Multi-piece Cartridge Casing with Flange Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current firearm ammunition cartridge casings face challenges with weight, cost, corrosion resistance, ductility, and performance, particularly due to the use of brass, steel, and aluminum, which are either heavy, expensive, or prone to failure under high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece cartridge casing design comprising a casing base and body made of different materials, where the casing body is secured to the base using a flange or rib, and an annular washer provides additional reinforcement and sealing, allowing for a combination of materials that optimize weight, strength, and cost while preventing gas leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional materials like brass, steel, or aluminum are used for cartridge casings, then structural strength and durability are achieved, but weight increases and corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge casing is divided into two separate components: a casing body made of lightweight material (aluminum or polymer) and a casing base made of strong material (brass or steel). This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the body for weight reduction and the base for strength and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction by combining dissimilar materials - lightweight materials (aluminum alloy or polymer) for the casing body and traditional strong materials (brass or steel) for the casing base. This composite approach achieves both weight reduction and maintained structural strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional single-piece cartridge casings are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but material limitations cause failure under high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the casing into body and base components made of different materials, the design allows lightweight materials to be used where appropriate while maintaining strong materials at the base where pressure resistance is critical, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are applied to different parts of the cartridge casing based on local requirements - the casing body uses lightweight material where strength requirements are lower, while the casing base uses strong material where pressure resistance is most critical. This localized material selection optimizes both performance and reliability.
3Strength
If multi-piece design with flange and washer is used, then strength and sealing are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is segmented into body and base parts that can be manufactured separately and assembled, allowing for optimized manufacturing processes for each component while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through straightforward assembly features.
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 multi-piece design offers improved weight reduction, enhanced strength, and corrosion resistance, ensuring reliable performance under high pressures while maintaining cost-effectiveness, thus addressing the limitations of traditional materials.
Implementation Method 1
deforming the proximal body end portion to extend radially outward, thereby defining a flange that mates with the inner recess of the casing base
Implementation Method 2
the annular washer is compressed axially, thereby causing the annular washer to deform radially outward and into the flange
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-piece ammunition cartridge casing includes a casing base extending along a central axis and defining an opening extending axially into the casing base from the distal base end. The inner casing surface defines a circumferential groove with a groove radius greater than a radius of an adjacent portion of the opening. The cartridge casing also includes a casing body with a proximal end portion disposed in the opening of the casing base. The casing body is secured to the casing base by way of a flange protruding radially outward in mating contact with the circumferential groove.