Weapon Accessory Riser With Flexible Circuit Keypad Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weapon accessories, such as fire control systems, are often positioned too low on the weapon, obstructing the user's view and requiring uncomfortable shooting positions, and lack integrated control mechanisms for efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A riser assembly elevates the accessory device above the handguard, secured by interlocking protrusions and threaded fasteners, with a flexible circuit substrate connecting to the weapon's power and control channels, and a keypad assembly integrated into the handguard for remote control of the accessory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the accessory device is mounted directly on the weapon without a riser, then the device complexity is reduced, but the accessory obstructs the user's view and requires uncomfortable shooting positions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a base housing that attaches to the weapon rail, a riser body that provides elevation, and a mounting interface for the accessory. This segmentation allows the accessory to be positioned at an optimal height while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser assembly acts as an intermediary component between the weapon rail and the accessory device. It provides the necessary elevation and positioning without requiring direct mounting of the accessory to the rail, thereby improving ergonomics while maintaining structural simplicity through a dedicated intermediate mounting structure.
2Illumination intensity
If the accessory is positioned higher on the weapon, then the user's view is unobstructed, but the distance between the control channels and the accessory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The riser assembly utilizes the vertical dimension (Z-axis) to elevate the accessory above the handguard plane, providing unobstructed viewing while maintaining horizontal proximity to the user's hand. This dimensional approach allows clear sightlines without excessive distance increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible circuit substrate is routed through the interior compartment of the riser assembly, with connectors positioned at strategic locations. This nesting of control channels within the riser structure allows electrical connections to reach the elevated accessory while minimizing the external distance increase.
3Ease of operation
If the accessory is elevated above the handguard, then ergonomic alignment is improved, but additional structural components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The riser assembly serves multiple functions: it provides elevation for ergonomic alignment, houses and routes the flexible circuit substrate for power and control, and offers structural mounting interfaces for the accessory. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure, elevation mechanism, and control channel routing are merged into a single integrated riser assembly. This combination of functions into one structure improves ergonomics while actually reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate components for each function.
4Strength
If a rigid circuit board is used to connect the accessory to the weapon, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to route through confined spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible circuit substrate is used instead of a rigid circuit board to route control channels through the interior compartment of the riser assembly. The flexible nature allows the circuit to navigate confined spaces and complex routing paths while maintaining electrical connectivity, and it can be secured within the housing to provide sufficient structural stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A weapon attachment riser system for a weapon includes a riser assembly including a base housing, which defines an interior compartment, and a housing cover secured to the base housing. The base housing is configured to be detachably secured to a powered weapon accessory interface on the weapon and the housing cover is configured to be detachably secured to an accessory device. A circuit assembly includes a flexible circuit substrate disposed within the interior compartment. The circuit assembly includes a first electrical connector configured to detachably engage a complementary weapon rail interface port on the powered weapon accessory interface through an aligned opening in the housing base and a second electrical connector configured to detachably engage a complementary accessory interface port on the accessory device through an aligned opening in the housing cover.