Mobile Target Carrier with Coupled Projector for Gun Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile target systems for gun ranges struggle to maintain a sharp, focused image and consistent light density as the target moves, limiting the shooter's ability to adjust shooting distances and evaluate performance effectively.

Innovation Solution

A movable target carrier system integrated with a coupled projector, where the target carrier and projector carrier are connected by a strut, allowing them to translate along a rail while maintaining a fixed relative distance, ensuring the projector maintains focus and light density across varying shooting distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed projector is used to project onto a mobile target carrier, then the projection system is simple and stationary, but the image cannot remain in focus as the target moves through a wide range of positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection system simplicityVSAvoidimage focus precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the projector and target carrier into a single integrated unit, where the projector is mounted on the target carrier itself. This merging ensures that the projector moves with the target, maintaining constant relative position and focus throughout the target's range of motion, eliminating the focus problems of fixed projector systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static fixed projector to a dynamic mobile projector that moves with the target. The projector carrier is designed to translate along the rail with the target carrier, maintaining dynamic positioning that adapts to the target's position while preserving image focus and light density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the target is moved farther away from the fixed projector, then the shooting distance is increased, but the light density on the target is diminished and the image quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshooting distanceVSAvoidlight density on target

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

By mounting the projector on the target carrier, the system ensures the projector remains at a constant distance from the target regardless of the target's position on the rail. This eliminates the light density degradation that occurs when targets move away from fixed projectors, maintaining consistent illumination intensity across the full range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple projectors are installed at varying distances to accommodate moving targets, then the shooting distance flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshooting distance flexibilityVSAvoidprojection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for multiple projectors by integrating a single projector onto the target carrier. This single projector serves all shooting distances by moving with the target, dramatically reducing system complexity while maintaining full adaptability across the rail's range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile projector system performs multiple functions with a single device: it provides illumination and projection at all shooting distances, replaces the need for multiple fixed projectors, and maintains focus across the entire target range. This universal solution simplifies the system while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the target is retracted towards the shooter for performance evaluation, then the shooter can compare bullet strikes to the target, but the image disappears as the target moves out of the projector's focal range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance evaluation capabilityVSAvoidimage focus range

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design of the projector on the target carrier ensures the projector-f target distance remains constant throughout the target's movement. This allows the target to be retracted for performance evaluation while the projector maintains focus, eliminating the image disappearance problem that occurs with fixed projectors when targets move out of focal range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10180310B2Mobile target carrier for gun range with coupled mobile projector

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A system for projecting an image of a target is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a rail having a longitudinal axis; a target carrier coupled to the rail such that the target carrier can translate along the longitudinal axis of the rail; a motor and motion controller coupled to the target carrier wherein the motor is configured to cause the target carrier to translate along the longitudinal axis of the rail; a projector carrier coupled to the rail and held in fixed relational position to the target carrier; and a projector affixed to the projector carrier and oriented to point back towards the target carrier. In some embodiments, one or more cameras may also be added to the target carrier, projector carrier, or both.