Firearm cleaning mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firearms require cleaning to prevent carbon build-up, moisture, rust, and gunpowder residue, but existing solutions fail to protect small components from loss and damage during disassembly, leading to scratches and potential loss of parts.
Innovation Solution
A firearm cleaning mat with an oil and solvent repellent work surface and a magnetic small parts storage tray to contain and protect small components, preventing loss and damage during cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a designated mat is used to protect firearm components from scratches and to keep pieces in a designated area, then the firearm and table surface are protected from damage, but small pieces such as screws, pins, and washers can still easily be misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is divided into distinct functional zones: a work surface area for firearm assembly/disassembly and a separate small parts storage tray with compartments. This segmentation allows the mat to simultaneously provide scratch protection on the work surface while containing small parts in designated compartments, resolving the contradiction between surface protection and part retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The small parts storage tray acts as an intermediary structure between the work surface and the table. It provides a dedicated containment area with magnetic retention that prevents small parts from being misplaced while the mat itself protects both the firearm and table surface from scratches and damage.
2Ease of manufacture
If the work surface is made oil and solvent repellent to protect against chemical damage, then the mat is easier to clean and maintain, but the material selection and manufacturing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The work surface material parameters are changed to possess oil and solvent repellent properties. This modifies the surface energy and chemical composition of the mat material, making it resistant to common firearm cleaning chemicals. The parameter change enables easy cleaning and maintenance while the coating technology has become sufficiently advanced to apply these properties without excessive manufacturing 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 mat effectively protects firearm surfaces and prevents small parts from being lost or damaged, ensuring safe and organized cleaning processes while safeguarding table surfaces from solvent exposure.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet is included in the small parts tray to retain small metal parts in the tray
Implementation Method 2
In one embodiment, the work surface is oil and/or solvent repellent
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm cleaning mat having an oil and/or solvent repellent surface and a small parts storage tray, the mat and tray being used during adjustment and maintenance of firearms. The oil and/or solvent repellent surface protects the firearm and the surface it is placed on from scratches and dents. The small parts storage tray is used to contain small parts and prevent them from being lost during firearm cleaning. A magnet is included in the small parts tray to retain small metal parts in the tray.