Device for remotely controlled ignition of ammunition

Abstract

Device for remotely igniting ammunition. The device includes an ignition device (16) and a firing pin (1). Furthermore, the device has a movable lever (4) that can move the firing pin (1). A guide element (2) is movably mounted within the device and, upon movement, can cause the lever (4) to rotate. The guide element (2) can assume a rest position from which it can only be moved by an actuator and / or a remotely controlled driving force. A safety device (14, 18) is also provided, which can restrict the movement of the lever (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the remote ignition of ammunition. Particular attention is paid to mechanical ignition by means of an ignition device. Traditionally, a percussion cap is used as the ignition device. Accordingly, a mechanical striker is then used to activate the ignition device and ignite the ammunition.

[0002] Appropriate devices are required for different types of weapons and different types of ammunition. This ranges from handheld weapons to permanently mounted weapon stations.

[0003] Most remote-controlled devices for firing cartridge ammunition with a primer use mechanically pre-tensioned firing pins. These include a remotely controlled trigger mechanism and a remotely controlled safety system designed to prevent accidental discharge. However, pre-tensioning the firing pins does not preclude the possibility of accidental discharge due to user error, as the energy required for the ignition pulse is readily available through the pre-tension.

[0004] Such devices are known, for example, from CH 711 375 A2. A separate solution for pre-tensioning the striking element, for triggering the striking element, and for securing the striking element is disclosed. In this case, the striking element is operated by means of an actuator.

[0005] From EP 2 282 157 B1 a remotely controlled tensioning device for machine guns is known, wherein a chain tensioner is used to realize a corresponding tension in the device.

[0006] The aforementioned solutions present the problem that the firing pins within the device can be subjected to vibrations and shocks, for example, during transport or driving the weapon across rough terrain. Depending on the type of actuator, the weapon may be in an undefined state, and unintentional ignition of the ammunition is possible.

[0007] Devices for igniting ammunition are known from EP 0 611 186 A1, EP 2 048 468 A2 and US 1 946 388 A.

[0008] This results in the problem of insufficient safety of the device. The present invention addresses this problem and proposes a solution.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for the remote ignition of ammunition which functions reliably and offers improved safety against unintentional ignition of the ammunition compared to the prior art. This object is achieved by the features of the present main claim.

[0010] Accordingly, a device for the remote ignition of ammunition is proposed, comprising an ignition device and a striker. Preferably, the ignition device is designed as a percussion cap. The aforementioned striker is designed as a mechanical striker that can act upon the ignition device and cause the ignition device to ignite the ammunition.

[0011] Furthermore, the device according to the invention includes a movable lever which can move the striking piece. The striking piece can be arranged directly on the lever. However, the striking piece can also be arranged indirectly on the lever, for example by means of a joint.

[0012] According to the invention, a guide element is movably mounted in the device and can assume several positions by virtue of its mobility, but at least a rest position and an activation position.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the lever is designed such that the guide element, during its movement, can set the lever in motion, preferably in a rotational movement. During the movement of the lever, the guide element can thus come into operative contact with the lever to execute the aforementioned movement. This preferably occurs when the guide element moves from the rest position to the activation position.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the invention, a safety device is provided which can impede the movement of the lever. Since the lever is connected to the firing pin in such a way that the lever can move the firing pin, the safety device also prevents the movement of the firing pin. This results in considerable safety against unintentional ignition of the ammunition.

[0015] The interaction of the lever with the guide element can be implemented in different ways. These different embodiments are explained in more detail in the subsequent figure description. Likewise, the interaction of the lever with the striking piece can be designed differently. Again, please refer to the following figure description.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, a housing is provided for the device. This housing can be designed to be lockable in order to protect the device. The device can be inserted into the housing and also serviced there.

[0017] The operating principle of the device according to the invention is that the guide element assumes its rest position as the starting position.

[0018] By remotely triggering the movement of the guide element, it can now be moved from its rest position towards its activation position. This is preferably achieved by a remotely controlled actuator that can exert a driving force on the guide element. This driving force then sets the guide element in motion and moves it out of its rest position. An electromagnet is proposed for the actuator, which can be remotely magnetized or demagnetized.

[0019] When the guide element moves out of its rest position, it moves the lever and ensures that the striker is moved towards the firing device at a speed that activates the firing device, allowing the firing device to ignite the ammunition.

[0020] After the movement of the guide element and the subsequent ignition of the ammunition, the guide element is moved back to its rest position and the device is again in its starting or rest position.

[0021] To return the guide element to its rest position, it is preferably proposed that the device include a return element which can move the guide element to its rest position when no driving force is present. In the simplest embodiment, a spring can be provided for this purpose, but hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic return elements are also conceivable.

[0022] When using a return element, the actuator must be designed so that the driving force can overcome the force of the return element to move the guide element from its rest position to the activation position.

[0023] The force of the recoil element ensures that the guide element is held in its rest position. This reduces the risk of accidental ignition. To further prevent accidental ignition of the ammunition, the invention proposes using a safety device that can impede the movement of the lever or the firing pin. This safety device can be a locking pin, but mechanical brakes or a mechanical locking mechanism for the lever are also conceivable.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, it is proposed to use a safety actuator that can activate or deactivate the safety device. The safety actuator can also be remotely controllable.

[0025] The lever can be supported by a bearing. Such a bearing allows the lever to rotate. In a particular embodiment, the locking mechanism can also be integrated into the bearing to prevent rotation within the bearing.

[0026] In another particular embodiment, the striking element can be designed such that its movement can be restricted, but it can also be released to act on the ignition device. In this case, it is proposed to use a tensioning element as an energy storage device, which uses the stored energy to move the striking element towards the ignition device. This results in an increased striking force on the ignition device, ensuring reliable ignition.

[0027] In addition to the aforementioned free movement of the striking element, the guide element is designed to include a cam. It is proposed that the cam be mounted to rotate around a pivot point. The cam can then interact with the lever via the guide element. The lever, in turn, can be designed to have a slope that increases relative to the plane of the lever in the direction of movement of the guide element.

[0028] In this design, when the guide element moves from its rest position, the cam is guided over this slope, setting the lever in motion and subsequently the striker in motion. The striker's movement supplies energy to the clamping element. As the cam continues to move over the lever's slope, it releases the lever and then the striker. The previously stored energy from the clamping element is transferred to the now-free striker, moving it towards the firing mechanism and allowing it to act upon it.

[0029] During the return movement of the guide element in this configuration, the cam now engages the ramp of the lever and is thereby set into rotation during the further return movement of the guide element, in order to overcome the ramp. This allows the guide element, together with the cam, to be returned to its rest position. Furthermore, the cam features a locking mechanism. This allows the cam to rotate as the guide element returns to its rest position. When the guide element moves out of its rest position, the locking mechanism blocks the rotation, preventing the cam from rotating during this movement.

[0030] In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the lever include a stop to limit its movement. This is advantageous when a hold-down device is provided on the guide element as a safety device. For this purpose, the lever again has the aforementioned slope, which, in the guide element's rest position, has a surface running parallel to the guide element's direction of movement, with which the hold-down device interacts. At this moment, the lever is in the stop position.

[0031] The hold-down device prevents the lever from moving, with the aid of the aforementioned stop, until the hold-down device reaches the position of the lever's bearing. The lever's ramp extends to this bearing, so that if the guide element moves beyond the bearing, the lever's movement is released because the hold-down device is no longer in contact with the ramp.

[0032] In this context, it is further proposed that the guide element include a movable pressure piece. The pressure piece is subjected to pressure or force in a specific direction by means of the clamping element. This pressure piece then acts on the lever in the direction of pressure, and if the lever has been released by the hold-down device, the pressure piece ensures that the lever, together with the striking piece, is moved towards the firing device.

[0033] As long as the hold-down device is in contact with the ramp in this embodiment, it acts as a safety device and the lever cannot move. The movement of the guide element initially tensions the clamping element. With further movement, the hold-down device is no longer in contact with the ramp, thus releasing the lever, which is then set in motion by the pressure piece via the clamping element.

[0034] In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the device includes a rack which can move together with the guide element, for example, triggered by the actuator. The rack, in turn, is held in its position by the aforementioned locking mechanism until the guide element is moved beyond a certain position. The movement of the guide element then releases the locking mechanism.

[0035] The guide element then moves the rack, which in turn drives a gear via a pinion to set the lever in motion. This, in turn, triggers the ignition device, as described above, thus igniting the ammunition.

[0036] Further features can be seen in the attached drawings. They show: Figure 1: A device according to the invention with a striking piece which is arranged on the lever via a joint. Figure 2: A device according to the invention with a pressure piece and a hold-down device. Figures 3, 4: Each the device according to the invention made of Figure 2 during the ignition process. Figure 5: A device according to the invention with rack and pinion. Figures 6, 7: Two perspective views of an embodiment according to the invention with a safety drive. Figure 8: Functioning of the embodiment shown in the Figures 6 and 7 .

[0037] The Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention. Here, when the device is activated by an actuator, a drive force 9 is applied to the guide element 2. The guide element 2 includes a cam 3, which is rotatably mounted on the guide element 2 via a pivot point 6. A rotation lock prevents rotation against the direction of rotation 11.

[0038] The driving force 9 moves the guide element 2 and the cam 3 attached to it. It also supplies mechanical energy to the return element 15 and simultaneously removes the safety device 14 during the movement of the guide element 2. For this purpose, the safety device 14 is also located on the guide element 2 and, in the guide element 2's resting state, extends between the striker 1 and the ignition device 16, preventing the striker 1 from coming into contact with the ignition device 16. When the guide element 2 moves, the safety device 14 is displaced, so that the safety device 14 is no longer located between the striker 1 and the ignition device.

[0039] Lever 4 has a slope 12 which increases relative to the plane 19 of lever 4 and the plane of motion of guide element 2. Since the cam 3 of guide element 2 is connected to lever 4, cam 3 slides over the slope 12 of lever 4 when guide element 2 moves. This causes lever 4 to rotate 8 about bearing 5 in the indicated direction of rotation.

[0040] Opposite the slope 12, the lever 4 is connected to the striking piece 1 via a joint 7 and sets it in a linear movement 10 by the rotational movement of the lever 4. The striking piece 1 is lifted and thereby supplies mechanical energy to the clamping element 13.

[0041] As soon as the guide element 2, together with the cam 3, moves beyond the end of the slope 12 of the lever 4, the lever 4 and the striker 1 are free to move. The energy previously stored in the clamping element 13 can act unhindered on the striker 1, which thus executes a movement towards the ignition device 16 and mechanically ignites the ignition device 16.

[0042] The energy stored in the return element 15 is released after the action of the driving force 9 and moves the guide element 2 back to its rest position. To enable this, the cam 3 is rotatably mounted about the aforementioned pivot point 6. Thus, the cam 3 can rotate in a rotary motion 11 over the ramp 12 of the lever 4 and return to its initial position; the device is then back in its initial state and the guide element 2 in its rest position.

[0043] As the guide element 2 moves back, the safety device 14 is simultaneously repositioned so that it extends between the striker 1 and the firing mechanism. To simplify this movement, it is proposed that the safety device 14 incorporates an inclined surface which, when it moves under the striker 1, can lift it. The device is thus secured against impacts in the direction of the striker 1's linear movement. Furthermore, the return element 15 is designed such that the guide element 2, together with the cam 3, cannot overcome the slope 12 of the lever 4 without the assistance of the drive force 9.

[0044] The Figures 2 , 3 and 4 show a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, however with a pressure piece 17 and a hold-down device 18 as a safety device 14.

[0045] In the starting or resting position, which is in Figure 2As shown, when the device is activated, a drive force 9 moves the guide element 2 in which the pressure piece 17 is guided. Mechanical energy is thereby supplied to the return element 15.

[0046] The energy stored in the clamping device 13 is transferred to the pressure piece 17 and exerts a compressive force directed towards the lever 4. This force increases depending on the pitch 12 of the lever 4 and the distance traveled by the guide element 2 until the end of the pitch 12. The compressive force of the clamping element 13 enables the pressure piece to perform a linear movement 10.

[0047] The clamping element 13 can, in its simplest form, again be designed as a spring. However, hydraulic, electrical, or pneumatic systems are also conceivable here.

[0048] The striking piece 1 is arranged directly on the lever 4, the lever 4 being rotatably mounted via a bearing 5.

[0049] In Figure 3 The movement of the guide element 4 can now be observed. Before the hold-down device 18 has moved beyond the position of the bearing 5, to which the slope 12 extends, the hold-down device 18 blocks the rotational movement of the lever 4 via its contact with the slope 12. For this purpose, the slope 12 is arranged such that a stop 22 is provided, which can limit the rotational movement of the lever 4 in one direction. Beyond this movement limit, the slope 12 then has a surface running parallel to the direction of movement of the guide element 2, which extends to the position of the bearing 5 of the lever 4. If the hold-down device 18 does not move beyond the position of the bearing 5 of the lever 4, the hold-down device 18 thus blocks the movement of the lever 4. The hold-down device 18 therefore acts as a safety device 14.

[0050] In Figure 4The guide element 2 now moves beyond the position of the bearing 5, so that the hold-down device 18 is no longer in contact with the pitch 12 and thus no longer limits the movement of the lever 4. As a result, the pressure force of the pressure piece 17 can now act on the lever 4 and move the lever 4, together with the striking piece 1, in the striking direction 20 of the firing device 16.

[0051] The energy stored in the return element 15 is released after the action of the driving force 9 and moves the guide element 2 back to its rest position. In doing so, the hold-down device 18 also comes back into contact with the ramp 12 of the lever 4 and returns the lever 4, together with the striking piece 1, to its starting position.

[0052] Here too, the return element 15 is designed such that, in the event of unintended movements in the direction of the drive force 9, the hold-down device 18 can only overcome the resistance of the return element 15 and pass through the bearing 5 with the assistance of the drive force 9. In all other directions, the device is secured by the hold-down device 18, as it holds the striking piece 1 in position.

[0053] The advantage of this embodiment is that the distance traveled by the guide element 2 can be varied. This allows for adjustments to whether the device should offer greater safety or a shorter ignition time. The preload force of the clamping element 13 is also adjustable.

[0054] Figure 5Figure 1 also shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention. Here, the actuator pulls the guide element 2, which releases the locking elements of the safety device 14 that are mounted in a rack 26. The locking elements are designed as clamping rollers. The actuator is designed as an electromagnet 21.

[0055] After the clamping rollers are released, the rack 26 is unlocked and is moved by the actuator via the guide element 2. The rack 26 transmits the movement to a gear 23, which rotates a bearing 5 via a gearbox, on which the lever 4 is located.

[0056] The striker 1 is attached to the lever 4 and can be rotated along with the lever 4. After a defined angular movement, the striker 1 strikes the ignition device 16 and thus activates the ignition process.

[0057] After ignition, the return element 15 moves the guide element 2 together with the rack 26 back to its starting position, whereby the safety device 14 also secures the device again.

[0058] The Figures 6 and 7 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment, in which the actuator moves the guide element 2 out of its rest position, thereby simultaneously applying energy to the return element 15. Here, the actuator is again designed as an electromagnet 21 and the return element 15 as a spring.

[0059] The guide element 2 can act on the pivotally mounted lever 4 and set it into a rotational movement. This rotational movement and the interaction with the guide element 2 is described in Figure 8 A more detailed explanation.

[0060] After completion of the movement, the guide element 2 is released and returns to its rest position via the return element 15. In doing so, it strikes the lever 4 with the striker 1, which in turn accelerates the lever 4 and sets it into rotation. At the end of the rotation, the striker 1 strikes the ignition device 16 and can activate the ignition process. The lever 4 rotates around the bearing 5 during this process.

[0061] In this embodiment, the safety device 14 can limit the movement of the lever 4 so that it cannot allow the striking piece 1 to strike the ignition element 16. In this embodiment, the safety device 14 can also be used to return the lever 4 to its starting position for a renewed striking process.

[0062] Preferably, the aforementioned safety drive 25 is used for this purpose. In the present embodiment, the safety device 14 is designed as a flap which, for example by means of a projection, moves the lever 4 back towards the guide element 2 when the safety device 14 is inserted.

[0063] All of the aforementioned devices can be accommodated in a housing 24 (not shown).

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned features. Rather, further embodiments are conceivable. For example, the device could also be designed without a housing. Likewise, it is conceivable that the deflection lever performs a linear movement instead of a rotary movement. Finally, it is also conceivable that the striking element performs an additional rotary movement instead of a linear movement. REFERENCE MARK

[0065] 1 Striking piece 2 Guide element 3 Cam 4 Lever 5 Bearing of 4 6 Pivot point of 3 7 Joint 8 Rotary movement of 4 9 Drive force 10 Linear movement 11 Rotary movement of 3 12 Pitch 13 Clamping element 14 Safety device 15 Return element 16 Ignition device 17 Pressure piece 18 Hold-down device 19 Plane of 4 20 Striking movement 21 Electromagnet 22 Stop 23 Gear 24 Housing 25 Safety drive 26 Rack

Claims

1. Device for remotely controlled ignition of ammunition, comprising an ignition device (16), comprising a striking piece (1) and a movable lever (4) which can move the striking piece (1), a guide element (2) being movably mounted in the device, the guide element (2) being able to set the lever (4) in motion during its movement and a safety (14) being able to at least partially prevent the movement of the lever (4), characterized in that a cam (3) is arranged on the guide element (2), which cam can perform a rotational movement (11) via a pivot point (6) in the direction of rotation and has a rotation lock to prevent rotation against the rotational movement (11) in a certain position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ignition device (16) is designed as a mechanical ignition element, in particular as a primer.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the device includes a housing (24) in which the device is at least partially accommodated.

4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide element (2) can assume at least one rest position and one activation position due to its movement.

5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide element (2) can be subjected to a driving force (9) by an actuator and thereby set in motion, the actuator being designed in particular as an electromagnet (21).

6. Device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the guide element (2) can be moved into its rest position by a return element (15).

7. Device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device includes a safety drive (25) which can move the safety (14) in order to prevent the striking piece (1) from coming into operative connection with the ignition device (16).

8. Device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a tensioning element (13) is arranged in the device in such a way that its energy can act on the striking piece (1).

9. Device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lever (4) has a slope (12) which can come into contact with the cam (3), whereby the cam (3) can cause the lever (4) to rotate (8).

10. Device according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the striking piece (1) can be caused to move linearly (10) via the lever (4), whereby the tensioning element (13) is supplied with energy.

11. Device according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the guide element (2) includes a movable pressure piece (17) and a hold-down device (18) as a safety (14), and the pressure piece (17) can be subjected to a force by means of the tensioning element (13) in order to move the lever (4) to a striking movement (20).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressure piece (17) can come into contact with a plane (19) of the lever (4) and the hold-down device (18) can come into contact with the slope (12).

13. Device according to any of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the slope (12) is designed such that when the lever (4) rests against a stop (22), the slope (12) has a surface running parallel to the direction of movement of the guide element (2) and extending to the bearing (7) of the lever (4).

14. Device according to any of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the device includes a rack (26) which can be moved by the actuator by means of the guide element (2).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the rack (26) can drive a gear by means of a gear wheel (30) which can set the lever (4) in motion.

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