Perpendicular Actuator Fire Control for Accidental Discharge Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guns lack effective safety mechanisms that prevent accidental discharges and unauthorized use, with existing inhibitor-based systems draining power and being susceptible to tampering.
Innovation Solution
A fire control mechanism incorporating an actuator that obstructs and releases a firing component perpendicularly to the bore axis, activated electronically, pneumatically, or thermally, decoupling the trigger from the sear for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inhibitor-based safety mechanisms are used, then gun safety is improved, but power consumption increases and susceptibility to tampering worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical inhibitor-based safety system with an actuator-based system that uses electromagnetic, piezoelectric, or other non-mechanical actuation mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous mechanical engagement while maintaining safety functionality, thereby reducing power consumption and improving resistance to tampering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary component between the trigger mechanism and the firing component. This actuator serves as a controlled mediator that can be activated electronically or through other non-mechanical means to release the firing component, providing a safer and more controllable safety mechanism compared to direct mechanical inhibitors.
2Reliability
If conventional inhibitor-based safety mechanisms are used, then gun safety is improved, but susceptibility to tampering worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical inhibitors with actuators that respond to electronic signals, biometric data, or other non-mechanical stimuli, the system becomes resistant to traditional mechanical tampering methods. The actuator-based safety mechanism requires specific activation conditions that are difficult to replicate or bypass through physical manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator-based system incorporates self-verification capabilities through integration with biometric sensors, electronic identification systems, or other self-checking mechanisms. This allows the safety system to automatically verify user identity and authorization without requiring manual intervention or being susceptible to external tampering attempts.
3Ease of operation
If the trigger is mechanically coupled to the sear, then ease of operation is improved, but safety worsens due to accidental discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary component between the trigger and the sear/firing component. When the trigger is pulled, it activates the actuator through a controlled mechanism rather than directly releasing the firing component. This intermediary step prevents accidental discharges caused by mechanical shock or unintended trigger movement, while still allowing intentional firing when the actuator is properly activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the trigger mechanism into distinct functional components: the trigger itself, the actuator, and the firing component release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the actuator serving as a controlled bridge between trigger activation and firing component release, thereby enhancing safety while maintaining operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and techniques for a fire control mechanism that is implementable in a gun. The fire control mechanism is operable to cause projectiles to be fired by the gun. The gun may include a trigger, a barrel defining a bore axis, a firing component, and an actuator configured to i) obstruct the firing component while in a default position and ii) be displaced in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bore axis in response to movement of the trigger, where displacement in the direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bore axis causes the firing component to be released and results in the gun firing a projectile. The gun may include an energy store located below the barrel when the gun is in an upright position, and the actuator may be displaced based on the energy store.