Swivel Breech-Lock Assembly for Weapon Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional inertially-actuated weapon systems are constructively complex, expensive, and less reliable due to the large number of components, making them difficult to maintain and assemble, and lack a self-contained locking and recocking assembly.

Innovation Solution

A locking and recocking assembly with a swivel breech-lock and rotating closing head that integrates the ejector and recovery spring, guiding pin, and damper to perform all necessary functions within a single compact unit, minimizing material removal and maximizing mass, while using helical inclined planes to prevent bouncing and a damper to cushion impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional separate components are used for locking and recocking operations, then each function can be performed independently, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the locking head, breech-lock, recovery spring, ejector, and case into a single integrated assembly that performs both locking and recocking functions. The locking head (3) is jointly connected to the breech-lock (1) and contains the recovery spring (2), eliminating the need for separate components mounted on the weapon in different positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the locking head provides both locking and recocking operations, the breech-lock performs both ejection and guides the recovery spring, and the case serves as both a structural element and a guide for the ejector spring. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components while maintaining all necessary operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are used for locking and recocking, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the locking head, breech-lock, recovery spring, ejector, and case into a single assembly, the patent reduces the number of manufacturing steps and assembly operations. The integrated design allows for simplified production processes and easier assembly compared to mounting multiple separate components on the weapon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional mounting positions are used for components, then each component can be independently positioned, but the balancing and stability of the weapon deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebalancing and stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated assembly consolidates all moving masses (locking head, breech-lock, recovery spring, ejector) into a single unit that can be positioned as one mass relative to the weapon. This improves balancing and stability compared to having multiple separate components mounted at different positions on the weapon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of repair

If conventional case ejection systems are used with separate springs and expelion bodies, then the ejection function is achieved, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repairVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ejector (8) is integrated with the breech-lock (1) and the case (7), forming a single serviceable unit. This integration simplifies repair and maintenance compared to conventional systems with separate springs and expulsion bodies mounted on the barrel extension or receiver, as the entire ejection mechanism can be replaced or serviced as one assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides improved balancing and stability, high reliability, ease of assembly and disassembly, and simplifies the system by concentrating all required mass and components within the weapon's sheath or barrel extension, reducing the need for additional components and enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the recoil of the weapon is used to store energy by means of the compression of a spring which is interposed between the breech and the locking head and to exploit its elastic reaction to power the various operations of the recocking cycle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A damper is connected directly, by means of plates and with the aid of the recovery spring guiding pin and the ejector spring guiding pin, to the locking and recocking assembly with swivel breech-lock and rotating closing head according to the present invention. The damper dampens the impact of the swivel breech-lock against its stroke limit during opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the combined rotary and translational motion of the head with respect to the swivel breech-lock for locking and opening the firing chamber is actuated by a cam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclined Plane: Inclined Plane

Implementation Method 4

the relative translational motion of the breech and of the head is actuated, by means of inclined planes, by a spike which engages a seat formed on the barrel extension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 5

the ejector spring guiding pin 9 to guide the cartridge laterally in its step for lifting and insertion in the firing chamber of weapon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2017565B1Locking and recocking assembly with swivel breech-lock and rotating locking head, particularly for inertially-actuated weapons using the kinetic energy of recoil
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 BENELLI ARMI SPA
  • EP2017565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2017565B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2017565B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A locking and recocking assembly with swivel breech-lock and rotating locking head particularly designed for inertially-actuated weapons, which combines in a single assembly all the functions for locking, opening, case ejection and recocking with locking return, required for correct operation of the weapon; those functions were, until now assigned to various components variously assembled on the weapon. The locking and recocking assembly with swivel breech-lock and rotating locking head has the entire mass, required for inertial operation, concentrated in the swivel breech-lock, which is accommodated completely within the supporting structure of the weapon, such as the sheath or barrel extension or breech of the weapon. All this leads to better balancing and stability of the weapon, higher reliability in operation, greater constructive simplicity and ease of assembly and disassembly.