Weapon Shot Counting Device Using Periodic Magnetic Field Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shot counting devices for weapons only track the number of undetonated cartridges and do not accurately determine if a shot has been fired, failing to account for cartridge loss during mounting or defective discharges, and lack comprehensive information on firing frequency and weapon maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A counting device integrating an activator sensor and a processor with a counting sensor that measures magnetic or electromagnetic fields before and after a potential shot, using a time interval to differentiate between cartridge changes due to firing and other events, providing accurate counts of shots fired and cartridges stored, while minimizing power consumption and avoiding false counts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the counting sensor continuously measures to track cartridge changes, then the accuracy of shot counting is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshot counting accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The counting sensor operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only during predetermined time intervals when cartridge changes are expected to occur. This periodic measurement approach maintains shot counting accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting when cartridge changes will occur based on weapon firing cycles, and activates the counting sensor in advance during these predetermined time intervals. This allows accurate tracking of cartridge depletion without requiring continuous sensor operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the counting device tracks only undetonated cartridges, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of shot counting information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounting device structureVSAvoidshot counting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the activator sensor that detects weapon discharge events to trigger the counting sensor. This feedback mechanism allows the device to reliably determine whether a shot was actually fired by correlating cartridge depletion with detected discharge events, improving shot counting reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of detecting undetonated cartridges with detecting actual shot events into a single integrated counting device. By combining the counting sensor that tracks cartridge numbers with the activator sensor that detects discharges, the system provides reliable shot counting information while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If the counting sensor operates continuously to detect cartridge changes, then the response time is improved, but the loss of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The counting sensor performs measurements periodically during predetermined time intervals when cartridge changes are expected, rather than operating continuously. This approach maintains adequate response time to detect shot events while minimizing energy loss by keeping the sensor inactive during intervals when no changes are expected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 device offers reliable, real-time information on shots fired, cartridge status, firing frequency, and weapon maintenance needs, ensuring accurate ammunition tracking and reducing errors by distinguishing between actual shots and non-shot events, thus enhancing user awareness and weapon management.

Implementation Method 1

The counting sensor carries out two measurements of the magnetic or electromagnetic field emitted by the magnetic or electromagnetic field emitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The counting sensor carries out two measurements of the magnetic or electromagnetic field emitted by the magnetic or electromagnetic field emitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2803932B1Counting device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 DELGADO ACARRETA RAUL
  • EP2803932B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Counting device designed to determine the number of shots and cartridges in a weapon, which comprises an activator sensor (11) that supplies an activation signal to a processor (12) in response to a mechanical impulse; the processor (12) in turn supplies a counting-initiation signal to a counting sensor (13) that supplies at least two counting signals offset by a predetermined period of time to the processor (12).