Multi-material firearm receiver with metal stress points
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of polymer components in firearm receivers, such as the AR-15, leads to reduced structural integrity due to stress from recoil, impacts, and other forces, causing potential fractures in areas like the takedown pin, pivot pin, and buffer tube/receiver extension attachment areas.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a multi-material construction where the upper receiver and a portion of the lower receiver are made from metal, specifically aircraft-grade aluminum, while the remaining portion is made from polymer, to maintain structural integrity while reducing weight and cost, and increasing manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If polymer components are used in firearm receivers, then weight is reduced and manufacturability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates due to stress from recoil and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer and metal in a multi-material receiver construction. The receiver includes both polymer components (for weight reduction and manufacturability) and metal components (for structural integrity in high-stress areas). This composite approach allows the firearm to achieve lightweight properties while maintaining strength through strategic material placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by using different materials in different regions of the receiver. High-stress areas such as the buffer tube attachment area, takedown pin area, and pivot pin area are constructed from metal to provide enhanced strength, while other areas use polymer to reduce weight. This localized material selection optimizes the structure by providing strength where needed and weight reduction where appropriate.
2Ease of manufacture
If polymer components are used in firearm receivers, then cost is reduced and manufacturability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to maintain reliability while improving manufacturability. The multi-material construction allows polymer components to be manufactured using cost-effective processes like injection molding, while metal components provide the necessary fracture resistance in critical areas. This approach achieves ease of manufacture without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing metal components in areas susceptible to fracture (buffer tube attachment, takedown pin, pivot pin areas) while using polymer in less critical areas. This localized reinforcement ensures reliability in high-stress regions while maintaining the cost and manufacturing advantages of polymer construction overall.
3Strength
If metal components are used in firearm receivers, then structural integrity is maintained, but weight increases and manufacturability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by using metal only in specific high-stress areas of the receiver (buffer tube attachment area, takedown pin area, pivot pin area) rather than constructing the entire receiver from metal. This localized metal usage maintains structural integrity where needed while reducing overall weight compared to a full-metal construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal and polymer in a multi-material receiver. This approach maintains the structural integrity benefits of metal in critical areas while incorporating the weight-reduction advantages of polymer in other areas, achieving a balanced solution that neither full metal nor full polymer construction can provide alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A metallic component of a lower receiver for a firearm is disclosed herein. The metallic component includes a body with apertures between a first side of the body and a second side of the body. The body can be configured to mate with another component of the lower receiver along the second side. The two lower receiver components can be detachably affixed together via the apertures. The body can have a ring-shaped protrusion at a first end. The ring-shaped protrusion can extend outward perpendicular to the first side and the second side.