Firearm Trigger Reset via Bolt Cam Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semi-automatic arms face limitations in achieving rapid and accurate shot placement due to lengthy repeatable operating cycle durations, necessitating a more efficient trigger reset mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The Flex-Fire G2 Technology employs a gun bolt driven high energy trigger reset mechanism with integrated cam surfaces on both the gun bolt and trigger, allowing for automatic trigger repositioning and preventing trigger depression except during specific stages of the operating cycle, thereby enabling faster and more precise firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a manual trigger reset mechanism is used in conventional semi-automatic arms, then the structure is simple, but the operating cycle duration is lengthy and the rate of fire is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger reset mechanism is designed to automatically reset the trigger using the kinetic energy from the gun bolt's rearward movement. The cam surface on the gun bolt directly engages with the cam surface on the trigger, causing the trigger to return to its forward position without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional reset springs or complex mechanical linkages, thereby increasing the rate of fire while keeping the device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger reset mechanism transitions from a static manual reset system to a dynamic automatic reset system. The cam surfaces are designed to engage and disengage at specific points in the gun bolt's reciprocating motion, allowing the trigger to be dynamically reset during each operating cycle. This dynamic approach enables faster trigger reset times and higher rates of fire compared to static manual reset mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If the trigger is allowed to be depressed during the entire operating cycle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the precision and controllability of shot placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surfaces are designed to prevent trigger depression during the majority of the operating cycle, only allowing depression when the gun bolt is in battery or within a specific percentage (5%, 10%, or 15%) of forward stroke. This preliminary restriction ensures that the trigger can only be pulled at the precise moment when the firearm is ready to fire, thereby improving shot placement precision while maintaining ease of operation during the allowed window.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the operational parameters of trigger depression by restricting it to specific phases of the gun bolt cycle. By controlling the temporal parameter (when depression is allowed) and the positional parameter (gun bolt location relative to battery), the system achieves precise control over shot placement while still allowing easy trigger depression during the permitted window.
3Loss of time
If a high energy automatic trigger reset is implemented, then the operating cycle duration is reduced, but the energy consumption and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism converts the kinetic energy generated by the gun bolt's rearward movement (which would otherwise be wasted) into useful work for resetting the trigger. The cam surface on the gun bolt leverages this existing motion to drive the trigger reset, transforming what could be considered a harmful or wasted energy into a beneficial function. This approach reduces operating cycle duration without requiring additional energy input or complex power systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam surfaces are designed with asymmetric profiles that optimize the transfer of energy from the gun bolt to the trigger during the reset process. The asymmetric geometry allows for efficient energy transfer during the critical reset phase while minimizing mechanical stress and energy loss during other phases of the operating cycle. This asymmetric design enables high-speed reset without proportionally increasing overall energy consumption.
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 technology enhances the rate of fire and precision beyond conventional semi-automatic systems by ensuring a digital precision trigger reset, reducing the overall time between operating cycles and allowing for longer finger dwell duration, thereby improving controllability and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a trigger that has an integrated cam surface and is depressible to fire the arm; and, a gun bolt that has an integrated cam surface and reciprocates with respect to the frame. As the gun bolt reciprocates, the gun bolt integrated cam surface may engage the trigger integrated cam surface to reposition the trigger.
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger activated arm may use engagement of an integrated gun bolt cam with an integrated trigger cam to reposition the trigger as the gun bolt reciprocates. The gun bolt trigger engagement may be used to reset the trigger.