DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR DRAINING BELT LINKS OF VARIOUS AMMO SYSTEMS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a diverting device for diverting belt links of various types of ammunition.

[0002] Appropriate discharge devices are required for ammunition from various weapon systems that are connected to each other via belt links. In these weapon systems, the now ammunition-free belt links are ejected after firing.

[0003] Such weapon systems are frequently used on vehicles with a mission module and a turret mounted on a rotating platform. The weapon system is thus assigned to the turret.

[0004] In the simplest case, after the belt links are ejected, they fall uncontrollably onto the mission module. Depending on the weapon system or the position of the turret relative to the mission module, the ejected belt links may fall to the ground, but it is not uncommon for them to fall onto the mission module.

[0005] Because the ejected belt links can fall onto the mission module, there is a risk that they could become wedged between the turret and the mission module when the turret rotates. This could cause the belt links to become jammed between the turret and the mission module, potentially resulting in significant damage to the underside of the turret and the mission module itself.

[0006] For example, a corresponding ejection device for belt links is known from DE 10 2009 031 285 A1. Such a device ensures that belt links are ejected from the weapon or turret after the ammunition has been fired. This patent application optionally proposes a collection device.

[0007] From DE 10 2009 051 064 A1, a catching or collecting device for casings and / or connectors is known. This publication proposes providing corresponding catching and collecting containers to collect ejected ammunition parts.

[0008] However, collection containers present the problem that after a certain period they become full, and further use of the weapon systems would cause the containers to overflow. Alternatively, the weapon system must remain unused for a period of time to allow the container to empty.

[0009] US Patent 2019 / 0242664 A1 describes a device for ejecting spent casings and / or connectors from at least one ammunition belt or strip connected to a primary and / or secondary weapon, the device being mounted in an armored vehicle turret. The device comprises a variety of geometrically and mechanically defined structural elements to guide the movement of the spent casings and / or connectors from an inside to an outside of the vehicle turret along a specific path after the ammunition has been fired, and a vibration device for vibrating at least one part of the structural elements to facilitate the movement of the spent casings and / or connectors.

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to prevent jamming of belt links of different ammunition between the turret and mission module of a vehicle and to avoid downtime of the weapon system, for example by emptying collection containers.

[0011] These tasks are solved by the features of the main claim being submitted.

[0012] The present application recommends a deflection device for diverting ejected belt links from various types of ammunition. The deflection device has at least one deflection surface, which is mounted on a base. For attaching the deflection device to a weapon system or a vehicle turret, the device further includes at least one fastening element.

[0013] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to create a device that can safely divert ejected belt links away from the vehicle, and thus from the turret and mission module. The ejected belt links thus encounter the diverting device, which ensures that the belt links are directed outside the vehicle onto the ground on which the vehicle is standing. This prevents the belt links from reaching the mission module and becoming jammed between the turret and the mission module. Downtime for the weapon system, as occurs when using collection containers, is avoided.

[0014] To ensure safe diversion, the diversion device is designed so that the ejected belt links are guided away from the vehicle path in a designated direction. For this purpose, the diversion device can be designed such that the ejection velocity of the belt links, due to the geometry of the diversion device and, in particular, the diversion surface, guides them in a specific direction.

[0015] In any case, when mounting the discharge devices on the vehicle, they are designed in such a way that they can extend beyond the lateral dimensions of the vehicle's mission module.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the deflector surface is designed such that it slopes towards the underbody on one side. The deflector surface's slope towards the underbody is designed such that the distance to the underbody is kept small on one side and increased on the opposite side. Thus, the deflector surface slopes towards the underbody, ensuring that the ejected belt links are directed to one side of the deflector device.

[0017] To prevent the belt links from moving beyond the discharge device during ejection, it is further preferred that the discharge device includes edge surfaces. These are arranged laterally on the discharge surface, leaving the side towards which the ejected belt links are to be directed clear.

[0018] The edge surfaces are inclined towards the deflection surface, ensuring that the ejected seatbelt links are guided towards it. The ejected seatbelt links then pass through the edge surfaces onto the deflection device. Depending on the ejection speed, they may initially land on the edge surfaces and be guided back towards the deflection surface. From the deflection surface, the seatbelt links are then directed away from the vehicle.

[0019] The discharge surface itself can be curved, but it can also be straight. The angled and sloping edge surfaces can form a U-shape together with the discharge surface.

[0020] Preferably, the edge surfaces are arranged laterally to the drainage surface, such that the edge surfaces run diagonally towards the underbody. This reduces the distance from the underbody and edge surfaces to the drainage surface.

[0021] In principle, the deflecting surface and the boundary surfaces form a U-shape, whereby the wings of the U do not run vertically, but diagonally.

[0022] It is further preferred that at least one boundary be provided, which is assigned to at least one side of the deflection surface and / or at least one side of the edge surfaces. Such corresponding boundaries are designed as vertical surfaces and ensure that the movement of the ejected belt links towards a specific side of the deflection device is limited. Should belt links reach the boundary due to their speed, they simply rebound from it and are thus moved back towards the deflection surface or edge surface.

[0023] To minimize damage to the discharge device from the ejected belt links, it is recommended that the discharge surface and / or its edges be made of hardened metal. It is important that the edges and / or the discharge surface are made of a stronger or harder material than the ejected belt links.

[0024] The underside of the discharge device is designed to be soft, allowing it to make contact with the mission module located beneath the turret. During rotation of the turret, the soft material of the underside can then compensate for unevenness on the surface of the mission module. It is preferably proposed that the underside be made of soft rubber.

[0025] Because the underbody can come into contact with the mission module, the area between the turret and the mission module is protected, preventing the ejected belt links from entering this area and becoming jammed between them.

[0026] To make the underbody as soft as possible and ensure high deformability, it is proposed to incorporate recesses into the underbody material. This is particularly beneficial when using rubber, as it results in very high deformability and a very soft feel. Alternatively, it is suggested that the underbody be made of soft foam.

[0027] The aforementioned features ensure that the deflection device transports or diverts the ejected belt links far enough away from the vehicle that they cannot enter the area between the turret and the mission module. This is achieved, firstly, by designing the deflection device's physical dimensions to guide the ejected belt links away from the vehicle. Secondly, the underbody covers the area where the belt links are ejected to the mission module, preventing them from entering this area.

[0028] The aforementioned discharge device for diverting ammunition belt links from various types of ammunition is mounted on a vehicle. Such a vehicle comprises a mission module, which also serves as the vehicle's chassis, and a turret that is rotatably mounted on the mission module. This turret houses a weapon that ejects ammunition belt links from the weapon.

[0029] The proposed discharge device is now positioned on the turret and secured to it using fastening elements. The discharge device is attached to the turret in such a way that its underside faces the mission module. This arrangement achieves the aforementioned solution to the given problem.

[0030] Preferably, the discharge device is attached to the tower in the area of ​​the ejection point.

[0031] When mounted on the tower, the aforementioned limits are preferably arranged on the sides of the discharge surface or the edge surfaces that do not correspond to the mounting side. In other words, the side not facing the discharge can be fitted with the corresponding limits.

[0032] The deflector device attached to the tower then forms a deflection system, with the sloping deflector surface oriented away from the ejection point. This means that it slopes down in a different direction than the side facing the ejection point.

[0033] Further features can be seen in the attached drawing. It shows: Figure 1: A discharge device according to the invention

[0034] The Figure 1 shows a discharge device 1 according to the invention in the unassembled state.

[0035] The diverting device 1 for diverting belt links of various ammunition comprises at least one diverting surface 2. This diverting surface 2 is arranged on a base 7, wherein the diverting device 1 comprises at least one fastening element 6.

[0036] The discharge device 1 consists mainly of the discharge surface 2, which ensures that ejected belt links are guided to one side of the discharge device 1.

[0037] The aforementioned fastening elements 6 allow the deflector device 1 to be attached to the turret so that it can receive the ejected belt links of the weapon.

[0038] The deflection surface 2 is designed such that any ejected belt links striking it are deflected to one side. This can be achieved by the geometric shape of the deflection surface 2. Preferably, however, the deflection surface 2 runs obliquely to the underbody 7, so that belt links ejected by the force of gravity are carried to the side where the deflection surface 2 has the smallest distance to the underbody 7; in the present drawing, this is the front side.

[0039] To support the geometry and the deflecting effect of the deflecting surface 2, edge surfaces 3 can be provided, which are arranged at an angle to the deflecting surface 2. Thus, the edge surfaces 2 support the deflection of the ejected belt links towards the deflecting surface 2.

[0040] Furthermore, limits 4 and 5 are provided to prevent the belt links from moving out of the discharge device 1. Lateral limits 5 and lower limits 4 may be provided. The limits 4 and 5 ensure that ejected belt links striking the discharge device 1 cannot exceed the dimensions of the discharge device 1, as their movement is stopped by the limits 4 and 5. The corresponding belt links will then return to the edge surfaces 3 or the discharge surface 2.

[0041] While the lateral boundary 5 prevents movement outside the discharge device 1, the lower boundary 4 ensures that the belt links are only discharged from the discharge device 1 in the area of ​​the discharge surface 2. Any discharges via the edge surfaces 3 are thereby prevented.

[0042] The underbody 7 is provided with cutouts as shown, making it softer than if made of a material without cutouts, such as rubber. The soft underbody 7 ensures that the area from the turret to the mission module is filled in the vicinity of the discharge device 1. However, rotational movement of the turret is still permitted due to the deformability of the underbody 7.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned features. Rather, further embodiments are conceivable.

[0044] The deflector surface, as well as the edge surfaces and, if necessary, the boundaries, can be made of hardened metal. Other hard materials can also be used, provided they have a higher hardness than the ejected belt links. The underside could be made of a softer material, such as foam, instead of rubber. Furthermore, the mounting elements could be designed as the side surfaces of the deflector surface or the edge surfaces. This allows the deflector device to be attached to the turret via the side surface itself, for example, using screws, clips, or welds. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0045] 1. Drainage device 2. Drainage surface 3. Edge surface 4. Lower boundary 5. Side boundary 6. Fastening element 7. Subfloor

Claims

1. Deflecting system for deflecting belt links of different ammunition, comprising a vehicle comprising a mission module, a turret rotatably mounted on the mission module, and a weapon having an ejector for belt links of the weapon's ammunition, a deflecting device (1) for deflecting belt links of various ammunition, wherein the deflecting device (1) comprises at least one deflecting surface (2), wherein the deflecting surface (2) is arranged on a subfloor (7), wherein the deflecting device (1) comprises at least one fastening element (6), wherein the deflecting device (1) is fastened to the turret by means of the fastening element (6), wherein the subfloor (7) is arranged towards the mission module, characterized in that the subfloor (7) comes into contact with the mission module.

2. Deflecting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflecting surface (2) runs at an angle to the subfloor (7) so that the distance from the subfloor (7) to the deflecting surface (2) decreases towards one side of the subfloor (7).

3. Deflecting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deflecting device (1) comprises edge surfaces (3) which are arranged laterally on the deflecting surface (2).

4. Deflecting system according to claim 3, characterized in that the edge surfaces (3) run at an angle to the subfloor (7) so that the distance from the subfloor (7) to the edge surfaces (3) decreases towards one side of the subfloor (7) as well as towards the deflecting surface (2).

5. Deflecting system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one boundary (4, 5) is provided, which is arranged on at least one side of the deflecting surface (2) and / or at least one side of the edge surfaces (3).

6. Deflecting system according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the deflecting surface (2) and / or the edge surfaces (3) are made of hardened metal.

7. Deflecting system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the subfloor (7) is made of soft rubber.

8. Deflecting system according to claim 7, characterized in that the subfloor (7) has recesses which enable the rubber to be more easily deformed.

9. Deflecting system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the deflecting device (1) is attached to the turret on one side in the area of the ejector.

10. Deflecting system according to claim 5, characterized in that the boundaries (4, 5) are arranged on sides of the deflecting surface (2) and / or the edge surfaces (3) which do not correspond to the side facing the ejector.

11. Deflecting system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sloping deflecting surface (2) slopes away from the ejector toward the subfloor (7).

12. Deflecting system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one side of the deflecting device (1) extends beyond the lateral dimension of the mission module.