Firearm Breech Cam End Plate Leverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a handgun to fire outsized cartridges like the .50 BMG poses challenges in breech opening and cartridge extraction due to significant intra-chamber forces and smaller, less robust components, making it difficult to access and extract used cartridges efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A breech system featuring a pivotable cam end plate connected to an independently pivotable arm for opening the breech lock and a camming cartridge extractor with a pivotable lever for extracting fired cartridges, utilizing cam leverage to overcome internal forces and facilitate breech access and cartridge removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If handgun components are made smaller to accommodate powerful rounds, then the firearm can fire outsized cartridges, but cartridge extraction becomes difficult due to reduced component robustness
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor is designed with a pivotable lever that can dynamically adjust its position and leverage during the extraction process. The lever pivots between a retracted position (when not in use) and an engaged position (during extraction), allowing the system to adapt to the high extraction forces while maintaining a compact form factor when the extractor is not active.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction mechanism utilizes a second dimension of movement through the pivotable lever, which rotates perpendicular to the barrel axis. This allows the extractor to generate extraction force through rotational leverage rather than relying solely on linear component strength, effectively overcoming the limitations of smaller handgun components.
2Power
If powerful rounds are fired, then cartridge power increases, but intra-chamber forces increase making breech opening difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cam end plate acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the trigger mechanism and the breech lock. It translates the relatively small force applied by the shooter into a large camming action that overcomes the high intra-chamber forces, serving as a force-multiplying mediator in the breech opening process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism changes the geometric parameters of force application during breech opening. As the cam end plate rotates, it transforms the direction and magnitude of applied force, creating a mechanical advantage that allows the breech to be opened despite the high pressure and expansion forces from powerful rounds.
3Ease of operation
If cam mechanisms are added to facilitate breech opening and extraction, then operation efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam end plate and pivotable arm are merged into a single integrated component that performs multiple functions: it acts as both the camming surface for opening the breech and the structural element that transmits force. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the mechanical advantage needed for efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable cam end plate serves multiple functions within the breech system: it provides the camming action for opening the breech, acts as a structural support element, and facilitates the extraction process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 breech system effectively opens the breech lock and extracts used cartridges with reduced effort, providing mechanical advantage to manage the forces generated by powerful rounds, enhancing the efficiency of handling outsized cartridges in handguns.
Implementation Method 1
The pivotable end plate may be connected to an independently pivotable arm that is operable as a lever for moving the cam end plate into an open position to allow breech access. The pivotable cam end plate and pivotable arm may be capable of a plurality of movements within the same plane in order to optimize leverage and cam action for opening the breech lock.
Implementation Method 2
The independently pivotable arm that is operable as a lever for moving the cam end plate into an open position
Implementation Method 3
a camming cartridge extractor with a pivotable lever for extracting a fired cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include a breech system comprising, first, a breech lock with a pivotable cam end plate for accessing a firearm breech and, second, a camming cartridge extractor with a pivotable lever for extracting a fired cartridge. The pivotable cam end plate may be connected to an independently pivotable arm that is operable as a lever for moving the cam end plate into an open position to allow breech access. The pivotable cam end plate and pivotable arm may be capable of a plurality of movements within the same plane in order to optimize leverage and cam action for opening the breech lock.