Method and emergency aiming control unit for operating an emergency aiming system for an artillery apparatus, artillery apparatus and vehicle

Abstract

A method for operating an emergency aiming system for an artillery apparatus (105) having at least one emergency aiming drive unit (115) and an artillery unit, connected to the emergency aiming drive unit (115), for a vehicle (100) is presented, the emergency aiming system being operated at least if a main aiming system of the artillery apparatus (105) fails. The method comprises a step of providing an activation signal to an interface to an emergency aiming electronics unit, the activation signal being designed to activate the emergency aiming system, a step of reading in a setpoint signal via an interface to an acquisition device (125), wherein an alignment signal (335) containing a setpoint speed and / or a setpoint torque for a movement by the artillery apparatus (105) is computed from the setpoint signal and predefined for the at least one emergency aiming drive unit (115), and a step of outputting at least one alignment signal (335) to align the at least one emergency aiming drive unit (115) after the reading-in step (210), in order to align the artillery unit (110) with the setpoint speed represented by the alignment signal (335) and / or with the setpoint torque at least while the main aiming system (402) has failed. It is also possible to output at least one enable signal (340) to enable firing after the reading-in step, in order to align the artillery unit (110) with the position represented by the setpoint signal at least while the main aiming system has failed.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a method and an emergency aiming control unit for operating an emergency aiming system for a gun device, a gun device, and a vehicle according to the preamble of the independent claims. The present invention also relates to a computer program.

[0002] The main drive of a gun turret in military vehicles is either electrically or hydraulically operated. The weapon is guided to a sight, ensuring that the fire control computer adjusts the mount and lead angle to hit the target. The sight remains stabilized and aligned with the target, and the main drives guide the weapons accordingly.

[0003] Document US 4 686 888 A discloses a turret system for a light military vehicle.

[0004] The document US 2004 / 033472 A1 discloses an all-optical simulation method and system for precision shooting.

[0005] Document US 4 885 977 A discloses a stabilized line-of-sight targeting system for use with fire control systems.

[0006] Against this background, the approach presented here provides an improved method and an improved emergency aiming control unit for operating an emergency aiming system for a gun device, an improved gun device, an improved vehicle, and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims. The measures listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous refinements and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim.

[0007] The approach presented here presents a possibility to reduce the time required to align a gun unit using an emergency aiming system.

[0008] A method is presented for operating an emergency aiming system for a gun device having at least one emergency aiming drive unit and a gun unit for a vehicle connected to the emergency aiming drive unit, wherein the emergency aiming system is operated at least in the event of a failure of a main aiming system of the gun device. The method comprises a step of providing an activation signal to an interface to an emergency aiming activation unit, wherein the activation signal is designed to activate the emergency aiming system. In a reading step, a target signal is read in via an interface to a detection device or fire control computer in order to generate an alignment signal from the target signal, wherein the alignment signal of the at least one emergency aiming drive unit specifies a target position for a movement of the gun device or a weapon.The method also includes a step of outputting at least one alignment signal for aligning the at least one emergency aiming drive unit after the reading step, in order to align the gun unit with the target speed and / or the target torque represented by the alignment signal, at least during the failure of the main aiming system. Furthermore, the method can include a step of outputting at least one release signal for enabling a shot after the reading step, in order to reliably enable firing at the target.

[0009] The gun device can be used, for example, for military vehicles, such as tanks. The emergency aiming system can be carried out automatically, for example, so that, for example, intervention by a user is not a prerequisite for the functionality of the emergency aiming system. The emergency aiming drive unit can be designed, for example, as a motor, which can be configured to move a gun unit of the gun device. The detection device can be designed, for example, as a viewing device, which can be configured, for example, to detect the surroundings of the vehicle. The aiming position can, for example, be a position at which the gun unit is to aim. Advantageously, the approach presented here allows a detected target to be continuously monitored using at least one viewing device, even if the main aiming system fails.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the method can comprise a step of receiving a change signal before the outputting step, wherein the change signal can represent a change in the aiming position by a user. Furthermore, in the outputting step, the change signal can be output to the gun unit in order to align the gun unit to the aiming position changed by the change signal, at least during the failure of the main aiming system. Specifically, an alignment of the gun unit with the target speed and / or the target torque represented by the alignment signal can be suppressed if a change in the aiming position made by a user has been detected. The change signal can, for example, represent a manual intervention by the user. Advantageously, a manual intervention can be given higher priority than an automatically detected aiming position.

[0011] In the step of providing the activation signal, the at least one emergency control electronics unit can be electrically connected to a power grid in response to the activation of the emergency control system. This can advantageously prevent damage caused, for example, by a nuclear pulse, which could damage active power grids.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the step of providing the release signal can be performed when the vehicle is stationary. This advantageously improves aiming and, for example, stabilization of the gun unit during a shot. The gun unit can, for example, comprise a turret and a weapon.

[0013] In the step of providing the activation signal, the activation signal may be provided in response to a failure signal representing the failure of the main directing system.

[0014] The approach presented here further provides an emergency control unit configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a device also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0015] For this purpose, the emergency control unit can have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting data or control signals to the actuator, and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, or the like, wherein the memory unit can be a flash memory, an EEPROM, or a magnetic storage unit.The communication interface can be designed to read in or output data wirelessly and / or wired, wherein a communication interface that can read in or output wired data can read this data, for example, electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line or output it to a corresponding data transmission line.

[0016] In this case, an emergency control unit can be understood as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals depending on them. The device can have an interface, which can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible for the interfaces to be separate integrated circuits or to consist at least partially of discrete components. In a software implementation, the interfaces can be software modules, which are present, for example, on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.

[0017] Furthermore, a gun device for a vehicle is presented, wherein the gun device comprises a gun unit, at least one emergency aiming drive unit connected to the gun unit and an emergency aiming control unit in a previously mentioned variant for controlling the emergency aiming drive unit and the gun unit.

[0018] The gun device can be used, for example, in a wartime situation. The gun unit can, for example, comprise a weapon and / or a turret, with the weapon being movably mounted on the turret or turret. The emergency aiming drive unit can, for example, comprise at least one motor configured to move the weapon or turret.

[0019] Furthermore, a vehicle with a gun mount as presented here is presented.

[0020] The vehicle can, for example, be designed as a military vehicle, such as a tank.

[0021] Examples of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a gun device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 a flowchart of a method for operating an emergency aiming system for a gun device for a vehicle; Fig. 3 a block diagram of an emergency control unit according to an embodiment; and Fig. 4 an embodiment of a block diagram for a gun device for a vehicle.

[0022] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, whereby a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

[0023] If an embodiment includes an "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment has either only the first feature or only the second feature.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 100 with a gun device 105 according to one exemplary embodiment. According to this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 100 is implemented as a tank. For this purpose, the vehicle 100 has the gun device 105, which has a gun unit 110 and at least one emergency aiming drive unit 115 connected to the gun unit 110. The gun device 105 further has an emergency aiming control unit 120. The emergency aiming control unit 120 is designed, for example, to control the emergency aiming drive unit 115 and thus the gun unit 110. The emergency aiming control unit 120 is implemented, for example, as a control unit that is designed to control or carry out a method for operating an emergency aiming system for the gun device 105, as will be explained in more detail in one of the following figures.According to this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 100 also comprises at least one detection device 125, which can also be referred to as a viewing device, for detecting an environment of the vehicle 100.

[0025] Such a military vehicle 100 typically has a main aiming system and an emergency aiming system that activates if the main aiming system fails. This ensures that the gun assembly 105 is operational at all times.

[0026] The main drive of gun turrets, referred to here as the gun assembly 105, is operated electrically or hydraulically in military vehicles 100. The weapon 130 is guided to a sighting device, referred to here as the detection device 125, thus ensuring that a fire control computer adjusts the attachment and lead angle such that a targeted target is hit. The detection device 125 remains stabilized and aligned with the target, and the main drives guide the weapon 130 and the gun unit 110 accordingly. If, for example, one or both main drives fail, the gun assembly 105 has an emergency aiming drive unit 115. This is either mechanically activated and operated by gunners via a manual emergency aiming control unit 135, or it is electrically controlled and activated via an independent emergency aiming control unit.This emergency thruster unit 115 is designed to be operational under all conditions. Even a nuclear pulse should not lead to the destruction of the emergency thruster system.

[0027] However, with the introduction of unmanned turrets and remote-controlled mounts, it is no longer possible to integrate mechanical emergency aiming drives into the 105 gun assembly. For this reason, modern systems incorporate electric emergency aiming drives. These are typically disconnected from the power grid when not in use to protect against a nuclear pulse. If the main drive fails partially or completely due to a fault or a nuclear pulse, the weapon can still be aimed and targets can be engaged by activating the emergency aiming drive unit.

[0028] Therefore, the approach presented here presents and describes a possibility to continue to track the weapon 130 and the gun unit 110 to the detection device 125 when an emergency aiming drive is active.

[0029] More specifically, an electrical emergency aiming drive system is described that masters an operating state that allows the weapon 130 to be guided by the emergency aiming drive unit 115 of the detection device 125. For this purpose, the electrical emergency aiming drive unit 115 has two paths in which it can be activated. Both paths only supply power to an emergency aiming drive unit when needed to prevent damage from a nuclear pulse. In a first path, the electronics are only activated via the manual emergency aiming control unit 135 when the gunner operates a switch or the emergency aiming handle of the manual emergency aiming control unit 135. The second path describes how a higher-level emergency aiming control unit can switch on the emergency aiming drive unit via another input without an operator.

[0030] The first case describes the tried-and-tested emergency aiming operation, in which the detection device 125 follows the weapon 130. However, this results in the loss of a stabilized view of the target. In the second case, however, it is possible to remain on target with the detection device 125 in the event of a failure of the main aiming drives and / or electronics. To this end, the emergency aiming electronics are activated by the emergency aiming control unit, such as a main aiming system or the fire control computer 401. Communication is then established, and the emergency aiming drive unit 115 can be controlled such that the weapon 130 follows the detection device 125. For the gunner, nothing changes compared to operating the gun assembly 105 with fully functional aiming drives. They can use all of the sighting devices of the detection device 125 to reconnaissance and aim at targets, even while moving.To engage, the vehicle 100 only needs to be stopped briefly because the emergency aiming drives do not have sufficient power to stabilize the weapon while moving. Once the vehicle 100 has stopped, the weapon 130 moves toward the detection device 125 with the help of the emergency aiming drive unit, and a shot can be fired immediately at the target.

[0031] Since the emergency aiming is also active while the vehicle is moving, the time until it reaches the detection device 125 is shortened because the weapon 130 is always aimed in the direction of the detection device 125 while the vehicle is moving. This approach to integrating an electric emergency aiming drive makes it possible to keep the target in sight with the detection device 125 at all times in the event of a failure of the main aiming drive and to reduce the downtime required to aim at the target with the aid of the emergency aiming drive to a minimum. Should manual intervention by the gunner be necessary, tracking to the detection device 125 can be stopped at any time with the aid of a manual emergency aiming control unit 135. This allows the gunner, in cooperation with the driver, to bring the weapon 130 into rough alignment before the weapon 130 finally moves onto the detection device 125.Operation via the manual emergency alignment control unit 135 therefore always has the highest priority and ensures that the gunner can always access a safe emergency alignment function even in other fault situations.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for operating an emergency aiming system for a gun device 105 for a vehicle. The method 200 can be carried out, for example, in a vehicle 100 as shown in Fig. 1 The emergency aiming system is operated at least in the event of a failure of a main aiming system of the gun device 105, so that the gun device 105 is ready for use at any time. The emergency aiming system is automatically controlled by the emergency aiming control unit 120, as described, for example, in Fig. 1 The method 200 comprises a step 205 of providing an activation signal to an interface to an emergency aiming activation unit, wherein the activation signal is designed to activate the emergency aiming system. In a reading step 210, the position of the detection device 125 is read in via an interface in order to calculate a target signal therefrom. The target signal specifies one or more target torques or target speeds for the at least one emergency aiming drive unit with respect to a movement of the gun unit and / or the weapon.Furthermore, the method 200 comprises a step 215 of outputting at least one alignment signal or control signal for aligning the at least one emergency aiming drive unit after the step 210 of reading in, in order to move the gun unit to the aiming speed represented by the target signal or with the target torque at least during the failure of the main aiming system.

[0033] According to this exemplary embodiment, the activation signal is provided in step 205 of providing in response to a failure signal representing the failure of the main aiming system. Furthermore, optionally, the emergency aiming drive unit is electrically connected to a power supply network in step 205 of providing in response to the activation of the emergency aiming system. This ensures, for example, that the gun device remains operational. According to this exemplary embodiment, the method 200 comprises a step 220 of reading in a change signal before step 215 of outputting. The change signal represents a change in the target signal by a user who, for example, actuates the emergency aiming handle of the manual emergency aiming control unit of the vehicle. This means that the change is only optionally initiated manually.

[0034] The alignment signal is output using the change signal to align the gun unit with the weapon speed changed by the change signal, at least during the failure of the main aiming system. Such manual intervention by the user has a higher priority than the target speeds or target torques specified using the sighting device. Furthermore, the method 200 includes a step 225 of providing an enable signal for firing the gun unit when the weapon is correctly aligned and the vehicle is no longer moving.

[0035] In other words, the approach presented here describes a method 200 for weapon tracking using emergency aiming drives with the release for firing when the vehicle is stationary.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of an emergency control unit 120 according to an embodiment. The emergency control unit 120 corresponds, for example, to the one shown in Fig. 1 described emergency aiming control unit 120 and is designed, for example, to control a method for operating an emergency aiming system for a gun device for a vehicle, as described, for example, in Fig. 2 described. The emergency aiming control unit 120 has a provision unit 305, a read-in unit 310, and an output unit 315. The provision unit 305 is designed to send an activation signal 320 to an interface to an emergency aiming activation unit 325, wherein the activation signal 320 is designed to activate the emergency aiming system. The read-in unit 310 is designed to read in a target signal 330 via an interface to a fire control computer or stabilization computer 401, wherein the target signal 330 indicates to the at least one emergency aiming drive unit a target speed or a target torque for a change in the gun unit and / or the weapon. The output unit 315 is designed to output at least one alignment signal 335 for aligning the at least one emergency aiming drive unit 115 after the target signal 330 has been read in.As a result, the gun unit is aligned with the target speed and / or the target moment represented by the alignment signal 335, at least during the failure of the main aiming system.

[0037] It should also be noted that the emergency aiming control unit can be part of a stabilization unit or a fire control computer. This then specifies, for example, speed or torque target values ​​to the emergency aiming control unit, which cause the weapon 130 to follow the sight 125, taking into account the emplacement and lead angles. If the gunner presses the button on the aiming handle, the gunner can now override these specifications at any time and specify speed specifications to the emergency aiming control unit himself. The gunner thus overrides a stabilization unit or fire control computer.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a block diagram for a gun device 105 for a vehicle 100. The block diagram shown here shows, according to this embodiment, a schematic structure of components which are used to carry out and / or control a method for operating an emergency direction system 400, as described in Fig. 3 described above. The gun device 105 has, for example, a fire control computer 401 configured to supplement the target signals 415 of the detection device 125 with ballistic target values ​​and to supply these new target signals 330 to an emergency aiming control unit. The emergency aiming control unit 120 includes a stabilization computer configured to adjust the gun turret unit 110 and the weapon 130 to the target values ​​330, for example, by controlling a main aiming system 402 using a control signal 403.

[0039] The fire control computer 401 calculates the approach and lead and specifies higher-level operating modes. The emergency aiming control unit 120, which functions as a stabilization control unit, then executes the control by outputting the activation signal 320, the alignment signal 335, and taking into account other signals and sensor values, such as the failure signal 455 or the target signal 330. For this purpose, the emergency aiming control unit 120 has an emergency aiming control device 404 and an emergency aiming electronics unit 325, which regulates and implements the control of the emergency aiming motors 450.

[0040] The emergency alignment control unit 120 is configured to activate the emergency alignment drive unit 115 using an activation signal 320 and an emergency alignment activation unit 325. Furthermore, the emergency alignment drive unit 115 is configured to read in an alignment signal 335 via an interface to the emergency alignment control unit 120 in response to the activation signal 320. From the target signal 330, the emergency aiming control unit 120 calculates an alignment signal 335 for at least one emergency aiming drive unit 115. In response thereto, the emergency aiming control unit 120 outputs at least one alignment signal 335 for aligning the at least one emergency aiming drive unit 115 in order to align the gun unit 110 with the target speed and / or the target torque represented by the alignment signal 335, at least during the failure of the main aiming system 402, which is also designed as a main aiming drive, for example.Furthermore, a change signal 430 can be specified by the gunner of the emergency aiming unit 115 via the manual emergency aiming control unit 135, which overrides the alignment signal 335. The change signal 430 represents, for example, a manual change in the aiming position by a user. Furthermore, the emergency aiming control unit 120 is configured to provide at least one release signal 340 to the fire control computer 401. The gun unit 110 has, for example, a weapon 130 and a turret 445, which are controlled by the emergency aiming drive unit 115. The emergency aiming drive unit 115 comprises, for example, at least one motor 450, which is driven by the emergency aiming electronics 460 via motor control signals 435. List of reference symbols

[0041] 100Vehicle 105Gun mount 110Gun unit / turret 115Emergency aiming drive unit 120Emergency aiming control unit 125Detection device 130Weapon 135Manual emergency aiming control unit 200Procedure 205Provide activation signal 210Read target signal 215Output 305 Provisioning unit 310 Reading unit 315 Output unit 320 Activation signal 325 Emergency directional activation unit 330 Target signal 335 Alignment signal 340 Release signal 400Emergency direction system 401Fire control computer 402Main direction system 403Control signal 404Emergency direction control unit 415Setpoint signal 430Change signal 435Control signal 445Tower 450Emergency straightening motors 455Failure signal 460Emergency straightening electronics

Claims

1. A method (200) of operating a back-up aiming system (400) for an artillery device (105) having at least one back-up aiming drive unit (115) and an artillery unit (110) for a vehicle (100) connected to the back-up aiming drive unit (115), the back-up aiming system (400) being operated at least in the event of a failure of a main aiming system (402) of the artillery device (105), characterized in that the method (200) comprises the steps of: - providing (205) an activation signal (320) to an interface to a back-up aiming electronics unit (325), wherein the activation signal (320) is configured to activate the back-up aiming system (400), wherein the activation signal (320) is provided in response to a failure signal (455) representing the failure of the main aiming system (402); - reading (210) a setpoint signal (330) via an interface to a fire control computer (401) to generate an alignment signal (335) from the setpoint signal (330), the alignment signal (335) providing the at least one back-up aiming drive unit (115) with a setpoint speed and / or a setpoint torque with respect to a change of the artillery device (105); and - outputting (215) at least one alignment signal (335) for aligning the at least one back-up aiming drive unit (115) after the step (210) of reading to align the artillery unit (110) with the setpoint speed and / or the setpoint torque represented by the alignment signal (335) at least during the failure of the main alignment system (402).

2. The method (200) according to claim 1, comprising a step (220) of reading a change signal (430) before the step (225) of outputting, wherein the change signal (430) represents a change of the aiming position by a user, wherein the change signal represents a change of the setpoint signal by the user, and wherein in the step (225) of outputting, the change signal (430) is output to the artillery unit (110) to align the artillery unit (110) with the aiming position changed by the change signal (430) at least during the failure of the main aiming system (402), in particular wherein alignment of the artillery unit (110) with the setpoint speed and / or the setpoint torque represented by the alignment signal (335) is suppressed if a change of the aiming position intended by a user has been detected.

3. Method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one back-up aiming drive unit (115) is electrically connected to a supply network in the step (205) of providing the activation signal (320) in response to activating the back-up aiming system (400).

4. Method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (225) of providing a release signal (340) for firing the artillery unit after said step (215) of outputting.

5. Method (200) according to claim 4, wherein the step (225) of providing the release signal (340) is performed when the vehicle (100) is stationary.

6. Back-up aiming control unit (120), configured to execute and / or control the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in a providing unit (305), a reading unit (310) or an output unit (315).

7. Computer program configured to execute and / or control the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 with a back-up aiming control unit (120) according to claim 6.

8. Machine-readable storage medium, on which the computer program according to claim 7 is stored.

9. Artillery device (105) for a vehicle (100), the artillery device (105) comprising: - an artillery unit (110); - at least one back-up aiming drive unit (115) connected to the artillery unit (110); and - a back-up aiming control unit (120) according to claim 6 for controlling the back-up aiming drive unit (115) and the artillery unit (110).

10. Vehicle (100) comprising an artillery device (105) according to claim 9.

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