Firearm Trigger Bearing Play Reduction via Spherical Ball Preload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firearm trigger systems experience significant bearing play, which affects precision and consistency, particularly in high-precision competitions, leading to undesirable changes that negatively impact shooting accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A trigger system with pivotably mounted components featuring a bearing formed by a coaxially arranged bearing ball and counter bearing, utilizing high-precision balls and surfaces, and optionally a pressure ball under preload, to create a low-wear, highly precise axle bearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional axles are used in the trigger system, then the structure is simple, but bearing play is large which reduces precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger precisionVSAvoidbearing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs spherical bearing balls instead of conventional cylindrical axles to reduce bearing play. The spherical geometry allows for point contact with the counter-bearing surfaces, minimizing lateral movement and improving trigger precision while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces bearing balls as intermediary elements between the pivoting parts and the trigger housing. These bearing balls act as mediators that reduce direct friction and bearing play, thereby improving precision without significantly complicating the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If bearing balls are used to reduce bearing play, then precision is improved, but wear increases without preload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing precisionVSAvoidbearing durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preload to the bearing balls before the trigger is actuated. This preliminary action ensures that the bearing balls are already pressed against the counter-bearing surfaces with optimal force, reducing lateral movement and minimizing wear during operation, thereby extending bearing durability while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If high-precision bearing components are used, then bearing play is reduced, but the trigger feel changes which affects shooter consistency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing play reductionVSAvoidtrigger feel consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully adjusts the preload parameter on the bearing balls to optimize both precision and trigger feel. By controlling the magnitude of the preload force, the system achieves reduced bearing play while maintaining a consistent and predictable trigger pull characteristic that shooters can rely on.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the bearing system: high-precision spherical geometry at the contact points for minimal play, and controlled preload for durability, while the overall trigger mechanism maintains consistent mechanical properties for predictable feel. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between precision and operational consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This design reduces bearing play, ensuring consistent trigger feel and precision by using high-precision components and preload mechanisms, resulting in a reliable and precise shooting experience.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure ball is arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation, which is held from the inside against the bearing ball under a preload, so that the bearing ball is held against the counter bearing under the preload

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPreload:

Data Source

PatentEP3094941B1Trigger system for a firearm
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 J G ANSCHUTZ GMBH
  • EP3094941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3094941B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3094941B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a trigger system (1) for a firearm (11), comprising a trigger lever (2) and a trigger tongue (3) connected to the trigger lever, wherein the trigger lever (2) is pivotably supported in a trigger housing (4) and triggers the shot of the firearm (11) by pivoting, wherein at least one pivoting part supported in the trigger system (1), in particular the trigger lever (2) and/or a trigger pawl (6) and/or a catch lever (7), is supported in such a way that said pivoting part can be pivoted about a rotational shaft (21, 61, 71), wherein a bearing (5) of the rotational shaft (21, 61, 71) of the pivoting part is formed by a bearing ball (51), which is retained partially in a recess (52) on the pivoting part or on the trigger housing (4) on the one hand and is supported against a circular counter bearing (53) on the trigger housing (4) or on the pivoting part on the other hand.