Weapon Breechblock Safety System with Intermediate Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing externally powered weapons lack a reliable safety mechanism to ensure that the breech block is fully locked before firing, which can lead to accidental discharge if the firing pin is released prematurely, especially in cases where the ram may break during the feed position.

Innovation Solution

A firing pin safety system is integrated with a non-rotating bolt sleeve and a bevelled intermediate sleeve between the bolt head and carrier, preventing the firing pin from being released unintentionally by guiding it to a safety position, and incorporating a spring-loaded plunger and angle lever to secure the breech block during locking and unlocking processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a firing pin safety system with intermediate sleeve and bevel is integrated, then reliability of preventing accidental discharge is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of firing pin releaseVSAvoidstructure of breech block
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A non-rotating intermediate sleeve is introduced between the bolt head and bolt carrier. This intermediate component acts as a mediator that prevents direct connection between the firing pin and the moving parts, thereby blocking accidental discharge paths while maintaining the functional relationship between the firing pin and the bolt mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bolt assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the bolt head, the non-rotating intermediate sleeve, and the bolt carrier. This segmentation allows the intermediate sleeve to independently control firing pin release while the other components handle their respective functions, improving safety without compromising overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a non-rotating bolt sleeve is integrated to prevent accidental discharge, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of premature firingVSAvoidmanufacturing of bolt components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the bolt head or carrier non-rotating through complex constraints, the invention inverts the approach by introducing a non-rotating intermediate sleeve that passively prevents rotation. This sleeve simply follows the linear motion of the bolt carrier without requiring active anti-rotation mechanisms, simplifying the manufacturing of the main bolt components while achieving the safety function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If an incline (bevel) is integrated into the intermediate sleeve to transfer firing pin to safety position, then safety is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety position controlVSAvoidbolt sleeve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A bevelled surface (inclined plane) is integrated into the intermediate sleeve to guide the firing pin into the safety position. This curved or inclined surface provides a passive, geometry-based control mechanism that automatically directs the firing pin without requiring additional active control components, achieving reliable safety position control while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 safety system effectively prevents accidental discharge by ensuring the breech block is fully locked before firing and maintaining the firing pin in a safe position, even if the ram breaks, thereby enhancing the security of the locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a firing pin spring (7.1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring energy storage and release: Spring

Implementation Method 2

an advance spring within the ram (4.2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring energy storage and release: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3155353B1Safety system for a breechblock of a weapon
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
  • EP3155353B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3155353B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3155353B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a safety system (10) for a breechblock system (1) of a weapon, comprising at least one weapon support (100), a breechblock support (2), a breechblock (3) or breechblock head (3.1) borne by the breechblock support (2), and a firing pin (7) located therein, which firing pin has a firing-pin spring (7.1), characterized by a breechblock sleeve (20), which is integrated between the breechblock (3) or the breechblock head (3.1) and the breechblock support (2). A slope (21) is integrated in the breechblock sleeve (20) in the rear end wall (22) of the breechblock sleeve (20). The rear straight line (21.1) forms a safety position and the front straight line (21.2) forms a striking position of the firing pin (7).