Ammunition Sorting Device With Converging Lumens

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of manually loading loose ammunition into containers is tedious, time-consuming, and prone to repetitive strain injury, and existing automated sorting machines are complex and expensive, making them inaccessible to consumers, while also offering decreased storage efficiency due to the spacing of holes in the containers.

Innovation Solution

An ammunition sorting device featuring a sorting tray with proximal and distal portions, including a chute system with converging lumens that allows cartridges to easily fall into place, enabling efficient loading into containers with reduced spacing between holes, thereby improving storage efficiency and reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated sorting machines are used to load cartridges into containers, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge loading speedVSAvoidmachine complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a sorting tray with multiple sorting lumens for organizing cartridges, and a separate container with holes for storage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the sorting tray with lumens and the bridge structure) that facilitates the transfer of cartridges from bulk storage to the final container. This intermediary simplifies the loading process by providing a structured pathway, eliminating the need for complex automated machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If containers with spaced-apart holes are used for cartridge storage, then ease of operation is improved, but storage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge retrieval easeVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional grid of spaced holes to a three-dimensional structure with vertical stacking capability. The container can be stacked in layers, effectively utilizing vertical space to increase storage capacity while maintaining the spaced-hole design for easy cartridge retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The sorting tray with lumens can be nested within or alongside the container structure, allowing the sorting function and storage function to occupy the same spatial envelope. This nesting increases the effective storage capacity without compromising the ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If manual loading of cartridges into each hole is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading device simplicityVSAvoidcartridge loading efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting tray pre-organizes cartridges into individual lumens before loading, performing the sorting action in advance. This preliminary organization allows for rapid, bulk transfer of cartridges to the container, dramatically improving loading efficiency without requiring complex automated machinery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sorting lumens are designed to guide and self-align cartridges as they are poured or placed into the tray. The geometry of the lumens and the bridge structure enables the system to self-organize the cartridges without requiring manual placement or complex mechanical handlers, maintaining simplicity while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 facilitates efficient loading of ammunition into containers with increased storage capacity and reduced spacing between holes, making the process easier and less labor-intensive while maintaining ease of use, thus addressing the inefficiencies of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a slide separator can be disposed between the sorting tray and the chute, wherein the slide separator is configured to be protracted, thereby allowing ammunition present in the sorting tray to fall into the chute

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240361111A1Ammunition sorting device

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 MANSELL RYAN

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an ammunition sorting device. The ammunition sorting device can include a sorting tray. In some embodiments, the sorting tray can include a proximal sorting portion and a distal sorting portion. In some embodiments, a plurality of sorting lumens can be defined within the sorting tray. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of sorting lumens can extend between the proximal sorting portion and the distal sorting portion of the sorting tray. In some embodiments, a chute can be disposed adjacent the distal sorting portion of the sorting tray, the chute including a proximal chute portion and a distal chute portion. In some embodiments, the chute can define a plurality of chute lumens corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting lumens and extending between the proximal chute portion and the distal chute portion.