Non-lethal Projectile Deformable Head Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-lethal projectiles, such as rubber and plastic bullets, are either too energetic and cause injuries at close ranges or ineffective at longer distances, posing risks of trauma and unintended harm to targets.
Innovation Solution
A projectile design featuring a deformable head made from viscoelastic materials, a semi-rigid element, and an elastic mechanism that absorbs kinetic energy upon impact, reducing the force and extending the impulse duration, thereby minimizing trauma and ensuring non-lethal incapacitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional rubber and plastic bullets are used, then the projectile can be launched at long distances, but the kinetic energy is too high causing serious injuries at close ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable head is pre-configured to deform upon impact, and the elastic mechanism is pre-loaded to absorb kinetic energy before the impact occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that the energy absorption process begins immediately upon contact, reducing the harmful impact force on the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic mechanism (spring element) is pre-positioned within the projectile structure to provide cushioning upon impact. This beforehand cushioning mechanism is designed to engage automatically when the projectile strikes the target, absorbing excess kinetic energy and reducing the force transmitted to the target, thereby preventing serious injuries even at high velocities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the projectile kinetic energy is reduced for safety, then trauma injury is minimized, but the projectile becomes ineffective at longer distances
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile design allows the kinetic energy parameter to be effectively changed at the moment of impact through the deformable head and elastic mechanism. The rigid main body maintains high velocity for long-distance effectiveness, while the deformable head and spring element transform this high kinetic energy into deformation work and elastic potential energy, reducing the effective impact energy to safe levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile combines rigid and deformable materials in a composite structure. The main body uses rigid material for aerodynamic stability and long-range flight, while the head uses viscoelastic or deformable material for energy absorption. This composite approach allows the projectile to maintain high velocity for distance effectiveness while minimizing trauma through controlled deformation upon impact.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a deformable head with viscoelastic material is used, then kinetic energy is absorbed reducing trauma, but the projectile structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable head and elastic mechanism are merged into a single integrated projectile structure. The spring element is positioned within the deformable head assembly, combining the energy absorption functions into one unified component rather than separate attached devices. This merging reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining the trauma-reduction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable head with viscoelastic material serves its own energy absorption function without requiring external activation mechanisms. The material inherently deforms and absorbs energy upon impact through its viscoelastic properties, eliminating the need for complex control systems, sensors, or external power sources. This self-service characteristic simplifies the overall projectile structure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the impact force is reduced for non-lethal effect, then the incapacitation capability is maintained, but the impulse duration must be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic mechanism (spring element) creates a periodic action during impact by compressing and then rebounding. This periodic deformation and recovery process extends the impulse duration beyond a simple instantaneous impact, maintaining incapacitation effect while reducing peak force. The spring's oscillatory behavior naturally prolongs the interaction time between projectile and target.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile design changes the force-time parameters of the impact through the elastic mechanism. By introducing a compliant element, the impulse is transformed from a high-force short-duration event to a lower-force extended-duration event. The spring element's stiffness and mass are selected to achieve the desired impulse duration that maintains incapacitation while reducing trauma risk.
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
The projectile effectively dissipates and stores kinetic energy, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring effective incapacitation without causing significant trauma, even at higher impact forces, and maintains effectiveness over various distances.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable head deforms viscoelastically. A part of the kinetic energy of the projectile is viscously dissipated and another part of the kinetic energy is absorbed elastically
Implementation Method 2
A part of the kinetic energy of the projectile is viscously dissipated
Implementation Method 3
another part of the kinetic energy is absorbed elastically so that the remaining kinetic energy of the projectile on impact with the target is reduced to a non-lethal level
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile is provided for use in a non-lethal weapon system. The projectile includes a first body with a longitudinal axis. The projectile having kinetic energy is launched substantially along the longitudinal axis in the direction of a target. The projectile preferably includes a second body with the same longitudinal axis and a hollow. A portion of the first body fits marginally within the hollow. The elastic mechanism includes an elastic deformation of the first body and/or second body while the first body is forced into the hollow during the impact.