Launching Arm with Recessed Damping for Fragile Target Ejection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing target launchers face challenges in achieving long-distance ejection of fragile targets without breaking them, often requiring increased power or length of the launching arm, which leads to instability and inertia issues.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an elongated member with recesses to reduce the mass and inertia of the launching arm, combined with a damping element positioned in the recesses to absorb the impact, allowing for increased ejection distance without enhancing the geared motor's power or arm length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the spring stiffness is increased to increase rotation speed and ejection distance, then the ejection distance is improved, but the power of the geared motor and the strength of the freewheel must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is segmented into a hollow structure with internal ribs rather than a solid profile, allowing mass reduction while maintaining structural integrity. This enables higher rotation speeds without proportionally increasing motor power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm's cross-sectional geometry is changed from solid rectangular to hollow with internal ribs, fundamentally altering the mass-to-strength ratio. This parameter change allows the arm to achieve higher speeds with reduced inertia while maintaining sufficient strength.
2Speed
If the length of the arm is increased to increase ejection distance, then the ejection distance is improved, but the peripheral mass and inertia of the mechanism increase, leading to system instability
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is divided into a hollow structure with internal support ribs, segmenting the mass distribution. This allows the arm to be longer for increased ejection distance while the ribbed structure prevents excessive flexion and maintains system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm uses a composite structure combining hollow aluminum alloy with internal ribbing, creating a lightweight yet stiff configuration. This composite design enables longer arm length without proportionally increasing inertia, thereby maintaining stability.
3Speed
If the thrust is increased to allow ejection over long distance, then the ejection distance is improved, but the target may break due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element is positioned at the end of the arm to provide beforehand cushioning during target contact. This element absorbs excess energy and reduces the peak impact force on the fragile target, preventing breakage while maintaining ejection distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element acts as an intermediary between the arm and the target, mediating the force transmission. It softens the interaction during contact, allowing long-distance ejection without direct transmission of high peak forces that would break the target.
4Strength
If a solid profile arm with rectangular section is used, then the structural strength is maintained, but the mass and inertia increase, reducing ejection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The solid rectangular profile is segmented into a hollow structure with internal ribs, removing unnecessary material while maintaining structural strength through the ribbed configuration. This reduces arm mass and inertia, improving ejection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm's cross-sectional parameters are fundamentally changed from solid to hollow with internal ribs, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio. This parameter change reduces mass while maintaining or improving structural strength, enhancing ejection performance.
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 approach enhances the ejection distance by up to 25 meters while maintaining stability and reducing the risk of target breakage, without the need for material changes or increased power, by optimizing the arm's mass and flexion deformation.
Implementation Method 1
the arm comprises: an elongated member... a damping element mounted on the elongated member and capable of coming into contact with the target
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
The invention relates to a target launching arm, comprising a support (100), a launching arm and a platform, wherein the launching arm is articulated in rotation with respect to the support (100), about an axis of rotation (Az), so as to be able to eject a target positioned on the platform, and wherein the arm comprises an elongate member (210) and a damping element (220) that is mounted on the elongate member (210) and is able to come into contact with the target, the elongate member (210) comprises at least one segment along its length direction, having, in section on a plane perpendicular to the direction of extent, a first depression and a second depression that are positioned on either side of a web, the web being oriented along the direction of rotation, and in that the damping element (220) is secured in the first depression.