Leaf Spring Activation Device for Projectile Battery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activation devices for electronic ignition mechanisms in projectile weapons face challenges in setting a consistent trigger threshold due to variations in housing geometry, leading to inconsistent ampoule activation and potential unintended actuation during non-launch events like drops.
Innovation Solution
The use of two prestressed leaf spring elements, which decouple the ampoule's fixation from the housing geometry, allowing for a defined trigger threshold adjustment by snapping into a second shape only under sufficient and sustained acceleration, ensuring reliable ampoule breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient clamping element is used to clamp the ampoule against the supporting element, then the ampoule is secured in position, but variations in housing geometry cause variations in clamping pressure, leading to inconsistent trigger thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the clamping system by replacing a single resilient element with two leaf spring elements that can independently accommodate geometric variations. The leaf springs' elastic properties allow them to deform and maintain consistent clamping force despite housing geometry tolerances, thereby stabilizing the trigger threshold across different manufactured units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the clamping function by dividing it into two separate leaf spring elements instead of using a single clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows each spring to independently compensate for geometric variations, providing more stable and consistent clamping pressure on the ampoule, which directly addresses the trigger threshold consistency issue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the trigger threshold is set high to prevent accidental activation during drops, then safety is improved, but activation becomes unreliable during low-acceleration launches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements (leaf springs) that can change their mechanical state based on applied forces. The leaf springs are designed to remain elastic under normal conditions but snap into a breaking configuration when a specific force threshold is exceeded, allowing the system to adapt its response based on the magnitude and duration of the applied acceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a phase transition in the mechanical state of the leaf spring elements - they remain in an elastic, reversible state during normal operation and accidental drops, but transition to an irreversible breaking state when the acceleration exceeds the designed threshold for a sufficient duration, enabling discrimination between harmful and beneficial acceleration events.
3Reliability
If connecting struts are used to support the ampoule, then the ampoule is held in position, but the struts require high acceleration to shear off, resulting in a high trigger threshold that may not be suitable for low-acceleration launches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the supporting elements by replacing rigid connecting struts with flexible leaf spring elements. The leaf springs have controlled flexibility that allows them to provide stable positioning under normal conditions while enabling the ampoule to achieve the necessary breaking force when acceleration exceeds the threshold, thus adapting to different launch acceleration levels.
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 ensures a consistent trigger threshold and protects against unintended actuation by decoupling the ampoule's fixation from housing variations, maintaining reliable activation across different launch conditions while preventing accidental triggering during drops.
Implementation Method 1
at least the leaf spring element which supports the ampoule on the bottom side snapping from a first shape into a second shape when a force due to acceleration is applied
Data Source
AI summary
An activation device for a battery for an electronic ignition mechanism has an ampoule filled with an electrolyte and a device for breaking the ampoule. The breaking device contains two leaf spring elements, which are fixed with a prestress on a component in the housing interior and between which the ampoule is clamped. At least the leaf spring element which supports the ampoule on the bottom side snaps from a first shape into a second shape when a force due to acceleration is applied.