sleep mode (low power) and active detection mode. The piezoelectric sensor continuously monitors for launch forces, and only when a threshold is exceeded does the processor wake from sleep mode to process the signal, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces continuous electronic sensing with a piezoelectric sensor that passively detects launch forces through mechanical deformation. The piezoelectric material generates an electrical signal only when subjected to sufficient mechanical stress from a launch event, eliminating the need for continuous power-consuming electronic monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the timer is initiated upon detection of any force (including unintentional forces like dropping), then the illumination can be triggered, but the battery is drained and the device may illuminate unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination triggeringVSAvoidbattery drainage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the piezoelectric sensor to control the processor state. The sensor continuously monitors for launch forces, and only when a threshold is exceeded does the processor wake from sleep mode to process the signal and potentially trigger illumination. This feedback mechanism ensures that illumination is triggered only by legitimate launch events, not by unintentional forces like dropping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a threshold parameter to distinguish between legitimate launch forces and unintentional forces. The piezoelectric sensor is calibrated to detect forces above a specific threshold that corresponds to actual launch events. By setting this threshold, the system can ignore smaller forces such as those generated by dropping, thereby preventing unnecessary illumination and battery drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the processor remains in working state to detect launch events, then launch detection is reliable, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch event detectionVSAvoidprocessor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The processor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between sleep mode (low power) and active detection mode. The piezoelectric sensor continuously monitors for launch forces, and only when a threshold is exceeded does the processor wake from sleep mode to process the signal, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces continuous electronic sensing with a piezoelectric sensor that passively detects launch forces through mechanical deformation. The piezoelectric material generates an electrical signal only when subjected to sufficient mechanical stress from a launch event, eliminating the need for continuous power-consuming electronic monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively conserves battery life by only activating the projectile's systems during a legitimate launch event, preventing unnecessary illumination and ensuring the device remains functional for future use.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric sensor configured to cause the processor to transition from the sleep state to the working state in response to a launch force or acceleration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12326324B1Illuminating projectile

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 HIGH TACTICAL LLC

AI summary

A projectile configured to illuminate upon impact with a target following a launch event. A launch sensor is configured to cause a processor to transition from a sleep state to a working state in response to a launch event. The processor then provides electrical power to an accelerometer. The accelerometer detects the rotation and/or the deceleration of the projectile to determine if the projectile has been launched, is rotating as expected, and has impacted an object within a predetermined time. Responsive to determining that the rotation and/or deceleration thresholds have been met, the processor is configured to provide electrical power to one or more of the plurality of illumination elements.