Machine Gun Ammunition Belt Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machine guns face issues with inaccurate sighting due to the placement of optics above the barrel, heat damage to optics from the barrel, limited mobility due to heavy steel construction, and inefficient ejection of the last two links of the ammunition belt, leading to potential firing incidents and reduced firepower.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring a mobile pawl that ejects the last two links of the ammunition strip, actuated by the machine gun's moving parts, and a flexible claw mounted on a spring to ensure precise ejection and improved belt alignment, along with a non-return pawl for precise positioning and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the feed cover is made long to accommodate optics mounting, then the optics can be mounted on the cover, but the sight alignment becomes inaccurate when the cover is opened and closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the sight system from the feed cover by providing a dedicated sight mounting location on the receiver that is independent of the feed cover. This segmentation allows the sight to remain stationary and accurately aligned while the feed cover can be opened and closed without affecting sight position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sight mounting interface between the receiver and the optics. This intermediary structure provides a stable, fixed mounting point that mediates between the moving feed cover and the optics, ensuring consistent alignment regardless of feed cover position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feed cover is made long to mount optics, then optics can be positioned, but the barrel heat transfers to the optic degrading its performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optics mounting function from the feed cover structure and relocates it to the receiver. This separation removes the optics from the thermal environment near the barrel, protecting them from heat damage while maintaining mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver serves as an intermediary structure that provides thermal isolation between the barrel and the optics. By mounting optics on the receiver rather than near the barrel, the intermediary structure blocks heat transfer while maintaining optical alignment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the feed cover is made short to reduce heat exposure, then heat damage is reduced, but the length of compatible optics is severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optics mounting function from the feed cover and relocates it to the receiver, which provides sufficient length and thermal isolation. This allows full-size optics to be mounted without heat exposure restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting dimension from the feed cover length constraint to the receiver structure, providing a different spatial dimension for optics mounting that is not limited by feed cover length while maintaining thermal protection.
4Strength
If the machine gun uses heavy steel construction for strength, then structural strength is improved, but mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction combining steel for critical high-strength components with lighter materials for non-critical parts. This composite approach maintains necessary structural strength while reducing overall weight to improve mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies high-strength steel only where structurally necessary (barrel, receiver, bolt) and uses lighter materials elsewhere. This localized quality distribution optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining strength where needed while reducing unnecessary weight.
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
Enhances sighting accuracy, protects optics from heat damage, reduces the weight and mobility issues of the machine gun, and ensures reliable ejection of the last links, thereby preventing firing incidents and maintaining continuous firepower.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible claw mounted on a spring to ensure precise ejection
Implementation Method 2
After firing a large number of rounds in a short period, the barrel heats up considerably
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a machine gun (1) comprising an ammunition belt (5)-type feed mechanism, having a mechanism for ejecting the last two links of the belt (5).