Membrane Actuator Safety Device for Rapid Deterrent Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-defense devices are bulky and difficult to use quickly, requiring time to retrieve and orient during confrontations, which can be detrimental in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A safety device comprising a storage member, a membrane, and an actuator that moves between configurations to allow a material, such as an irritant or dye, to be released externally, allowing for rapid deployment and use without the need for manual orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a handheld pressurized canister is used for self-defense, then the device can deliver irritant substance, but the device becomes bulky and requires manual retrieval and orientation which consumes time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-defense capabilityVSAvoidtime to retrieve and orient device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The safety device is designed to automatically deploy the irritant substance without requiring manual retrieval or orientation by the user. The membrane automatically ruptures upon activation, and the substance is emitted directionally without user intervention, making the system self-servicing in emergency situations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The irritant substance is pre-loaded within the sealed membrane and storage chamber before use. The device is pre-assembled and pre-positioned, eliminating the need for on-site assembly or retrieval operations during emergency situations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a handheld pressurized canister is used for self-defense, then the device can emit irritant substance, but the device requires manual orientation toward the assailant which is difficult during confrontations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-defense capabilityVSAvoidmanual orientation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically directs the irritant substance toward the threat without requiring the user to manually aim or orient the canister. The membrane rupture and substance emission occur automatically in the direction of activation, eliminating the need for manual aiming skills during high-stress situations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical orientation action is replaced by an automatic membrane rupture mechanism that directs substance emission. The actuator and membrane system substitutes for the user's manual aiming action, providing automated directional control of the irritant substance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If a bulky pressurized canister is used for self-defense, then the device contains sufficient irritant material, but the device is difficult to store and access quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirritant material capacityVSAvoidstorage and access difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The irritant substance is nested within a sealed membrane, which is contained within a compact storage chamber. This nested structure allows sufficient irritant material to be stored in a space-efficient manner while maintaining quick accessibility through the first opening mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of a flexible membrane as a containment shell allows the irritant substance to be stored in a compact form factor. The membrane can be easily ruptured by the actuator, providing quick access to the substance while maintaining a small overall device size for easy storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables quick and efficient release of a deterrent, enhancing personal safety by reducing the time required to respond to threats and eliminating the need for manual orientation of the device.

Implementation Method 1

The membrane is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The material is contained within the membrane when the membrane is in the first configuration and is in fluid communication with the environment exterior to the chamber when the membrane is in the second configuration.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMembrane rupture:

Data Source

PatentUS11215429B2Safety devices and methods of using a safety device

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 BAGMAN LLC

AI summary

An example safety device includes a storage member, a membrane disposed within the chamber, a material disposed within the membrane, and an actuator moveably attached to the membrane. The storage member has a main body that defines a first opening, a chamber, and a windowed portion. Each of the first opening and the windowed portion provides access between the chamber and an environment exterior to the chamber. The membrane has a first configuration and a second configuration. The material is contained within the membrane when the membrane is in the first configuration and is in fluid communication with the environment exterior to the membrane when the membrane is in the second configuration. The actuator is moveable between a first position and a second position such that movement of the actuator results in movement of the membrane from the first configuration to the second configuration.