Gear unit for receiving and aligning launcher segments of a launcher unit and launcher unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a gear unit (10) for receiving and aligning launcher segments (102) of a launcher unit (100), comprising a housing (12) extending along a longitudinal direction (13), a shaft (20) mounted in the housing (12) so as to be rotatable about its axis of rotation (22) and having a plurality of worm shaft sections (26), a drive unit (30) coupled to the shaft (20) in order to drive the shaft (20) in rotation, a plurality of output shafts (32), each mounted in the housing (12) so as to be rotatable about its central longitudinal axis (34) and arranged parallel to one another, wherein the output shafts (32) are each coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a worm gear segment (38), wherein the worm gear segments (38) are each engaged with one of the worm shaft sections (26) of the shaft (20), so that the output shafts (32) are rotatably driven by a drive of the drive unit (30). can be driven,and wherein the output shafts (32) each protrude from the housing (12) on a housing side (42) and have a mechanical interface (44) for coupling and fastening a launcher segment (102). , A launcher unit (100) with such a gear unit (10) is specified.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a gear unit for receiving and aligning launcher segments of a launcher unit having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a launcher unit having the features of the independent claim.

[0002] Launchers or decoy launchers are known from the state of the art for protecting vehicles or objects against threats, particularly incoming enemy missiles. As a protective function, active agents are deployed that, for example, create a smokescreen or form a decoy target that appears more attractive to the enemy missile's homing system than the vehicle or object itself.

[0003] Such launch devices typically comprise a launcher base attached to a surface, e.g., a ship's deck, and a launcher unit for deploying launchable agents or projectiles, e.g., smoke grenades, is attached, e.g., via a mechanical interface. By driving the launcher unit, the launcher unit can typically be aligned in azimuth and elevation to deliver launchable agents against an approaching threat.

[0004] One such launching device is the MASS decoy system available from the applicant. This decoy system comprises a launcher unit with chambers or receptacles in which the active agents are located and from which the agents can be fired. The chambers or receptacles are attached to the launcher unit and angled relative to each other (the deployment axes of the receptacles are arranged at a fixed angle to each other). Due to this arrangement, the width of a smoke screen deployed by the active agents can only be varied by adjusting the firing distance or by deploying multiple active agents with intermediate aiming of the launcher unit. This leads to a loss of time in deploying the active agents and limits flexibility under operational conditions.

[0005] DE 100 08 198 A1 describes a throwing system in which throwing cups are held in rotatably mounted frame parts.

[0006] When arranged side by side, the frame sections can be pivoted together by driving a rack and pinion via a geared motor. When arranged one above the other, the frame sections are coupled together by coaxial hollow shafts, with the lowest hollow shaft driven by a geared motor.

[0007] EP 2 157 398 B1 discloses a counter-firing system in which launch units are mounted in a rotating element for elevation adjustment and can be adjusted in azimuth by rotating the rotating element relative to a holding element. The launch units are driven by a rack and pinion for elevation adjustment.

[0008] Solutions have been pursued in which each weapon on a launcher unit can be aligned by its own drive (one drive per weapon). This has proven to be comparatively complex when it comes to controlling and coordinating individual movements. The large number of components increases the risk of failure and thus reduces system reliability. Furthermore, these solutions are associated with high costs.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of increasing the operational flexibility of a launcher in a structurally robust, reliable and precise manner.

[0010] The invention solves this problem by a gear unit having the features of claim 1.

[0011] The gear unit is designed and / or intended to receive and align launcher segments or agent ejectors of a launcher unit.

[0012] The gear unit comprises a housing and a shaft or worm shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, with several worm shaft sections. The shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing about a rotational axis or shaft rotational axis. The worm shaft sections are shaft sections that, similar to a worm shaft, have helical windings. The worm shaft sections can be separated from each other by intermediate, preferably smooth or worm-free, shaft sections.

[0013] The gear unit further comprises a drive unit coupled to the shaft to enable or drive the shaft to rotate. The drive unit can be attached to the housing of the gear unit, e.g., by screwing.

[0014] The gear unit also has several output shafts, each of which is mounted in the housing for rotation about its central longitudinal axes and arranged parallel to one another. In other words, the central longitudinal axes of the output shafts are oriented parallel to one another. Optionally, the central longitudinal axes are aligned or, in other words, lie in a geometric plane. The output shafts can be spaced apart from one another at equal distances along the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The output shafts are each coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a worm gear segment, wherein the worm gear segments are each in engagement (meshing) with one of the worm shaft sections of the shaft, so that the output shafts can be driven in rotation by a drive of the drive unit.

[0016] The output shafts are each preferably continuously adjustable within a specified adjustment range by means of a drive unit. The worm gear segments can be rotationally fixedly coupled to the output shaft, for example, by means of a key.

[0017] The output shafts each protrude from the housing on one side and have a mechanical interface for coupling and fastening a launcher segment or agent ejector.

[0018] The proposed gear unit allows the launcher segments or ordnance ejectors of a launcher unit to be aligned and placed at different angles to one another. Using the gear unit, the launcher segments or ordnance ejectors can be adjusted or set relative to one another in a single plane (azimuth plane). This multiplies the application possibilities of a launcher unit. Due to the gear coupling of the individual output shafts by the shaft or worm shaft, only one drive unit is required. This contributes to a structurally simple and robust design of the gear unit. The launcher logic can be kept simple thanks to the mechanical coupling of the output shafts.Another advantage is that any load impulses that may occur during firing and that may act on the output shafts have only a minimal effect, if any, on the drive unit due to the worm shaft sections (self-locking).

[0019] The proposed gear unit thus differs from the launching system described in DE 100 08 198 A1, in which the launching cups are pivoted together by an identical differential angle using a rack or coaxial hollow shafts. The launching units disclosed in EP 2 157 398 B1 are also pivoted together by an identical differential angle using a rack.

[0020] In principle, a varying number of worm shaft sections, worm gear segments, and output shafts is conceivable, for example, a number of six to twelve, more preferably eight to twelve, of these elements. In particular, eight or ten worm shaft sections, worm gear segments, and output shafts are provided. The output shafts can each be rotatably mounted in the housing of the gear unit by means of a rolling bearing.

[0021] Advantageously, the worm shaft sections and the worm gear segments can each be coordinated in such a way that the angles of rotation that occur on adjacent output shafts when the shaft (worm shaft) rotates through a defined shaft rotation angle or a full revolution (rotation of the shaft around its axis of rotation through an angle of 360°) vary in size from output shafts arranged in or near the center (middle region) of the housing (central output shaft) to output shafts arranged in an outer region of the housing (outer output shafts), preferably increasing towards the outside. This allows the mechanical interfaces to which launcher segments can be attached to be positioned at different angles to one another. This promotes variable fanning and contributes to a high degree of flexibility in the application of active agents.In particular, when the angle of rotation increases towards the outside, a collision of thrower segments attached to the mechanical interfaces of the output shafts can be avoided.

[0022] It is understood that, depending on the gear ratio, more than one full rotation of the shaft may be required to achieve the maximum possible angle of rotation on the output shafts (total gear ratio), for example, four, six, or eight rotations. A small maximum angle of rotation can be achieved on the central output shafts (due to a high gear ratio), for example, a rotation angle of ± 2-4°. A large maximum angle of rotation can be achieved on the outer output shafts (due to a low gear ratio), for example, a rotation angle of ± 25-30°.

[0023] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, output shafts arranged on either side of the center and equidistant from the center can each achieve an equal angle of rotation when the shaft rotates by one revolution (defined shaft rotation angle; e.g., an angle of 360° for one revolution). This allows pairs of output shafts to be formed with an equal angle of rotation for a given shaft rotation angle. The angles of rotation can be equal in magnitude and preferably opposite in direction. This allows a partially or completely symmetrical fanning of launcher segments to be achieved.

[0024] Conveniently, the output shafts can be displaced by means of the drive unit between a first orientation, in which all output shafts are in the same rotational position relative to one another (mechanical interfaces all arranged in the same rotational position or orientation), and a second orientation, in which all output shafts are in different rotational positions relative to one another (mechanical interfaces all arranged in different rotational positions or orientations). This creates defined end points in the alignment, namely a starting position (same rotational position of all output shafts) and a starting position or end position (different rotational positions of all output shafts).

[0025] Advantageously, the mechanical interfaces can each have a flat surface, one or more profile features and / or a plurality of bores. This enables a precise connection of the thrower segments to the output shafts. The flat surfaces can each be oriented orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis of the respective output shaft. The flat surfaces can all lie within a geometric plane or reference plane R. An end section of the output shaft can have, for example, a polygonal cross-section with an N-cornered polygon with N ≥ 3 as a profile feature. The bores can be designed as dowel pins or threaded bores. The bores can be arranged in a defined pattern on the output shaft or in the flat surface, for example at the vertices of an N-cornered polygon with N ≥ 3. For example, three bores can be arranged in the flat surface, preferably with these bores being located at the vertices of a triangle.

[0026] The shaft can expediently be formed from a first shaft section and a second shaft section, which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner at a connection point. A one-piece design of the shaft is thus conceivable, which contributes to a small number of components. Furthermore, only a small number of bearing points is required (e.g., two or three bearing points).

[0027] Alternatively, the shaft sections can be designed as separate shaft parts that are connected to each other at the joint by means of a connecting element for rotational stability. The separate shaft parts facilitate manufacturing. Assembly can also be simplified. The connecting element can be designed as a shaft coupling, for example, a keyed collar or claw coupling.

[0028] Advantageously, the first shaft section and the second shaft section, in particular the first shaft part and the second shaft part, can be driven in the same direction of rotation by a drive of the drive unit, wherein the worm shaft sections on the first shaft section (first shaft part) and on the second shaft section (second shaft part) have opposite pitches (positive pitch in one of the two sections and an opposite negative pitch in the other shaft section). Thus, in a structurally simple manner, the output shafts can be driven in different directions of rotation when the shaft sections are driven in the same direction. The worm shaft sections are helical, and the helical shape can have different pitches.

[0029] Irrespective of this, the worm shaft sections can have different pitches and / or different thread pitches. This allows the gear ratios to be adjusted. The worm shaft sections can be helical, and the helical shape can have different pitches. Furthermore, the worm shaft sections can have different thread pitches and can be, for example, 2-thread, 3-thread, 4-thread, 5-thread, or 6-thread. The toothing of the respective worm gear segment can be adapted to the respective worm shaft section, e.g. in terms of number of teeth, pitch, and / or pitch circle diameter. Irrespective of this, the worm gear segments are each only rotationally fixedly coupled to the output shaft and engage with the associated worm shaft sections, but not coupled in any other way.

[0030] Advantageously, the drive unit can be attached to the housing of the gear unit and can comprise a motor, in particular an electric motor, which is coupled to the shaft directly or (indirectly) via a gear. This allows the gear unit, together with the attached drive unit, to be handled as a single assembly. The coupling between the electric motor and the shaft is designed such that, when the motor is driven, the shaft is or can be driven in rotation.

[0031] The drive unit is conveniently positioned on the housing in such a way that the shaft is driven at the junction of the shaft sections between two adjacent output shafts. This allows for a centered drive relative to the shaft. This minimizes vibration and torsion on the shaft.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the gearbox can be designed such that the motor shaft is arranged parallel to the shaft's rotational axis. This contributes to a flat and compact design of the gearbox unit. This advantageously allows for a narrow installation space for the gearbox unit in tight installation situations.

[0033] The transmission can have two gear stages, or in other words, a two-stage design. Thus, the transmission can have a bevel gear stage (90° bevel gear stage) as the first gear stage, which is coupled to the motor shaft, so that the bevel gear stage can be driven in rotation by a motor drive. As the second gear stage, the transmission can have a bevel gear or hypoid gear stage, which can be driven in rotation by the first gear stage and is coupled to the shaft to drive the shaft in rotation. The first gear stage can be used to achieve a pre-transmission of the second gear stage or to the shaft.

[0034] The aforementioned problem is also solved by a launcher unit for deploying fireable agents (firing agent) with the features of the independent claim. Regarding the advantages thereby achieved, reference is made to the relevant statements regarding the launcher unit.

[0035] The launcher unit is configured and / or intended for deploying fireable active agents. The launcher unit comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged launcher segments or active agent ejectors and at least one first gear unit with one or more of the aspects described above.

[0036] Advantageously, the launcher segments (agent ejectors) can each be accommodated and / or attached to one of the mechanical interfaces of the output shafts. By driving the drive unit, the output shafts and the coupled launcher segments or agent ejectors can be brought into different angles or rotational positions relative to each other. This allows agents, such as decoy projectiles, to be deployed at different angles relative to each other.

[0037] The thrower unit can have a frame that is attached to the gear unit, e.g., by screwing. The frame can have a holding section that engages underneath the gear unit on the housing side facing away from the output shafts. Support bearings can be arranged on the holding section, spaced from the gear unit housing and concentrically arranged to the respective output shaft, depending on the number of output shafts. Each support bearing supports one of the thrower segments in addition to the output shaft. This prevents excessive torque from acting on the output shafts and thus on the worm shaft sections.

[0038] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals, if necessary, but only once. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a gear unit in a perspective view; Fig. 2a the gear unit from Fig. 1 in a front view according to arrow II in Fig. 1; Fig. 2b the gear unit from Fig. 1 in a partially sectioned view according to the section plane III-III in Fig. 2a; Fig. 3 an embodiment of a launcher unit, wherein the launcher segments are oriented parallel to each other; and Fig. 4 the launcher unit Fig. 3, with the launcher segments angled towards each other.

[0039] The Fig. 1 to 2b show an embodiment of a transmission unit, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 10.

[0040] The gear unit 10 is configured and / or intended for receiving and aligning launcher segments or active agent ejectors 102 of a launcher unit 100. The gear unit 10 has a housing, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 12 and extends along a longitudinal direction 13. In the example, the housing 12 has a housing pan 14 and a housing cover 16, which is fastened to the housing pan 14 by means of screws 18.

[0041] The gear unit 10 has a shaft 20 rotatably mounted in the housing 12 (cf. Fig. 2b). The shaft 20 is mounted in the housing 12 for rotation about a rotation axis 22, for example, by means of rolling bearings. Here, only rolling bearings 23, 24 are shown at the ends of the shaft 20. Additional rolling bearings may be provided on the shaft 20, for example, in a central region (wall section 15) relative to the longitudinal direction 13 of the housing 12.

[0042] The shaft 20 has a plurality of worm shaft sections 26, which are shaft sections with helical windings in the sense of a worm shaft (not shown). In the example, the worm shaft sections 26 are spaced apart from one another and separated by intermediate worm-free shaft sections 28.

[0043] The gear unit 10 further comprises a drive unit 30 which is coupled to the shaft 20 in order to be able to drive the shaft 20 in rotation (cf. Fig. 2b). In the example, the drive unit 30 is attached to the housing 12.

[0044] The gear unit 10 also has a plurality of output shafts 32, each of which is mounted in the housing 12 so as to be rotatable about its central longitudinal axis 34 and is arranged parallel to one another (cf. Fig. 1 or Fig. 2b). In other words, the central longitudinal axes 34 of the output shafts 32 are oriented parallel to each other. In the example, the central longitudinal axes 34 lie in a geometric plane 36.

[0045] The output shafts 32 are each coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a worm gear segment 38, wherein the worm gear segments 38 are each engaged with one of the worm shaft sections 26 of the shaft 20, so that the output shafts 32 can be driven in rotation by a drive of the drive unit 30 (cf. Fig. 2b). The worm gear segments 38 can each be non-rotatably coupled to the respective output shaft 32, for example, by means of a key 40.

[0046] The output shafts 32 each protrude from the housing 12 on a housing side 42 and have a mechanical interface 44 for coupling and fastening a respective thrower segment 102 (cf. Fig. 1). In the example, the output shafts 32 are spaced equally apart.

[0047] In the present case, the mechanical interfaces 44 each have a flat surface 46 and a plurality of bores 48. In the example, the flat surfaces 46 are each oriented orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis 34 of the respective output shaft 32 and all lie within a geometric plane R (cf. Fig. 2a). The holes 48 can be designed as dowel pins or threaded holes. In this case, three holes 48 are provided, each located at the corners of a triangle (see Fig. 2b). Optionally, the mechanical interfaces 44 may also have profile features, as explained above.

[0048] In principle, a different number of worm shaft sections 26, worm gear segments 38, and output shafts 32 is conceivable, as explained above. In the example, ten worm shaft sections 26, worm gear segments 38, and output shafts 32 are provided.

[0049] In the present case, the shaft 20 is formed from a first shaft section 20' and a second shaft section 20'', which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner at a connection point 27. In the example, the shaft sections 20', 20'' are designed as separate shaft parts, which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner at the connection point 27 by means of a connecting element (not shown). The connecting element can be designed as a shaft coupling, as explained above. At the connection point 27, the housing 12 can have a wall section 15, which can accommodate a bearing element for supporting the shaft 20, for example, a rolling bearing.

[0050] Due to the rotationally fixed coupling, the first shaft section 20' and the second shaft section 20'' can be driven in the same direction of rotation by a drive of the drive unit 30. The worm shaft sections 26' on the first shaft section 20' and the worm shaft sections 26'' on the second shaft section 20' have opposite pitches, as explained above.

[0051] The drive unit 30 is attached to the housing 12 of the gear unit 10 and, in this case, has a motor 54, which is designed as an electric motor. The motor 54 has a motor shaft 56. The motor 54 is coupled to the shaft 20 by means of a gear 58 and can drive the shaft 20 in rotation.

[0052] The drive unit 30 is positioned on the housing 12 in such a way that the shaft 20 is driven at the connection point 27 of the shaft sections 20', 20'' between two adjacent output shafts 32 (cf. Fig. 2b). The gear 58 is designed such that the motor 54 is arranged with its motor shaft 56 parallel to the rotational axis 22 of the shaft 20.

[0053] The transmission 58 has two gear stages, or in other words, is designed as a two-stage unit. Thus, the transmission 58 has, as its first gear stage 60, a bevel gear stage (90° bevel gear stage) coupled to the motor shaft 56 of the motor 54, so that the bevel gear stage can be driven in rotation by a drive from the motor 54. For this purpose, the motor shaft 56 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the input shaft 64 via a coupling element 62. The input shaft 64 drives an output shaft 66 via bevel gears.

[0054] The transmission 58 further comprises a second gear stage 68, which is designed as a bevel gear or hypoid gear stage and is coupled to the shaft 20. Specifically, a drive gear 70 is non-rotatably arranged at the end of the output shaft 66 facing the shaft 20, which drive gear 70 engages with a ring gear 72 non-rotatably arranged on the shaft 20.

[0055] The worm shaft sections 26 and the worm wheel segments 38 are each coordinated such that the angles of rotation that occur on adjacent output shafts 32 when the shaft 20 rotates by a full revolution (rotation of the shaft 20 about its axis of rotation 22 by an angle of 360°) vary in size from the output shafts 32 arranged in or near the center M of the housing 12 with respect to the longitudinal direction 13 (central output shaft) to the output shafts 32 arranged in an outer region of the housing 12 with respect to the longitudinal direction 13 (outer output shafts). In the example, the angles of rotation that occur on the output shafts 32 when the shaft 20 rotates by a defined shaft rotation angle increase towards the outside (cf. Fig. 4). To achieve the maximum possible angle of rotation on the output shafts 32 (total gear ratio), more than one complete revolution of the shaft 20 may be required, e.g., four, six, or eight revolutions, depending on the gear ratios.

[0056] In the example, a comparatively small maximum angle of rotation is achieved at the output shafts 32 adjacent to the center M (central output shafts 32), namely a rotation angle of ± 2-4°. At the outer output shafts 32 (output shafts 32 at the ends of the housing 12), a comparatively large maximum angle of rotation is achieved, namely a rotation angle of ± 25-30°.

[0057] At output shafts 32, which are arranged on either side of the center M and equally spaced from the center M, rotation angles of equal magnitude are achieved when the shaft 20 rotates through a defined shaft rotation angle. In the example, the rotation angles are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction (see Fig. 4).

[0058] The output shafts 32 can be adjusted by means of the drive unit 30 between a first orientation in which all output shafts 32 are in the same rotational position relative to one another (mechanical interfaces 44 all in the same rotational position; see Fig. 3), and a second orientation in which all output shafts 32 are in different rotational positions relative to one another (mechanical interfaces 44 all in different rotational positions; cf. Fig. 4). Thus, in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the thrower segments 102 coupled to the output shafts 32 of the drive unit 10 determine the rotational position of the respective output shaft 32.

[0059] As already indicated, the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 a launcher unit 100 for deploying fireable active agents 104. The launcher unit 100 has a plurality of launcher segments 102 arranged adjacent to one another and a gear unit 10 as described above.

[0060] The launcher segments 102 (agent ejectors) are each received and secured to one of the mechanical interfaces 44 of the output shafts 32. By driving the drive unit 30, the output shafts 32 and the launcher segments 10 coupled thereto can be brought into different angles of rotation relative to each other.

[0061] In Fig. 3, the launcher segments 102 are aligned parallel to each other. In Fig. 4, the output shafts in 32 are all in different rotational positions as a result of a drive by means of the drive unit 30.

[0062] The output shafts 32 of the gear unit 10 are between a first orientation in which all output shafts 32 and the associated thrower units 102 are in the same rotational position (see. Fig. 3), and a second orientation in which all output shafts 32 and the associated thrower units 102 are in different rotational positions relative to one another (cf. Fig. 4). Depending on the rotational position of the output shafts 32, the total fan angle α is 0-60°.

[0063] Fig.Figure 4 shows the maximum total fan angle of α = 60°. The output shafts 32 arranged to the left of the center M and the associated thrower units 102 are pivoted counterclockwise (positive angle), and the output shafts 32 arranged to the right of the center M are pivoted clockwise (negative angle). The output shafts 32 and associated thrower units 102, which are equally spaced from the center M, are pivoted by equal angles of rotation (symmetrical fan angle).

[0064] The launcher segments 102 each have a receiving space 112 extending along a deployment axis 110 for receiving and firing at least one active agent 104. The receiving space 112 is open at the front along the deployment axis 110 in the firing direction, so that an active agent 104 can be fired from the receiving space 112.

[0065] In principle, it is conceivable for an active agent 104 to be directly accommodated in the receiving space 112. In the present case, however, the receiving space 112 is configured to accommodate a magazine 114 in which several, e.g., two to four, active agents 104 are arranged one above the other (orthogonal to the plane of the drawing).

[0066] The launcher segments 102 are preferably open or openable upwards orthogonally to the deployment axis 110, so that the magazines 114 can be removed from the receiving space 112 by an upward movement (orthogonal to the plane of the drawing) and inserted into the receiving space 112 by a countermovement. The magazines 114 can each have a handle for handling (not shown).

[0067] The active means 104 are designed as fireable active means (firing active means). The active means 104 are, in particular, cartridge-loaded ammunition from which a projectile or missile can be fired from the receiving chamber 112 after initiation of a propellant charge.

[0068] Specifically, the active agents 104 can be designed as grenades (e.g., smoke grenades), decoys (multispectral decoys), or launchable drones (e.g., multicopters enclosed in a transport case). These can be used to achieve the desired protective effects depending on the intended use. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 100 08 198 A1 [0005, 0019] EP 2 157 398 B1 [0007, 0019]

Claims

[1] Gear unit (10) for receiving and aligning launcher segments (102) of a launcher unit (100), characterized bya housing (12) extending along a longitudinal direction (13), a shaft (20) rotatably mounted in the housing (12) about its rotational axis (22) and having a plurality of worm shaft sections (26), a drive unit (30) coupled to the shaft (20) to drive the shaft (20) in rotation, a plurality of output shafts (32), each rotatably mounted in the housing (12) about its central longitudinal axis (34) and arranged parallel to one another, wherein the output shafts (32) are each rotationally fixedly coupled to a worm gear segment (38), wherein the worm gear segments (38) are each engaged with one of the worm shaft sections (26) of the shaft (20), so that the output shafts (32) can be driven in rotation by a drive of the drive unit (30), and wherein the output shafts (32) each protrude from the housing (12) on one housing side (42). protrude and have a mechanical interface (44) for coupling and fastening a launcher segment (102). [2] Gear unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the worm shaft sections (26) and the worm wheel segments (38) are each matched in such a way that angles of rotation which arise on adjacent output shafts (32) when the shaft (20) rotates by one revolution are of different sizes, preferably increasing, from output shafts (32) arranged in or near the center (M) of the housing (12) with respect to the longitudinal direction (13) to output shafts (32) arranged in an outer region of the housing (12) with respect to the longitudinal direction (13). [3] Gear unit (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that on output shafts (32) which are arranged on both sides of the center (M) and are equidistant from the center (M), when the shaft (20) is rotated by one revolution, angles of rotation of the same magnitude are set. [4] Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the output shafts (32) can be displaced by means of the drive unit (30) between a first orientation in which all output shafts (32) are in the same rotational position relative to one another, and a second orientation in which all output shafts (32) are in different rotational positions relative to one another. [5] Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mechanical interfaces (44) each have a flat surface (46), one or more profile features and / or several bores (48). [6] Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the shaft (20) is formed from a first shaft section (20') and a second shaft section (20'') which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner at a connecting point (27). [7] Gear unit (10) according to claim 6, characterized bythat the first shaft section (20') and the second shaft section (20'') are driven in the same direction of rotation by a drive of the drive unit (30), wherein the worm shaft sections (26', 26'') on the first shaft section (20') and on the second shaft section (20'') have mutually opposite pitches. [8] Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the drive unit (30) is fastened to the housing (12) and has a motor (54), in particular an electric motor, which is coupled to the shaft (20) directly or by means of a gear (58). [9] Gear unit (10) according to claim 8 and 6 or 7, characterized by that the drive unit (30) is positioned on the housing (12) in such a way that the shaft (20) is driven at the connection point (27) of the shaft sections (20', 20'') between two adjacent output shafts (32). [10] Gear unit (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the gear (58) is designed such that the motor (54) with its motor shaft (56) is arranged parallel to the axis of rotation (22) of the shaft (20). [11] Launcher unit (100) for deploying fireable active means (104), with a plurality of launcher segments (102) arranged adjacent to one another and a gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [12] Launcher unit (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the thrower segments (102) are each attached to one of the mechanical interfaces (44) of the output shafts (32).

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