Ergonomic Takedown Firearm Electrical Trigger Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bullpup firearms suffer from poor ergonomic quality due to mechanical firing linkages, and takedown firearms face challenges in maintaining consistent mechanical alignment during disassembly and reassembly, which affects compactness and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic takedown firearm design incorporating an electrical-domain linkage between the forward-mounted trigger control and rearward-mounted firing mechanism, allowing for a reliable and expedient assembly and disassembly process, while maintaining alignment of the sighting system with the barrel bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If mechanical linkage devices are used to connect the trigger control to the firing mechanism in a bullpup configuration, then the firing mechanism can be relocated rearward into the shoulder stock volume, but the ergonomic quality of the trigger control deteriorates due to flexing and friction of the linkage parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage system with an electrical signaling system. The trigger control mechanism generates an electrical trigger control signal that is transmitted to the firing mechanism, eliminating the need for mechanical linkage rods, cables, or levers. This substitution removes the flexing and friction issues that degraded trigger ergonomics in traditional bullpup firearms, while maintaining the rearward relocation of the firing mechanism for compactness.
2Volume of moving object
If a takedown firearm is designed with a forward assembly separable from the rearward assembly, then storage compactness is improved, but maintaining consistent mechanical alignment of the sighting system becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the firearm into separable forward and rearward assemblies that can be easily stored in compact spaces. The forward assembly contains the barrel and sighting system, while the rearward assembly contains the firing mechanism. This segmentation enables compact storage while the electrical signaling system maintains alignment consistency through repeatable coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment-dependent systems with an electrical signaling system that maintains consistent communication between the separable assemblies. The electrical trigger control signal transmission remains reliable across the takedown joint, eliminating the need for extreme mechanical alignment precision that would otherwise be required for sighting system consistency.
3Measurement precision
If cantilevered sighting system mounts are used to achieve acceptable eye relief distance, then the sighting system can be mounted to the forward assembly, but the length of the forward assembly increases, diminishing the benefit of compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the sighting system mount from the forward assembly to the rearward assembly, utilizing the spatial reorganization enabled by the electrical signaling system. This dimensional relocation allows the optical scope to achieve proper eye relief distance without extending the forward assembly length, as the mount is positioned in the rearward assembly where space is available and does not interfere with the compact forward section.
Data Source
AI summary
An example firearm with a short overall length and improved storage compactness comprises a forward takedown subassembly comprising a barrel, a trigger control mechanism configured to provide an electrical trigger control signal, and a signal transmitter electrically coupled to the trigger control mechanism, and further comprises a rearward takedown subassembly separable from the forward takedown subassembly and comprising a stock, a receiver comprising an electrically controlled firing mechanism, and a signal receiver electrically coupled to the firing mechanism. A takedown mechanism has first and second portions fixedly coupled to the forward takedown subassembly and the rearward takedown subassembly, respectively, and is configured to repeatably couple the forward takedown subassembly to the rearward takedown subassembly. The signal transmitter and the signal receiver are configured to link the electrical trigger control signal to the signal receiver output via one or more of an electrical connection, an optical connection, and a radio-frequency link.