Stranded Wire Spring Buffer Assembly Fatigue Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buffer assembly springs in firearms, particularly in high-cycle applications like fully automatic rifles, suffer from fatigue, leading to reduced performance over time due to the high number of cycles, which existing materials and geometries have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A buffer assembly with a helically shaped stranded wire spring, formed from multiple wire strands, is designed to provide enhanced fatigue resistance by maintaining a smaller internal diameter and increased wire diameter, offering improved dampening characteristics and redundancy, thus extending the cycle life and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single wire spring is used in the buffer assembly, then the spring can be manufactured simply, but the spring suffers from fatigue and reduced cycle life in high-cycle applications
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into multiple wire strands (typically three) that are twisted together to form a stranded wire spring. Each strand acts as an independent load-bearing element, distributing the stress and improving fatigue resistance compared to a single wire spring. This segmentation allows the spring to better withstand the high-cycle loading conditions in fully automatic rifles.
2Strength
If the spring wire diameter is increased to improve strength, then the spring can withstand higher loads, but the spring's internal diameter increases, requiring a larger buffer tube
Solution Approach 1:
By using multiple thinner wire strands twisted together, the spring achieves the required strength and fatigue resistance without increasing the overall wire diameter. The stranded construction allows the spring to maintain a compact external diameter while distributing loads across multiple strands, avoiding the need for a larger buffer tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring uses a composite construction of multiple wire strands twisted together, creating a stranded wire spring that combines the strength of multiple elements while maintaining a compact overall size. This composite approach allows the spring to achieve superior mechanical properties without increasing the buffer tube dimensions.
3Reliability
If a weighted buffer with standard shoulder diameter is used, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate the smaller internal diameter of the stranded wire spring
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer shoulder is designed with a locally reduced diameter specifically at the area where it contacts the stranded wire spring. This localized modification allows the buffer to accommodate the smaller external diameter of the stranded spring while maintaining the overall simple buffer design and manufacturing process. The reduced diameter portion provides proper support for the spring without requiring complete redesign of the buffer.
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 stranded wire spring assembly significantly enhances fatigue resistance and cycle life, maintaining effective recoil reduction and reloading performance in firearms like AR-15 and M16 rifles, with improved dampening and redundancy, outperforming prior art solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer spring is compressed by this action and provides the necessary return force to return the bolt carrier in a forward action
Implementation Method 2
The spring is helically shaped and is formed from multiple wire strands
Implementation Method 3
the stranded wire spring itself has a smaller internal diameter. The shoulder of the weighted buffer is provided with a reduced diameter to accommodate the smaller internal diameter of the stranded wire spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a buffer kit or assembly for an AR-15, M16, M4 carbine, SR-25, AR-10 and LR-308 type firearm with enhanced fatigue resistance. The buffer assembly includes a weighted buffer, a spring, and a buffer tube. The spring is helically shaped and is formed from multiple wire strands. The stranded wire spring has a greater nominal wire diameter, in comparison to prior art single wire springs, and thus the stranded wire spring itself has a smaller internal diameter. The shoulder of the weighted buffer is provided with a reduced diameter to accommodate the smaller internal diameter of the stranded wire spring.