Firearm Mounting Rail With Integrated PCB Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm picatinny rails with exposed printed circuit boards (PCBs) are prone to damage from shocks and have mechanical strength issues due to reduced cross-section of attachment catches, leading to frequent replacements and potential operational failures.
Innovation Solution
A mounting rail design with a housing that partially defines a recess between catches, providing protection for the PCB and enhancing mechanical strength by incorporating a sheath-shaped housing within the rail, where the PCB is shielded and the rail is made as a one-piece structure for improved rigidity and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the PCB is exposed on the surface of the rail, then electrical connections are easily accessible, but the PCB is vulnerable to damage from shocks and external factors
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is nested within a housing that is integrated into the rail structure. The housing contains the PCB while maintaining accessibility through openings that align with the rail's external interface, protecting the PCB from shocks while allowing electrical connections to function.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure between the PCB and the external environment. It provides mechanical protection while maintaining electrical connectivity through strategically positioned openings that allow access to electrical contacts without exposing the entire PCB.
2Weight of moving object
If the cross-section of attachment catches is reduced, then the rail weight is decreased, but the mechanical strength and stability of the rail are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rail is constructed as a composite structure integrating the housing, PCB, and attachment catches into a single piece. This composite design allows optimization of each component's thickness and material distribution, reducing overall weight while maintaining the structural integrity and mechanical strength of the attachment catches through strategic thickening at critical load-bearing areas.
3Strength
If the rail is made as a one-piece structure, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design segments the functional elements (housing, PCB mounting area, attachment catches) within the one-piece structure, allowing each to be optimized independently while maintaining overall structural integrity. The housing forms as an integrated cavity within the single-piece rail, enabling modular functional zones without requiring separate manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting rail for a firearm is described, wherein the rail includes at least one catch arranged on a flat upper surface of the rail. The at least one catch serves as a means of fixation for at least one accessory. The rail also includes a housing that extends longitudinally, and the housing is suited to receive a printed circuit board allowing for an electrical connection with the accessory. The housing is partially defined by at least one recess, each recess being arranged between two opposite flanks of the corresponding catch. A top of the corresponding catch extends transversely on either side of a median plane of the rail above the housing.