Self-Cocking Trigger Unit for Laser Weapon Simulators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser-based weapon simulators require manual cocking, which disrupts the shooter's stance and increases time between shots, especially in competitive sports like modern pentathlon, due to the need for a loading hand to actuate the cocking lever.

Innovation Solution

A self-cocking trigger unit and readiness switching unit that automatically cocks the simulator after each shot, allowing the shooter to prepare for the next shot without moving their loading hand, using a sensor element that can be actuated by contacting a shooting table, enabling one-handed operation and quick succession of shots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cocking is implemented in laser-based weapon simulators, then the trigger unit can be reliably reset after firing, but the shooter's stance is disrupted and time between shots increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrigger unit reset reliabilityVSAvoidtime between shots

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger unit is pre-cocked and held in a ready state by a spring mechanism before firing. After the shot is fired, the trigger blade automatically returns to the cocked position through the spring force, eliminating the need for manual intervention to reset the trigger unit. This preliminary preparation and automatic reset mechanism resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliable trigger reset while minimizing the time between shots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a cocking lever is actuated by the loading hand, then the trigger unit can be reset, but the shooter's body movement increases and shooting position stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrigger reset operationVSAvoidshooting position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger unit is designed to automatically reset itself through the spring mechanism and trigger blade geometry. After firing, the trigger blade returns to the cocked position automatically without requiring the shooter to manually actuate a cocking lever. This self-service mechanism eliminates additional body movements and maintains shooting position stability while ensuring the trigger unit is reset for the next shot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automatic self-cocking is implemented, then firing readiness is improved and shot sequence speed increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshot sequence speedVSAvoidtrigger unit mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cocking function and trigger release function are merged into a single integrated trigger unit mechanism. The spring-loaded trigger blade performs both the cocking action (storing energy) and the release action (firing the shot) in one unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate cocking levers and manual operations, achieving automatic self-cocking and rapid fire sequences while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3190374B1Laser-based weapon simulator and method for preparing such a weapon simulator for shooting

Publication Date: 2019.07.24 HIERL THOMAS

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AI summary

A laser-based weapon simulator comprises a base body (2), a self-cocking trigger unit (8) and a ready switching unit (18) for generating a firing readiness, wherein the ready switching unit (18) has a sensor element and is arranged on an outside of the base body (2).