Light Stick Magazine With Actuator Flexing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solutions for storing and dispensing four-inch chemical light sticks are bulky and difficult to employ, leading to wasted time and frustration for military and law enforcement personnel during close quarter combat and room clearings.
Innovation Solution
A magazine designed for light sticks with an elongated tubular body, a movable actuator, and a retention element that allows for one-handed dispensing and activation, enabling the user to flex and eject light sticks efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional storage solutions for light sticks are used, then light sticks can be stored, but the storage device becomes bulky and difficult to employ
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into separate functional components: a tubular body for storage, a follower mechanism for feeding, and an actuator system for dispensing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall bulk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine design integrates multiple functions into a single compact device: storage of multiple light sticks, automatic feeding via spring-loaded follower, and one-handed dispensing via actuator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage containers and manual handling procedures.
2Productivity
If conventional dispensing methods are used, then light sticks can be dispensed, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
Light sticks are pre-loaded into the magazine in a stacked configuration with the follower positioned to contact the top light stick. The spring is pre-compressed to store potential energy. This preliminary preparation enables rapid dispensing without requiring manual assembly or complex operations during actual use.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded follower automatically advances to feed the next light stick after each dispensing action, and the actuator mechanism automatically returns to its ready position. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual resetting or complex control systems, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of operation
If two-handed operation is required for light stick activation, then proper activation can be achieved, but operational time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine design combines the dispensing function and the activation function into a single integrated action. The actuator not only ejects the light stick from the magazine but also simultaneously flexes it to activate the chemical reaction. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate activation steps, enabling true one-handed operation without time loss.
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 rapid and efficient one-handed dispensing and activation of light sticks, reducing operational complexity and time, and facilitating quick marking in tactical situations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned within the body and engaged with the follower, the spring and follower being configured to push the light stick toward the exit aperture
Implementation Method 2
the actuator having a contact portion spaced apart from the retention element, and the retention element and contact portion being operable to flex a light stick occupying the light stick feeding position in response to movement of the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
Magazines for light sticks have an elongated tubular body defining a chamber configured to contain a stack of elongated light sticks, the body defining an exit aperture communicating with the chamber and proximate to a light stick feeding position, a movable actuator proximate the exit aperture and movable between a rest position and an actuated position, the body having a retention element proximate the exit aperture, the actuator having a contact portion spaced apart from the retention element, and the retention element and contact portion being operable to flex a light stick occupying the light stick feeding position in response to movement of the actuator from the rest position to the actuated position. The retention element and contact portion may be operable to eject the light stick occupying the light stick feeding position in response to movement of the actuator from the rest position to the actuated position.