Torso Simulator with Selective Simulant Inserts for Ballistics Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current projectile performance testing devices fail to accurately simulate the anatomical features of big game animals, particularly lacking representation of hide, muscle, bone, and internal organs, leading to unreliable predictions of projectile behavior.

Innovation Solution

A torso simulation device with selectively removable simulant inserts for hide, muscle, bone, and internal organs, securely mounted within a support frame that can be angled and stabilized, allowing for precise simulation of various animal types and providing a stable platform for high-energy projectile impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If homogeneous targets like ballistic gelatin are used, then the device structure is simple and cost-effective, but the simulation accuracy of anatomical tissues is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torso simulator is divided into multiple selectively removable inserts, each representing a different anatomical tissue (hide, muscle, bone, internal organs). This segmentation allows each insert to be optimized for its specific tissue type while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a composite structure combining multiple materials with different physical properties to represent different anatomical tissues. Each insert is made from materials that replicate the mechanical properties of the corresponding tissue, creating a heterogeneous composite system that accurately simulates animal anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If a single large gelatin block is used to simulate the entire animal torso, then the device is simple, but it cannot accurately represent the varying densities and mechanical properties of different anatomical regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration depth measurementVSAvoidtarget composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each insert is designed with specific mechanical properties tailored to its corresponding anatomical region. The hide insert has different density and hardness than the muscle insert, which in turn differs from the bone insert, creating local variations in mechanical properties that match real animal anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If heterogeneous stacked mixture of materials is used to represent anatomical tissues, then the simulation accuracy improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojectile performance predictionVSAvoidnumber of inserts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inserts are designed to be selectively removable and replaceable, allowing the system to be dynamically reconfigured for different testing scenarios. This dynamic capability enables users to adjust the simulation setup based on specific testing requirements without permanently altering the device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If the support frame is made stable and adjustable for different animal types, then the simulation accuracy improves, but the device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular orientation accuracyVSAvoidsupport frame weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame incorporates adjustable components that allow it to be dynamically reconfigured for different animal types and testing scenarios. This adjustability enables precise angular orientation without requiring a completely different frame structure for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support frame is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various inserts and support different animal types through a single adjustable mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized frames, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8215165B2Torso simulator for ballistics testing

Publication Date: 2012.07.10 ULTIMATE BALLISTICS BOX

AI summary

A device for simulating the torso of an animal or human to determine projectile performance is provided, comprising a support frame; and a plurality of selectively removable simulant inserts, including a hide simulant insert, a muscle simulant insert, a bone simulant insert, and one or more internal organ simulant insert, and wherein the simulant inserts are placed within the support frame in a predetermined order specific to the type of animal or human being simulated. The support frame includes a mounting device to secure the support frame to a ground surface, and a base adapted to orient the support frame at a selectable angle relative to a projectile path. The support frame further includes a locking device adapted to secure the simulant inserts to the support frame. In a preferred embodiment, the locking device includes a fastener slidably disposed within a slot formed in the support frame, and an extended member adapted to contact one of the simulant inserts.