Weapon Launcher Electronic Control Unit Orientation Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-lethal weapons, such as electric pulse guns, can be seized and used against authorized users, posing a risk during interventions, as existing technologies do not effectively prevent unauthorized use.

Innovation Solution

Equipping the launcher and the authorized user with electronic means, including gyroscopes, directional antennas, and earth magnetic field sensors, to ensure that the weapon can only be fired when correctly oriented towards the user, thereby preventing unauthorized launches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic means (gyroscopes, sensors) are added to the launcher and user support to prevent unauthorized use, then security against unauthorized use is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against unauthorized useVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic means (gyroscopes, sensors, control units) are integrated within the launcher structure and user support, with the first electronic means nested in the launcher and the second electronic means nested in the user support. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into compact arrangements, improving security while managing device complexity through spatial integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control unit acts as an intermediary between the electronic means and the projectile launching mechanism. It receives signals from the gyroscope and sensor, processes the orientation data, and controls the trigger mechanism accordingly. This intermediary component manages the complexity by centralizing the control logic and separating the sensing function from the actuation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the weapon system includes electronic control means to block launches when misoriented, then protection against self-attack is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against self-attackVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon system performs self-verification of orientation through the gyroscope and sensor that continuously monitor the relative position between the launcher and user. The electronic control unit automatically determines whether the launcher is correctly oriented without requiring manual verification by the user. This self-service mechanism improves protection against self-attack while maintaining ease of operation, as the user simply needs to hold the launcher in the correct orientation rather than follow complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 prevents attackers from using the weapon against the authorized user, enhancing security by ensuring that the weapon can only be fired when correctly aligned with the user, thus protecting authorized personnel from potential attacks.

Implementation Method 1

The first electronic means being a gyroscope with 3 degrees of freedom integral with the launcher

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

the second electronic means being a gyroscope with 3 degrees of freedom secured to the support to be fixed on the upper limb of the authorized user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

the electronic control unit integrating a comparison circuit between the positions angular angles of the gyroscope attached to the launcher and that attached to the support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP4081751B1Lethal or non-lethal weapon assembly comprising a projectile launcher and an electronic control unit incorporated in the launcher, and electronic means, which is connected to the control unit for authorising or preventing firing
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 ANGELIDIS JEAN
  • EP4081751B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4081751B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4081751B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Lethal or non-lethal weapon assembly comprising a projectile launcher and an electronic control unit incorporated into the launcher, and electronic means, one of which is connected to the control unit, for optionally authorising firing. The invention essentially consists in providing both a weapon launcher and the authorised user of said weapon with electronic means which cooperate to prevent an attacker from seizing the weapon and using it against the sole legally authorised user of the weapon. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3