Double-drum magazine linked dummy cartridge stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drum magazines face issues with linked dummy cartridges getting caught between the housing and wheel, leading to cumbersome cartridge changes and health hazards from graphite powder scattering during firing.

Innovation Solution

A double-drum magazine assembly with bilateral symmetric drum units and a straight unit, featuring linked dummy cartridges with a specific linking member configuration that minimizes movement and prevents catching, eliminating the need for graphite powder to reduce friction and prevent powder scattering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a linked dummy cartridge is used in a drum magazine, then cartridge capacity is increased to about 50 cartridges, but the linked dummy cartridge gets caught between the housing and wheel due to individual movement of dummy cartridges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge capacityVSAvoiddummy cartridge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different friction characteristics to different parts of the dummy cartridge system. The outer surface of the dummy cartridge is designed with higher friction to prevent individual movement, while the linking member interface maintains controlled movement for proper cartridge discharge. This localized quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between preventing dummy cartridge instability and maintaining discharge functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The dummy cartridges are pre-linked together before being loaded into the magazine, forming a stable integrated unit. This preliminary action of linking prevents the dummy cartridges from moving individually during operation, thereby maintaining stability while preserving the high capacity advantage of the drum magazine design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If graphite powder is applied on the inner peripheral surface of the housing to reduce friction, then the linked dummy cartridge moves smoothly, but the graphite powder scatters during firing and harms user health

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedummy cartridge movement smoothnessVSAvoiduser health hazard from powder scattering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the graphite powder from the system entirely, extracting the harmful element while preserving the functional requirement of smooth dummy cartridge movement. Instead of relying on scattered powder for lubrication, the design uses inherent surface properties and precise mechanical clearances to achieve smooth operation without any scattered material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the disposable graphite powder with a permanent, integrated surface treatment or material property of the housing inner peripheral surface. This eliminates the need for recurring powder application and prevents the scattering issue that occurs with temporary powder-based lubrication solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If dummy cartridges are connected by a linking member in a zigzag pattern, then the linked dummy cartridge can be moved by wheel rotation, but the linking member is easily moved causing individual dummy cartridge movement and catching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge discharge speedVSAvoidlinking member position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different friction zones within the linking mechanism. The linking member has specific contact surfaces with higher friction coefficients to maintain stable positioning, while other surfaces maintain lower friction to allow necessary movement for cartridge discharge. This localized quality differentiation stabilizes the linking member position while preserving discharge functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the linking member, such as its geometry, material properties, or surface treatment, to change the friction characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the linking member maintains stable positioning during normal operation while still allowing controlled movement for proper cartridge discharge, resolving the contradiction between stability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10088258B1Double-drum magazine assembly

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 LEIGH YOUNG K

AI summary

The present invention relates to a double-drum magazine assembly which can minimize change of a magazine at firing by maximizing the capacity of cartridges, as compared to a common bar-type magazine, can prevent a linked dummy cartridge from being caught at firing to carry out smooth supply of the cartridges through movement of a linked dummy cartridge, and prevent user's health from being destroyed due to scattering of graphite powder.