Selectable Breech and Ammunition Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm systems face challenges in selectively switching off the breech and ammunition drives during certain operational conditions, such as when the breech cannot move, especially when loading ammunition or when ammunition is further back in the magazine or belt link, leading to inefficiencies and potential downtime.
Innovation Solution
A selectively switchable breech and ammunition drive system is designed with a rear locking mechanism, utilizing cams and connecting rods for precise breech movement and a shift drum for optional drive engagement/disengagement, allowing for the selective activation and deactivation of the drives, enabling efficient operation and reduced system size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the breech and ammunition drives are continuously running, then the ammunition feeding and breech operation are efficient, but the system cannot be selectively switched off when not required, leading to unnecessary downtime and reduced operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drive system selectively activatable and deactivatable. The breech drive (5) and ammunition drive (6) can be dynamically switched on and off based on operational requirements through the shift drum mechanism, allowing the system to adapt between continuous operation and selective deactivation states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the drive system into independently controllable components - the breech drive (5) and ammunition drive (6) are separate drivable elements that can be selectively engaged or disengaged. This segmentation allows individual drives to be deactivated without affecting the other, providing operational flexibility.
2Device complexity
If a common drive mechanism is used for both breech and ammunition feed, then the system structure is simplified, but the drives cannot be selectively switched off independently
Solution Approach 1:
The common drive mechanism is segmented into two independently controllable drives: the breech drive (5) with its cam disc and the ammunition drive (6) with its feed star. Each drive has its own engagement mechanism through the shift drum, allowing independent selective activation while maintaining the overall simplified structure of a shared drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shift drum (12) provides dynamic control over the engagement of individual drives. Through curved surfaces (15, 16) and corresponding engagement means (17, 18), the system can dynamically switch between different operational modes: both drives engaged, only breech drive engaged, only ammunition drive engaged, or neither engaged.
3Productivity
If the drive system remains engaged during loading operations, then continuous operation is maintained, but the breech cannot be properly loaded with ammunition or have ammunition selected from further back in the magazine
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic engagement and disengagement of the drives through the shift drum mechanism. During loading operations, the drives are temporarily disengaged to allow manual ammunition loading, then re-engaged to resume automatic operation. This periodic action enables both continuous operation and manual intervention when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic switching capability allows the operator to temporarily deactivate the drives during loading operations and then reactivate them. The shift drum provides the mechanical means to dynamically change the engagement state of the drives, enabling seamless transition between automatic and manual operational modes.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 2~3
Figure 5~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a combined breech and ammunition drive (5, 6) for the breech (2.1) of a weapon (1) and/or for introducing ammunition (3) by means of a feeding star (19) using an external drive (11), wherein the respective drive (5, 6) is selectively engaged and disengaged. A selector drum (12) that interacts with the drives (5, 6) has slots (15, 16) for the selective engagement and disengagement, and elements (13, 14) are guided in the slots (15, 16), said slots moving means (17, 18) which engage into the drives (5, 6) in a form-fitted and force-closed manner and which can thereby engage and disengage same. Said means (17, 18) are 3-way jaw clutches for example.