Firearm Barrel Unit Conical Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearms with replaceable barrels often require test firing to maintain accuracy after barrel changes, which is impractical and can affect the precision of the first shot, especially in high-stakes situations.
Innovation Solution
A firearm system with a freely-floating barrel unit that is detachable and reattachable, featuring a locking piece with a rear and front cone design that maintains barrel alignment and zero point consistency, along with a clamping bush system that minimizes torque-induced shot center deviations, allowing for precise and repeatable performance across different calibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a replaceable barrel system is implemented in a firearm, then versatility and adaptability across different calibers are improved, but precision and accuracy reliability deteriorate due to the need for test firing after barrel changes
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel assembly is segmented into separate components (barrel, locking piece, centering bush, clamping bush) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for precise manufacturing of each component with controlled tolerances, ensuring consistent alignment and positioning when assembled, thereby maintaining precision across different calibers without requiring test firing.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking piece with conical surfaces acts as an intermediary mechanism between the barrel and receiver. The conical locking surfaces provide automatic alignment and positioning, eliminating the need for test firing to achieve consistent shot centers. The locking piece mediates the connection between replaceable barrel components and the fixed receiver, ensuring repeatable precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If test firing is performed after barrel changes to maintain accuracy, then precision is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking piece and centering bush are pre-manufactured with precision conical surfaces and controlled tolerances before assembly. This preliminary precision manufacturing eliminates the need for post-assembly test firing, as the components are designed to automatically align and position the barrel correctly when assembled, saving time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical trial-and-error adjustment process (test firing) is replaced with a geometric constraint system using conical locking surfaces. The conical geometry provides automatic alignment through pure geometry, substituting the need for empirical test firing with a deterministic mechanical alignment system that ensures precision without time consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If the barrel is made freely-floating for precision, then accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the mounting and alignment system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Conical (curved) locking surfaces are used in the locking piece and centering bush instead of flat or complex multi-faceted mounting surfaces. The conical geometry provides automatic alignment through simple geometric constraints, achieving precise barrel positioning with minimal complexity. The curved surfaces guide the barrel into the correct position and maintain it during operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a detachable barrel unit is used for caliber changes, then versatility is improved, but the reliability of maintaining consistent zero point deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking piece with conical locking surfaces serves as an intermediary that maintains consistent relative positioning between the barrel and receiver across different calibers. The conical geometry ensures that the barrel line remains at the same angle and position relative to the receiver, maintaining zero point consistency while allowing caliber changes through barrel replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows parameter changes (caliber, twist rate, barrel length) while maintaining constant geometric relationships through the conical locking mechanism. The conical surfaces provide constraints that keep the barrel's angular and positional parameters consistent with the receiver, ensuring zero point stability even when barrel specifications vary.
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm which is modifiable by the user such that a firearm barrel is arranged replaceable by the user, wherein the firearm comprises a barrel unit, which is detachable by the user and fastenable to a receiver, which barrel unit comprises the barrel and a locking piece, wherein the locking piece has a backward narrowing rear cone, which fits a cone in the receiver and which has a forward narrowing front cone, and which fits a cone in the centering bush, wherein to the centering bush is rotatably connected a clamping bush having an outer thread which fits an inner thread in the receiver, wherein by rotating the clamping bush in the locked direction, the rear end of the locking piece is centerable by means of the rear cone and lockable to the cone in the receiver.