ELECTRONIC IRRITATION DEVICE

Abstract

An electronic irritation device includes a plurality of electronic irritation signal modules. Each of the modules has at least one emitter for emitting optical or acoustic irritation signals, and additionally a connection device for coupling the plurality of irritation signal modules to one another and an unlocking device for automatically unlocking the connection device in order to decouple the plurality of irritation signal modules from one another and thereby distribute them spatially. Distributing a plurality of irritation signal modules makes it possible to increase the probability of an irritation effect upon deployment of a single irritation device.

Claims

1. An electronic irritation device, comprising: a plurality of irritation signal modules, each comprising at least one emitter for emitting optical or acoustic irritation signals; a connection device for coupling said plurality of irritation signal modules to one another; and an unlocking device for automatically unlocking said connection device in order to decouple said plurality of irritation signal modules from one another.

2. The irritation device according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one activation mechanism for activating a release of said plurality of irritation signal modules from one another and at least one control device for actuating said unlocking device upon an activation by said at least one activation mechanism.

3. The irritation device according to claim 2, wherein said control device is configured to actuate said unlocking device directly upon, or a predetermined time after, the activation by said at least one activation mechanism.

4. The irritation device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one activation mechanism comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of an activation switch, a disengaging mechanism, a sensor for detecting an operating situation, and a communication device for receiving an activation command.

5. The irritation device according to claim 1, which further comprises an expansion mechanism for driving apart said irritation signal modules after said connection device has been unlocked.

6. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein: said connection device comprises connection elements configured to connect said plurality of irritation signal modules to one another, and said unlocking device comprises unlocking mechanisms for unlocking said connection elements and releasing said irritation signal modules from one another.

7. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein: said connection device comprises a housing, in which said plurality of irritation signal modules are accommodated and which is composed of a plurality of housing segments connected to one another via connection elements; and said unlocking device comprises unlocking mechanisms for unlocking said connection elements and releasing said housing segments from one another.

8. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein: said connection device comprises a housing, in which said plurality of irritation signal modules are accommodated; and said unlocking device comprises a mechanism for destroying said housing.

9. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein said connection device comprises a housing, which is fragile and formed so that, in an event that the irritation device is impacted, breaks up and frees said plurality of irritation signal modules.

10. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of irritation signal modules comprises a control device for controlling said at least one emitter and a communication device connected to said control device, wherein said control devices of said irritation signal modules are configured to communicate with one another and/or with a superordinate controller in order to coordinate a control of said emitters of the various said irritation signal modules among one another.

11. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of irritation signal modules comprises a control device for controlling said at least one emitter and a distance sensor for detecting a distance between said irritation signal module and an object, said distance sensor being connected to said control device and said control device being configured to control said at least one emitter of said irritation signal module depending on a detected distance from the object.

12. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of irritation signal modules comprises an integrated energy storage device.

13. The irritation device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of irritation signal modules comprises a self-destruction device for a self-destruction of the respective said irritation signal module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a basic illustration of an electronic irritation device in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged basic illustration of an irritation signal module of the electronic irritation device from FIG. 1; and

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a basic illustration of an electronic irritation device in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a basic configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of an electronic irritation device according to the invention.

[0030] The irritation device 10 comprises a plurality (here: three) of electronic irritation signal modules 12. Each of these irritation signal modules 12 contains a plurality of emitters 16, preferably at least one optical emitter 16 and at least one acoustic emitter 16. The optical emitters 16 contain electronic illuminants such as, for example, LEDs, LED arrays, laser diodes or laser arrays, and the acoustic emitters 16 contain electronic sound generators such as piezo sound transducers, for example. In addition, each of these irritation signal modules 12 contains a control device 18, which is connected to the emitters 16 in a wired or wireless manner for the purpose of controlling the emitters 16.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the irritation signal modules 12 is substantially cylindrical in shape and they are stacked one above another. In addition, two of the irritation signal modules 12 in each case are connected to one another via a for example mechanical or electromagnetic connection element 32, such that all the irritation signal modules 12 are coupled to one another and form a unit that can be deployed as a common projectile. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the irritation signal modules 12 are each provided with at least one (e.g. mechanical and/or electrical) unlocking mechanism 34, by which one of the connection elements 32 can be unlocked, such that the irritation signal modules 12 can be released from one another and thus distributed spatially.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, moreover, in each case a mechanical expansion mechanism 36 comprising a spring composed of metal or plastic is provided between each two irritation signal modules 12. These springs are tensioned in the initial state of the irritation device 10, in which the irritation signal modules 12 are coupled to one another via the connection elements 32. If the connection elements 32 are unlocked and the irritation signal modules 12 are thus released from one another, then the expansion mechanisms 35 force the irritation signal modules 12 apart and thereby assist and accelerate the spatial distribution thereof.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a more detailed construction of an irritation signal module 12 from FIG. 1.

[0034] The components of the irritation signal module 12 are arranged in/on a module housing 14. The optical/acoustic emitters 16 are positioned for example on the cylinder circumference of the module housing 14. They are controlled by the control device 18, preferably via an interposed driver 20, in order to set in particular the amplitudes, frequencies, phases and signal patterns of the optical/acoustic irritation pulses emitted.

[0035] The control device 18 is additionally connected to an activation switch 22 and/or a disengaging mechanism 23, which can be actuated before the irritation device is launched, for example. Moreover, the control device 18 preferably contains a timer 24. Furthermore, the irritation signal module 12 comprises a (for example, electromagnetic or acoustic or optical) distance sensor 25 for detecting a distance between the irritation signal module 12 and an object, a position sensor 26 for detecting a position of the irritation signal module 12 (for example, by means of a GPS or GNSS system) and/or an acceleration sensor 27 for detecting launching or impact of the irritation signal module 12. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, the irritation signal module 12, in an optional addition, contains a communication device 28. The sensors 25, 26, 27 and the communication device 28 are likewise connected to the control device 18.

[0036] The activation switch 22, the disengaging mechanism 23, the sensors 25, 26, 27 and the communication device 28 serve as an activation mechanism for activating the control device 18 in order that the latter, directly upon the activation or—with the aid of the timer 24—a predetermined time after the activation, actuates the unlocking mechanism 34 for unlocking the connection element 32 in order to release the irritation signal modules 12 from one another. In this regard, the irritation signal modules 12 can be released from one another for example a predetermined time duration after an actuation of the activation switch 22 or of the disengaging mechanism 23, upon the object distance detected by the distance sensor 25 falling below a predetermined limit value, upon a predetermined position being reached by the irritation device 10, a predetermined time duration after launching or impact of the irritation device 10.

[0037] The object distance detected by the distance sensor 25 can additionally be used by the control device 18 to adapt the optical or acoustic irritation signals emitted by the emitters 16 to the object distance. By way of example, the brightness of light pulses can be adapted to the object distance.

[0038] The communication device 28 can be used for receiving an activation signal from a remote control. In addition, the communication device 28 can be used for the communication of the control devices 18 of the irritation signal modules 12 of the irritation device 10 with one another. In this regard, for example, an activation effected at one irritation signal module 12 (e.g., by way of an actuation of the disengaging mechanism 23) can be communicated to the other irritation signal modules 12 or the control devices 18 thereof, such that the unlocking mechanisms 34 of all the irritation signal modules 12 can be actuated synchronously. In this way, moreover, the irritation signals of the emitters 16 of the various irritation signal modules 12 can be coordinated with one another. By way of example, the light pulses or sound pulses can be emitted synchronously or in a well-defined pattern.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the irritation signal module 12 is preferably also equipped with an energy storage device 30, preferably a rechargeable energy store, for supplying energy to the electronic components of the irritation signal module 12.

[0040] Moreover, the irritation signal module 12 is optionally also provided with a self-destruction device 48. If third parties gain possession of an irritation signal module 12 and there is the risk of their using the irritation signal module 12 against oneself, then the self-destruction device 48 can be activated by remote control via the communication device 28 in order to destroy the irritation signal module 12, in particular the control device 18 thereof.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows the basic construction of a second exemplary embodiment of an electronic irritation device of the invention. Identical or functionally corresponding components are provided with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, a plurality (here: three) of substantially cylindrical irritation signal modules 12 are accommodated in a substantially spherical or cylindrical housing 38. Accommodation in a common housing 38 has the result that the irritation signal modules 12 are coupled to one another and a unit serving as a projectile is formed.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the housing 38 is composed of a plurality of housing segments 40 in the form of housing shells. The housing segments 40 are connected to one another by for example mechanical or electromagnetic connection elements 42. In the region of the connection elements 42, moreover, for example mechanical or electrical unlocking mechanisms 44 are provided, by which the connection elements 42 can be unlocked and the housing segments 40 are thereby released from one another, such that the housing 38 opens and frees the irritation signal modules 12. In order to assist or accelerate the spatial distribution of the freed irritation signal modules 12, the irritation device 10 optionally contains an expansion mechanism 46 for example in the form of a gas cartridge.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the control device 18 of one of the irritation signal modules 12 is used as a master controller. This master controller detects an activation by an activation mechanism and then controls the unlocking mechanisms 44 for unlocking the connection elements 42. The activation mechanism can be part of the irritation signal module 12 with the master controller 18 (see FIG. 2 above) or can be provided separately in/on the housing 38 of the irritation device 10. Moreover, instead of a master controller of the control devices 18 of the irritation signal modules 12, a separate controller can be provided in the irritation device 10.

[0045] For the rest, the second exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. In particular, the irritation signal modules 12 of the irritation device 10 in FIG. 3 can also be configured in accordance with FIG. 2.

[0046] In a further exemplary embodiment, as an embodiment variant of the second exemplary embodiment, a housing 38 can be used which can be destroyed by a mechanism in order to free the irritation signal modules 12.

[0047] In a further exemplary embodiment, as a further embodiment variant of the second exemplary embodiment, a housing 38 can be used which breaks up in the event of impact and thus frees the irritation signal modules 12. For this purpose, the housing 38 is shaped from a brittle material, for example.

[0048] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0049] 10 Electronic irritation device [0050] 12 Electronic irritation signal modules [0051] 14 Module housing [0052] 16 Emitter [0053] 18 Control device [0054] 20 Driver [0055] 22 Activation switch [0056] 23 Disengaging mechanism [0057] 24 Timer [0058] 25 Distance sensor [0059] 26 Position sensor [0060] 27 Acceleration sensor [0061] 28 Communication device [0062] 30 Energy store [0063] 32 Connection element [0064] 34 Unlocking mechanism [0065] 36 Expansion mechanism [0066] 38 Housing [0067] 40 Housing segments [0068] 42 Connection elements [0069] 44 Unlocking mechanism [0070] 46 Expansion mechanism [0071] 48 Self-destruction device