Token Disc Cartridge Design to Block Conventional Firearm Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accidental use of lethal cartridges instead of less-lethal cartridges in firearms can occur during high-pressure situations, leading to unintended fatal outcomes, as both types are fired from the same firearms and the distinction is not immediately apparent.
Innovation Solution
A specially-configured firearm cartridge with a token disc added to its base, which increases the cartridge's length, preventing it from being fired in conventional firearms, and requires a modified firearm with a recessed bolt face and shortened firing pin to function, ensuring that only the modified system can fire the inventive cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a token disc is added to the base of a cartridge to increase its effective length, then the cartridge cannot be fired in conventional firearms (improving safety), but the cartridge length increases (worsening dimensional constraints)
Solution Approach 1:
The token disc adds length to the cartridge in the axial dimension, creating a dimensional difference that prevents compatibility with conventional firearms. This dimensional change ensures that only firearms with modified bolt faces can accommodate and fire the cartridge, thereby preventing accidental use of lethal cartridges.
2Reliability
If a firearm is modified with a recessed bolt face and shortened firing pin to fire the inventive cartridge, then only the modified firearm can fire the cartridge (improving safety), but the firearm complexity increases (worsening manufacturing complexity)
Solution Approach 1:
The firearm modification is localized to specific areas: the bolt face is recessed only in the region where the token disc contacts it, and the firing pin is shortened only to the extent needed to contact the strike plate. This localized modification approach minimizes the overall complexity increase while achieving the safety objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The token disc is segmented into distinct functional components: an outer section that contacts the recessed bolt face and a central strike plate with a strike ball that contacts the shortened firing pin. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system design.
3Reliability
If the firing pin is shortened to contact the strike plate on the token disc, then the modified firearm cannot fire conventional cartridges (improving safety), but the firing mechanism changes (worsening adaptability)
Solution Approach 1:
The shortening of the firing pin, which initially appears to reduce the firearm's adaptability, actually creates a benefit by ensuring that the firing pin can only contact the strike plate on the token disc and not the primer of a conventional cartridge. This converts the limitation into a safety feature that prevents accidental discharge of lethal cartridges.
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 ensures that only the intended less-lethal cartridges can be used, preventing accidental lethal firings by ensuring compatibility only with modified firearms, thereby enhancing safety in situations requiring non-lethal force.
Implementation Method 1
The strike plate includes a strike ball at its center. In use the strike ball is struck by a firing pin to fire the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
The token disc is secured to the cartridge base with an adhesive material
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm cartridge with a specially-configured token disc added to its base. The token includes an outer section and a central strike plate. The strike plate includes a strike ball at its center. The presence of the token increases the effective length of the cartridge and thereby prevents the closure of the bolt of a conventional firearm. As a result, the inventive cartridge cannot be fired in a conventional firearm.