Serial Electrode Deployment for Battery-Efficient CEW Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face challenges in efficiently delivering a stimulus signal to disrupt voluntary locomotion of a target, particularly when electrodes are spaced apart, leading to suboptimal neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) and inefficient battery usage due to energy overconsumption.
Innovation Solution
The CEW employs a system with two or more electrodes deployed via wire-tethers or terminals, utilizing high and low voltage pulses to ensure effective neuromuscular incapacitation, and includes a handle with deployment units and a magazine for reusable electrodes, allowing remote delivery and optimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If electrodes are spaced apart for remote delivery, then delivery range is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed electrical stimulation instead of continuous delivery. The control circuit delivers electrical pulses at optimized rates (e.g., 1-100 Hz) with adjustable duty cycles, allowing neuromuscular incapacitation to be achieved while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous delivery. The pulsed nature allows battery recharging intervals between pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of electrical parameters including voltage (e.g., 500-5000 V), current (e.g., 1-100 mA), pulse width (e.g., 10-1000 μs), and pulse rate. The control circuit optimizes these parameters based on operational conditions to achieve effective NMI while minimizing energy consumption. Parameter adaptation allows efficient operation at various electrode spacings.
2Reliability
If high voltage pulses are used for effective NMI, then neuromuscular incapacitation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers high voltage pulses periodically rather than continuously. By optimizing pulse frequency and duty cycle, the patent achieves reliable NMI effectiveness through sufficient peak voltages while keeping average power consumption low during inter-pulse intervals when the battery is recharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-phase pulse sequences that maintain continuous neuromuscular disruption effectiveness. Multiple pulses are delivered in sequences with optimized intervals, ensuring that the useful action of NMI is maintained without requiring continuous high power delivery, thereby improving energy efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are deployed for remote delivery, then delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode deployment system into modular components: a magazine containing multiple electrodes, individual deployment units for each electrode, and a control circuit that manages each electrode independently. This segmentation allows flexible configuration (e.g., deploying 1-4 electrodes) while simplifying the overall system architecture and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed to universally control multiple electrodes through a standardized interface. The same control circuit can manage any number of electrodes (1-4) by activating appropriate channels, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate control systems for each electrode configuration.
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 system effectively induces neuromuscular incapacitation with spaced electrodes, conserving battery power by optimizing pulse rate and charge per pulse, ensuring reliable operation and extended battery life.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing high and low voltage pulses to ensure effective neuromuscular incapacitation
Data Source
AI summary
A conducted electrical weapon may deploy a first electrode. Deploying the first electrode may include deploying fewer electrodes than a minimum number required by the conducted electrical weapon to provide the stimulus signal at a remote location. The first electrode may be deployed in response to a first activation signal of a plurality of activation signals. The conducted electrical weapon may deploy a second electrode in response to a second activation signal of the plurality of activation signals. A signal generator of the conducted electrical weapon may provide a stimulus signal between the first electrode and the second electrode.