Trigger Assembly Captured Roller Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trigger mechanisms for devices like crossbows and firearms require high and inconsistent trigger pull loads due to high friction between the trigger and sear surfaces, making it difficult to achieve both safety and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A trigger assembly with a captured roller that provides consistent rolling friction between the sear surfaces, reducing the trigger pull load required to activate the firing mechanism by allowing the trigger to move from a load position to a release position with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional trigger mechanisms are used with high friction between trigger and sear surfaces, then safety is improved through higher trigger pull load, but shooting accuracy deteriorates due to inconsistent and high trigger effort
Solution Approach 1:
A roller element is introduced as an intermediary between the trigger and sear surfaces. The roller reduces direct surface-to-surface friction by converting sliding friction into rolling friction, thereby lowering the trigger pull effort while maintaining consistent resistance. This mediator allows the trigger to move smoothly with predictable force requirements, improving shooting accuracy without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional direct-contact mechanical friction system between trigger and sear surfaces is replaced with a roller-based system. The roller element substitutes the sliding friction mechanism with a rolling friction mechanism, fundamentally changing the mechanical interaction to achieve lower and more consistent trigger pull loads.
2Ease of operation
If trigger pull load is reduced to improve shooting accuracy, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent activation
Solution Approach 1:
The roller element acts as a mediator that provides consistent resistance throughout the trigger's movement range. This consistency ensures that the trigger pull load remains predictable and controllable, preventing inadvertent activation while still allowing for smooth, accurate trigger manipulation. The mediator maintains a reliable friction level that balances safety with ease of operation.
3Reliability
If conventional trigger mechanisms with high friction are used, then inadvertent activation is prevented, but trigger pull effort becomes inconsistent and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The roller element provides a stable and consistent friction interface between the trigger and sear surfaces. As the roller rotates, it maintains uniform contact and resistance, eliminating the variability associated with direct surface friction. This results in a predictable and consistent trigger pull load throughout the trigger's movement, while still preventing inadvertent activation through controlled resistance.
4Reliability
If high friction between trigger and sear surfaces is maintained, then safety is improved, but wear on sear surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller element serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact and friction between the trigger and sear surfaces. By absorbing the frictional interaction through rolling motion, the roller significantly reduces wear on the sear surfaces while maintaining the necessary friction level for safety. This mediator extends the service life of the trigger mechanism components.
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 trigger assembly significantly reduces the trigger pull load needed to activate the firing mechanism, providing consistent and predictable resistance, thereby enhancing shooting accuracy and safety by minimizing wear on the sear surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
A trigger assembly with a captured roller that provides consistent rolling friction between the sear surfaces, reducing the trigger pull load required to activate the firing mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger assembly for activating a firing mechanism. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a sear arm with a first sear surface, and a firing element including a body portion with a second sear surface and an engagement portion for engagement with the firing mechanism, for activating the firing mechanism. The trigger assembly also includes a captured roller positioned for engagement with the first end second sear surfaces. The trigger is pivotable between a load position, in which the captured roller is held between the first and second sear surfaces, and a release position, in which the second sear surface is disengaged from the captured roller and the firing element is released. The firing element is pivotable between a first position, in which the firing element is held by the captured roller, and a second position, in which the firing element is disengaged from the captured roller.