Muzzle-Loaded Firing Device Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firing devices, such as grenade launchers, face challenges in reliably arresting ammunition loaded from the front, as vibrations or shock stresses can cause axial movement within the barrel, and existing solutions requiring side or rear loading result in costly and space-consuming constructions.
Innovation Solution
A firing device design featuring a head piece with a tubular ammunition receiving-device that is axially movable against a restoring element, incorporating an annular guiding element with obliquely directed guiding openings and spring-actuated locking elements that engage with the ammunition's groove-shaped depression for secure locking and easy unloading, allowing loading and unloading from the muzzle side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ammunition is loaded from the front into the firing device, then loading is simplified and space is saved, but the ammunition cannot be reliably arrested and may move axially within the barrel due to vibrations or shock stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are pre-positioned in the guiding openings and the grooves are pre-formed on the case head before loading. When ammunition is inserted from the front, the locking elements automatically engage with the grooves during the loading motion itself, providing preliminary action that ensures reliable arrest without requiring additional locking steps or complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The ammunition case head itself provides the locking feature through the groove-shaped depression that engages with the locking elements. The ammunition's own structure (the groove on its case head) is utilized to achieve reliable arrest, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for separate complex locking mechanisms
2Reliability
If a locking device is added to securely arrest ammunition loaded from the front, then ammunition arrest reliability is improved, but the device becomes more complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple simple locking elements distributed around the circumference, each engaging independently with grooves on the case head. This segmentation allows the complex function of reliable arrest to be achieved through multiple simple, identical components rather than a single complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are arranged in the circumferential dimension around the barrel, with guiding openings providing oblique paths from the outside towards the muzzle. This dimensional arrangement allows locking engagement to occur automatically during axial loading motion, converting a potentially complex axial locking problem into a simpler circumferential engagement solution
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism is made robust to withstand recoil forces, then reliability is improved, but the locking elements are subjected to high mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding element is extracted as a separate component that absorbs and directs recoil forces. The guiding element with its oblique guiding openings bears the mechanical stress of recoil, while the locking elements themselves are relieved of this stress as they simply maintain engagement through the pre-formed geometric relationship between the groove and locking element
Solution Approach 2:
The oblique angle of the guiding openings is designed beforehand to cushion the impact of recoil forces. The geometry of the guiding openings is pre-calculated to distribute and absorb recoil stress, protecting the locking elements from direct mechanical stress while maintaining reliable engagement
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
This design minimizes installation and operational space, withstands recoil forces without stressing the locking mechanism, and enables easy mounting and dismounting, ensuring secure ammunition arrest and efficient unloading with minimal mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element on the side facing away from the ammunition receiving-device, such that when the firing device is loaded, the locking elements are pressed by the spring elements into the groove-shaped depression of the ammunition
Implementation Method 2
a tubular ammunition receiving-device which is fastened to the front of the head piece and forms the barrel. This ammunition receiving-device is movably disposed against the pressure of a restoring element, axially in the direction of the head piece
Data Source
AI summary
A firing device for firing cartridge ammunition comprising a case head, which has on its outer circumference at least one peripheral, groove-shaped depression. In order to achieve secure arrestment of the ammunition in the firing device when the firing device is loaded from the muzzle end, a head piece and a tubular ammunition receiving-device is provided, wherein the ammunition receiving-device is arranged such that it can be moved axially in the direction of the head piece against the pressure of a restoring element. In this case, the head piece includes an annular guiding element, which extends axially into the ammunition receiving-device and has multiple guiding openings, which extend through the wall of the guiding element and are in each case of a form that is angled from the outer side of the guiding element in the direction of the opening of the ammunition receiving-device.