Gas flow control device for a toy gun
The design of a slide nozzle with a gas flow control element and limiting components in pneumatic toy guns addresses jamming issues, ensuring stable and efficient gas flow switching, improving firing consistency and rate.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202026101693
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2036-03-31
AI Technical Summary
Pneumatic toy guns experience jamming of the movable changeover valve during high-speed cycles due to design limitations, leading to inconsistent firing, reduced energy, and gas inefficiency, primarily caused by insufficient guide margin and pressure transients.
A slide nozzle with a gas flow control element, positioning section, limiting slide rail, and limiting element are designed to control the stroke and movement time, preventing jamming by ensuring smooth gas flow direction switching.
Prevents jamming during rapid gas circulation and incomplete stroke changes, enhancing firing stability and consistency, allowing for higher firing rates and improved gas flow efficiency.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Field of invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a gas flow control device for a toy gun, which serves to increase positioning accuracy, enable a stable high-speed switching process and improve consistency in continuous firing operation. State of the art
[0002] Pneumatic toy guns often employ a structural combination of a nozzle and a movable changeover valve to switch between the feed gas flow and the recoil gas flow of the slide. The movable changeover valve, also known as a gas flow changeover valve, is generally a slim, moving component. Its movement is primarily guided by the inner wall of a sleeve-shaped nozzle, with a spring serving as its position indicator. During firing, the movable changeover valve moves back and forth within the nozzle to execute both the feed of the airsoft pellets and the recoil cycle. However, previous improvements have mainly focused on reducing the number of components and lowering manufacturing costs.
[0003] During sustained fire (continuous firing), the movable changeover valve is prone to jamming, commonly referred to as "movable changeover valve sticking." The causes are often related to structural tolerances, material wear, insufficient lubrication, uneven spring force, gas pressure fluctuations, and temporary eccentricity resulting from high-speed cycles. However, according to general user feedback, the problem is not solely attributable to wear or insufficient lubrication, but rather to design limitations of the existing structure. Specifically, during high-speed cycles, the movable changeover valve must reach two positions completely within a very short time: a "fully closed front position" and a "fully open rear position."If one of these positions is not reached with the intended stroke, this leads to an incorrect switching of the gas flow. Some conventional designs use only a single, slim guide surface without an additional positioning structure, which can cause slight eccentricity during the high-frequency reciprocating movement. This results in locally concentrated friction and increases the likelihood of jamming.
[0004] Jamming under sustained firing conditions manifests itself specifically as an intermediate stop where the movable changeover valve remains in a position between the forward sealing position and the rear opening position. This prevents the gas flow from being fully utilized for either propulsion or recoil. Consequently, problems such as inconsistent rate of fire, insufficient recoil, increased trajectory dispersion, reduced single-shot energy, and abnormal gas consumption occur, impairing firing stability. In particular, temporary fluctuations in gas pressure during sustained firing can exert additional lateral forces on the movable changeover valve, causing it to jam in a single position and resulting in unexpected conditions such as "propulsion only, no recoil" or "recoil only, no propulsion."This is a design-related limitation and not merely a wear-related effect.
[0005] Current manufacturers primarily attempt to remedy the problem through increased lubrication or spring replacement, but with limited effectiveness, as the root cause lies in design factors such as insufficient guide margin, a one-sided positioning interface, or unaccounted-for pressure transients. Therefore, jamming during continuous firing is considered a known bottleneck in the design of movable changeover valves in pneumatic toy guns. Malfunctions occur particularly frequently in high-speed firing mode, thus representing a technical problem that still needs to be solved. Content of the invention
[0006] The main object of the present invention is to design the positioning section, the limiting element, and the limiting slide rail in such a way that the maximum feed position of the gas flow control element is limited, thereby enabling a smooth switching of the gas flow direction by controlling the stroke and movement time of the gas flow control element. This prevents the gas flow control element from jamming at an end point and thus impairing the gas circulation. In particular, jamming during rapid gas circulation in continuous firing operation and incomplete stroke changes are avoided.
[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention comprises a slide nozzle, a gas outlet opening, a gas inlet opening, a nozzle channel, a gas flow control element, an elastic element, a closed end, at least one positioning section, a limiting slide rail, and a limiting element, wherein the slide nozzle is arranged in a toy gun, the gas outlet opening is formed at one end of the slide nozzle and is continuously connected to the projectile chamber of the toy gun, the gas inlet opening is formed on the side of the slide nozzle facing away from the gas outlet opening, the nozzle channel is formed between the gas outlet opening and the gas inlet opening, the gas flow control element is movably arranged in the nozzle channel and is movable between a feed position for opening the gas outlet opening and a recoil position for closing the gas outlet opening.The elastic element is arranged on the gas flow control element to return it to the feed position by means of spring force; the closed end is formed at the end of the gas flow control element facing away from the elastic element to close the nozzle channel when the gas flow control element reaches the recoil position; the positioning section is arranged on the slide nozzle; the limiting slide rail is arranged on the gas flow control element; and the limiting element is fixedly attached to the positioning section and inserted through the limiting slide rail to limit the range of movement of the gas flow control element.
[0008] When the present invention is used for user-controlled gas flow in a toy gun, gas flows in through the gas inlet of the slide nozzle with each trigger pull and projectile advance. This gas is guided through the nozzle channel and exits through the gas outlet, thus triggering the firing process. Immediately afterward, the gas flow control element moves toward the gas outlet due to a pressure differential, so that its closed end seals the nozzle channel, causing the gas to flow in the opposite direction and generate recoil. Subsequently, the elastic element pushes the gas flow control element back in the opposite direction. The positioning section and the limiting element are designed such that the gas flow control element is movable within the area defined by the limiting guide rail.Shortening the stroke of the gas flow control element prevents it from jamming at its end and thus impairing gas circulation. In particular, jamming during rapid gas circulation in continuous firing mode, as well as the problem of incomplete stroke changes, is avoided.
[0009] The technical design described above addresses the problems inherent in conventional movable switching valve designs of pneumatic toy guns, such as jamming during rapid gas circulation, incomplete stroke changes, and unaccounted-for pressure transients, thereby achieving the aforementioned advantageous effects and representing a practical technical advancement. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 3 shows a section view along the section line AA in Fig. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic view according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the combined state; Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the feed process according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the charging process according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic view of the shooting process according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the recoil force according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 9 shows a schematic view of the reset process according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 10 shows an exploded view according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 shows a sectional view according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 12 shows a perspective sectional view according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the exemplary implementations
[0010] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to Sections 1-4. The present invention comprises the following: a slide nozzle 1 arranged in a toy gun 9; a gas outlet opening 11 formed at one end of the slide nozzle 1 and continuously connected to the projectile chamber 91 of the toy gun 9; a gas inlet opening 12 formed on the side of the slide nozzle 1 facing away from the gas outlet opening 11; a nozzle channel 13 formed between the gas outlet opening 11 and the gas inlet opening 12; a gas flow control element 2 movably arranged in the nozzle channel 13 and movable between a feed position for opening the gas outlet opening 11 and a recoil position for closing the gas outlet opening 11; an elastic element 3 arranged on the gas flow control element 2 to return it to the feed position by means of spring force;a closed end 21 formed at the end of the gas flow control element 2 facing away from the elastic element 3, in order to close the nozzle channel 13 when the gas flow control element 2 reaches its recoil position; at least one positioning section 14 arranged on the slide nozzle 1; a limiting slide rail 22 arranged on the gas flow control element 2; and a limiting element 4 fixedly attached to the positioning section 14 and inserted through the limiting slide rail 22 to limit the range of movement of the gas flow control element 2, the limiting element 4 having at least one contact section 41 serving to ensure close contact with the inner wall of the positioning section 14.
[0011] For clarity, the definition of the front and rear directions of all components is uniformly based on the muzzle direction of the toy gun 9, which is considered the front. The slide nozzle 1 represents an existing structure within a pneumatic toy gun 9. The type of gas supply is described as an open plug connection. During the rearward movement, a feed path for the airsoft pellets is opened, and the return movement moves the airsoft pellets into the projectile chamber 91, completing the loading process (ready to fire). Simultaneously, the front gas outlet opening 11 is sealed to the projectile chamber 91, while the gas inlet opening 12 is continuously connected to the channel 93 of a high-pressure gas source. The specific coupling mechanism of the slide nozzle 1 is not described in further detail here.The positioning section 14 can be configured as a through-hole, screw hole, or detent recess. In the present embodiment, upper and lower screw holes are used as examples. The limiting element 4 can be configured as a dowel pin or screw. In the present embodiment, a screw matched to the positioning section 14 is used, such that the pressure section 41 forms its screw thread. In the present embodiment, a socket head cap screw is used. The gas flow control element 2 is configured as a bullet-shaped, movable changeover valve (also referred to as a gas flow changeover valve). The closed end 21, located at the rear end, has a flat-headed, frustoconical structure whose diameter is larger than that of the base body of the gas flow control element 2.The limiting guide rail 22 is designed as a capsule-like through-hole or as a recess that extends through the base body of the gas flow control element 2. In the present embodiment, a through-hole is used. An elastic element 3 is, by way of example, a compression spring, with one end attached to the gas flow control element 2 and the other end bearing against the inside of the gas outlet opening 11. The shapes of the individual components described above serve only as examples of the embodiment. All embodiments with the same function fall within the scope of protection of the present invention and are not limited to the examples mentioned.
[0012] It will be directed to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9. The connection of the gas flow control element 2 to the slide nozzle 1 is achieved by first inserting the gas flow control element 2 into the nozzle channel 13 and aligning the limiting guide rail 22 substantially with the positioning section 14. The limiting element 4 is then inserted over the positioning section 14 located on the top of the slide nozzle 1, guided through the limiting guide rail 22, and then connected to the positioning section 14 located on the underside of the slide nozzle 1, thus completing the assembly of the gas flow control element 2. While an additional assembly step is required to attach the limiting element 4 compared to a conventional movable changeover valve, this step is simple and quick to perform, and the necessary design modifications are also minor.This allows several effects of the present invention to be achieved, which will be explained in detail below.
[0013] Before each firing action of the toy gun 9, the slide nozzle 1 is pulled back together with the bolt 92, separating the gas outlet 11 from the projectile chamber 91 and opening a feed chamber for the airsoft pellets 8. Subsequently, the slide nozzle 1 moves forward again due to spring force and, by means of an end wall located on one side of the gas outlet 11, pushes the airsoft pellets 8 into the projectile chamber 91. At this point, the gas outlet 11 and the projectile chamber 91 are continuously sealed, while simultaneously the gas inlet 12 is continuously connected to the channel 93 of a high-pressure gas source. The high-pressure gas thus flows in through the gas inlet 12 of the slide nozzle 1 and fills the nozzle channel 13 as well as the cylinder chamber (the space opened by the rearward movement of the bolt 92).Since the gas pressure acting on both sides of the gas flow control element 2 is essentially the same at this time, it is not moved by the gas pressure, but remains in the feed position P1 under the influence of the spring force of the elastic element 3.
[0014] When the toy gun 9 is fired, the bolt 92 moves forward abruptly, compressing the gas in the cylinder chamber. This gas is forced towards the slide nozzle 1, flows through the nozzle channel 13, and exits through the gas outlet 11. The gas pressure acts on the airsoft pellets 8, propelling them from the barrel and thus completing the firing process. Simultaneously, the gas pressure moves the gas flow control element 2 towards the gas outlet. After the airsoft pellets 8 have left the barrel, the high-pressure gas in the barrel, the projectile chamber 91, and the nozzle channel 13 is released abruptly, causing an immediate pressure drop. Due to the resulting pressure difference, the gas flow control element 2 moves towards the gas outlet 11 and overcomes the spring force of the elastic element 3, so that the closed end 21 seals the nozzle channel 13.At this point, the gas flow control element 2 is in the recoil position P2. Since the gas inlet opening 12 remains continuously connected to the channel 93 of the high-pressure gas source, the high-pressure gas can now only act backwards on the cylinder head 921. The gas flowing in the opposite direction then pushes the breechblock 92 backwards again, generating the recoil force.
[0015] Subsequently, the reverse movement of the closure 92 simultaneously interrupts the supply of the high-pressure gas source. Once the gas flow control element 2 is no longer supplied with high-pressure gas, it is pushed backward by the elastic element 3 and returns to its initial position. The positioning section 14 and the limiting element 4 are designed such that the gas flow control element 2 is movable within the area defined by the limiting guide rail 22. This ensures that, after its reset, the gas flow control element 2 assumes a position in which the gas inlet opening 12 is continuously connected to the nozzle channel 13, without, however, being so close to the cylinder head 921 as to prevent it from reaching the recoil position P2 again. In this way, the gas flow control element 2 is prevented from jamming at an end point and thereby impairing the gas circulation.Furthermore, by shortening the stroke of the gas flow control element 2, jamming during rapid gas circulation and incomplete stroke changes are avoided, especially in continuous firing operation.
[0016] It will be directed to the Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig.Reference is made to Section 12. The present embodiment differs from the preceding embodiment essentially in the following ways: The limiting slide rail 22 has, on the side facing away from the closed end 21, a raised section 221, the contact area of which with the limiting element 4 is larger than the contact area between the limiting slide rail 22 and the limiting element 4. At least one reinforcing section 222 is provided on the gas flow control element 2, which extends from one side of the raised section 221. A fastening section 23 is provided between the reinforcing section 222 and the raised section 221, which serves to receive the elastic element 3. Furthermore, the closed end 21 has at least one slide rail guide section 211, which serves to precisely align the limiting slide rail 22 with the positioning section 14.In the present embodiment, the essential modification concerns the detailed structure of the gas flow control element 2. The originally bullet-shaped base body is redesigned into a cruciform structure, thereby reducing the volume occupied by the gas flow control element 2 in the nozzle channel 13, increasing the effective flow cross-section, and enabling a more uniform gas flow. The longitudinal wall surfaces of the cruciform structure also serve as large contact surfaces for the limiting element 4, thus preventing excessive pressure concentration that could occur if the contact area between the limiting guide rail 22 and the limiting element 4 were too small. This pressure concentration could increase the risk of the limiting element 4 breaking. The reinforcement section 221 corresponds to the longitudinal wall surfaces of the cruciform structure, while the reinforcement section 222 forms the cruciform structure itself.The fastening section 23 is designed as a recess between the reinforcement section 222 and the system extension section 221 to accommodate and fasten the elastic element 3. Furthermore, two smaller circular arc segments are removed from two sides of the originally circular closed end 21, creating two flat cross-sectional surfaces. Correspondingly, two planes 15 are formed on the inner wall of the slide nozzle 1. These flat cross-sectional surfaces form the slide rail guide sections 211.Accordingly, when the gas flow control element 2 is inserted into the slide nozzle 1, aligning the slide rail guide sections 211 with the planes 15 of the slide nozzle 1 ensures that the position of the limiting slide rail 22 is correctly aligned with the position of the positioning section 14, allowing the limiting element 4 to pass properly through the limiting slide rail 22. Since the gas flow control element 2 is very small, aligning the limiting slide rail 22 with the positioning section 14 in a confined space with limited visibility is difficult. The slide rail guide sections 211 are designed to achieve a direction-dependent assembly effect to prevent errors, thus avoiding the aforementioned problem.
[0017] Furthermore, a stop section 42 is provided in the end region of the limiting element 4. In the present embodiment, the limiting element 4 is designed as a locking pin, wherein the section of the limiting element 4 whose diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the positioning section 14 is defined as the clamping section 41, and the lateral projection at the head end of the locking pin is defined as the stop section 42 to secure the connection between the limiting element 4 and the positioning section 14. If the screw has a large head, the screw head forms the stop section 42. If, however, the screw is a socket head cap screw, no such stop section 42 is provided.
[0018] The improvements over the prior art consist in the fact that the gas flow control device according to the invention for a toy gun has the following features:
[0019] First, the positioning section 14, the limiting element 4, and the limiting guide rail 22 are designed such that the maximum feed position P1 of the gas flow control element 2 is limited, thereby enabling a smooth switching of the gas flow direction by controlling the stroke and movement time of the gas flow control element 2. This prevents the gas flow control element from jamming at an end point and thus impairing the gas circulation. In particular, jamming during rapid gas circulation in continuous firing operation and incomplete stroke changes are avoided.
[0020] Secondly, the elastic element 3 is positioned at the front end of the gas flow control element 2, thereby advancing the gas flow switching point. In combination with the limiting element 4, which shortens the stroke of the gas flow control element 2, the switching speed can be further increased, thus enabling stable support for lightweight airsoft pellets 8 or higher firing rates.
[0021] Thirdly, the reinforcement section 222 is designed in such a way as to increase the structural strength of the gas flow control element 2 and extend its service life, while simultaneously reducing the volume of the gas flow control element 2 and increasing the gas flow rate.
[0022] Fourthly, the system extension section 221 is designed in such a way that the point of force application, where the limiting slide rail 22 rests on the limiting element 4, is distributed so that excessive pressure concentration is avoided and the risk of breakage of the limiting element 4 is reduced.
[0023] Fifthly, the pressure section 41 is designed in such a way that the attachment of the limiting element 4 to the positioning section 14 is simplified, thereby enabling simplified assembly.
[0024] Sixthly, the stop section 42 is designed in such a way that the insertion depth of the limiting element 4 is limited, so that it has a defined installation position with the positioning section 14, thereby indirectly increasing the fastening strength of the limiting element 4.
[0025] Seventh, the guide rail section 211 is designed in such a way as to enable precise alignment of the limiting guide rail 22 with the positioning section 14, so that the limiting element 4 can be properly guided through the limiting guide rail 22. Reference symbol list 1 slide nozzle 11 Gas outlet opening 12 Gas inlet opening 13 Nozzle channel 14 Positioning section 2 Gas flow control element 21 closed end 211 Slide rail guide section 22 Limiting guide rail 221 Investment increase section 222 Reinforcement section 23 Fastening section 3 elastic element 4 Boundary element 41 Contact section 42 Stop section 8 Airsoft pellets 9 toy guns 91 Projectile chamber 92 Closure 921 Cylinder head Channel 93 P1 Feed position P2 Recoil Position
Claims
Gas flow control device for a toy gun, comprising: a slide nozzle arranged in a toy gun; a gas outlet opening formed at one end of the slide nozzle and continuously connected to the projectile chamber of the toy gun; a gas inlet opening formed on the side of the slide nozzle opposite the gas outlet opening; a nozzle channel formed between the gas outlet opening and the gas inlet opening; a gas flow control element movably arranged in the nozzle channel and movable between a feed position for opening the gas outlet opening and a recoil position for closing the gas outlet opening; an elastic element arranged on the gas flow control element to return it to the feed position by means of spring force;a closed end formed at the end of the gas flow control element facing away from the elastic element, to close the nozzle channel when the gas flow control element reaches its recoil position; at least one positioning section arranged on the slide nozzle; a limiting slide rail arranged on the gas flow control element; and a limiting element fixed to the positioning section and inserted through the limiting slide rail to limit the range of movement of the gas flow control element. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 1, wherein the limiting guide rail has a raised section on the side facing away from the closed end. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 2, wherein the contact area between the system extension section and the limiting element is larger than the contact area between the limiting slide rail and the limiting element. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 2, wherein at least one amplification section is provided on the gas flow control element, which extends from one side of the system amplification section. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 4, in which a fastening section is provided between the reinforcement section and the system extension section, which serves to receive the elastic element. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 1, wherein the limiting element has at least one pressure section serving to provide a close fit to the inner wall of the positioning section. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 1, wherein a stop section is provided in the end region of the limiting element. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 1, wherein the closed end has at least one slide rail guide section which serves to precisely position the limit slide rail to the positioning section. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 1, wherein the positioning section is designed as a through hole, screw hole or detent recess. Gas flow control device for a toy gun according to claim 1, wherein the limiting element is designed as a locking pin or screw.