Vacuum Bullet Holder for Unobstructed Ballistic Mark Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bullet holder systems for ballistic analysis often obstruct the view of marks on fired bullets and fail to securely hold slightly deformed bullets, particularly lacking a vacuum-powered solution.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-powered bullet holder system that uses a semi-soft mould and air vacuum force to securely hold bullets from their conical front end, allowing for roll and pitch motions while maintaining visibility of marks, and accommodating various calibers and deformations through hermetically sealed connections and flexible pneumatic hoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sticky stuff is used to hold the bullet from its conical front end, then the bullet can be held for analysis, but the view of ballistic marks on the bullet is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the holding function from the front end of the bullet and relocates it to the rear end. The holder system captures the bullet by its cylindrical rear portion, completely separating the gripping mechanism from the conical front end that contains the ballistic marks, thereby eliminating visual obstruction while maintaining secure holding
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of holding the bullet from its conventional front end as done in prior art, the invention inverts the approach by holding the bullet from its rear end. This inversion allows the holder to grip the cylindrical rear portion while leaving the conical front end with ballistic marks fully exposed for unobstructed viewing and analysis
2Reliability
If sticky stuff is used to hold the bullet, then the bullet can be secured, but slightly deformed bullets cannot be held securely
Solution Approach 1:
The holder incorporates a flexible mould with cavity that can deform to match the shape of the bullet's cylindrical rear end. This flexible structure adapts to slightly deformed bullets, maintaining hermetic sealing and secure holding without requiring the bullet to be perfectly cylindrical, thereby increasing versatility while ensuring reliable retention
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and properties of the flexible mould material, allowing it to transition between rigid and compliant states. This enables the holder to adapt to various bullet calibers and deformation levels while maintaining secure grip, enhancing both reliability and adaptability across different bullet conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If a vacuum-powered system is used, then bullets of various calibres can be held by one system, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder system is designed with a universal flexible mould that can accommodate bullets of various calibers through a single standardized interface. The vacuum-powered gripping mechanism serves multiple functions: securing different caliber bullets, maintaining hermetic sealing, and enabling roll motion control, thereby achieving high versatility without proportionally increasing system 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
Enables secure, unobstructed analysis of ballistic marks on fired bullets, including slightly deformed ones, by maintaining the bullet's position without blocking the view and allowing for comprehensive imaging from multiple angles.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum-powered bullet holder system that uses a semi-soft mould and air vacuum force to securely hold bullets from their conical front end
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
It is a major problem encountered in criminology studies, to match the fired bullet with the firearm. One of the acts being featured in the solution of this problem is to provide a holding appropriate for the fired bullet. This invention is about a vacuum powered bullet holder system to be used in forensic analysis of marks on fired bullet.