Retractable Pivot Pin Dust Gate for Automatic Weapons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dust gate designs for assault weapons require significant disassembly or permanent damage to the pivot pin for removal, leading to operational inefficiencies and safety concerns during jamming issues.
Innovation Solution
A retractable pivot pin mechanism that allows the dust gate to be removed and reinstalled without disassembling the weapon, using spring-biased components to secure the dust gate within existing pin ports, enabling easy installation and removal without damaging the gate or the weapon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard pivot pin is used to secure the dust gate, then the dust gate can be held in place during operation, but removal requires significant disassembly or permanent damage to the pivot pin
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot pin is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be compressed and extended. During removal, the pin can be compressed to disengage from pin ports without disassembly. During operation, it extends to securely hold the dust gate. This dynamic capability enables easy removal while maintaining secure operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot pin's physical state can be changed between compressed and extended configurations. By changing the parameter of pin length through compression, the system transitions between operational mode (extended, secure) and removal mode (compressed, disengaged), solving the contradiction between secure holding and easy removal.
2Reliability
If the pivot pin is made secure to hold the dust gate during firing, then reliability is improved, but removal requires destruction of the pivot pin
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable pivot pin provides dynamic retention - when compressed, it can be removed and reused. When released, it extends to securely hold the dust gate during operation. This eliminates the need to destroy the pivot pin while maintaining reliable retention during firing.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable pivot pin enables recovery and reuse of the pivot pin itself. Instead of destroying it during removal, it can be compressed, extracted, and reused on the same or another dust gate, improving sustainability and reducing waste.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dust gate is retained for later reinstallation, then military requirements are met, but current designs require barrel removal for complete release
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable pivot pin allows the dust gate to be completely removed and reinstalled without barrel removal. The pin can be compressed to disengage from pin ports, the dust gate extracted, and later reinstalled by reversing the process. This maintains military requirements for retention and reinstallation while dramatically simplifying the removal procedure.
4Ease of operation
If a retractable pivot pin with spring-biased components is used, then easy removal and reinstallation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased retraction mechanism is extracted as a separate functional component within the pivot pin assembly. The spring provides automatic retraction force when the pin is released, enabling the pivot pin to return to its extended operational position without manual intervention, thereby simplifying the overall operation despite the added mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased pivot pin is self-actuating. When compressed for removal, releasing it allows the spring to automatically extend the pin back to its operational position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators or manual repositioning, reducing operational complexity despite the internal spring mechanism.
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
Enables the dust gate to be removed and reinstalled without disassembling the weapon, preventing damage and improving operational efficiency and safety by allowing for easy access and reinstallation without specialized tools or skills.
Implementation Method 1
A retractable pivot pin mechanism that allows the dust gate to be removed and reinstalled without disassembling the weapon, using spring-biased components to secure the dust gate within existing pin ports
Data Source
AI summary
A removable dust gate for an automatic weapon is described. The removable dust gate can include a retractable pivot pin having rod sections with compressible objects therebetween that allow the rod sections to be temporarily pushed together, shortening the length of the retractable pivot pin. When the pivot pin is shortened, it can be placed between two pin ports on the weapon. When released, the pivot pin will engage with the pin ports to secure the dust gate to the weapon in the correct position to engage with the ejection port on the weapon. By shortening the pivot pin, the dust gate can be an easily removed without having to change the design or configuration of current weapons or weapon design.