Suspended Ballistic Target Plate Sliding on Angled Strut
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballistic targets made of steel tend to crater and deform over time due to high-velocity bullets, leading to a reduced service life, as they fail to effectively absorb the energy transferred upon impact, causing subsequent bullets to potentially rebound towards the shooter.
Innovation Solution
A ballistic target system featuring a suspended target plate that deflects and absorbs a portion of the force from incoming bullets through a sliding mechanism on an angled strut member, extending the target plate's service life by distributing the impact force and using a spall guard to protect the post from debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a steel target plate is used for ballistic target practice, then audible feedback and target indication are improved, but the service life of the target plate deteriorates due to cratering and deformation from high-velocity bullet impacts
Solution Approach 1:
A polyethylene foam cushioning layer is attached to the rear surface of the steel target plate before bullet impact occurs. This foam layer absorbs and dissipates the energy from high-velocity bullet impacts, preventing the bullets from penetrating through and causing cratering or deformation on the strike face. By providing this cushioning layer in advance, the target plate can maintain its structural integrity and service life while still providing reliable target indication through audible feedback and visible impact marks.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the target plate is rigidly mounted to withstand high-velocity impacts, then structural stability is improved, but the target plate fails to absorb impact energy, causing bullets to rebound toward the shooter
Solution Approach 1:
The polyethylene foam cushioning layer is pre-installed on the rear surface of the rigid steel target plate. This foam layer acts as an energy-absorbing barrier that captures and dissipates the kinetic energy of incoming bullets before they can penetrate through the steel plate. The rigid steel plate maintains its structural stability and provides accurate target indication, while the foam cushioning prevents bullet rebound by absorbing the impact energy and stopping bullets before they exit the rear surface.
3Ease of manufacture
If the target plate is made thinner to reduce weight and complexity, then ease of manufacture and installation are improved, but the target plate becomes more susceptible to damage from high-velocity bullets
Solution Approach 1:
The target system uses a composite structure combining a thin steel target plate with a polyethylene foam cushioning layer attached to its rear surface. The thin steel plate provides a lightweight, easy-to-manufacture target surface that gives accurate auditory feedback upon impact, while the polyethylene foam layer provides the necessary energy absorption and bullet-stopping capability. This composite construction allows the use of thinner, lighter steel plates without compromising damage resistance, as the foam layer compensates for the reduced steel thickness by absorbing bullet kinetic energy.
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 extends the service life of the target plate by deflecting and absorbing bullet impact forces, reducing the risk of rebounding projectiles and prolonging the target's usability through controlled sliding and spall protection.
Implementation Method 1
a target plate configured to deflect incoming bullets and adapted to absorb at least a portion of the force transferred by a bullet to the target plate upon impact
Implementation Method 2
The ballistic target system is configured so that the target plate slides rearward and up the incline of the angled strut member when struck by a projectile
Data Source
AI summary
The ballistic target system includes a suspended target plate configured to deflect incoming bullets and is adapted to absorb at least a portion of the force transferred by a bullet to the target plate upon impact. An example ballistic target system comprises: a target plate having a mounting bracket attached thereto; and a target stand from which the target plate is slidably suspended. The target stand comprises: a base adapted to rest on the ground, a post, and a target support bracket from which the target plate is slidably suspended by the mounting bracket. The target support bracket comprises a cap portion secured atop the post and an angled strut member that extends at a downward angle from the cap portion to define an incline. The target plate slides rearward and up the incline of the angled strut member when struck by a projectile.