Electrified Handguard Power Coupler for Firearm Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current small arms and toy replica firearms with multiple Picatinny rails become front-heavy and difficult to balance due to the need for batteries near the handguard to power accessories like lasers and flashlights, leading to balance and handling issues.

Innovation Solution

An electrified handguard with a handguard power coupler that receives power from a remote source, such as the buttstock assembly, and distributes it to rail accessories via power connections within the mounting rails, eliminating the need for batteries at the handguard.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If batteries are located near the handguard to power accessories like lasers and flashlights, then the accessories can be powered, but the firearm becomes front-heavy and difficult to balance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply to accessoriesVSAvoidbalance and handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into separate components: batteries are placed in the buttstock assembly while power is transmitted through the handguard to accessories. This segmentation allows the heavy power source to be separated from the handguard area, improving balance while maintaining power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handguard serves as an intermediary element that transmits electrical power from the buttstock power source to the accessories. By incorporating conductive elements within the handguard structure, power can be delivered to accessories without placing batteries in the handguard area, thus maintaining both power supply and proper balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple Picatinny rails are incorporated in the handguard for accessories, then accessory attachment capability is improved, but the front-heavy issue worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory attachment capabilityVSAvoidbalance and handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handguard is designed with multi-functionality: it provides Picatinny rails for mechanical accessory attachment while simultaneously serving as an electrical power transmission conduit. This allows accessories to be powered through the handguard structure itself, eliminating the need for additional batteries at the front end and maintaining balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If power connections are integrated into the handguard structure, then power delivery to accessories is enabled, but the complexity of the handguard increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery to accessoriesVSAvoidhandguard structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical power transmission function is merged with the mechanical handguard structure. Conductive elements are integrated into the existing handguard design, combining structural support and power transmission functions into a single component, thereby enabling power delivery without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7627975B1Electrified handguard

Publication Date: 2009.12.08 HINES PATENT LLC

AI summary

An electrified handguard for firearms has mounting rails and also supplies electrical power to rail mounted accessories such as flashlights and lasers. A handguard power coupler can receive electrical power from a battery or other power source located elsewhere such as in a buttstock assembly. The electrical power is then routed to power connections in the handguard power coupler. A rail accessory can then be electrically connected to a power connection when it is mechanically attached to a mounting rail.