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(11) | EP 3 367 041 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | OPTICAL TRIGGER SYSTEM FOR A WEAPON |
| (57) A system for shooting a weapon that includes an activating module (10) able to be
coupled to an actuating module (12) of a weapon, said activating module (10) actuates
the actuating module (12) and shoots the weapon (1). The activating module (10) comprises
a controller (18), an emitter (14) and a receiver (16) both optically coupled, where
the controller detects an interruption of the beam of light received in the receiver
(16) previously emitted by the emitter (14) and for generating, in response to said
interruption, a trigger signal to actuate the actuating module (12) and shoot the
weapon. Different embodiments are disclosed with and without triggers as well as variations
in the configuration of the emitter-receiver pair.
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Technical field of the invention.
[0001] The present invention generally belongs to the field of actuators for weapons, and in particular it relates to an optical trigger for a weapon or similar device that is able to be actuated with a hand in order to control the start of a shooting sequence of the weapon.
Background of the invention or State of the art.
[0002] In most conventional weapons (rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, carbines, etc.) this is a performed manually pressing a key or part called the trigger. The trigger is part of an activating system and releases a mechanism that starts the shooting operation. In the case of firearms, the activator is called the striker and it strikes a primer in order to produce the ignition of the cartridge and thus perform a shot.
[0003] The trigger, which is generally moved with the index finger of the hand, has traditionally been a mechanical component. The actuation of the trigger starts the shooting operation in which numerous mechanical parts put into motion participate (cantilevers, springs, connecting rods, teeth, etc.). It is observed that this type of essentially mechanical actuation presents several drawbacks and certain problems.
[0004] The mechanical components need, for safety, to be manufactured very precisely, subject to strict tolerances that prevent errors during the operation. The most common problems are irregularities in the pressing force that must be applied in order to activate the trigger, excess noise produced by the clicking of the mechanism that disengages the striker or greater maintenance due to the wear and tear that the mechanical elements suffer with time and use.
[0005] A separate issue is the precision of the shot, since most triggers inherently require a movement of the trigger from the starting point to the shooting point. This affects precision and can cause the shooter to act before the shot and displace or move the firearm during the movement of the trigger.
[0006] Although alternative systems have also been proposed that are based on electrical components (electromagnets, solenoids, piezoelectric elements) in which an electromechanical switch or another electrical element is activated by the movement of the trigger and releases the striker, there are still numerous mechanical components. Thus, they suffer from problems similar to those of the purely mechanical systems. Thus, in light of the limitations observed in the state of the art, it would be desirable to have an non-mechanical actuation system for the trigger.
Summary of the invention.
[0007] As indicated, weapons with manual actuation, whether they use fire or compressed air, generally have a trigger that has undergone slight variations throughout time, maintaining the same operating principle. The present proposal presents a change to this operating principle that even enables the mechanical trigger to be completely removed and substituted with an electronic technology for an optical barrier that does not need contact.
[0008] Generally, the object of the present invention is a system for shooting a weapon that includes an activating module able to be coupled to another actuating module of the weapon, where said activating module actuates the actuating module that shoots the weapon. The activating module includes a circuit where there is an electronic controller, an optical emitter of a beam of light and an optical receiver both coupled together. The controller enables an interruption of the beam of light received in the receiver previously emitted by the emitter to be detected. This interruption is interpreted as a trigger signal in order to actuate the actuating module and shoot the weapon.
[0010] The proposed system enables a trigger signal to be generated without needing to overcome the resistance common in conventional triggers. The trigger signal actuates the striker of the weapon or actuator (depending on the type of weapon) in an optical manner, through detection, and during the exercise of pressing the trigger, breaking an optical barrier between the emitter-receiver pair. Whether it is caused by the finger of the holder of the weapon or by means of a simulated trigger.
[0011] Thanks to this solution, a direct and contact-free transmission of the movement from the finger of the shooter to the striker is established without needing intermediate mechanical elements. This fact reduces the frequency of maintenance and the tolerance requirements in the manufacturing of parts.
[0012] Favorably, the trigger system by optical barrier also improves the precision of the shot and reduces the phenomenon of acting prematurely before the shot and the kickback of the weapon. Logically, when the shooter acts before the shot and the kickback, they move in some manner displacing the aiming elements. This is translated into an impact outside of the target. Normally, the cause is the mechanical trigger, which, in order to actuate the striker exerts a certain pressure and causes slight movements of the weapon.
[0013] Another advantage of this optical trigger system is preventing the runaway phenomenon which occurs in semi-automatic weapons, the triggers of which have been refined so as to shoot with minimal pressure. In semi-automatic weapons, the same kickback can cause, when the finger is on the trigger, a very dangerous self-feeding effect. The weapon shoots continuously until running out of ammunition. This can occur often if the trigger is too sensitive (requiring the exertion of little pressure).
[0014] The present optical trigger system also resolves the previous problem, thanks to it being able to be limited electronically and that it can go without the contact of the finger with a mechanical element.
[0015] Particularly, in precision shooting, this contact-free solution is very convenient. The shot will be fired as long as the optical barrier is cut off in the same point, without the shooter moving the weapon when they have to push a mechanical trigger to the shooting point thereof.
[0016] Although the preferred application of the invention is in real weapons, whether for recreational or military purposes, they can also be favorably implemented in simulated weapons (toys, video games, simulators).
Brief description of the drawings.
[0017]
Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the system for shooting a weapon with emitter and receiver facing each other.
Fig. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the system for shooting a weapon with emitter and receiver on the same side facing a reflecting element.
Fig. 3 illustrates another additional exemplary embodiment of the system for shooting a weapon with a simulated trigger.
Fig. 4 illustrates another additional exemplary embodiment of the system for shooting a weapon where the beam emitted by the emitter is reflected by the very finger of the user upon starting to shoot.
Detailed description of the invention.
[0018] For better understanding, with reference to the previous figures, several embodiments of the invention are described schematically that should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0019] In Fig. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of the system for manually shooting a weapon 1 is illustrated. An activating module 10 actuates an actuating module 12 without needing a trigger or contact with the finger of the holder of the weapon. The actuating module 12 is responsible for shooting the weapon 1 and to do so it preferably has a solenoid or electromagnet 28 that substitutes other mechanical elements such as springs, cantilevers, pistons, etc. The activating module 10 includes a controller 18, an emitter 14 and a receiver 16. The emitter-receiver pair is optically connected in a direct manner in this embodiment (without additional intermediate optical elements). The controller 18 is connected to the emitter-receiver pair such that it can detect an interruption of the beam of light received in the receiver 16 that was emitted by the emitter 14. When this occurs the set of circuits associated to the controller 18 generates a trigger signal that actuates the actuating module 12 that is responsible for shooting the weapon 1.
[0020] In Fig. 2 another different embodiment of the activating module 10 in which the emitter-receiver pair is not in direct communication, but that both are in a same area, preferably in the handguard 22 (the area that is in the front portion of the butt assembly with which the weapon is held and the aiming is directed). Since they are not facing each other, it is necessary that an element reflects the beam to the receiver 16. To this end, incorporated inside the trigger guard 24 (the arch-shaped part intended to protect the triggers of weapons) there is a reflector 15, a mirror or similar element that suitably directs the beam of light for the detection thereof by the receiver 16 in the absence of movement of the finger for shooting so that said beam is interrupted when there is said movement. This embodiment has the advantage that the electronic emitter 14 and receiver 16 components that can be more delicate and sensitive are able to be more safely and compactly moved away inside the weapon 1. As seen in Fig. 2, the emitter-receiver pair is implemented as a single emitter-receiver sensor device 17. For example, one that is retroreflective and photoelectric with polarized light, digital (PNP transistor) although it could just as well work with other types (infrared or green light) with the advantage that the space in which the emitter 14 and receiver 16 are found is just a few centimeters.
[0021] In other embodiments like the one shown by Fig. 3 a movable simulated trigger 11 can be incorporated, the function of which is not to mechanically actuate on any mechanism, but optically, by interrupting the beam during the movement of the finger to shoot. This simulated trigger 11 includes a portion, generally hidden inside the weapon 1, that interrupts the beam emitted by the emitter 14 that arrives at the receiver 16 also housed inside the weapon.
[0022] This embodiment can be advantageous if the weapon is going to be used in environments exposed to dust and dirt. The simulated trigger 11 furthermore can be especially desirable in certain applications. For example, in shooting sports, regulations tend to indicate that the weapons must have a trigger that provides a certain resistance so that there is a feeling in the exercise of pressing the trigger to shoot. This simulated trigger 11 can be advantageously designed in order to overcome a force of a certain number of newtons and with this comply with the applicable regulations for a given category of shooting sports.
[0023] In another practical embodiment of the invention, according to Fig. 4, the emitter-receiver sensor device 17 being in the handguard 22, the beam of light is emitted by the sensor 14 and is the very finger 29 of the user, upon starting the shot, which cuts it off and it is reflected towards the receiver 16, it being in this moment when the opening of the circuit is created and with it the shot.
[0024] In all the previous embodiments, in anticipation of this trigger system providing little confidence for the shooter, who can think that actuating the weapon is too easy or unsafe, a safety button 26 can be added that will be in an unmistakable position for preparing the shot as seen in Fig. 1, 2, 3 or 4. The safety button 26 is responsible for enabling the actuator 12. For example, enabling the electrical trigger signal generated by the controller 18 to arrive to the solenoid or electromagnet 28 that will actuate the striker, causing the shot.
1. A system for shooting a weapon comprising:
- an activating module (10) able to be coupled to an actuating module (12) of a weapon, said activating module (10) configured to actuate the actuating module (12) and shoot the weapon (1):
characterized in that the activating module (10) comprises a controller (18), an emitter (14) and a receiver (16) both coupled optically, where the controller (18) is configured to detect an interruption of the beam of light received in the receiver (16) previously emitted by the emitter (14) and for generating, in response to said interruption, a trigger signal to actuate the actuating module (12) and shoot the weapon.
2. The system for shooting according to claim 1, where the activating module (10) comprises
a reflector (15) configured to change the direction of the beam of light emitted by
the emitter (14) towards the receiver (16).
3. The system for shooting according to claim 2, where the reflector (15) is situated
in the trigger guard (24) of the weapon (1) and the emitter (14) and the receiver
(16) are both situated in the handguard (22) of the weapon (1).
4. The system for shooting according to claim 1, where the emitter (14) and the receiver
(16) are situated facing each other, one in the handguard (22) and another in the
trigger guard (24) of the weapon (1).
5. The system for shooting according to according to any of the preceding claims, where
the activating module (10) further comprises a simulated trigger (11), moveable from
a resting position, in which it lets the beam of light pass, to a shooting position,
in which the beam of light is interrupted, it being emitted from the emitter (14)
to the receiver (16) both facing each other and positioned in the handguard (22).
6. The system for shooting according to claim 1, where the emitter-receiver sensor device
(17), arranged in the handguard (22), the beam of light emitted by the sensor (14)
upon being cut off by the finger of the user, in order to start the shot, is reflected
to the receiver (16) generating the opening of the circuit and with it the shot.
7. The system for shooting according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a safety
button (26) configured to inhibit the trigger signal of the controller.
8. The system for shooting according to any of the preceding claims, where the light
emitter (14) is configured to emit coherent light.
9. A weapon (1) comprising the system for shooting according to any of preceding claims
1 to 8.