Powered Rail Power Distribution for Weapon Accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power distribution systems for weapons fail to provide a reliable, inexpensive, and long-lasting solution for powering accessories in hostile environments without the weight and cost burdens of multiple batteries, and existing electrical contacts are susceptible to contamination and light reflectivity issues.

Innovation Solution

The Weapons Accessory Power Distribution System uses a common power source connected via a powered rail system that encircles the weapon's barrel, with low resistivity contacts and a mesh grid design to minimize light reflectivity, allowing for quick and reliable power transfer to accessories without tethering cables, reducing weight and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If self-contained batteries are used in each power-consuming accessory, then reliability is improved, but weight and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidweapon weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple power-consuming accessories share a common power source (the weapon's battery) through electrical contacts on the Picatinny rail, merging their power supply needs into a single battery system rather than each accessory having its own battery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Picatinny rail is enhanced to serve dual functions: mechanical mounting of accessories and electrical power distribution, allowing the same structure to provide both support and power to multiple accessories

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If electrical contacts are exposed on mating surfaces for quick connect applications, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination susceptibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick connect capabilityVSAvoidelectrical contact reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective coating or film is applied to the electrical contacts on the Picatinny rail, providing environmental protection while maintaining electrical conductivity and quick connect functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical contact structure uses composite materials that combine conductive properties with environmental resistance, such as conductive coatings or composite contact surfaces that resist contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional electrical contacts are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but light reflectivity causes detection issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlight reflectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contact surface is treated with a non-reflective coating or anodization that changes its optical properties to minimize light reflection, making the weapon less detectable by optical sensors while maintaining electrical functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 system provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and reliable power distribution solution for military weapons, enhancing performance and reducing the time to target acquisition by centralizing power sources and using low reflectivity contacts to maintain conductivity in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

low reflectivity contacts to maintain conductivity in harsh environments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflectivity minimization: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

provide electric power to power-consuming accessories mounted on the powered rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8146282B2System for providing electrical power to accessories mounted on the powered rail of a weapon

Publication Date: 2012.04.03 T WORX HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A firearm may have a plurality of power-consuming accessories that can be attached to the weapon. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of their batteries, the Weapons Accessory Power Distribution System provides a common power source to power the power-consuming accessories attached to the weapon. One or more powered rails are provided on the handguard, which encircles the barrel of the weapon, to provide a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories to provide quick connect mounting and dismounting of the power-consuming accessory, absent the use of connectors with their tethering cables, which are susceptible to entanglement. The powered rail(s) are electrically interconnected with a power source, which typically is a battery mounted in the butt stock of the weapon.