Projectile Tracking Device with Retractable Barbs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hunters face difficulties in tracking wounded animals due to obscured blood trails caused by rain or snow, and existing radio transmitting devices can be cumbersome and affect projectile flight.
Innovation Solution
A detachable electronic tracking device that attaches to a projectile, featuring retractable hooking elements or barbs that deploy upon impact, emitting a locating signal and remaining attached to the target while the projectile continues through, utilizing an inertial mass or sensing device for deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radio transmitting device is provided that attaches to the animal, then the wounded animal can be tracked, but the device may be cumbersome and affect projectile flight
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is segmented into two separate components: a lightweight transmitter that attaches to the projectile and a separate receiver used by the hunter. This segmentation allows the projectile to carry only essential tracking elements while the hunter operates the full tracking system, reducing overall complexity and avoiding interference with projectile flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source and control electronics are extracted from the projectile attachment and placed in the hunter's receiver device. This extraction leaves only the essential transmitter and attaching members on the projectile, significantly reducing the weight and complexity on the projectile while maintaining full tracking functionality through the separate receiver.
2Reliability
If hooking elements are exposed on the tracking device, then the device can attach to the target, but the hooking elements may inadvertently catch on a user or other unwanted object
Solution Approach 1:
The attaching members are designed as dynamic, movable elements that can transition between a retracted position (concealed within the transmitter housing) and a deployed position (protruding for attachment). This dynamic design allows the members to be protected during handling and transport while being easily deployable when needed, resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attaching members are preliminarily positioned in a retracted, concealed state within the transmitter housing before use. This preliminary action protects the hooking elements from inadvertently catching on objects during handling, loading, or transport, while allowing for easy deployment when attachment is required.
3Ease of operation
If the tracking device is attached to the projectile, then the device can be launched with the projectile, but the tracking device may prevent the projectile from continuing through the target
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is designed as a separable attachment that can fracture or detach from the projectile during penetration. This segmentation allows the lightweight transmitter to ride with the projectile during launch while automatically separating when the projectile needs to continue through the target, thus maintaining both launch convenience and penetration depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter is designed to be temporarily attached to the projectile for launch purposes, then discarded (fracturally detached) once the projectile has penetrated the target. The attaching members are configured to allow this controlled separation, enabling the projectile to maintain full penetration capability while still benefiting from the tracking device during the launch phase.
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 efficient tracking of wounded animals by providing a visible signal and ensuring the tracking device attaches securely to the target without interfering with projectile flight or launch, improving visibility and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
An inertial mass or an inertial sensing element within the tracking device may be used to deploy the catching members upon launch or upon impact with the target
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter is operable to emit a locating signal that is capable of detection by a remote receiving device
Data Source
AI summary
A game tracking device for tracking a target that has been hit by a projectile is configured to attach to a projectile and includes a transmitter and a power source disposed within a transmitter housing having one or more catching members. The transmitter is operable to emit a locating signal that is capable of detection by a remote receiving device. The catching members include hooking elements or barbs configured to attach the tracking device to the target. The catching members remain in a retracted position where the hooking elements are generally concealed within the transmitter housing until deployed.