Adjustable Barrel Attachment Imparts Projectile Spin
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Compressed gas guns used in paintball and similar sports struggle to fire projectiles over long distances with accuracy and consistently alter the trajectory of projectiles without removing the barrel attachment, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A barrel attachment for compressed gas guns featuring a cylindrical housing with adjustable frictional surfaces that impart spin to projectiles, allowing users to alter their trajectory and increase firing distance by utilizing different coefficients of friction and rotatable components to change spin orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a barrel attachment is used to alter projectile trajectory, then the projectile can be fired over long distances with accuracy, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel attachment is divided into separate functional components: a barrel section with internal friction surfaces, a rotating mechanism with contact pads, and an adjustment system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (friction application, rotation, adjustment) independently while working together to achieve trajectory control, resolving the contradiction between functionality and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment incorporates a rotating mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the friction surfaces' orientation relative to the projectile. This dynamic element enables the user to change the spin orientation and trajectory curvature on-the-fly, providing the trajectory alteration capability without requiring multiple static attachment configurations, thus managing device complexity.
2Productivity
If frictional surfaces are added to impart spin on projectiles, then firing distance and accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment features localized friction surfaces (contact pads) positioned at specific locations within the barrel where they interact with the projectile. Rather than complicating the entire barrel structure, the friction mechanism is concentrated in specific local areas, imparting spin effectively while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through focused functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the barrel attachment is designed with rotatable components for trajectory adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user through simple rotational motion, allowing direct control of the friction surfaces' orientation. The mechanism serves itself by converting the user's rotational input directly into the desired spin orientation without requiring complex control systems, electronics, or multiple adjustment steps, thus improving ease of operation while limiting complexity growth.
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 users to fire projectiles with increased distance and accuracy by imparting spin, allowing for straighter trajectories and hitting targets behind obstacles without removing the barrel attachment, enhancing gameplay effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one contact pad... at least a portion of the contact pad extendible into the through passage
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a barrel attachment attachable to the firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun and a method of using the same. The barrel attachment allows a user to spin a projectile fired from the gas gun just before it exits the barrel attachment. This spin alters the projectile's normally straight trajectory; in other words, it makes the projectile curve. The barrel attachment is adjustable. In the preferred embodiment, the user or shooter can adjust the amount of spin and thereby the amount that the projectile curves by rotating an adjustment sleeve about the barrel attachment, which causes contact pads to protrude into the passage of the barrel attachment. In the preferred embodiment, the user can adjust the direction of curve by rotating the barrel attachment about the gun barrel.