Firearm Muzzle Mount Assembly Detent Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm muzzle mount systems face issues such as complexity in attachment, potential for loose connections over time, significant mass addition to the firearm, and carbon locking, which can prevent attachment removal.
Innovation Solution
A mount assembly comprising a rear collar, a front collar, and a detent ring, with a main spring and detent springs, designed to capture a portion of the muzzle between the collars for secure attachment. The assembly features a camming action between the detent ring and rear collar, reducing the spring force during attachment and providing a secure, low-friction connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional quick mounts are used to enable quicker attachment, then attachment speed is improved, but device complexity increases and the possibility of incorrect attachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mount assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a body portion with internal threading, a separate collar with external threading that screws onto the body, and a detent mechanism with spring-loaded elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall attachment process - the user simply needs to screw the collar onto the body until the detent engages, without needing to understand or manipulate complex internal mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If traditional thread mount accessories are used to attach directly to the muzzle, then device complexity is minimized, but the connection becomes loose over time
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism performs a preliminary locking action during the attachment process. As the collar is screwed onto the body, the detent elements engage with corresponding features on the muzzle before the final tightening is complete. This preliminary engagement prevents the connection from loosening during subsequent use, as the detent maintains constant pressure against the muzzle surface, compensating for any thermal expansion or vibration-induced movement.
3Reliability
If conventional quick mounts are used to provide secure lockup, then connection stability is improved, but significant mass is added to the end of the firearm
Solution Approach 1:
The collar and body portions utilize thin-walled cylindrical structures with optimized wall thicknesses that provide sufficient structural strength and locking capability while minimizing material usage. The detent mechanism employs slender spring-loaded elements rather than bulky locking components. This approach maintains connection stability through the distributed contact surfaces and spring pressure, while the overall assembly adds minimal mass to the firearm end.
4Device complexity
If conventional mounts are used, then attachment simplicity is maintained, but carbon locking occurs frequently preventing removal
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and isolates the potential carbon accumulation zones from the critical locking interfaces. The collar and body are designed with smooth, continuous surfaces that direct carbon deposits away from the detent engagement areas. Additionally, the spring-loaded detent mechanism maintains slight clearance between mating surfaces during normal operation, preventing carbon buildup from welding the components together, while still providing sufficient contact pressure for secure attachment.
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 solution provides a secure, easy-to-attach mount assembly that minimizes user input force required for tightening, reduces the risk of carbon locking, and maintains a secure connection during firearm use without excessive mass addition.
Implementation Method 1
a spring is disposed between the detent ring and the front collar and generates a spring force biasing the detent ring toward the rear collar
Data Source
AI summary
A mount assembly for attaching a firearm accessory to a muzzle of a firearm that promotes a more secure connection. The mounting assembly includes a front collar and a rear collar that are operable to clamp the mount assembly onto the muzzle. A detent ring mounted on the front collar yieldably biased by a spring against the rear collar to resist relative rotation of the front and rear collars. The mounting assembly is constructed so that the spring force applied by the spring does not continually increase as the front and rear collars move to clamp onto the muzzle. Detent springs used to yieldably hold the front and rear collars against relative rotation can be weaker than the main spring, which further reduces unwanted forces working against clamping of the mount assembly onto the muzzle. The mount assembly is also constructed to inhibit carbon lock.