Cartridge base catching device, tower and vehicle

Abstract

A shell stub catching device (24) for an armament (6) of a vehicle (1), in particular a battle tank, with guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) which are designed to guide shell stubs (14) striking the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) downwards along a direction of gravity (g), wherein the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) have quick-connecting elements (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50) with the aid of which the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) can be connected to a holding structure (56, 60) without the use of tools and can be detached from the holding structure (56, 60) without the use of tools.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shell stub catcher for an armament of a vehicle, in particular a battle tank, a turret for a vehicle, in particular for a battle tank, with such a shell stub catcher and a vehicle, in particular a battle tank, with such a shell stub catcher and / or such a turret.

[0002] Main battle tanks are armed, usually in the form of a smoothbore gun. This armament is equipped with cartridge-loaded ammunition. According to internal company knowledge, such cartridge-loaded ammunition consists of a partially combustible cartridge case, a propellant charge, and a projectile. When the weapon is fired, a hollow cylindrical portion of the cartridge case burns away, leaving only a so-called cartridge case stub. This cartridge case stub is ejected, expelled, or extracted from the weapon. Such a cartridge case stub may have a metallic cartridge case base and an ignition tube welded to the cartridge case base. The cartridge case stub may have a length of, for example, 300 millimeters.

[0003] The aforementioned design and dimensions of the cartridge case stub can lead to handling problems, particularly when using an automatic loader for the weapon. These handling problems include, for example, damage to sensitive components of a main battle tank's turret when ejecting the cartridge case stub or jamming of the cartridge case stub during weapon aiming movements.

[0004] Furthermore, it is undesirable for the shell stubs to be located in an undefined manner beneath the turret in the main battle tank's hull. Furthermore, with an unmanned turret, the shell stubs cannot be visually inspected and manually sorted and / or disposed of. Furthermore, loose shell stubs can undesirably become secondary projectiles if the main battle tank is loaded with mines. This situation needs to be improved.

[0005] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shell stub catching device for arming a vehicle, in particular a battle tank.

[0006] Accordingly, a cartridge case stub catching device for the armament of a vehicle, in particular a battle tank, is proposed. The cartridge case stub catching device comprises guide walls configured to guide cartridge case stub impacting the guide walls downward along a direction of gravity. The guide walls have quick-connecting elements by means of which the guide walls can be connected to a holding structure without tools and can be released from the holding structure without tools.

[0007] Because the casing butts striking the guide walls are guided downward along the direction of gravity, it is possible to guide the casing butts away from the weapon's breech block. This prevents the casing butts from colliding with the weapon, for example, during firing or during aiming movements. The guide walls also prevent the casing butts from falling out of the casing butt catcher or being ejected from it.

[0008] The armament or weapon is preferably a smoothbore gun. Preferably, the vehicle is a main battle tank. However, this is not mandatory. The vehicle can also be another armed vehicle. The case stub is part of the cartridge or cartridge ammunition of the armament. Such cartridge ammunition comprises – as previously mentioned – a case, a propellant charge, or a projectile. When the armament is fired, part of the case burns, leaving only the case stub. The case stub comprises a case base and an ignition tube protruding from the case base. The case stub can be ejected, expelled, or extracted from the armament after it has been fired. An automatic loader can be used for this purpose, which can also feed the cartridge ammunition to the armament. The case stub catcher can also be suitable for catching entire cases.Therefore, the case stub catching device can also be referred to as a case catching device for cases, especially for case stubs.

[0009] The number of guide walls is optional. For example, four such guide walls are provided, arranged such that the cartridge case stub catcher encloses a receiving space for the cartridge case stub. After the weapon is fired, the cartridge case stub falls into the receiving space. The cartridge case stub preferably strikes the guide walls and is guided or directed downwards by them along the direction of gravity. Depending on the application and / or the operational profile of the cartridge case stub catcher, however, fewer than four guide walls can also be used. "Downward" in this case means along the direction of gravity in the direction of a vehicle hull and / or in the direction of a turret platform floor of a vehicle turret.

[0010] The guide walls are preferably flexibly deformable, at least in sections. As a result, the guide walls can deform elastically when the sleeve stubs impact, whereby the sleeve stubs slide or are conveyed downwards along the guide walls under elastic deformation thereof along the direction of gravity. The guide walls thus catch the sleeve stubs, whereby the guide walls or the guide wall onto which the respective sleeve stub impacts deforms elastically. The guide walls thus decelerate the sleeve stubs. Kinetic energy of the sleeve stubs is converted into deformation energy of the guide walls. The guide walls are in particular reversibly deformable. Accordingly, the guide walls are preferably designed to guide or convey the sleeve stubs downwards along the direction of gravity by the guide walls catching the sleeve stubs and elastically deforming in the process.

[0011] A "quick-connect element" is understood here to mean a part or component that can be connected to and detached from the support structure manually, i.e., without a tool or without the use of tools. The support structure can, for example, be sheet-metal, grid-shaped, web-shaped, and / or tubular. The support structure can be part of the sleeve stub catch device. Alternatively, however, the support structure can also be part of the vehicle's turret, in particular the turret platform. Furthermore, the support structure can be assigned to both the sleeve stub catch device and the turret.

[0012] For example, the quick-connect elements can be wound in a loop-like manner around the supporting structure or guided through openings provided in the supporting structure. Each quick-connect element can, in particular, be connected to itself. If the quick-connect elements each have a hook-and-loop fastener, this can have an adhesive portion with hooks and a fleece portion with loops. By pressing the adhesive portion and the fleece portion together, the respective quick-connect element can be connected to itself, resulting in a loop-shaped geometry of the respective quick-connect element that surrounds or engages behind the supporting structure.

[0013] The quick-connecting elements are, in particular, positively connected to the support structure. A positive connection is created by the interlocking or engaging of at least two connection partners, in this case the quick-connecting elements and the support structure. Thus, the guide walls are positively connected to the support structure with the aid of the quick-connecting elements. The support structure can be cage-shaped or frame-shaped. This can result in a cuboid-shaped structure of the sleeve stub catch device. The guide walls can be connected not only to the support structure but also to each other. This means, in particular, that the guide walls can also be connected to each other with the aid of the quick-connecting elements.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the sleeve stub catching device has a modular structure in that either only a part or all of the guide walls are connected to the holding structure by means of the quick-connecting elements.

[0015] Accordingly, "modular" means that the sleeve stub catching device can be assembled from either some or all of the guide walls, depending on the application and / or usage profile of the sleeve stub catching device. For this purpose, the required guide walls are connected to the support structure using their quick-connecting elements. Particularly preferably, the sleeve stub catching device has at least two guide walls. The sleeve stub catching device can also have three or four guide walls. However, the sleeve stub catching device particularly preferably has four guide walls, resulting in a cuboid geometry of the sleeve stub catching device that defines or encloses the receiving space of the sleeve stub catching device.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the guide walls comprise a first lateral guide wall, a second lateral guide wall arranged opposite and spaced from the first lateral guide wall, a front guide wall and a rear guide wall arranged opposite and spaced from the front guide wall.

[0017] Accordingly, the sleeve stub catching device preferably has four guide walls. One of the aforementioned guide walls is the first lateral guide wall, one of the aforementioned guide walls is the second lateral guide wall, one of the aforementioned guide walls is the front guide wall, and one of the aforementioned guide walls is the rear guide wall. The guide walls are preferably arranged such that the first lateral guide wall and the second lateral guide wall are parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another. The front guide wall and the rear guide wall are preferably arranged perpendicular to the two lateral guide walls. The first lateral guide wall and the second lateral guide wall are preferably flat or plate-shaped. The rear guide wall is preferably curved.In particular, the rear guide wall is curved outward from the receiving space enclosed by the cartridge case stub catcher. The cartridge case stub catcher is limited downwards by the aforementioned turret platform floor. Towards the top, i.e., facing away from the turret platform floor, the cartridge case stub catcher is preferably open. The two lateral guide walls are preferably higher than the front guide wall and the rear guide wall. The front guide wall is preferably lower than the rear guide wall. The front guide wall is preferably located below the breech block of the weapon. The breech block can protrude into the receiving space.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the rear guide wall has a lower part and an upper part that can be pivoted relative to the lower part.

[0019] In other words, the upper part can be folded away from the case stub catcher. This is advantageous, for example, when case stubs need to be removed from the receiving space of the case stub catcher. To pivot the upper part, its quick-connecting elements are released from the support structure, allowing the upper part to move relative to the lower part.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the quick-connecting elements are belt-shaped, band-shaped and / or cord-shaped.

[0021] In particular, quick-connection elements can be provided that are belt-shaped, further quick-connection elements that are band-shaped, and further quick-connection elements that are cord-shaped. A combination of the aforementioned forms of quick-connection elements is thus possible. The quick-connection elements can be made of a textile, for example. Alternatively, the quick-connection elements can also be made of an elastically deformable plastic material, rubber, or leather. Metallic materials can also be used. "Belt-shaped" in this case refers to a component that has an elongated geometry and is flexibly deformable. "Band-shaped" in this case refers to a component that is made of a textile fabric, has a limited width, and preferably has fixed selvedges on both sides.In this context, "cord-shaped" refers in particular to a geometry with a circular cross-section. If the quick-connect elements are cord-shaped, it is possible, for example, to knot them to the support structure in order to connect the guide walls to the support structure and / or to each other.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the quick-connection elements comprise hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, pin buckles, toggles, snap fasteners, eyelets and / or hooks.

[0023] The quick-connecting elements can, in principle, utilize any manually connectable and detachable connection technology. In particular, any textile connection technology can be used for the quick-connecting elements. A combination of hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, pin buckles, toggles, snap fasteners, eyelets, and / or hooks can be provided.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, each guide wall has a support frame and a flexible covering with which the support frame is covered.

[0025] The support frame is preferably tubular. In particular, the support frame can be composed of a plurality of sections, in particular tubular sections. The support frame can be sewn into the covering. The covering is, in particular, flexibly deformable. For example, the support frame can be made of aluminum tubes or steel tubes. However, fiber composite materials can also be used. The support frame can have any desired geometry. In the simplest case, the support frame is rectangular. However, the support frame can also be designed with a stepped shape, at least in sections.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the covering comprises a textile, in particular a net-shaped, heat-resistant, self-extinguishing and / or sound-insulating textile.

[0027] A "textile" in this context can be understood as a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a warp-knitted fabric, a braid, a stitch-bonded fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a net, or felt. The covering can comprise various textiles. Alternatively or additionally, the covering can also comprise rubber, leather, cork, or the like. Metallic materials can also be used. The covering can also be or comprise a plastic film, in particular a transparent plastic film. The covering can, for example, be multi-layered, so that different textiles are stacked on top of one another.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the covering comprises a first textile and a second textile, wherein a mesh size of the first textile is larger than a mesh size of the second textile, and wherein the first textile in particular forms a window provided in the covering.

[0029] In particular, the first textile is a coarse-mesh textile. The second textile is accordingly a fine-mesh textile. The covering is preferably formed from the second textile, with the first textile forming the window in the second textile. The window allows viewing of the receiving space of the tube stub catcher. This makes it possible, for example, to check how full the tube stub catcher is already with tube stumps. Instead of the second textile, a transparent plastic film or the like can also be used for the window.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the quick-connecting elements are sewn to the covering.

[0031] However, bonding is also possible. Other connection technologies, such as clamps, can also be used. The quick-connect elements can also be vulcanized to the covering. However, the quick-connect elements can also be connected to the supporting frame, either alternatively or additionally.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the covering has a zipper through which a receiving space enclosed by the sleeve stub catching device is accessible.

[0033] The covering can have any number of zippers. However, the following refers to only one zipper. With the help of the zipper, it is possible, for example, to remove sleeve stumps from the storage space without having to remove one of the guide walls. The zipper enables quick and uncomplicated access to the interior. The zipper can, for example, reveal a slit-shaped opening. Alternatively, the zipper can also have a U-shaped geometry. In this case, it is possible to open and close a flap provided in the covering with the help of the zipper. In principle, the zipper can have any desired geometry. Other fastening technologies can also be used instead of a zipper.

[0034] Furthermore, a turret for a vehicle, in particular for a main battle tank, is proposed. The turret comprises an armament, in particular a smoothbore gun, a turret platform, and such a shell stub catcher, wherein the guide walls are configured to guide shell stub impacting the guide walls downwards along the direction of gravity toward a turret platform floor.

[0035] The turret platform is attached, in particular, to the underside of the turret, in particular to the underside of a turret housing. The turret platform can have a cylindrical geometry. The turret platform floor is, in particular, plate-shaped. The weapon preferably comprises a weapon barrel whose azimuth and elevation can be adjusted. The weapon barrel is thus directional in azimuth and elevation. The aforementioned breech block of the weapon, which is provided at the end of the weapon barrel, can protrude, at least in sections, into the receiving space of the cartridge case stub catcher.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the support structure is part of the tower platform, wherein the sleeve stub catching device is detachably connected to the support structure by means of the quick-connecting elements.

[0037] As previously mentioned, the support structure can comprise various metal sheets, tubes, webs, gratings, or the like. These can be part of the tower platform. The support structure can have multiple functions. This means, in particular, that the support structure does not have to be intended exclusively for attaching the quick-connect elements. However, the support structure can also comprise components that serve only to attach the sleeve stub catch device. Such components can, for example, be support tubes connected to the tower platform. The guide walls of the sleeve stub catch device are detachably connected to this support structure by means of their quick-connect elements.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the shell stub catching device is arranged at least in sections below and / or behind a breech block of the weapon.

[0039] In particular, the front guide wall is located below the breech block. The front guide wall is particularly preferably arranged between the breech block and the turret platform floor. The rear guide wall is particularly spaced from the breech block and thus also spaced from the front guide wall. An automatic loader of the weapon can reach over the rear guide wall to feed loaded ammunition to the breech block.

[0040] Furthermore, a vehicle, in particular a battle tank, with such a shell stub catching device and / or such a turret is proposed.

[0041] The vehicle is preferably a tracked vehicle. However, the vehicle can also be a wheeled vehicle. The vehicle can also be a self-propelled howitzer or a wheeled howitzer. The vehicle has a vehicle hull as mentioned above, on which the turret is rotatably mounted. The vehicle hull is protected against shelling, booby traps, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines, or the like. The turret platform protrudes downwards from the turret, in particular. The turret platform can protrude into the vehicle hull. As mentioned above, the shell stub catcher is preferably detachably attached to the turret platform.

[0042] The embodiments and features described for the proposed shell stub catching device apply to the proposed turret and to the proposed vehicle accordingly and vice versa.

[0043] "One" in this case is not necessarily limited to a single element. Rather, multiple elements, such as two, three, or more, may also be included. Any other number used here is also not to be understood as implying a limitation to the exact number of elements stated. Rather, numerical deviations upwards and downwards are possible, unless otherwise stated.

[0044] Further possible implementations of the shell stub catching device, the turret, and / or the vehicle also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In this case, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the shell stub catching device, the turret, and / or the vehicle.

[0045] Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the case stub catching device, the turret, and / or the vehicle are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the case stub catching device, the turret, and / or the vehicle described below. The case stub catching device, the turret, and / or the vehicle are explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a military vehicle; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a sleeve stub; Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective partial view of an embodiment of a turret for the military vehicle according to Fig.1 ; Fig. 4 shows a schematic partial plan view of the tower according to Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a shell stub catching device for the military vehicle according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6 shows a further schematic perspective view of the sleeve stub catching device according to Fig. 5 ; and Fig. 7 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a guide wall for the sleeve stub catching device according to Fig. 5 ; Fig. 8 shows the detailed view VIII according to Fig. 7 ; Fig. 9 shows the detailed view IX according to Fig. 7 ; and Fig. 10 shows the detailed view X according to Fig. 5 .

[0046] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference numerals unless otherwise stated.

[0047] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a military vehicle 1.

[0048] The military vehicle 1 is referred to simply as a vehicle below. The vehicle 1 is a highly protected vehicle. For this purpose, the vehicle 1 has armor plating. The vehicle 1 is a tracked vehicle. In particular, the vehicle 1 can be a battle tank. However, the vehicle 1 can also be an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored recovery vehicle, or the like. However, the vehicle 1 can also be a wheeled vehicle. The vehicle 1 is armed.

[0049] Vehicle 1 is assigned a coordinate system with a first spatial direction, the longitudinal direction or x-direction x, a second spatial direction, the transverse direction or y-direction y, and a third spatial direction, the vertical direction or z-direction z. The directions x, y, and z are oriented perpendicular to each other.

[0050] A direction of gravity g can be oriented essentially opposite to the z-direction z.

[0051] The vehicle 1 comprises a protected vehicle hull 2, which accommodates the vehicle's crew. The vehicle hull 2 is protected against fire, booby traps, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines, or the like. The vehicle hull 2 encloses an interior 3 in which the crew can be located. The interior 3 of the vehicle hull 2 can be entered and exited from an area 4 of the vehicle 1 via hatches or doors.

[0052] The vehicle 1 can have a turret 5 with a weapon or armament 6. The turret 5 can also enclose part of the interior 3. Thus, the interior 3 can also be arranged at least partially outside the vehicle hull 2, namely in the turret 5. The turret 5 is rotatably mounted on the vehicle hull 2. The turret 5 can include an electric or hydraulic drive to rotate the turret 5. However, the turret 5 can also be operated manually if the drive fails. The armament 6 can be a smoothbore cannon. The armament 6 can be a primary armament or main armament. For example, the armament 6 can have a caliber of 130 mm. A secondary armament, for example in the form of a machine gun, can also be provided.

[0053] The vehicle 1 further comprises a tracked drive 7, with the aid of which the vehicle 1 can move on a surface 8 in a direction of travel 9. However, this does not exclude the possibility that the vehicle 1 can also move in the opposite direction to the direction of travel 9, for example in reverse gear. In the orientation of the Fig. 1 the direction of travel 9 is oriented along the x-direction x.

[0054] The track drive 7 comprises a revolving chain 10, which is driven by a drive roller 11. The drive roller 11 is located at the rear. In the orientation of the Fig. 1 The chain 10 rotates clockwise as the vehicle 1 moves in the direction of travel 9. The chain 10 can comprise a plurality of interconnected chain links that are movably connected to one another. The chain links are made of a metallic material, such as steel. However, the chain 10 can also be a rubber chain or have rubber elements.

[0055] The drive roller 11 is operatively connected to a drive of the vehicle 1. The drive can, for example, comprise an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine, and a transmission. Furthermore, the track drive 7 comprises a plurality of track rollers 12, of which Fig. 1 only one is provided with a reference symbol. For example, seven such track rollers 12 are provided on each side of the vehicle 1. However, the number of track rollers 12 is fundamentally arbitrary. Furthermore, the track drive 7 includes a deflection roller 13. The deflection roller 13 is provided at the front. Conversely, the drive roller 11 can also be arranged at the front and the deflection roller 13 at the rear.

[0056] The track drive 7 preferably comprises two chains 10, which are arranged on both sides of the vehicle 1, viewed along the direction of travel 9. Accordingly, the track drive 7 also comprises a pair of drive rollers 11 arranged on both sides of the vehicle 1, any desired number of track rollers 12, which are also arranged on both sides of the vehicle 1, and a pair of deflection rollers 13.

[0057] The Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a sleeve stub 14.

[0058] The cartridge case stub 14 is part of a cartridge ammunition or cartridge ammunition of the weapon 6. Such cartridge ammunition comprises a case, a propellant charge, and a projectile. When the weapon 6 is fired, a hollow cylindrical portion of the case burns, leaving only the cartridge case stub 14. The cartridge case stub 14 has a metallic cartridge base 15 and an ignition tube 16 welded to it. Each cartridge case stub 14 can have a length of, for example, 300 millimeters.

[0059] The aforementioned geometry and dimensions of the cartridge case stub 14 can lead to handling problems, particularly when using an automatic loader for the weapon 6. These handling problems include, for example, damage to sensitive components of the turret 5 when picking out the cartridge case stub 14 or jamming of the cartridge case stub 14 during aiming movements of the weapon 6. Furthermore, it is undesirable for the cartridge case stub 14 to be located in an undefined manner under the turret 5 in the vehicle hull 2.

[0060] Furthermore, in an unmanned turret 5, the shell stumps 14 cannot be visually inspected and manually sorted and / or disposed of. Incidentally upright shell stumps 14 may collide with the breech of the weapon 6 when the weapon 6 is fired. Loose shell stumps 14 may become secondary projectiles if the vehicle 1 is loaded with mines.

[0061] The Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a tower 5 as mentioned above. The Fig. 4 shows a schematic partial plan view of tower 5. In the following, reference is made to the Fig. 3 und 4 referred to at the same time.

[0062] In the Fig. 3 und 4 A shell or casing of the turret 5, which protects the turret 5 against fire, is not shown. As previously mentioned, the turret 5 comprises an armament 6, which may be a smoothbore cannon, particularly of 130 millimeter caliber. The armament 6 has a gun barrel 17 whose azimuth and elevation can be adjusted. The gun barrel 17 is thus directional in azimuth and elevation.

[0063] "Azimuth" in this context refers to a change in the angular position of the turret 5, in which the armament 6 rotates with the turret 5. For this purpose, the turret 5 is rotated relative to the vehicle hull 2 about a rotation axis oriented parallel to the z-direction z. "Elevation" in this context refers to a change in the angular position of the weapon barrel 17 relative to the turret 5. For this purpose, the weapon barrel 17 is pivoted relative to the turret 5 about a rotation axis oriented perpendicular to the z-direction z.

[0064] The weapon barrel 17 is connected to a breech block 18 of the weapon 6. The breech block 18 follows the aforementioned azimuth and elevation movement with the weapon barrel 17, which can lead to unwanted contact with cartridge case stumps 14 ejected from the weapon 6, as mentioned above.

[0065] The breech block 18 has a cartridge chamber 19 for each piece of the loaded ammunition. The cartridge stubs 14 are ejected, expelled, or extracted from the cartridge chamber 19. To fire the weapon 6, the cartridge chamber 19 is closed by means of a bolt (not shown) of the weapon 6. The weapon 6 is suspended from the turret 5, in particular from the housing of the turret 5 (not shown).

[0066] The tower 5 has a tower platform 20, which extends at least partially into the vehicle body 2 and thus into the interior 3. The tower platform 20 is attached to the underside of the housing of the tower 5. For this purpose, the tower platform 20 has an annular mounting flange 21. The tower platform 20 can have a cylindrical geometry. In addition to the mounting flange 21, the tower platform 20 has a plate-shaped tower platform base 22. The mounting flange 21 is positioned at a distance from the tower platform base 22, viewed along the z-direction z.

[0067] The tower platform floor 22 is connected by means of connecting sections 23, of which Fig. 3 only one is provided with a reference symbol, is connected to the fastening flange 21. Preferably, several connecting sections 23 are provided, which can form part of a cylinder wall. The connecting sections 23 can also be rod-shaped or strut-shaped. However, the connecting sections 23 preferably do not form a circumferentially closed wall of the tower platform 20, so that the latter is open or open at least in sections.

[0068] In order to solve or at least reduce the aforementioned problem with regard to the cartridge case stubs 14, the vehicle 1 and / or the turret 5 has a cartridge case stubs catching device 24, which is attached to the turret 5, in particular to the turret platform 20. With the aid of the cartridge case stubs catching device 24, it is possible to catch the cartridge case stubs 14 ejected, expelled, or extracted from the cartridge chamber 19 and to guide them downwards towards the turret platform floor 22, with the cartridge case stubs 14 being guided along the cartridge case stubs catching device 24. The cartridge case stubs catching device 24 can also be suitable for catching entire cartridge cases. Therefore, the cartridge case stubs catching device 24 can also be referred to as a cartridge case stubs catching device for cartridge cases, in particular for cartridge case stubs 14.

[0069] The Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the shell stub catching device 24. The Fig. 6 shows a further schematic perspective view of the sleeve stub catching device 24. The following refers to the Fig. 3 bis 6 referred to at the same time.

[0070] The sleeve stub catching device 24 has a first lateral guide wall 25 which is oriented in the direction of the Fig. 3 und 4 When viewed in the direction of the weapon barrel 17, it is arranged at least partially on the right side of the breech block 18, and a second lateral guide wall 26, which is arranged opposite and spaced from the first lateral guide wall 25 and thus at least partially on the left side of the breech block 18. The first lateral guide wall 25 can also be referred to as the first lateral guide wall. The second lateral guide wall 26 can also be referred to as the second lateral guide wall.

[0071] The two lateral guide walls 25, 26 prevent a lateral movement of the cartridge stub 14 ejected, expelled or extracted from the cartridge chamber 19. If the turret 5 is in the Fig. 1 shown position, the two lateral guide walls 25, 26 prevent movement of the sleeve stubs 14 along and against the y-direction y.

[0072] Furthermore, the case stub catching device 24 comprises a front guide wall 27, which is arranged at least partially below the breech block 18 and thus between the breech block 18 and the tower platform floor 22. The front guide wall 27 can also be referred to as a front guide wall. Opposite the front guide wall 27 and arranged at a distance from it, the case stub catching device 24 has a rear guide wall 28. The rear guide wall 28 can also be referred to as a rear guide wall or return wall.

[0073] The front guide wall 27 limits the forward movement of the cartridge case stubs 14. The rear guide wall 28 prevents the cartridge case stubs 14 from moving backward. If the turret 5 is in the Fig. 1 In the position shown, the front guide wall 27 and the rear guide wall 28 prevent movement of the case stub 14 along and against the x-direction x. The lateral guide walls 25, 26, the front guide wall 27 and the rear guide wall 28 enclose a receiving space 29 of the case stub catching device 24.

[0074] The case stub catcher 24 is modular. "Modular" in this case means that the case stub catcher 24 can be adapted to a specific application and / or a specific area of use for the case stub catcher 24. Depending on the desired movement restriction of the case stub 14 ejected, expelled, or extracted from the cartridge chamber 19, either both or only one of the lateral guide walls 25, 26, the front guide wall 27, and / or the rear guide wall 28 can be optionally combined with one another to achieve a customized and customized design of the case stub catcher 24. For this purpose, the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 can be detachably connected to the turret 5, in particular to the turret platform 20, in a manner explained below.

[0075] The Fig. 7 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a first lateral guide wall 25 as mentioned above. The Fig. 8 shows the detailed view VIII according to the Fig. 7 . The Fig. 9 shows the detailed view IX according to the Fig. 7 . The following refers to the Fig. 7 bis 9 referred to at the same time.

[0076] The structure of the second lateral guide wall 26, the front guide wall 27 and / or the rear guide wall 28 essentially corresponds to the structure of the first lateral guide wall 25. Therefore, all of the following statements concerning the first lateral guide wall 25 are correspondingly applicable to the second lateral guide wall 26, the front guide wall 27 and / or the rear guide wall 28 and vice versa.

[0077] The first lateral guide wall 25 can be flat. The first lateral guide wall 25 comprises a support frame 30. The support frame 30 is tubular. The support frame 30 runs around the edge of the first lateral guide wall 25 and thus frames it. The support frame 30 is therefore frame-shaped. For example, the support frame 30 can be made of aluminum tubes or steel tubes. However, fiber composite materials can also be used. In the present case, the support frame 30 has a plurality of sections 31, 32, 33, 34, which give the support frame 30 a substantially rectangular geometry. The sections 31, 32, 33, 34 can be tubular sections. The sections 31, 32, 33, 34 are firmly connected to one another. The sections 31, 32, 33 have an elongated, straight geometry, whereas section 34 has a stepped geometry. This allows, for example, adaptation of the first lateral guide wall 25 to a geometry of the breech block 18.

[0078] The support frame 30 is covered with a covering 35. The covering 35 is sheet-like. The covering 35 can be flexibly deformable. The covering 35 preferably comprises a textile. A "textile" in this context can be understood as a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a braided fabric, a stitch-knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a net, or a felt. The covering 35 can comprise various textiles. The support frame 30 can be sewn into the covering 35. Alternatively, the covering 35 can also comprise rubber, leather, cork, or the like. The covering 35 can also be or comprise a plastic film, in particular a transparent plastic film.

[0079] As the Fig. 8 und 9 show, the covering 35 can have textiles 36, 37 with different mesh sizes. For example, a window 38 can be provided which is formed with a coarse-mesh first textile 36 that has a larger mesh size than a fine-mesh second textile 37 that is used outside the window 38 for the covering 35. As a result, the covering 35 can be transparent within the window 38 in order to be able to see into the receiving space 29 from the outside. Alternatively, the entire covering 35 can be formed with the coarse-mesh first textile 36, so that the entire covering 35 is transparent. For example, the coarse-mesh first textile 36 can be a net or have a net-like design. The window 38 can also have a transparent plastic film.

[0080] The first lateral guide wall 25 further comprises a plurality of quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, with the aid of which the first lateral guide wall 25 can be connected to the tower 5, in particular to the tower platform 20. The number of quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 is arbitrary. However, preferably, at least four such quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 are provided. The quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 can also be referred to as connecting elements or fastening elements. The quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 are in the Fig. 3 und 4 not shown and in the Fig. 5 and 6 not provided with reference symbols.

[0081] The quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 are belt-shaped, band-shaped, cord-shaped, or strip-shaped. The quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 are preferably sewn to the covering 35. The quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 are elastically deformable, in particular bendable. For example, the quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 can be looped around a tubular component. The quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 feature, for example, buttons, hooks, pin locks, hook-and-loop fasteners, eyelets, or any other textile fastening mechanism. This allows the quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 to be released and closed again without the use of tools.

[0082] Zippers 51, 52 can be provided in the covering 35, which allow access to the receiving space 29, for example, to remove sleeve stubs 14 from the receiving space 29. This allows the receiving space 29 to be emptied without having to dismantle the entire first lateral guide wall 25. Any number of zippers 51, 52 can be provided at any position on the covering 35. Fig. 7 By way of example only, a first zipper 51, which can open a slit-shaped opening, and a U-shaped second zipper 52 are shown, with the aid of which a flap 53 in the covering 35 can be opened and closed.

[0083] Now returning to the Fig. 5 and 6The rear guide wall 28 has a lower part 54 and an upper part 55. By loosening quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 of the upper part 55, the upper part 55 can be pivoted relative to the lower part 54 in order, for example, to be able to remove sleeve stubs 14 from the receiving space 29. In contrast to the lateral guide walls 25, 26, the lower part 54 and the upper part 55 are preferably not flat, but curved. In particular, the lower part 54 and the upper part 55 are preferably curved outwards away from the receiving space 29.

[0084] The reference number 56 in the Fig. 5 and 6a support structure in the form of a fastening plate. The support structure 56 is part of the sleeve stub catching device 24. At the same time or alternatively, the support structure 56 can also be part of the tower platform 20. The tower platform 20 can have any number of support structures 56 in the form of fastening plates, webs, struts, grids, pipes or the like, to which the sleeve stub catching device 24 is fastened. The support structures 56 can each have several functions and, for example, only serve in their secondary function of fastening the sleeve stub catching device 24. At the Fig. 5 and 6 The second lateral guide wall 26 and / or the rear guide wall 28 can be releasably fastened to the holding structure 56 shown by means of their quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50.

[0085] The Fig. 10 shows the detail view X according to the Fig. 5 .

[0086] As the Fig. 10 As shown, the upper part 55 has tabs 57, 58 sewn into the covering 35. The lower part 54 can also have such a tab 59. Attached to the tabs 57, 58, 59 are quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41 as previously mentioned, which engage around a further support structure 60 in the form of a fastening tube. The support structure 60 is—like the support structure 56—part of the tower 5, in particular of the tower platform 20. The support structure 60 can also be part of the sleeve stub catch device 24.

[0087] As the Fig. 5 and 6As shown, the front guide wall 27 has an S-shaped curvature, at least in sections. In particular, the front guide wall 27 has a deformation region 62 facing away from an upper edge 61 of the front guide wall 27. The deformation region 62 is, in particular, S-shaped in cross-section. The deformation region 62 enables, in particular, an accordion-like deformation of the front guide wall 27. This can be advantageous during directional movements of the weapon barrel 17.

[0088] To form the sleeve stub catching device 24, the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 or at least a portion of the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 are connected to the respective support structure 56, 60 using their quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50. Furthermore, it is also additionally or alternatively possible to connect the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 or at least a portion of the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 to one another or to one another using their quick-connection elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50.

[0089] If a sleeve stub 14 strikes one of the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28, this wall is elastically deformed, and the sleeve stub 14 is guided downwards along the direction of gravity g toward the tower platform floor 22. The sleeve stub 14 cannot leave the receiving space 29. The window 38 allows observation of how much the receiving space 29 is filled with sleeve stub 14. By opening the zippers 51, 52, the sleeve stub 14 can be removed from the receiving space 29 without having to dismantle any of the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28.

[0090] The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28, whose covering 35 is preferably fire-resistant, thus ensure a controlled deceleration and dropping of the cartridge case stubs 14. The use of textiles 36, 37 for the covering 35 results in a good deceleration effect, good accessibility of the receiving space 29, and the possibility of easy viewing into the receiving space 29, for example, via the window 38. This creates the possibility of reducing the heat signature of the weapon 6 by thermal insulation integrated into the covering. This can be achieved by a suitable selection of the respective textiles 36, 37.

[0091] This advantageously results in a small space requirement for the case stub catcher 24. The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 effectively slow the ejection energy of the case stubs 14. The case stub catcher 24 has a lightweight construction, is quick to assemble and disassemble, and presents a low risk of injury. Easy-to-operate quick fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, knots, hooks, or the like, are used for the quick-connecting elements 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50. High safety is achieved through the use of self-extinguishing materials for the covering 35. The case stub catcher 24 is easy and inexpensive to maintain and replace.

[0092] The guide walls 25, 26, 27, and 28 are very light and narrow. The side guide walls 25, 26 are arranged to limit lateral movement of the ejected cartridge case stubs 14. The rear guide wall 28 limits longitudinal movement of the ejected cartridge case stubs 14. The front guide wall 27 is mounted below the breech block 18 of the weapon, limiting forward movement of the ejected cartridge case stubs 14.

[0093] The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 are, where possible, attached to existing support structures 56, 60 of the turret 5. Where this is not possible, additional support structures 56, 60, for example in the form of support tubes, support plates, or the like, are introduced. The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 can be manually detached from the support structures 56, 60 without tools to obtain free access to the breech block 18 and / or to a sliding door of an ammunition compartment of the turret 5.

[0094] The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 separate the movement area of the breech of the weapon 6 and an ammunition feed, particularly in the form of an automatic loader, from the commander's and gunner's positions to minimize the risk of injury from accessing moving parts. The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 are heat-resistant and flame-retardant. Should the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 nevertheless catch fire, they do not emit toxic gases and are self-extinguishing.

[0095] The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 reduce the noise level within the tower 5. Optionally, the guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 can be designed as nets to better observe the processes within the tower 5. Using the zippers 51, 52, the receiving space 29 can be emptied quickly and easily. The guide walls 25, 26, 27, 28 are preferably flexible enough to allow the driver to enter and exit through the tower 5, even when the tower 5 is positioned at 6:00 o'clock.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0097] 1Vehicle 2Vehicle hull 3Interior 4Surroundings 5Turret 6Armament 7Track system 8Substratum 9Direction of travel 10Track 11Drive roller 12Track roller 13Deflection roller 14Case stub 15Case base 16Priming tube 17Gun barrel 18Breech block 19Cartridge chamber 20Turret platform 21Mounting flange 22Turret platform floor 23Connecting section 24Case stub catcher 25Guide wall 26Guide wall 27Guide wall 28Guide wall 29Receiving space 30Supporting frame 31Section 32Section 33Section 34Section 35Covering 36Textile 37Textile 38Window 39Quick-connecting element 40Quick-connecting element 41Quick-connect element 42Quick-connect element 43Quick-connect element 44Quick-connect element 45Quick-connect element 46Quick-connect element 47Quick-connect element 48Quick-connect element 49Quick-connect element 50Quick-connect element 51Zipper 52Zipper 53Flap 54Bottom part 55Top part 56Retaining structure 57Tab 58Tab 59Tab 60Retaining structure61Top edge 62Deformation area gGravity direction xx-direction yy-direction zz-direction

Claims

1. A cartridge case stub catching device (24) for an armament (6) of a vehicle (1), in particular a battle tank, having guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) which are designed to guide cartridge case stumps (14) striking the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) downwards along a direction of gravity (g), wherein the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) have quick-connecting elements (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50) with the aid of which the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) can be connected to a holding structure (56, 60) without the use of tools and can be detached from the holding structure (56, 60) without the use of tools.

2. Sleeve stub catching device according to claim 1, characterized by that the sleeve stub catching device (24) has a modular structure in that either only a part or all of the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) are connected to the holding structure (56, 60) by means of the quick-connecting elements (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50).

3. Sleeve stub catching device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) comprise a first lateral guide wall (25), a second lateral guide wall (26) arranged opposite and spaced from the first lateral guide wall (25), a front guide wall (27) and a rear guide wall (28) arranged opposite and spaced from the front guide wall (27).

4. Sleeve stub catching device according to claim 3, characterized by that the rear guide wall (28) has a lower part (54) and an upper part (55) which can be pivoted relative to the lower part (54).

5. Sleeve stub catching device according to one of claims 1 - 4, characterized by that the quick-connecting elements (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50) are belt-shaped, band-shaped and / or cord-shaped.

6. Sleeve stub catching device according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized by that the quick-connecting elements (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50) comprise hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, pin buckles, toggles, snap fasteners, eyelets and / or hooks.

7. Sleeve stub catching device according to one of claims 1 - 6, characterized by that each guide wall (25, 26, 27, 28) has a support frame (30) and a flexible covering (35) with which the support frame (30) is covered.

8. Sleeve stub catching device according to claim 7, characterized by that the covering (35) comprises a textile (36, 37), in particular a heat-insulating, net-shaped, heat-resistant, self-extinguishing and / or sound-insulating textile.

9. Sleeve stub catching device according to claim 8, characterized by thatthe covering (35) comprises a first textile (36) and a second textile (37), wherein a mesh size of the first textile (36) is larger than a mesh size of the second textile (37), and wherein the first textile (36) in particular forms a window (38) provided in the covering (35).

10. Sleeve stub catching device according to one of claims 7 - 9, characterized by that the quick-connecting elements (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50) are sewn to the covering (35).

11. Sleeve stub catching device according to one of claims 7 - 10, characterized by that the covering (35) has a zipper (51, 52) through which a receiving space (29) enclosed by the sleeve stub catching device (24) is accessible.

12. Turret (5) for a vehicle (1), in particular for a battle tank, with an armament (6), in particular a smoothbore gun, a turret platform (20) and a shell stub catching device (24) according to one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) are designed to guide shell stumps (14) striking the guide walls (25, 26, 27, 28) downwards along the direction of gravity (g) in the direction of a turret platform floor (22) of the turret platform (20).

13. Tower according to claim 12, characterized by that the holding structure (56, 60) is part of the tower platform (20), wherein the sleeve stub catching device (24) is detachably connected to the holding structure (56, 60) by means of the quick-connecting elements (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50).

14. Tower according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by thatthe shell stub catching device (24) is arranged at least in sections below and / or behind a breech block (18) of the weapon (6).

15. Vehicle (1), in particular a battle tank, with a shell stub catching device (24) according to one of claims 1-11 and / or a turret (5) according to one of claims 12-14.

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