Sequential Multi-Barrel Toy Launcher With Single-Prime Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional toy projectile launchers are cumbersome and slow, making it difficult to accurately aim and launch projectiles at moving targets due to time delays and cumbersome operation, especially when players or targets are in motion.
Innovation Solution
A toy projectile launcher design featuring a housing assembly, fluid compressor, priming actuator, active barrel group, valve system, trigger assembly, and catch assembly, allowing for rapid sequential launch of projectiles with reduced priming and loading actions, enabling a machine gun-like effect with minimal force and minimal parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional manually operated launchers are used, then cost is reduced and simplicity is maintained, but time delay between shots increases and aiming accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The launcher is divided into multiple independent barrels (first barrel, second barrel, third barrel, fourth barrel) that can fire sequentially. Each barrel has its own firing mechanism, allowing one barrel to be loaded and primed while another is being fired, eliminating the need to wait for complete reloading before firing again.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple barrels are pre-loaded with projectiles before engagement. The loading and priming actions are performed in advance on multiple barrels, so when firing begins, the launcher can immediately fire from one barrel while others are already prepared, eliminating time delays between shots.
2Device complexity
If traditional manually operated launchers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but aiming accuracy and operational speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The launcher incorporates movable components including a movable barrel assembly that can be quickly repositioned between different firing positions. The trigger mechanism includes movable latches and catch stops that enable rapid sequential firing without requiring complex manual intervention for each shot.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple barrels are integrated into a single launcher housing with shared components such as the fluid compressor, priming actuator, and trigger assembly. This merging of multiple firing systems into one unified structure provides rapid sequential firing capability while maintaining relatively simple overall device complexity.
3Device complexity
If traditional single-barrel launchers are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity and firing rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The launcher uses four separate barrels instead of one, allowing simultaneous preparation and firing from multiple barrels. This segmentation enables a firing rate approximately four times higher than a single-barrel launcher while using relatively simple individual barrel components.
Solution Approach 2:
The launcher maintains continuous firing capability through sequential operation of multiple barrels. While one barrel is being fired, another can be loaded and primed, ensuring that the launcher is always ready to fire without interruption or significant delay between projectiles.
4Productivity
If rapid sequential firing is implemented, then productivity increases, but force requirement and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single fluid compressor and priming actuator serve all four barrels, consolidating the priming function. This allows one priming action to prepare multiple barrels in sequence, reducing the total priming force and effort required compared to having separate priming mechanisms for each barrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The launcher uses a periodic trigger mechanism with catch stops positioned at different locations to control sequential firing. The trigger assembly moves through a standardized periodic cycle that releases each barrel in turn, allowing rapid sequential firing with minimal force variation between shots.
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
The launcher achieves rapid sequential projectile launches with reduced time delay between shots, improved aiming accuracy, and reduced physical effort, suitable for both manual and automated operation, while maintaining low cost and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid compressor configured to compress a gas
Implementation Method 2
an elastic element configured to be compressed during a compression stroke of the piston and configured to propel the piston during a power stroke
Data Source
AI summary
A toy projectile launcher able to rapidly and sequentially launch a plurality of projectiles (such as four foam darts, each dart launched every 0.1 second) after being loaded and primed once, creating a machine gun effect. The launcher may be non-electronic, manually operated, and including a fluid compressor comprising a walled chamber holding a launch spring and a piston coupled to a priming actuator having a catch assembly with catch stops. A valve system may be coupled to the fluid compressor and an active barrel group comprising one or more launch barrels able to receive a plurality of projectiles. A trigger assembly may comprise a variable latch engaging the catch assembly, configured to single launch or sequentially launch the plurality of projectiles after the fluid compressor has been primed once by the priming actuator. Such structures also support electronic launchers and various projectiles (e.g., darts, balls, gel beads, etc.).