Gun Barrel Guide Element for Jam-Free Cartridge Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gun barrel designs face issues with reliable and trouble-free cartridge feeding, particularly due to susceptibility to dirt and complex maintenance, which can lead to jams and malfunctions, especially when handling different types of ammunition.
Innovation Solution
A gun barrel with displaceable guide elements in a guide receptacle parallel to the barrel bore, where the guide element can shift between extended and retracted positions, protected from contamination, and a spring-loaded mechanism ensures precise and safe cartridge guidance, with optional dual guide elements and a feed ramp for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivotable feed lever with recess is used to guide cartridges, then cartridge feeding is assisted, but the recess is susceptible to contamination which impairs function
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful recess structure is completely removed from the design. Instead of having a recess that can trap contaminants, the patent uses a feed lever with a simple edge geometry that guides cartridges without creating contaminant-trapping cavities. The feed lever operates in clean external space rather than within a protected recess.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of protecting the feed mechanism by enclosing it in a recess (which creates contamination problems), the invention inverts the approach by using an open design where the feed lever operates externally. The protection comes from the simplicity and robustness of the external design rather than from enclosure.
2Reliability
If a complex feeding device with multiple parts is used, then cartridge guidance is improved, but manufacture, replacement, and cleaning become relatively complex
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding function is segmented into a minimal set of essential elements: the feed lever itself and its mounting. Complex multi-part cartridge holders are replaced by a single lever that uses its edge geometry to guide cartridges. This segmentation reduces the number of parts while maintaining guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex internal mechanisms with multiple interacting parts, the invention inverts to a simple external lever design. The complexity is eliminated by using basic mechanical elements (a lever and spring) rather than sophisticated multi-component assemblies.
3Ease of operation
If guide elements are exposed in the barrel opening, then cartridge guidance is provided, but they are susceptible to contamination and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful exposure of guide elements to contamination is eliminated by redesigning the feed lever to operate in a cleaner environment. The lever is positioned and oriented such that it guides cartridges without being directly exposed to external contaminants in the barrel opening.
4Manufacturing precision
If a rigid cartridge guide is used, then guidance precision is improved, but adaptability to different ammunition types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The feed lever is made displaceable rather than rigidly fixed, allowing it to adapt its position to different cartridge types while maintaining guidance precision. The spring-loaded mechanism enables the lever to move and adjust, providing both precision and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and orientation parameters of the feed lever can be adjusted to accommodate different ammunition types. By changing the lever's displacement and angular position, the same basic structure can guide various cartridge configurations effectively.
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 solution ensures reliable and jam-free cartridge feeding by protecting the guide elements from contamination and simplifying maintenance, allowing for accurate and safe insertion of cartridges into the chamber, reducing the likelihood of skewing or jamming across various ammunition types.
Implementation Method 1
the guide element is pressed into the extended guide position by a spring element
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a rifle barrel (1) with an integrated cartridge guide (2), wherein the rifle barrel (1) comprises a bore (8) with a cartridge chamber (9) and a rear opening (10) for introducing a cartridge (25) into the cartridge chamber (9), and the cartridge guide (2) includes at least one guide element (4) arranged in the rifle barrel (1) for guiding the cartridge (25) during its insertion into the cartridge chamber (9). To enable improved cartridge feeding, the at least one guide element (4) is slidably guided in a guide receptacle (16) running parallel to the bore (8) in the rifle barrel (1).