US20220341697A1

US20220341697A1 - Electrical power source for a firearm

Info

Publication number: US20220341697A1
Application number: US17/236,621
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric F. Cabahug; Benjamin F. Feldman; Tyler J. Miller; Tho N. Nguyen
Original assignee: T Worx Holdings LLC
Current assignee: T Worx Holdings LLC; Bluefin Innovations LLC
Priority date: 2021-04-21
Filing date: 2021-04-21
Publication date: 2022-10-27
Also published as: WO2022225754A2; WO2022225754A3

Abstract

An electrical power source for a firearm includes a housing, one or more rechargeable power cells stored inside the housing, and a microcontroller unit that receives data on a condition of the one or more rechargeable power cells. A network interface controller embeds the data onto an electrical circuit that is configured to be received by a firearm accessory mounted to the firearm. The data embedded on the electrical circuit is usable by the firearm accessory to provide a status of the electrical power source.

Description

BACKGROUND

Accessories such as lights, cameras, laser range finders, infrared sensors, displays, and radios may be added to firearms to improve the situational awareness of the firearm user. These firearm accessories increase the weight and bulk of a firearm because each firearm accessory typically uses its own batteries. Additionally, different firearm accessories may require different batteries types, and thus require a user to carry multiple types of spare batteries.

SUMMARY

In general terms, the present disclosure relates to a firearm equipped with an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to one or more firearm accessories that are mounted to the firearm. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the electrical power source transmits both electrical power and data to the one or more firearm accessories, and the data provides a status of the electrical power source. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects.
One aspect relates to a firearm comprising: an upper receiver; a conductive strip connected to the upper receiver, and a lower receiver attached to the upper receiver, the lower receiver having an electrical power source supplying electrical power and data to the conductive strip, the data providing a status of the electrical power source.
Another aspect relates to an electrical power source for a firearm. The electrical power source comprises: a housing; one or more rechargeable power cells stored inside the housing; a microcontroller unit receives data on a condition of the one or more rechargeable power cells; and a network interface controller receives the data from the microcontroller unit, and embeds the data onto an electrical circuit that is configured to be received by a firearm accessory mounted to the firearm, and wherein the data embedded on the electrical circuit is usable by the firearm accessory to provide a status of the electrical power source.
Another aspect relates to a method of powering a firearm accessory attached to a firearm, the method comprising: supplying a voltage from an electrical power source to a conductive strip; providing the voltage from the conductive strip to a firearm accessory that is connected to the conductive strip; and providing a status of the electrical power source.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of the described technology and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a firearm with an electrical power source.

FIG. 2 is another isometric view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the electrical power source of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the electrical power source of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a distal end view of the electrical power source of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a proximal end view of the electrical power source of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the electrical power source of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the electrical power source of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a digital display of the electrical power source.

FIG. 11 is an example of an electrical circuit of the electrical power source.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of powering a firearm accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are isometric views of a firearm 10. The firearm 10 is operable by a user to fire a round of ammunition. While a military-style firearm is shown in the figures, the various embodiments, concepts, and features that are described herein can be incorporated into other types of firearms, weapons, and non-weapons including air-soft (e.g., paint ball) systems.
The firearm 10 includes an upper receiver 12 attached to a lower receiver 14. The upper receiver 12 includes a barrel 16, a handguard 18 that partially surrounds the barrel 16, one or more rails 20, and a muzzle 22. The rails 20 can be mounted to the handguard 18 or can be mounted directly to the upper receiver 12. The rails 20 provide mounting locations for firearm accessories. In at least some examples, the rails 20 are Picatinny rails.
FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the firearm 10. Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, one or more conductive strips 204 are fixed on the rails 20. Each conductive strip 204 includes a plurality of electrical contacts. In some examples, a firearm accessory can mechanically engage the rails 20 for fixation onto the firearm 10, and can electrically connect to the electrical contacts of a conductive strip 204 to receive electrical power from an electrical power source 202 housed in the lower receiver 14 of the firearm 10. In alternative examples, a firearm accessory can be attached to the handguard 18 such as by using an M-LOK mounting interface for fixation onto the firearm 10, and can electrically connect to a terminal end of a conductive strip 204 to receive electrical power from the electrical power source 202.
The conductive strips 204 can be integrally mounted to the rails 20 of the firearm 10, or can be configured as modular components that can be added to the firearm 10 such as by an M-LOK mounting interface. The conductive strips 204 offer connectivity with embedded switching that meet NATO STANAG 4740/AEP-90 as well as Picatinny Smart Rail weapon side interface control. The one or more conductive strips 204 are similar to the ones that are shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/746,749, filed on Jan. 17, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a control module 210 is mounted to the firearm 10. The control module 210 is an example of a firearm accessory. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the control module 210 is connected to a terminal end of a conductive strip 204. The control module 210 is mounted to the handguard 18 of the firearm 10 by an M-LOK mounting interface using a fastener 212 such as a screw. In alternative examples, the control module 210 can attach to the firearm 10 by using a grip mechanism that engages the rails 20 for attachment.
The control module 210 includes buttons that are configured to receive manual inputs from a user of the firearm 10 to control the operation of one or more firearm accessories that can be mounted to the firearm 10 and electrically connected to a conductive strip 204. In some examples, the buttons are programmable by the user via a smartphone running a dedicated mobile application. Each button can have a unique tactile signature for easy recognition in tactical conditions. The control module 210 is environmentally sealed to withstand extreme temperature, water submersion, salt, fog, and other harsh environment conditions.
The control module 210 can communicate with one or more firearm accessories over the conductive strips 204 without using radio frequency (RF) for data exchange. The control module 210 can provide an on-weapon network similar to the one described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/746,762, filed on Jan. 17, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Additionally, the control module 210 can wirelessly interface with a tactical headset system worn by the user to allow the user push-to-talk control on their radio while maintaining their hands on firearm 10 and their eyes on a target. Advantageously, the control module 210 enables a user of the firearm 10 to control multiple firearm accessories from a single, convenient location on the firearm 10.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a communications module 214 is mounted to the firearm 10. The communications module 214 is another example of a firearm accessory. The communications module 214 is mounted to the firearm 10 in a similar fashion as the control module 210. For example, the communications module 214 is connected to a terminal end of a conductive strip 204, and is mounted to the handguard 18 by an M-LOK mounting interface using a fastener 216 such as a screw. Alternatively, the communications module 214 can be mounted to the firearm 10 by a grip mechanism that engages the rails 20. The communications module 214 is environmentally sealed to withstand extreme temperature, water submersion, salt, fog, and other harsh conditions that can be encountered during use of the firearm.
The communications module 214 provides a gateway (e.g., a wireless link) between the on-weapon network and an external network such as Nett Warrior (NW) or ATAK. The gateway is similar to the one described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/746,762, filed on Jan. 17, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The communications module 214 serves as a consolidation point, bundling data on the conductive strips 204, and securing the data for transmission off the firearm 10 to a higher level network. The communications module 214 includes configurable wireless radios allowing bidirectional transmission over a wireless network. The wireless radios provide configurable encryption and frequency spectrums to minimize detection and maximize security.
As an example, the firearm 10 can include a round counter to determine how many rounds have been fired from the firearm 10 and/or how many rounds remain in a magazine held inside a magazine well 30 of the firearm 10. The communications module 214 can transmit this information off of the firearm 10 to the higher level network such as central command.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower receiver 14 includes a grip 24, a trigger guard 26, a trigger 28, a magazine well 30, and a buttstock 32 mounted onto a buffer tube adapter 34. The buttstock 32 slidably engages the buffer tube adapter 34 and locks into a plurality of positions along a length of the buffer tube adapter 34. Accordingly, the buttstock 32 can extend and retract along the length of the buffer tube adapter 34 to adjust a length of firearm 10. In some examples, the buttstock 32 is a 6-position collapsible buttstock.
As shown in FIG. 3, the buffer tube adapter 34 attaches to a buffer tube 36 of the firearm 10. The buffer tube adapter 34 can attach to and surround the buffer tube 36 without requiring modification or replacement of the buffer tub 36 which is a stock buffer tube.
The firearm 10 is equipped with an electrical system 200 that includes the one or more conductive strips 204 mounted to the upper receiver 12 and the electrical power source 202 that is stored inside the buffer tube adapter 34 of the lower receiver 14. The electrical system 200 may further include the control module 210, the communications module 214, and at least one additional firearm accessory electrically connected to the conductive strip 204.
The electrical power source 202 is electrically connected to the one or more conductive strips 204 by a connector 206 that transfers voltage and data from the electrical power source 202 stored in the lower receiver 14 to the one or more conductive strips 204 mounted on the upper receiver 12. A firearm accessory when connected to a conductive strip 204 can receive both the voltage and data from the electrical power source 202.
In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, the connector 206 is similar to the pivot pin device that is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/746,749, filed on Jan. 17, 2020, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In alternative examples, it is contemplated that the connector 206 may be similar to a connector terminated by a plug portion, such as the one described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/228,394, filed on Apr. 12, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the electrical power source 202. FIG. 5 is a side view of the electrical power source 202. FIGS. 6 and 7 are distal and proximal end views, respectively, of the electrical power source 202. FIGS. 8 and 9 are top and bottom views, respectively, of the electrical power source 202. Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, the electrical power source 202 is a rechargeable battery that supplies a stable, ample power supply to the conductive strips 204 for powering one or more electronic firearm accessories mounted to the upper receiver 12.
The electrical power source 202 includes a housing 218 having a distal end 220, a proximal end 222, a top surface 224, a bottom surface 226, and left and right side surfaces 228, 230. The distal end 220 of the housing 218 includes a plug portion 232 that is received by a socket 38 (see FIG. 3) in the lower receiver 14 of the firearm 10 when the electrical power source 202 is inserted through the buttstock 32 and inside the buffer tube adapter 34.
As shown in FIG. 6, the plug portion 232 includes a plurality of contacts 234 a-234 d for transmitting electrical power and data from the electrical power source 202 to corresponding contacts inside the socket 38. In some examples, the electrical power source 202 can also receive data and/or electrical power from firearm accessories connected to the conductive strips 204 on the upper receiver 12 via the connection between the plug portion 232 and the socket 38. Thus, the electrical power source 202 can transfer electrical power and data to the conductive strips 204, and can also receive data and electrical power from the conductive strips 204. The ability for the electrical power source 202 to transfer and receive data allows the electrical power source 202 to act as a network node similar to a firearm accessory connected to a conductive strip 204 on the upper receiver 12. Thus, the electrical power source 202 is a smart battery.
While four contacts 234 a-234 d are shown in FIG. 6, the plug portion 232 may include fewer than four contacts such as two or three contacts, or the plug portion 232 may include more than four contacts such as five, six, or more contacts as may be needed for certain applications. At least two contacts of the plurality of contacts 234 a-234 d (i.e., two wires) are dedicated to electrical power distribution from positive and negative terminals of the electrical power source 202. At least one contact of the plurality of contacts 234 a-234 d (i.e., a third wire) is dedicated to data communications to and from the electrical power source 202. In some examples, an additional contact of the plurality of contacts 234 a-234 d (i.e., a fourth wire) can be dedicated for connection to an external charger for charging the electrical power source 202.
The electrical power source 202 further includes a latch 236 that engages a catch inside the buffer tube adapter 34 to secure and fix the electrical power source 202 inside the buffer tube adapter 34. The latch 236 is spring biased in the direction D1 shown in FIG. 5. The latch 236 when engaging the catch inside the buffer tube adapter 34 prevents the electrical power source 202 from being pulled out or otherwise removed from the firearm 10.
The latch 236 includes a lever 238 that is accessible by the user while the electrical power source 202 is stored inside the buffer tube adapter 34. The lever 238 can be pushed by a user in the direction D2 shown in FIG. 5 to disengage the latch 236 from the catch inside the buffer tube adapter 34. This allows the electrical power source 202 to be released and removed from the buffer tube adapter 34. Accordingly, the electrical power source 202 can be removed from the firearm 10 such as for recharging. Additionally, the electrical power source 202 can be removed and replaced with another electrical power source that has been fully charged.
Advantageously, by storing the electrical power source 202 inside the buffer tube adapter 34 toward the rear of the lower receiver 14, the weight of the electrical power source 202 is applied toward the rear of the firearm 10. This improves the balance of the firearm 10 over similar firearms that are equipped with firearm accessories that have individual battery systems and that mount toward the front of the upper receiver because the firearm 10 with the electrical power source 202 mounted toward the rear is easier to point and aim. In some examples, the electrical power source 202 can have a weight of about 10 to about 12 ounces. In some further examples, the electrical power source 202 has a weight of about 11 ounces.
The electrical power source 202 has a length L, a width W, and a height H. In some examples, the electrical power source 202 is dimensioned to fit in a standard pouch for a NATO 30-round magazine. In some examples, the length L is about 6 inches to about 10 inches. In some examples, the length L is about 8 inches. In some examples, the width W is about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In some examples, the width W is about 2 inches. In some examples, the height H is about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In some examples, the height H of about 2 inches.
The electrical power source 202 is environmentally sealed to provide reliable delivery of electrical power. For example, the electrical power source 202 can withstand extreme temperature, water submersion, salt, fog, and other harsh environment conditions.
The electrical power source 202 supplies a DC voltage to the conductive strips 204 for powering firearm accessories. For example, the electrical power source 202 can supply a 14.8 VDC nominal voltage. As another example, the electrical power source 202 can supply a maximum continuous current of about 2.4 A, and a burst current (<1 second) of about 4 A.
The electrical power source 202 can be recharged from a variety of voltage sources. For example, the electrical power source 202 can be recharged from a simple DC electrical power source that provides 19.5-24 DC volts at 1.5 A. As another example, the electrical power source 202 can be recharged from a Lithium-ion 4-cell CC (2.7 A)/CV (16.8 V) smart charger. In some examples, the electrical power source 202 can store about 48 watt-hours of energy.
In some examples, the proximal end 222 of the electrical power source 202 can provide charging such that the electrical power source 202 can be charged while it remains stored inside the buffer tube adapter 34. For example, the proximal end 222 can be configured to receive wireless charging such as through inductive charging or magnetic resonance charging. Alternatively, the proximal end 222 can be provided with contacts similar to those of the plug portion 232 that are described above to allow the electrical power source 202 to be charged while inside the buffer tube adapter 34. Advantageously, by configuring the proximal end 222 of the electrical power source 202 to provide charging, the electrical power source 202 can be charged while being stored inside the firearm and while the firearm is being stored such as on a gun rack.
As shown in FIG. 9, the electrical power source 202 includes a digital display 240 that displays the status of the electrical power source 202. In some examples, the digital display is a low power liquid-crystal display (LCD). In this example, the digital display 240 is provided on the bottom surface 226 and can be viewed from the bottom of the firearm 10 through an opening or window in the buttstock 32 and buffer tube adapter 34 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, the digital display 240 can be provided on the proximal end 222 and can be viewed from the rear of the firearm 10. In yet further examples, the digital display 240 can be provided on the left or right side surfaces 228, 230, or on the top surface 224 of the electrical power source 202.
FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the digital display 240. As shown in FIG. 10, the digital display 240 can include a battery symbol 242 to provide a visual indication of the charge level of the electrical power source 202 when discharging. The battery symbol 242 also provides a visual indication such as a running bar to indicate when the electrical power source 202 is charging.
The digital display 240 can include a charge level indicator 244 which displays a numerical value (e.g., a percentage) that represents the charge level of the electrical power source 202. In some examples, the charge level indicator 244 displays the charge level regardless of whether the electrical power source 202 is being charged or discharged.
The digital display 240 can further include a time remaining indicator 246 to indicate the time remaining to charge completion when the electrical power source 202 is being charged. Also, the time remaining indicator 246 can indicate the time remaining until the charge level is depleted based on a present power draw rate when the electrical power source 202 is being discharged. The time remaining until the charge level is depleted will change based on the number and type of firearm accessories powered by the electrical power source 202. In instances where the electrical power source 202 is not discharging or charging, the time remaining indicator 246 can display “IDLE” to indicate that the electrical power source 202 is at rest.
The digital display 240 can further include a health icon 248 to indicate the state of health of the electrical power source 202. Illustrative examples can include “H” (for high health), “M” (for medium health), and “L” (for low health). As an illustrative example, when the health icon 248 indicates that the electrical power source 202 has low health, the electrical power source 202 can be replaced with a new, healthier electrical power source.
The digital display 240 can further include a cycle symbol and number icon 250 to indicate the number of times that the electrical power source 202 has been discharged (or drained completely) or the number of times that the electrical power source 202 has been charged. The greater the cycle number, the less efficient the electrical power source 202 is, and thus, the electrical power source 202 will have poorer health. Thus, the health icon 248 and cycle symbol and number icon 250 can be related and correspond with one another.
FIG. 11 is an example of an electrical circuit 1100 of the electrical power source 202. The electrical circuit 1100 includes a network interface controller 1102 that connects the electrical power source 202 to the electrical system 200. The network interface controller 1102 allows the electrical power source 202 to communicate its status to the electrical system 200 through the conductive strips 204 mounted on the upper receiver 12. For example, the network interface controller 1102 can broadcast information such as whether the electrical power source 202 is in a discharging or charging state, the charge level, the time remaining before the charge level is depleted which is dynamically updated based on the power demands of the firearm accessories, and the state of health of the electrical power source 202.
The electrical circuit 1100 further includes a microcontroller unit 1104, an output power stage unit 1106, a filter 1108, an auxiliary power unit 1110, a monitoring circuit 1112, the digital display 240, a one-wire communications chip 1114, one or more rechargeable power cells 1116, a cell balancing unit 1118, and positive and negative terminals 1120, 1122.
Communications data is embedded on the electrical circuit 1100 of the electrical power source 202 by the network interface controller 1102. For example, a set of networking pins (MII) connect the microcontroller unit 1104 to the network interface controller 1102. This allows the microcontroller unit 1104 to transfer data related to the status of the electrical power source 202 for processing by the network interface controller 1102.
The microcontroller unit 1104 transmits the data periodically to maintain a low power state. For example, the microcontroller unit 1104 wakes up during predetermined time intervals, broadcasts the data, and then returns to a sleep state to conserve energy.
The network interface controller 1102 converts the data into electrical pulses that are embedded onto the electrical circuit 1100. Thus, the electrical circuit 1100 can transmit the data from the microcontroller unit 1104 to one or more firearm accessories that are connected to a conductive strip 204 on the upper receiver 12 such as the control module 210, or the communications module 214, the optical sight 260, or another type of firearm accessory.
In some examples, the data is communicated across the one or more conductive strips 204 using a publish/subscribe model that is built into the electrical system 200. For example, the data from the electrical power source 202 can be published into a database maintained by the electrical system 200, and firearm accessories connected to the one or more conductive strips 204 can subscribe to the data from the database. Thus, the firearm accessories connected to the one or more conductive strips 204 are asynchronous such that they do not necessarily have to share all of the same data, but can rather request the data they need from a central database.
As an illustrative example, the communications module 214 can receive the data from the electrical power source 202 (e.g., whether the electrical power source 202 is in a discharging or charging state, the charge level (e.g., percent full), the time remaining before the charge level is depleted, the state of health of the electrical power source 202, etc.), and can transmit the data off of the firearm 10 to an external network and/or to an external device.
As another illustrative example, an optical sight 260 when connected to a conductive strip 204 on the upper receiver 12 can receive the data from the electrical power source 202 (e.g., whether the electrical power source 202 is in a discharging or charging state, the charge level (e.g., percent full), the time remaining before the charge level is depleted, the state of health of the electrical power source 202, etc.), and can display the data on an optically enhanced image of a target. Thus, the user of the firearm 10 can be alerted as to the status of the electrical power source 202 while using the optical sight 260 to aim the firearm 10 at an intended target.
Still referring to FIG. 11, the filter 1108 is configured to prevent interference by the drive circuity of the electrical power source 202 with the data embedded by the network interface controller 1102. Typically, the drive circuity tries to eliminate fluctuations in voltage to provide a smooth electrical power output. The filter 1108 is configured to act as a low pass filter.
The auxiliary power unit 1110 supplies internal power to run the other electrical components of the electrical circuit 1100 such as the microcontroller unit 1104.
The monitoring circuit 1112 pushes data related to a condition of the one or more rechargeable power cells 1116 to the microcontroller unit 1104. The microcontroller unit 1104 can then adjust the operation of the electrical power source 202 based on the condition. As an example, the condition of the one or more rechargeable power cells 1116 can include whether the rechargeable power cells 1116 are discharging or charging, the charge level (e.g., percent full) of the rechargeable power cells 1116, the time remaining before the charge level of the rechargeable power cells 1116 is depleted, the state of health of the rechargeable power cells 1116, and the like, and the microcontroller unit 1104 can adjust the operation of the electrical power source 202 based on any one of these conditions.
Additionally, the monitoring circuit 1112 detects events that can cause damage to the rechargeable power cells 1116. For example, the monitoring circuit 1112 can include a temperature sensor 1124 to determine whether the rechargeable power cells 1116 exceed a predetermined temperature during charging or discharging that can cause damage if allowed to persist. As another example, the monitoring circuit 1112 can detect whether the electrical power source 202 experiences a short circuit or similar malfunction that can cause damage.
When the monitoring circuit 1112 detects an event (e.g., overheating, a short circuit, or the like), the monitoring circuit 1112 can trigger the microcontroller unit 1104 to stop charging or discharging the rechargeable power cells 1116. In some examples, the charging or discharging is temporarily stopped. In other examples, the charging or discharging can be permanently stopped to prevent damage to other components of the electrical system 200.
When an event is detected by the monitoring circuit 1112, the microcontroller unit 1104 can display an alert in the digital display 240 to indicate that there is an error that caused the charging or discharging to stop. Additionally, the microcontroller unit 1104 can instruct the network interface controller 1102 to embed an alert about the error into the electrical circuit 1100 for display on a firearm accessory, such in an optically enhanced image provided by the optical sight 260. The microcontroller unit 1104 can also instruct the network interface controller 1102 to embed an alert about the error for the communications module 214 to transmit the alert off the firearm 10 to an external network and/or external device.
Each event detected by the monitoring circuit 1112, such as overheating or short circuiting, can be stored within a memory of the microcontroller unit 1104. This can be useful for determining the health status of the electrical power source 202 and troubleshooting. In some examples, the communications module 214 can push a log file of events off the firearm 10 to an external network and/or external device that can conduct diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Still referring to FIG. 11, the rechargeable power cells 1116 are stored inside the housing 218 of the electrical power source 202 and are stacked in series. In some examples, the rechargeable power cells 1116 are lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. In some further examples, the rechargeable power cells 1116 are 18650 rechargeable batteries. FIG. 11 shows the electrical power source 202 as having four rechargeable power cells 1116. It is contemplated that the number of rechargeable power cells 1116 included in the electrical power source 202 may vary such that the electrical power source 202 can include more than four rechargeable power cells 1116, or in some instances, can include fewer than four rechargeable power cells 1116.
The cell balancing unit 1118 adjusts the load of each rechargeable power cell 1116 such that the rechargeable power cells 1116 all discharge equally. Advantageously, the cell balancing unit 1118 can prevent one or more of the rechargeable power cells 1116 from discharging too quickly which would cause the electrical power source 202 to stop working.
The one-wire communications chip 1114 provides a system management bus (SMBus or SMB) communications protocol. For example, the one-wire communications chip 1114 receives an inter-integrated circuit (i²c) communications protocol from the microcontroller unit 1104, and converts the i²c communications protocol into the SMBus communications protocol that can be recognized by a charger that is charging the electrical power source 202. Thus, the one-wire communications chip 1114 can push the status of the electrical power source 202 to the charger for use by the charger while the charger is charging the electrical power source 202.
In view of the foregoing, the electrical power source 202 is a rechargeable battery. In some examples, the electrical power source 202 can be charged by an external charger that connects to the one-wire communications chip 1114. Alternatively, the electrical power source 202 can be charged by an external charger that connects to the positive and negative terminals 1120, 1122 such that the one-wire communications chip 1114 is not used for charging.
FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1200 of powering a firearm accessory. The method 1200 includes an operation 1202 of supplying a voltage from an electrical power source to a conductive strip, an operation 1204 of providing the voltage to a firearm accessory connected to the conductive strip, and an operation 1206 of providing a status of the electrical power source.
Operation 1202 can be performed by using the components of the firearm 10 described above. For example, a DC voltage from the electrical power source 202 is transferred to the socket 38, and the socket 38 is connected to the connector 206 which can be used to transfer the DC voltage from the lower receiver 14 to the upper receiver 12. The one or more conductive strips 204 fixed on the upper receiver 12 can then receive the DC voltage.
Operation 1204 can be performed when a firearm accessory is mechanically engaged with the rails 20 for fixation onto the firearm 10, and is electrically connected to the electrical contacts of a conductive strip 204 to receive electrical power from the electrical power source 202. Alternatively, operation 1204 can be performed when a firearm accessory is attached to the handguard 18 by an M-LOK mounting interface, and is electrically connected to a terminal end of a conductive strip 204 to receive electrical power from the electrical power source 202.
Operation 1206 can be performed by displaying the status of the electrical power source 202 on the digital display 240. In accordance with the examples described above, the digital display 240 can display information such as whether the electrical power source 202 is in a discharging or charging state, the charge level (e.g., percent full), the time remaining before the charge level is depleted, the state of health of the electrical power source 202, and the like.
Alternatively, operation 1206 can be performed by transferring data from the electrical power source 202 to the communications module 214, and the communications module 214 transmits the data from the electrical power source 202 off of the firearm 10 to an external network and/or to an external device. For example, the communications module 214 can transmit information for use by a central command such as whether the electrical power source 202 is in a discharging or charging state, the charge level (e.g., percent full), the time remaining before the charge level is depleted, the state of health of the electrical power source 202, and the like.
In another example, operation 1206 can be performed by transferring data from the electrical power source 202 to a firearm accessory, such as the optical sight 260, that can display the data while being used by a user of the firearm 10. Thus, the user of the firearm 10 can be alerted as to the status of the electrical power source 202 while using a firearm accessory such as the optical sight 260. The optical sight 260 can display data such as whether the electrical power source 202 is in a discharging or charging state, the charge level, the time remaining before the charge level is depleted, the state of health of the electrical power source 202, and the like.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to be limiting in any way. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A firearm comprising:

an upper receiver;

a conductive strip connected to the upper receiver, and

a lower receiver attached to the upper receiver, the lower receiver having an electrical power source supplying electrical power and data to the conductive strip, the data providing a status of the electrical power source.

2. The firearm of claim 1, further comprising a communications module connected to the conductive strip, the communications module being configured to transmit the status off the firearm to an external network.

3. The firearm of claim 1, further comprising an optical sight connected to the conductive strip, the optical sight being configured to display the status on an image of a target.

4. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source includes a digital display that displays the status on a housing of the electrical power source.

5. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the status includes at least one of a discharging or charging state, a charge level, a time remaining before the charge level is depleted, and a state of health of the electrical power source.

6. The firearm of claim 5, wherein the time remaining before the charge level is depleted is dynamically updated based on power demands of a firearm accessory receiving the electrical power from the electrical power source.

7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source is configured to receive wireless charging while being stored inside the lower receiver.

8. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source includes:

a housing;

one or more rechargeable power cells stored inside the housing;

a microcontroller unit receiving the data further including a condition of the one or more rechargeable power cells; and

a network interface controller receiving the data from the microcontroller unit, and the network interface controller embedding the data onto an electrical circuit that is configured for connection to a firearm accessory when the firearm accessory is mounted to the firearm, and wherein the data embedded on the electrical circuit is usable by the firearm accessory to provide the status of the electrical power source.

9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the electrical power source further includes:

a digital display provided on the housing, the digital display being configured to display the status of the electrical power source.

10. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the electrical power source further includes:

a monitoring circuit configured to detect events that can cause damage to the one or more rechargeable power cells, and wherein the monitoring circuit transmits detected events for storage in a memory of the microcontroller unit.

11. The firearm of claim 10, wherein the monitoring circuit includes a temperature sensor to determine whether the one or more rechargeable power cells exceed a predetermined temperature during charging or discharging, and the monitoring circuit triggers the microcontroller unit to stop charging or discharging the one or more rechargeable power cells when the one or more rechargeable power cells exceed the predetermined temperature.

12. The firearm of claim 10, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to detect short circuiting, and the monitoring circuit triggers the microcontroller unit to stop charging or discharging the one or more rechargeable power cells when there is a short circuit.

13. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the electrical power source further includes a latch configured to secure the electrical power source inside the lower receiver of the firearm, and wherein the latch includes a lever that is operable to release the electrical power source from the lower receiver.

14. The firearm of claim 13, wherein the electrical power source is configured to receive wireless charging while being stored inside the lower receiver.

15. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the status of the electrical power source includes at least one of a discharging or charging state, a charge level, a time remaining before the charge level is depleted, and a state of health of the electrical power source.

16-20. (canceled)