Tethered Electrode Assembly for Electronic Weapon Launch Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic control devices face challenges in reliably attaching tether wires to probes due to manual labor requirements and stress-induced wire breakage during the launching process.
Innovation Solution
The development of a tethered electrode assembly that mechanically couples a filament to an electrode, allowing it to deploy and span a distance to a target, with a mass sufficient for propulsion and aerodynamic shape for accuracy, while also ensuring secure attachment and electrical coupling through ionization or direct conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional techniques are used to attach the tether wire to the probe, then the assembly can be completed, but the tether wire is subjected to stress that may cause it to break immediately or break in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the electrode assembly to minimize stress on the tether wire during launch. The electrode is configured to reduce mechanical loads on the wire before the stress occurs during propulsion, preventing wire breakage while maintaining reliable attachment.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional techniques are used to attach the tether wire to the probe, then the assembly can be completed, but a considerable amount of manual labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tether wire attachment process with the electrode manufacturing process itself. The wire is integrated into the electrode assembly during fabrication rather than being attached separately, eliminating manual labor steps and improving both ease of manufacture and productivity.
3Speed
If the electrode is designed with sufficient mass for propulsion and aerodynamic shape for accuracy, then the electrode can be effectively delivered to the target, but the complexity of the electrode structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the electrode structure to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The electrode body provides both the mass needed for effective propulsion and the aerodynamic shaping for accurate delivery, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall structural complexity.
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
This solution enhances the reliability and efficiency of attaching tether wires, reduces manual labor, and minimizes wire breakage, enabling effective stimulus signal delivery to a target for locomotion interference.
Implementation Method 1
A respective filament (e.g., wire with or without insulation) extends from the electronic weapon to each electrode at the target, thereby tethering the electrode to the electronic weapon... The circuit conducts the stimulus signal
Implementation Method 2
The electrode includes an assembly of a first part and a second part that after assembly cooperate to bind the second end of the filament to the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A deployment unit for an electronic control device (ECD) used as a weapon provides a current from a signal generator of the ECD through tissue of a human or animal target. The deployment unit includes a housing, an interface, a filament, and an electrode. The interface couples the housing to the signal generator. The filament includes a first end coupled to the interface for receiving the current and comprises a second end. The filament conducts the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target. The electrode, stored in the housing prior to deployment, mechanically couples the filament to the target when deployed. The electrode includes an assembly of a first part and a second part that after assembly cooperate to bind the second end of the filament to the electrode.