Electromagnetic Firearm Trigger Safety for Programmable Pull Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional firearm triggers provide a fixed mechanical force and displacement profile that is difficult to adjust without physically altering mechanical components, limiting customization and ease of adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetically variable firing system with a trigger mechanism that allows electronic adjustment of the trigger pull force and displacement profile, using a programmable microcontroller and electromagnetic actuator to dynamically alter resistance during the trigger pull event.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical linkages and springs are used to provide trigger force and displacement profile, then the trigger provides a fixed mechanical force profile, but the adjustment of trigger characteristics requires physically altering mechanical components or exchanging parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-based trigger mechanism with an electromagnetic actuator system. The electromagnetic actuator uses magnetic fields generated by coils to control the trigger force and displacement profile, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages and springs. This substitution allows for electronic adjustment of trigger characteristics through programmable control, enabling users to customize force-displacement profiles without physically altering mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable trigger system where the electromagnetic actuator can modify its magnetic field strength in real-time during the trigger pull event. The microcontroller monitors trigger displacement and force, and dynamically adjusts the coil current to achieve the desired force-displacement profile. This dynamic control enables the trigger characteristics to change during operation rather than being fixed by mechanical design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components are adjusted or exchanged to customize trigger characteristics, then the trigger force-displacement profile can be modified, but the process is time-consuming and not quickly alterable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-based trigger mechanism with an electromagnetic actuator system. The electromagnetic actuator uses magnetic fields generated by coils to control the trigger force and displacement profile, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages and springs. This substitution allows for electronic adjustment of trigger characteristics through programmable control, enabling users to customize force-displacement profiles without physically altering mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the electromagnetic actuator to achieve different trigger profiles. By varying the coil current, magnetic field strength, and pulse duration, the system can produce different force-displacement characteristics. The microcontroller stores multiple preset profiles and can switch between them by changing the control parameters, allowing rapid adjustment without mechanical modification.
3Ease of operation
If electromagnetic actuator with programmable microcontroller is used, then quick electronic adjustment of trigger profile is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic actuator serves multiple functions: it provides the trigger force, senses trigger displacement through integrated sensors, controls the firing mechanism, and stores multiple trigger profiles in memory. The microcontroller integrates the roles of force control, position sensing, safety monitoring, and profile management into a single control unit, reducing the need for separate mechanical components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-diagnosis and automatic adjustment capabilities. The microcontroller continuously monitors the trigger mechanism's state and automatically adjusts the electromagnetic actuator parameters to maintain the selected profile. The system can detect faults, alert the user, and even automatically switch to safe modes or default profiles if problems are detected, reducing the need for manual intervention and complex external control systems.
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
Enables quick and easy customization of the trigger force-displacement profile, enhancing user experience and operational flexibility, with the ability to remotely program and track firing events.
Implementation Method 1
the coil when energized generating a magnetic field that alters the resistance force of the trigger mechanism during a trigger pull event initiated by the user
Implementation Method 2
a permanent magnet generating a static magnetic field in the stationary yoke and rotating member, the static magnetic field creating a primary resistance force opposing movement of the trigger when pulled by the user
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic trigger system with safety mechanism for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger mechanism microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position via pulling both an outer trigger and inner safety trigger of the trigger unit. The actuator is operably interfaced with a movable firing component of the firing mechanism operable to discharge the firearm. In a blocking position of the safety trigger, the safety trigger is configured to block outer trigger movement which prevents energizing and actuating the electromagnetic actuator thereby preventing the firearm from discharging. Conversely in an unblocking position, the safety trigger allows outer trigger movement sufficient to discharge the firearm by either energizing the actuator when a pre-selected trigger pull force threshold is applied or applying sufficient trigger force to manually trip the actuator.