Gas Projectile Platform Locking Pin for Pressurized Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-powered guns, such as paintball guns, face challenges in easy disassembly and reassembly, especially in the field, due to fouling, malfunctions, and wear, without compromising safety and secure assembly during operation.
Innovation Solution
A gas gun projectile platform with an operating assembly lock featuring a locking pin mechanism that secures components under pressure and allows tool-free disassembly by using a locking pin piston activated by pressurized fluid, ensuring safe assembly and disassembly based on pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operating assembly is designed to be easily disassembled for field maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of secure assembly during pressurized operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin piston is pre-positioned in a retracted state that blocks the gas flow path. Before pressurized gas can be introduced, the operating assembly must be securely locked into the frame by extending the locking pin. This preliminary locking action ensures that the assembly is secure before pressure is applied, resolving the contradiction between easy disassembly and reliable secure assembly during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the operating assembly and the frame. It physically bridges the gap and prevents relative movement between these components during pressurized operation. The locking pin piston serves as an intermediary that controls the locking pin's position, enabling both secure locking during operation and easy release when needed, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to securely connect components under pressure, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes the existing pressurized gas system's own air pressure to actuate the locking pin piston. When gas is introduced, it automatically pushes the locking pin into the locked position, securing the operating assembly to the frame. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical locking actuators, springs, or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is self-actuating through the pressurized gas system. The incoming gas pressure automatically performs the locking function by moving the locking pin piston, which in turn extends the locking pin. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external actuators, manual locking steps, or additional power sources, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the locking pin piston blocks gas flow to prevent unintended separation, then the safety is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to additional assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin piston is extracted as a separate, dedicated component with the specific function of blocking the gas flow path when in the retracted position. By isolating this safety function into a discrete element, the design achieves safety through a simple binary state (blocked/open) rather than complex interlocking mechanisms. This extraction allows for rapid assembly/disassembly while maintaining safety, resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes a binary parameter change in the locking pin piston position (retracted/blocked vs. extended/open) to control gas flow. This simple positional parameter change provides a clear safety state that is easy to implement and verify. The transition between states is rapid and deterministic, enabling both safety and quick assembly/disassembly operations, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity.
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
Enables quick, tool-free disassembly and reassembly of gas-powered guns, maintaining secure assembly during operation, preventing accidental separation, and ensuring reliable function and safety.
Implementation Method 1
activated by applying a pressurized fluid to the locking pin cylinder to exert an outward force upon the locking pin through movement of the locking pin piston within the locking pin cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The locking pin and locking pin piston are biased in an inward position by a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A paintball gun includes a frame, an operating assembly at least partially slidably received within the frame and having a locking pin receptacle, and a locking pin within the frame having two positions. In a break down position, the locking pin is received entirely within the frame and the operating assembly can freely slide in or out of the frame. In a firing position, the locking pin extends partially from the frame into the locking pin receptacle within the operating assembly, preventing the operating assembly from coming out of the frame. The paintball gun may include a spring biasing the locking pin in the break down position and a pressurized gas system that transitions the locking pin to the firing position when pressurized gas is introduced.