Portable Ammunition Carrier Anti-Jam Feed System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable ammunition carriers experience jams and mis-feeds due to tilting of belt-linked consumable items, particularly when carrying multiple types of ammunition, which affects high-speed operation and capacity.
Innovation Solution
A portable feed system with a carrier and feed structure featuring a unique enclosure design, including perpendicularly affixed first divider structures and second divider structures with receiving cavities, allowing for serpentine folding of consumables and a non-interference fit to prevent jamming, along with a latch coupler for secure lid closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If belt-linked consumable items are carried in a portable carrier, then capacity and portability are improved, but jams and mis-feeds occur due to tilting of the items
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple bays using first and second divider structures. The first divider structures extend perpendicularly from the floor to create initial compartments, while the second divider structures extend from the lid to further segment each bay. This segmentation allows the belt-linked consumable items to be properly positioned and prevented from tilting during transport, thereby maintaining feed reliability while increasing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider structures are designed with specific dimensional relationships to the belt width. The second divider structures have a width defined by a non-interference fit with the belt, creating localized support zones that prevent tilting at critical positions. This local quality control ensures that only specific areas of the carrier provide anti-jam support, optimizing both capacity and reliability.
2Productivity
If high-speed operation is enabled, then productivity is improved, but jams and mis-feeds increase due to tilting of consumable items
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second divider structures are pre-positioned within the carrier to create a stable configuration for the belt-linked consumable items before transport or feeding begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the items are properly oriented and supported, preventing tilting during high-speed operation and maintaining feed reliability at increased productivity levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of ammunition are carried, then versatility is improved, but jamming increases due to tilting of belt-linked items
Solution Approach 1:
The divider structures are designed with universal dimensions based on the belt width, allowing the same carrier configuration to accommodate multiple types of ammunition belts. The non-interference fit width of the second divider structures provides a universal support mechanism that prevents tilting regardless of the specific ammo type, thereby maintaining versatility while eliminating jamming issues.
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and related methods are provided including various carrier and feed systems that feed belts of consumable items to consuming systems. Exemplary systems relate to on-demand high capacity and speed portable part or consumable item carrier and belt feed system that reduces or eliminates jams or mis-feeds to include jams or mis-feeds due to tilting of belt linked consumable items. Some embodiments also permit consumable items to be carried in an exemplary carrier with removable dividers that create cavities to dispose a series of columns of sequentially folded belt sections extended to a top of the removable dividers that further enable a second belt fold configuration of the belt of consumable items to be folded across the columns of folded belt sections and then oriented to be pulled out of the carrier for use with a consuming system coupled with the carrier.