Primer magazine change assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a primer magazine exchange assembly (1) with a primer magazine depot (8) in which primer magazines (9) can be received, each containing a plurality of primers, wherein the primer magazines (9) can be inserted into a primer magazine insert (14.1) of a weapon (13) and wherein a propellant charge located in the weapon barrel (13.1) of the weapon (13) can be ignited via a primer, wherein a primer magazine exchange device (2) is provided for transferring a primer magazine (9) between the primer magazine depot (8) and the primer magazine insert (14.1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a primer magazine interchangeable assembly with a primer magazine depot in which primer magazines can be accommodated, each containing a plurality of primers, wherein the primer magazines can be inserted into a primer magazine slot of a weapon and wherein a propellant charge located in the weapon barrel of the weapon can be ignited via a primer.

[0002] A primer is usually a small percussion cap that ignites a propellant charge. The propellant charge is located in the barrel behind the actual projectile and is usually inserted into the barrel separately from the projectile. If the projectile and propellant charge are positioned appropriately in the barrel, igniting the propellant charge leads to a buildup of pressure behind the projectile, causing the projectile to accelerate suddenly. A new propellant charge and a new primer are required for each projectile firing.

[0003] The primers are comparatively small, and several primers are arranged in a single primer magazine. The weapon has a primer magazine slot at the rear, so a new projectile and propellant charge must be inserted into the barrel after each firing, while the primer magazine contains enough primers for numerous firings.

[0004] Especially in modern weapon systems, the weapon is usually loaded with the projectile and propellant charge automatically, so that manual intervention is no longer required for the actual loading process. However, this is different when replacing the primer magazine. In existing systems, the primer magazine still has to be replaced by hand. Depending on the size of the primer magazine, this makes it possible to fire numerous shots without manual intervention. However, when the primer magazine is empty, it must be removed by hand from the primer magazine slot in the weapon barrel and replaced with a new one. The new primer magazines are usually stored near the weapon barrel in a primer magazine depot.Accordingly, to replace an empty primer magazine, a full primer magazine can be removed by hand from the primer magazine depot and the empty primer magazine can then also be stowed by hand in the primer magazine depot.

[0005] The charging process is therefore partially, but not yet fully, automated in known systems.

[0006] Based on this, the invention aims to further automate the charging process as a whole.

[0007] This object is achieved in a primer magazine changing assembly of the type mentioned above in that a primer magazine changing device is provided for transferring a primer magazine between the primer magazine depot and the primer magazine insert.

[0008] With the primer magazine changing device, it is no longer necessary to manually move the primer magazines back and forth between the primer magazine depot and the weapon or the primer magazine slot. Instead, empty primer magazines can be fully automatically pulled from the primer magazine slot and stored in the primer magazine depot. Furthermore, full primer magazines can be fully automatically removed from the primer magazine depot, moved to the primer magazine slot, and then inserted into it. The entire primer magazine changing process can thus be automated and no longer requires manual intervention.

[0009] With regard to the design of the primer magazine changing assembly, it has proven advantageous if the primer magazine changing device can be moved back and forth between a first transfer position for transferring a primer magazine between the primer magazine changing device and the primer magazine depot, and a second transfer position for transferring the primer magazine between the primer magazine changing device and the primer magazine insert. This back-and-forth movement allows the primer magazine to be transferred either between the primer magazine changing device and the primer magazine insert, or between the primer magazine changing device and the primer magazine depot. Using the primer magazine changing device, the primer magazine can thus be reliably moved back and forth between the primer magazine depot and the primer magazine insert.Both this movement and the transfer to the primer magazine depot and the primer magazine insert can be carried out entirely automatically and do not require any manual intervention.

[0010] With regard to the movement of the primer magazine or the primer magazine changing device, it has further proven advantageous if the primer magazine changing device can be pivoted back and forth about a pivot axis between the first transfer position and the second transfer position. Such a pivoting movement can achieve a very precisely defined movement of the primer magazine changing device or the primer magazine. Furthermore, a pivoting movement has proven advantageous with regard to the design of the primer magazine changing device, particularly in contrast to a linear or multi-axis movement. This is because the primer magazine changing device can be designed to be comparatively simple for a pivoting movement. It is advantageous if stops are provided to limit the movement of the primer magazine changing device, so that movement beyond the two end positions can be prevented.In one end position, primer magazines can be transferred between the primer magazine changing device and the primer magazine depot, and in the other end position between the primer magazine changing device and the primer magazine insert.

[0011] To hold a primer magazine in the primer magazine changing device, it has proven advantageous if the device has a holding device in which the primer magazine can be held. The holding device can be moved back and forth between a change position and a movement position. When the primer magazine is arranged in the holding device, the latter can be moved via the primer magazine changing device. The primer magazine can be secured in the holding device, thus ensuring reliable movement of the primer magazine. In the change position, the primer magazine can be picked up from the holding device or removed from the holding device or released from it, for example to the primer magazine depot or to the primer magazine insert. In the movement position, the primer magazine received in the holding device can be moved together with the primer magazine changing device.

[0012] With regard to this movement, it has also proven advantageous if the holding device can be moved back and forth in a linear direction between the change position and the movement position. The holding device can thus be moved in a linear direction, particularly with respect to the pivot axis. When the primer magazine is arranged or secured in the holding device, the primer magazine can also be moved in a linear direction. Due to the linear movement, the holding device can be moved either toward or away from the pivot axis.

[0013] In this context, it has proven advantageous if the distance of the holding device from the pivot axis is smaller in the movement position than in the change position. The holding device can thus be extended from the movement position to the change position in order to change or transfer primer magazines. The holding device can be retracted to move the holding device or primer magazines around the pivot axis. Overall, the forces and torques acting on the drives can be kept to a minimum, particularly by retracting the holding device.

[0014] With regard to the change position, it has proven advantageous if a primer magazine can be transferred between the holding device and the primer magazine depot and / or between the holding device and the primer magazine insert in the change position. This ensures reliable transfer of the primer magazines into or out of the holding device in the change position.

[0015] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the primer magazine changing device can be fixed in a park position using a fixing device. By fixing the primer magazine changing device in the park position, it is not necessary to actively hold the primer magazine changing device in this position, for example by re-cycling the swivel drive. Instead, the primer magazine changing device can be passively fixed in the park position when it is not in use. The primer magazine changing device can advantageously be lashed in the park position. The primer magazine changing device can, for example, be in the park position when there are still sufficient primers in the primer magazine in use and shots can therefore still be fired from the weapon before the primer magazine needs to be changed. The park position can therefore be approached after a successful change process.Overall, the primer magazine changing device can thus be pivoted from the various transfer positions into the parking position. In the parking position, the holding device can be fixed or lashed to the roof of the vehicle or turret. The primer magazine changing device can thus extend essentially parallel to the roof of the turret, minimizing the space required for the primer magazine changing device in the parking position.

[0016] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous both with regard to the features described above in combination and solely with regard to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 if the primer magazine depot has multiple locations, each for accommodating a primer magazine. In this respect, the primer magazine depot offers the option of accommodating multiple primer magazines, regardless of whether they are filled with primers or empty. If a primer magazine is empty, it can be stored in the primer magazine depot and replaced with a full primer magazine removed from the primer magazine. Full primer magazines can, for example, be kept in the primer magazine depot and then exchanged for the current primer magazine when it is empty. In order to fire as many projectiles as possible, the primer magazine depot can be loaded with primer magazines before use.

[0017] With regard to the primer magazine depot, it has also proven advantageous if each mounting position is assigned a primer magazine holder, which can be used to hold a primer magazine at a particular mounting position. The primer magazine holder prevents the primer magazines arranged or stored in the primer magazine depot from accidentally slipping or moving. This could otherwise be a concern, particularly during firing or high-speed terrain travel, as the turret and thus also the primer magazine depot can be exposed to strong vibrations. The primer magazines can therefore be arranged at predefined locations within the primer magazine depot.

[0018] According to a design development of the primer magazine holder, it has proven advantageous if it has at least one guide rail, via which the primer magazines can be pushed into the primer magazine holders in a linear direction. The holder can therefore only allow movement of the primer magazines in a linear direction. This direction is also referred to below as the insertion or insertion direction. Advantageously, each primer magazine holder can have two opposing guide rails, so that the primer magazines can also be guided on two sides. The guide rails can therefore be designed to project laterally and extend in the direction of the primer magazine. The primer magazine can have one, in particular two guide grooves, which can be structurally adapted to the guide rails. In this respect, the guide rails can beWhen inserting a primer magazine into the primer magazine depot or a holding device, the guide grooves engage in the corresponding guide grooves. Alternatively, the holder can also have guide grooves and the primer magazines can have protruding rails. Overall, the primer magazine can be inserted into the primer magazine holders in a linear direction, similar to a drawer or cassette. It is advantageous to provide one primer magazine holder for each primer magazine that can be accommodated.

[0019] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the primer magazine holder has a guide piece into which a pin, in particular a spring-loaded pin, of the primer magazine can engage. When the pin of the primer magazine is engaged in the guide piece, the primer magazine is pre-fixed in the primer magazine depot or in the corresponding holder. The final fixation or locking, which then ensures that the primer magazine is secured in the primer magazine depot, is explained in more detail below. Due to the pre-locking characteristic, the connection between the pin and the guide piece can be released again by a pulling force. This means that the primer magazine can be pulled out of the corresponding primer magazine holder in this position by a pulling force that must exceed a certain threshold value, and thus moved against the insertion or insertion direction.If the applied tensile force does not exceed the threshold, the primer magazine remains secured in the primer magazine depot or in the primer magazine holder. To overcome the threshold, the spring pre-tensioning the pin must be compressed. Advantageously, the pin is pre-tensioned transversely to its longitudinal axis by the spring, so that the pin must then be moved transversely to be removed from the holder. The pin can be movable about a pivot point so that the spring can pre-tension the pin in one direction about the pivot point. The pin can be part of a timing lever. Primers can be removed from the primer magazine via the timing lever. The link piece can be designed such that the pin is moved against the force of the spring when a primer magazine is inserted. The link piece can have an undercut in which the pin is arranged in the end position, i.e. when the primer magazine is fully inserted or pushed into the holder.In order to move the pin out of the undercut, a certain threshold force must be applied, as explained above.

[0020] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous for the primer magazine holders to be designed as slots. The primer magazines can thus be inserted into these slots for storage in the primer magazine depot and removed from it in the opposite direction. The primer magazine holders can thus be designed as insertion slots.

[0021] According to an advantageous development, it has proven advantageous if the primer magazine depot has several, preferably two, depot registers, each having at least one receiving location. The receiving locations of a depot register can be arranged one above the other, so that several, in particular two, primer magazines can be arranged one above the other in one depot register. Advantageously, the primer magazine depot has several, in particular two, depot registers arranged essentially side by side, each of which can accommodate primer magazines. Overall, the primary magazines can thus be arranged in a matrix-like manner in the primary magazine depot, which ensures a comparatively high packing density.

[0022] The deposit registers can be designed in a box shape, particularly in the form of a rectangular box. This box-shaped geometry can provide sufficient stability so that the deposit registers can be moved reliably in the manner described in more detail below.

[0023] It is also advantageous if the primer magazines cannot be fully inserted into the primer magazine depot or the corresponding primer magazine holders, but rather if a portion of the primer magazine protrudes beyond the depot register. The depot registers can therefore be shorter than the primer magazines, which has proven advantageous overall with regard to the required installation space. It is advantageous if the primer magazines are inserted into the depot registers by less than 50%, preferably less than 40%, particularly preferably less than 30%, and most particularly preferably less than 20% of their total length. In this respect, the majority of the inserted primer magazines can protrude from the depot registers.

[0024] According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that at least one of the depot registers, preferably only one of the depot registers, has a free space, wherein the free space is arranged below a receiving space. This configuration allows sufficient space to be available in the lower region of one of the depot registers, which can be used, for example, by a propellant charge applicator, via which a propellant charge can be inserted into the weapon barrel. In this respect, no primer magazine holder is assigned to the free space; rather, the depot register which has the free space can only have one receiving space and thus also only one primary magazine holder. In this respect, the free space can take the place of a receiving space. This means that the multiple depot registers can be designed essentially as identical parts, wherein one of the depot registers has a free space instead of a receiving space.Overall, it is advantageous if the primer magazine depot has space for three primary magazines. This means that, for example, two full primary magazines can be stored in the primary magazine depot, and a slot can be provided for an empty primer magazine. Together with the primer magazine inserted in the primer magazine slot, the vehicle can thus carry a total of three full primer magazines and swap them automatically.

[0025] With regard to the primary magazine holders of a depot register, it has proven advantageous if they are aligned radially. The primary magazine holders of a depot register can thus be aligned to a common point or axis. These are advantageously aligned with the pivot axis of the primer magazine holding device. This design ensures that the holding device of the primer magazine changing device can be aligned with the primer magazine holders of the primer magazine depot during a pivoting movement. This then allows the primer magazines to be transferred from the holder in a linear direction into the depot register or in the reverse order. It is therefore not necessary to move the holder vertically in a linear direction in order to transfer the primer magazines to the holders of the primer magazine depot or to remove them from the primer magazine depot.

[0026] Furthermore, with regard to the primer magazine depot, it has proven advantageous if the depot registers can be moved back and forth between a transfer position and a storage position via a drive. The depot registers can be moved, in particular, via a pneumatically controlled drive. Advantageously, the depot registers are movable horizontally, particularly from left to right. Advantageously, each depot register is assigned its own drive so that the depot registers can be moved independently of one another.

[0027] To secure the primary magazines in the depot registers, it has proven advantageous if a primary magazine is positively secured in a depot register in the storage position. Due to the positive locking, it is not possible for the primer magazine to accidentally fall out of the corresponding depot register. Instead, the primary magazine can be secured in its receiving location. In the transfer position, the primer magazine can initially be pre-locked in the manner described above. In the storage position, in which the primer magazines can then remain in the primer magazine depot for an extended period, the primer magazines can then be reliably secured and, thanks to the positive locking, cannot be removed from the primer magazine depot even under the action of great forces.

[0028] In order to achieve such positive locking, it has proven advantageous from a design point of view if the primer magazine depot has a rear guide arranged at a distance from the depot register. The primer magazine can rest against the rear guide for securing purposes in the storage position. This means that the primer magazine can then no longer be pulled out of the primer magazine depot or from the corresponding holder. Instead, the primary magazine can be moved behind the rear guide together with the depot register. In the storage position, the primer magazine can thus be arranged between the rear guide and the depot register and can therefore no longer be moved. The rear guide can therefore have a distance from the depot register in the storage position that can essentially correspond to the length of a part of a primer magazine protruding from the primer magazine holder.

[0029] With regard to the back guide, it has proven advantageous if each depot register is assigned a back guide. Each of the depot registers can therefore be selectively moved into a position in which the primer magazines arranged in the depot register are positively secured in the depot register. The depot registers can be moved independently of one another into the storage position, in which the primer magazines inserted into the depot register are then arranged between the respective depot register and the back guide. The back guides can be adapted to the storage locations of the depot registers, so that if two storage locations arranged one above the other are provided, the back guide can be designed accordingly longer than if only one storage location and one free location are provided. With one back guide, all primer magazines of a depot register can be positively secured in the depot register.

[0030] According to a further advantageous development, the rear guide is designed to be stationary relative to the depot register. By moving the depot register between the storage position and the transfer position, the depot registers with the primer magazines arranged therein can be moved relative to the rear guides. The rear guides can be stationary, for example, connected to the roof of the vehicle. In order to secure the primer magazines in the storage position in the respective depot registers, a rear guide can be assigned to each storage position.

[0031] With regard to the rear guides, it has also proven advantageous to provide holding surfaces facing the primer magazine holders of the associated depot register. In this case, a primer magazine can rest against a holding surface at its end in the storage position. In the storage position, the respective primer magazines can be arranged between the holding surface and the primer magazine depot.

[0032] Since the position of the rear guides or the holding surfaces can be very precisely adjusted, only very slight movement of the respective primer magazine in the longitudinal direction of the primer magazine is possible. This reliably prevents rattling. Furthermore, the holding surfaces can also be equipped with holding pads, e.g., made of rubber.

[0033] With regard to the holding surfaces, it has also proven advantageous if they are arranged transversely to the insertion direction of the respective primer magazine holders. The insertion direction can be perpendicular to the associated holding surface. Due to the radial arrangement of the holders, the associated rear guides and thus also the holding surfaces can be concavely curved. The holding surfaces can therefore be adapted to the radial arrangement of the primer magazine holders.

[0034] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that a primer magazine can be transferred between a depot register located in the transfer position and the primer magazine changing device. Thus, when a depot register has been transferred to the transfer position, a primer magazine located in the depot register can be pulled out of the corresponding depot register and automatically transferred to the primer magazine changing device. The primer magazine can be transferred into the holding device of the primer magazine changing device. For this transfer, the holding device can first be moved into the transfer position, in which the holding device is aligned with the primer magazine holder, so that the corresponding primer magazine can be pulled straight out of the holder and transferred to the holding device.Depending on the location of the primer magazine, the primer magazine changing device can be pivoted into different transfer positions. Each location or primer magazine holder of a depot register can be assigned its own transfer position. Thus, if the depot register has two holders arranged one above the other, the primer magazine changing device or the holding device can optionally be moved into two different transfer positions.

[0035] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the holding device of the primary magazine changing device is aligned with one of the primary magazine holders of a depot register in the first transfer position and with another primary magazine holder of the same depot register in a third transfer position. In the second transfer position, a primer magazine can be transferred between the holder and the primer magazine insert. The designations "first," "second," and "third" serve only to distinguish the various transfer positions but do not lead to any further restrictions. Therefore, it is not absolutely necessary for all three transfer positions to be present, and the transfer positions can also be designated differently to distinguish them.

[0036] With regard to the object mentioned above, a vehicle, in particular a military land vehicle, is further proposed, comprising a vehicle hull and a turret mounted rotatably relative to the vehicle hull, wherein a primary magazine interchangeable assembly configured as described above is provided in the turret. This results in the advantages already described with regard to the primary magazine interchangeable assembly.

[0037] With regard to the arrangement of the components in the vehicle, it has proven advantageous if the primer magazine depot is located behind the primer magazine changing device in the direction of travel. The primer magazine depot can thus be located on a rear wall of the vehicle or turret and thus requires very little space in the turret. The primer magazine depot is advantageously located in the upper area of ​​the rear wall of the turret and, for example, attached to the roof of the turret. The propellant magazine and the shell magazine can be arranged on the two side walls of the turret or in the front area of ​​the turret in front of the weapon mount. The weapon can be suspended in the turret so that it can be pivoted in elevation. In azimuth, the weapon can be fixed relative to the turret, although the weapon can be aimed in azimuth by rotating the turret relative to the vehicle hull.

[0038] The primer magazine changer can be located on the roof of the turret, and the primer magazine depot on the rear wall of the turret. This provides sufficient space in the turret to transfer the weapon into a low-loading position. In particular, the location on the roof of the turret allows the entire primer magazine changer to be designed very flat and can also be integrated into existing turrets. The primer magazine changer can therefore be used as a retrofit solution for existing turrets to expand the functionality of an existing turret.

[0039] With regard to the weapon's layout, it has proven advantageous if the bore axis of the weapon barrel runs in a plane located between two magazine registers in a stocking position. This allows the weapon to recoil during firing and is not at risk of colliding with the primer magazine interchangeable assembly or the primer magazine depot, especially in a depression position or at low elevation angles.

[0040] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1a to 1c show a military land vehicle with a large-caliber weapon and a primer magazine interchangeable assembly arranged in the turret of the vehicle in various views; Fig. 1d shows a detailed view of the weapon with a primer magazine insert; Fig. 1e shows several views of the weapon and the primer magazine insert with the primer magazine partially inserted; Fig. 2 shows a perspective side view of a primer magazine interchangeable assembly in a parked position; Fig. 3 shows the primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to Fig. 2 in an exploded view; Fig. 4a to 4d schematic views of a pivot drive; Fig. 5a, 5b various perspective views of a pivot arm of the primer magazine changing device; Fig. 6a to 6b perspective views of a holding device and a shutter actuation; Fig. 6c to 6d partially sectioned views of the shutter actuation and the holding device; Fig. 7 a perspective side view of a primer magazine depot; Fig. 8 perspective side views of a primer magazine; Fig. 9a to 9k perspective views of the primer magazine changing assembly in various positions; Fig. 10a to 10e various schematic side views of the primer magazine depot and the primer magazine changing device in various positions.

[0041] The representations of the Fig. 1a bis 1c show a perspective side view of a military land vehicle 10 with a vehicle hull 11 and a turret 12 arranged to rotate relative to the vehicle hull 11. The turret 12 carries a large-caliber weapon 13, and to allow a view into the interior of the turret 12, the roof 12.1 of the turret 12 and the rear wall 12.2 of the turret 12 have been partially removed. The weapon 13 is mounted on the turret 12 so that it can be directed in elevation about an elevation axis. The turret 12 is mounted on the vehicle hull 11 so that it can be rotated about an azimuth axis, so that the weapon 13 can be directed in azimuth by rotating the turret 12.

[0042] A propellant charge depot 15, in which several propellant charges are stored, is arranged on a side wall of the turret 12. In addition, a projectile depot 16 is arranged in the turret 12, which is particularly shown in the illustrations of the Fig. 1a und 1b can be seen. Using a loading device (not explicitly shown), projectiles and propellant charges can be alternately loaded and fired fully automatically in the weapon barrel 13.1. A rear hatch 12.3 located in the rear wall 12.2 of the turret 12 provides access to the turret 12 from the outside, and the propellant charge depot 15 and projectile depot 16 can be reloaded through this rear hatch 12.3.

[0043] In addition, a primer magazine changing assembly 1, consisting of a primer magazine changing device 2 and a primer magazine depot 8, is arranged in the turret 12. The primer magazine changing device 2 is suspended in the roof area of ​​the turret 12, so that there is sufficient space below the primer magazine changing device 2 for aiming the weapon 13 over a wide elevation angle range and also sufficient space for the recoil of the weapon 13.

[0044] The primer magazine depot 8 is shown in the illustrations of the Fig. 1a bis 1c not explicitly visible, but this is arranged in the direction of travel F behind the primer magazine changing device 2 and is also attached in the roof area.

[0045] Weapon 13 is depicted in the Fig. 1d can be seen in a detailed view. The weapon 13 is suspended in elevation in the turret 12 via cylindrical bolts projecting laterally at the rear. The propellant charges and projectiles described above are inserted into the weapon barrel 13.1 from the rear. When the weapon barrel 13.1 is then closed with a breech, the propellant charge can be ignited, accelerating the projectile toward the muzzle of the weapon barrel 13.1.

[0046] To ignite the propellant charge, primers are used which are arranged in a primer magazine 9. The weapon 13 has a primer magazine slot 14.1 in the rear part in the area of ​​the weapon breech 14, which in the illustration of the Fig. 1e can be seen. A primer magazine 9 can be inserted from above into this primer magazine slot 14.1. In the upper illustration of the Fig. 1e A primer magazine 9 can be seen fully inserted into the primer magazine slot 14.1. A primer located in the primer magazine 9 can be used to ignite the propellant charge, and because of the multiple primers located in the primer magazine 9, the same magazine can be used for a multitude of shots. This means that it is not necessary to change the primer magazine 9 after each shot.

[0047] However, if the primer magazine 9 is empty, it can be removed from the primer magazine slot 14.1 via the primer magazine changing device 2 and replaced with a new primer magazine 9. The empty primer magazine 9 is then moved into the primer magazine depot 8 via the primer magazine changing device 2 and stored there. In a next step, a full primer magazine can then be removed from the primer magazine depot 8 and moved to the weapon 13 via the primer magazine changing device 2 and inserted into the primer magazine slot 14.1. This changing process can be carried out automatically by the primer magazine changing device 2, and no manual intervention is required. Thus, the entire loading and firing process can be carried out completely automatically and without manual intervention.

[0048] To ensure that the primer magazine 9 can be reliably inserted into the primer magazine slot 14.1, a guide 14.2 is provided, which is shown in the lower illustration of the Fig. 1e can be seen. In addition, the breech 14 also has a primer magazine lock 14.3, which prevents the primer magazine 9 from accidentally slipping out of the primer magazine slot 14.1, which could happen due to the high vibrations in the turret 12 during firing or, in some cases, during rapid and jerky vehicle movements. Therefore, before each replacement of a primer magazine 9, the primer magazine lock 14.3 must first be released or unlocked and then locked again after inserting a new primer magazine 9. This locking and unlocking of the primer magazine lock 14.3 can also be performed automatically by the primer magazine changing device 2.

[0049] The primer magazine 9 is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 8 shown in a perspective side view. The primer magazine 9 is essentially box-shaped and offers sufficient space inside to accommodate a large number of individual primers. On the rear side, the primer magazine 9 has a locking groove 9.4 in the upper area, which is particularly visible in the right-hand illustration of the Fig. 8 can be seen. When the primer magazine 9 has been inserted into the primer magazine slot 14.1, the primer magazine lock 14.3 can engage in this locking groove 9.4 and thus positively secure the primer magazine 9 in the bolt 14 or in the primer magazine slot 14.1.

[0050] The primer magazine 9 is equipped with guide grooves 9.3 on the side, which are arranged correspondingly to the guide 14.2 or the guides 14.2 of the bolt 14. The guides 14.2 and the guide grooves 9.3 thus ensure that the primer magazine 9 can slide straight into the bolt 14 or into the primer magazine holder 14.1 and does not become jammed.

[0051] The following figures will now explain in more detail the design of the primer magazine changing device 2 and the primer magazine depot 8. The representation of the Fig. 2 shows first the primer magazine changing device 2 in a parking position P, in which the pivot arm 3, explained in more detail below, is arranged parallel to the roof 12.1 of the turret 12 and is locked to the roof 12.1 of the turret 12 via a fixing device 7. In this parking position P, there is sufficient space below the primer magazine changing device 2 to align the weapon 13 in elevation so that the weapon 13 can return unhindered when a shot is fired. The primer magazine changing device 2 is therefore in this parking position P during normal operation of the weapon 13 and is only used when the primer magazine 9 located in the breech 14 of the weapon 13 no longer contains any primers and must be replaced with a filled primer magazine 9.

[0052] The individual components of the primer magazine changing device 2 as well as the primer magazine depot 8 are shown in the exploded view of the Fig. 3 The primer magazine changing device 2 essentially consists of a pivot arm 3, a holding device 5 arranged on the pivot arm 3, a gripping device 5.1, a closure actuation 6 and a pivot drive 4, via which the pivot arm 3 and all components arranged on the pivot arm 3 can be pivoted back and forth together about the pivot axis A in order to move primer magazines 9 back and forth between the primer magazine depot 8 and the primer magazine insert 14.1.

[0053] First, based on the representations of the Fig. 4a bis 4d The design of the swivel drive 4 will be explained in more detail below. The swivel drive 4 initially has an electric motor 4.1, which is connected to the on-board electrical system of the vehicle 10 and which is supplied with electrical energy via this. The electric motor 4.1 is coupled to the swivel arm 3 via a gear 4.2, described in more detail below, so that the swivel arm 3 can be swiveled back and forth about the swivel axis A via the electric motor 4.1. Overall, the electric motor 4.1 and the gear 4.2 are arranged horizontally, so that the entire swivel drive 4 is designed to be as flat as possible and is arranged very close to the roof 12.1 of the tower 12, requiring very little space inside the tower 12.

[0054] The gear 4.2 consists of several meshing pinions and gears. The electric motor 4.1 initially drives the drive pinion 4.21, which, for example, is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 4c can be seen. This drive pinion 4.21 meshes with a partial gear 4.22, which only has a center angle of approximately 120 and is therefore only about a third the size of a solid gear. This partial gear 4.22 is arranged on a common shaft with gear 4.23, which has a smaller gear ring, so that the partial gear 4.22 and gear 2.23 rotate in the same direction. Gear 2.23, in turn, meshes with an output pinion 4.24, which is arranged on the output shaft 4.3. By rotating the electric motor 4.1 or the drive pinion 4.21, this rotary movement is converted via the gear 4.2 into a rotary movement of the output shaft 4.3.

[0055] On the drive shaft 4.3 is the one shown in the illustration of the Fig. 5a, 5b The swivel arm 3 shown in more detail is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, so that a rotational movement of the output shaft 4.3 leads to a corresponding swivel movement of the swivel arm 3. The swivel axis A of the swivel arm 3 corresponds to the longitudinal or symmetry axis of the output shaft 4.3.

[0056] The various gears and pinions are arranged in a common gear housing 4.4, which essentially consists of two vertically and parallel plates and a cover plate connecting the two plates. The individual gears and pinions are each rotatably mounted in the two plates, and the gear housing 4.4, and thus the entire swivel drive 4, is attached to the inside of the roof 12.1 of the tower 12 via the cover plate.

[0057] The pivot arm 3 initially has two parallel, beam-shaped supports 3.4, each of which has a shaft bore 3.6 at its rear end, through which the output pinion 4.24 can extend. The two supports 3.4 are then attached to the outer sides of the two plates of the gear housing 4.4, so that the gear housing 4.4 extends a little way between the two supports 3.4, as is particularly shown in the illustration of the Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0058] At the opposite end of the pivot axis A or the shaft bores 3.6, each of the two supports 3.4 is provided with a stop 3.5. If an empty primer magazine 9 is to be removed from a primer magazine slot 14.1 or a full primer magazine 9 is to be inserted into the primer magazine slot 14.1 via the primer magazine changing device 2 in the manner described in more detail below, the pivot arm 3 must be moved via the pivot drive 4 into a position in which the two stops 3.5 rest against the weapon 13. This is because only in this fixed transfer position U2 is a transfer of a primer magazine 9 between the primer magazine changing device 2 and the breech 14 or the primer magazine slot 14.1 possible.

[0059] On their upper side, the two supports 3.4 have a slide guide 3.8, which allows a slide 3.3 to move in the linear direction L along the supports. The slide 3.3 is supported on the upper side of the supports via the slide guide 3.8. The slide 3.3 is plate-shaped and can be moved back and forth in the direction L via a drive 3.1. As can be seen from the illustrations of the Fig. 5a und 5b As can be seen, the drive 3.1 is also mounted on one of the supports 3.4 and is therefore moved during a pivoting movement around the pivot axis A.

[0060] The shaft driven by drive 3.1 extends transversely to direction L and thus also transversely to the main extension direction of the two supports 3.4. A pinion 3.2 is mounted on the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and can be rotated back and forth via drive 3.1. The pinion 3.2 meshes with a rack 3.9 connected to the carriage 3.3, so that rotation of the pinion 3.2 allows the carriage 3.3 to be moved back and forth in direction L. The carriage 3.3 slides along the upper side of the two supports 3.4 or on the carriage guide 3.8.

[0061] The top side 3.31 of the slide 3.3, which is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 5a can be seen, is largely flat, so that in the parking position P it is arranged parallel to the roof 12.1 of the turret 12 and the entire pivot arm 3 can be brought as close as possible to the roof 12.1. The underside 3.32 of the carriage 3.3, which is located between the two supports 3.4, is designed as a mounting surface 3.7 and on this surface are arranged the holding device 5, the gripping device 5.1 and the locking actuation 6, which are described in more detail below and which can be moved back and forth as a unit in the linear direction L relative to the two supports 3.4 during a linear movement of the carriage 3.3.

[0062] The holding device 5 initially serves to hold the primer magazine 9 so that it can be pivoted together with the pivot arm 3 about the pivot axis A and moved together with the carriage 3.3 in the linear direction L. The holding device 5 is arranged in the front area of ​​the underside 3.32 of the carriage 3.3 and protrudes forward relative to the carriage 3.3 so that the holding device 5 can be brought into contact with the primer magazine 9 to be held.

[0063] The structural design of the holding device 5 is shown, for example, in the illustrations of Fig. 6a und 6b The representation of the Fig. 6a shows the holding device 5 from below, i.e. from a view towards the underside 3.32 of the carriage 3.3. The holding device 5 has four areas forming a box-shaped receiving area 5.08, namely a lower area 5.01, a parallel upper area 5.04 and two side areas 5.02 arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the other areas 5.01, 5.04. These four areas 5.01, 5.02, 5.04 rest circumferentially on the primer magazine 9 so that the latter cannot tilt in the holding device 5. The holding device 5 is short compared to the primer magazine 9 and it only holds the rear part of the primer magazine 9. In addition, the lower area 5.01 is significantly shorter than the upper area 5.04 to minimize the required installation space, as can be seen from the illustration of the Fig. 6a can be seen. The two side areas 5.02 therefore have an L-shaped contour.

[0064] All inner surfaces of areas 5.01, 5.02, and 5.04 that come into contact with the primer magazine 9 are equipped with retaining pads 5.06, which prevent direct contact between areas 5.01, 5.02, and 5.04, which could potentially damage the surface of the primer magazine 9. In the front area, the retaining pads 5.06 have bevels 5.07, which allow for centering of the primer magazine 9 to be accommodated. This prevents collisions if the retaining device 5 or the primer magazine 9 are not precisely aligned during insertion.

[0065] As can be seen from the presentation of the Fig. 6a As can also be seen, the upper area 5.04 has a guide 5.05 designed as an elongated hole, which corresponds to the one shown in the illustration of the Fig. 8 , which can be seen. When the primer magazine 9 is inserted into the holding device 5 or when the holding device 5 is pushed over the primer magazine 9 to be accommodated in the manner described in more detail below, the guide pin 9.1 is inserted into the guide 5.05 and thus ensures reliable relative movement between the holding device 5 and the primer magazine 9.

[0066] Although the primer magazine 9 is reliably held in the holding device 5 due to its geometric design and cannot tilt in the holding device 5, the holding device 5 itself cannot prevent an axial movement of the primer magazine 9 into or out of the holding device 5. In order to fix the primer magazine 9 in the holding device 5 so that it does not fall out even during rapid movements of the holding device 5, a gripping device 5.1 is provided. The gripping device 5.1 is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 6a but especially in the presentation of the Fig. 6c The two opposing side regions 5.02 of the holding device 5 each have a substantially slot-shaped recess 5.03 through which the hook sections 5.9 of the gripping device 5.1, explained in more detail below, can be pivoted into the receiving region 5.08 of the holding device 5 and thus also into the contour of the primer magazine 9 in order to positively secure the primer magazine 9 in the holding device 5.

[0067] The gripping device 5.1 initially has two gripping arms 5.3 which are pivotally mounted on the holding device 5 around the pivot points 5.4 and which can be moved between a securing position S, which is shown in the right-hand illustration of the Fig. 6c shown, and a release position E, which is shown in the left illustration of the Fig. 6c shown, can be pivoted back and forth. The gripping arms 5.3 are each equipped with a hook section 5.9 at their ends, which face each other. The two hook sections 5.9 can be pivoted selectively into the receiving area 5.08 to secure the primer magazine 9.

[0068] A drive 5.2 is provided to pivot the hook sections 5.9 or the gripping arms 5.3 around the pivot points 5.4. This drive 5.2 is a pneumatic drive that is connected to the pneumatic network of the vehicle 10 and is mounted on the underside of the carriage 3.3, as can be seen from a comparison of the illustrations of the Fig. 6a and 5b can be seen. A control rod 5.8 can be moved in a linear direction via the drive 5.2. The control rod 5.8 is connected to a link piece 5.6, which has a wider section 5.61 and a narrower section 5.62, as can be seen from the illustration of the Fig. 6c The gripper arms 5.3 are each provided with a roller 5.5 in the rear area, which rolls on the guide piece 5.6. In the illustration of the Fig. 6a A spring 5.7 can be seen, which preloads the two gripping arms 5.3 into the release position E and thus compresses the two rear ends of the gripping arms 5.3, which are equipped with rollers 5.5. In this respect, the spring 5.7 presses the two rollers 5.5 against the guide piece 5.6, which leads to a pivoting movement of the gripping arms 5.3 around the respective pivot points 5.4 with a linear movement of the control rod 5.8 or the guide piece 5.6.

[0069] As shown in the left illustration of the Fig. 6c As can be seen, the rollers 5.5 in the narrower section 5.62 rest against the guide piece 5.6. The distance between the two rollers 5.5 is therefore comparatively small and the two gripping arms 5.3 are in the release position E, in which the two hook sections 5.9 arranged on the opposite side of the pivot points 5.4 are pivoted out of the receiving area 5.08. If the guide piece 5.6 is now moved in a linear direction via the control rod 5.8, the two rollers 5.5 roll on the guide piece 5.6 and are pressed apart due to the wider section 5.61. The spring 5.7 is thereby tensioned. Since the distance between the two rollers 5.5 is increased by the widened section 5.62 of the link piece 5.6 and the two rear sections of the gripping arms 5.3 are thus pushed apart, the front sections of the gripping arms 5.3 with the hook sections 5.9 arranged thereon are moved towards each other and thus into the receiving area 5.08 pivoted in. If a primer magazine 9 is located in the receiving area 5.08 or in the holding device 5, the two hook sections 5.9 can engage in the lateral guide grooves 9.3 of the primer magazine 9 and thus secure the primer magazine 9 in the holding device 5.

[0070] If a secured primer magazine 9 is to be released again, the guide piece 5.6 must be moved in the opposite direction and thus pulled slightly out of the area between the two gripper arms 5.3. The rollers 5.5 roll on the guide piece 5.6 until they reach the narrower section 5.62. The two hook sections 5.9 are then pivoted out of the receiving area 5.08 of the holding device 5, and the primer magazine 9 is released. The linear movement of the control rod 5.8 allows the pincer-like gripping device 5.1 to be opened and closed selectively and automatically without manual intervention.

[0071] Below the holding device 5 there is a locking mechanism 6, the structure and functioning of which are explained below with reference to the illustrations of the Fig. 5b , 6d and 6aThe shutter actuation 6 serves to activate the shutter mechanism shown in the Fig. 1e The primer magazine lock 14.3 can be locked or unlocked. The primer magazine lock 14.3 essentially functions like a cam lock, where a cam can selectively engage behind an element to be secured by turning. The primer magazine lock 14.3 has an interface for rotation, which includes a comparatively narrow projection in the manner of a spring, as can be seen from the illustration of the Fig. 1e can be seen.

[0072] Before changing a primer magazine 9, the primer magazine lock 14.3 must first be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. To realize a corresponding rotational movement, the bolt actuation 6 has a rotatable actuating element 6.2. This actuating element 6.2 has a slot-shaped actuating interface 6.3, which in the illustration of the Fig. 6d This actuation interface 6.3 is geometrically adapted to the interface of the primer magazine lock 14.3, as the actuation interface 6.3 has a slot-shaped groove into which the protruding spring of the primer magazine lock interface fits. When the two interfaces are thus positively connected, the primer magazine lock 14.3 can be locked or unlocked by rotating the actuation element 6.2.

[0073] For the corresponding movement, the locking mechanism 6 initially has a pneumatic drive 6.1, so that locking and unlocking can be carried out automatically and without manual intervention. The pneumatic drive 6.1 can be coupled to the pneumatic network of the vehicle 10. The drive 6.1 is designed as a linear drive and has a drive rod 6.7 that can be moved back and forth in a linear direction along an actuation axis G, which is particularly evident in the sectional view of the Fig. 6d can be seen. The drive rod 6.7 is coupled at the front end to a guide carriage 6.4, so that the carriage can be moved in a linear direction via the drive 6.1. The guide carriage 6.4, which is designed as a plate, can be moved back and forth between the holding elements 6.8, which act as stops, whereby the guide carriage 6.4 is arranged in the locking position on one holding element 6.8 and in the unlocking position on the other holding element 6.8. This can also be seen, for example, from the two shown in the illustration of the Fig. 6d shown positions are visible.

[0074] The two holding elements 6.8 are plate-shaped and extend transversely to the direction of movement of the guide carriage 6.4. The two holding elements 6.8 are connected to each other via two guide struts 6.5, with the two guide struts 6.5 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating element 6.2 and thus also parallel to the direction of movement of the guide carriage 6.4. In addition, the guide struts 6.5 also perform a guiding function. They extend through the guide carriage 6.4, which is linearly guided on the two guide struts 6.5, similar to a crab.

[0075] The actual actuating element 6.2 has a helical geometry and comprises a head section 6.21 and a cylinder section 6.22. The head section 6.21 comprises the actuating interface 6.3, which is integrally connected to the cylinder section 6.22. The cylinder section 6.22 is rotatably mounted in at least the front of the two holding elements 6.8. Overall, the actuating element 6.2 is immobile in the axial direction with respect to the actuating axis G, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the actuating element 6.2, and can thus only be rotated about its longitudinal axis. To actuate or rotate the actuating element 6.2, the guide carriage 6.4 is coupled to the cylinder section 6.22. For this purpose, the cylinder section 6.22 has a spiral-shaped guide 6.6, in which a guide pin 6.9 is arranged, extending vertically and coupled to the guide carriage 6.4. The guide 6.6 extends spirally around the actuating axis G. The guide pin 6.9 is movable in a linear direction via the guide carriage 6.4. By guiding the guide pin 6.9 in the link 6.6, the cylinder section 6.22 and thus the entire actuating element 6.2 is rotated during a linear movement of the guide carriage 6.4. When the guide carriage 6.4 moves in a first direction, the actuating element 6.2 rotates in a first direction, and when the guide carriage 6.4 moves in the opposite direction, the actuating element 6.2 also rotates in the opposite direction. Thus, the primer magazine locking mechanism 14.3 can be automatically locked or unlocked via the drive 6.1.

[0076] Since the closure actuation 6 is arranged on the holding device 5, it can be moved linearly back and forth together with the holding device 5 via a movement of the slide 3.3. In order to keep the installation space as compact as possible, the holding device 5 has a circular segment-shaped recess 5.09 in the lower area 5.01, which, for example, in the illustration of the Fig. 6b This recess 5.09 is adapted to the circular or cylindrical geometry of the head section 6.21 of the locking mechanism 6, so that the locking mechanism 6 and the holding device 5 can be mounted very compactly. In the illustration of the Fig. 6a For the sake of clarity, the shutter actuation 6 is moved a little away from the holding device 5. In the mounted position, however, the shutter actuation 6 protrudes as shown in the Fig. 6b from below into the contour of the holding device 5. This is also shown in the illustration of the Fig. 5b to recognize.

[0077] The following section will examine the primer magazine depot 8, particularly with regard to the Fig. 7 and 10a bis 10c , will be described in more detail. The primer magazine depot 8 initially has two depot registers 8.4 arranged next to each other at a distance from each other. These depot registers 8.4 are of shaft-shaped geometry and essentially consist of two plates extending parallel to each other, between which one or more receiving locations 8.1 are arranged, each for receiving a primer magazine 9. As can be seen, for example, from the illustration of the Fig. 7 As can be seen, the right depot register 8.4 has two storage locations 8.1 and the left depot register 8.1 only has one storage location 8.1.

[0078] First, each receiving location 8.1 is assigned a primer magazine holder 8.2, which has laterally projecting guide rails 8.7.

[0079] These guide rails 8.7 ensure that the primer magazines 9 can be pushed axially into the holders 8.2 and cannot tilt in the holders. The right-hand depot register 8.4 has two holders 8.2 arranged one above the other with corresponding guide rails 8.7, so that two primer magazines 9 can be arranged one above the other and stored in this depot register 8.4. In the other depot register 8.4, however, only a holder 8.2 with corresponding guide rails 8.7 is arranged in the upper area, and below this holder 8.2 or this receiving space 8.1 there is a free space 8.5. In the left-hand depot register 8.4, only a single primer magazine 9 can be stored. The free space 8.5 provides sufficient space below the upper holder 8.2 or below the primer magazine 9 located in the receiving space 8.1, for example for parts of a loading device ora rammer through which projectiles and / or propellant charges can be inserted into the weapon barrel 13.1 from the rear.

[0080] As can be seen from the presentation of the Fig. 7 As can also be seen, the two depot registers 8.4 are arranged on two essentially horizontally extending rail-like guides 8.3. On their outer sides, the depot registers 8.4 are connected to pneumatic drives 8.6, via which the depot registers 8.4 can be moved back and forth along the guides 8.3. In order to transfer a primer magazine 9 into a receiving location 8.1 of a depot register 8.4, the corresponding depot register 8.4 must first be removed from the position shown in the illustration of the Fig. 7 shown storage position B into a transfer position T, which, for example, in the representation of the Fig. 10e can be seen and will be discussed in more detail below. In the storage position B, which is located further outward than the transfer position T, the primer magazines 9 are secured in the depot registers 8.4 so that they cannot accidentally fall out of the depot registers 8.4.

[0081] To secure the primer magazines 9, rear guides 8.8 are provided, which are shown, for example, in the illustration of the Fig. 10a and 10ccan be seen. Each depot register 8.4 is provided with a rear guide 8.8. The rear guides 8.8 are essentially fixed and thus immovable plate-shaped elements against which the primer magazines 9 inserted in the depot register 8.4 can rest on the back. In order to store a primer magazine 9 in the primer magazine depot 8, the respective primer magazine depot 8 is first moved to the transfer position T. The primer magazine 9 can then be transferred in the insertion direction V into the selected depot register 8.4 or into the selected receiving location 8.1. In this inserted position, the primer magazine 9 is already secured or pre-locked to a certain extent, but is not yet sufficiently secured against accidental falling out.

[0082] However, when the depot register 8.4 is then transferred from the transfer position T to the storage position B, the primer magazine 9 is moved behind the fixed rear guide 8.8. In the storage position B, the primer magazine 9 is thus essentially arranged between the rear guide 8.8 and the depot register 8.4 and can therefore no longer be moved in or against the insertion direction V. This is also evident from the illustration of the Fig. 10c , which shows that the primer magazine 9 rests on the rear side of the rear guide 8.8 and is therefore immobile. The side of the rear guide 8.8 facing the depot registers 8.4 is designed as a holding surface 8.91, against which the primer magazines 9 stored in the respective depot register 8.8 rest on the rear side, thus reliably preventing movement in the storage position B.

[0083] Furthermore, the primer magazines 9 inserted into the primer magazine holders 8.2 are also pre-locked in the storage position B. The primer magazine holders 8.2 each have a link piece 8.21, which has a double-curved link, as can be seen from the illustration of the Fig. 10c can be seen. When the primer magazine 9 is inserted into the primer magazine holder 8.2, the protruding pin of a timing lever 9.2 enters the opening of the link piece 8.21. The corresponding pin is mounted so that it can move against a spring, so that when the primer magazine 9 is moved in the insertion direction V, it is extended against the force of the spring. Only when the primer magazine 9 has reached its final position in the depot register 8.4 or in the primer magazine holder 8.4 and the pin has reached the end of the link piece 8.21, as shown in the illustration of the Fig. 10c As can be seen, the spring preloading the pin is relaxed. Since it is necessary to compress the spring when pulling the primer magazine 9 out of the holder 8.2 in the opposite direction of insertion V, the spring provides a kind of pre-locking if the depot register 8.4 has not yet been moved behind the rear guide 8.8 into the storage position B.

[0084] As can be seen in particular from the presentation of the Fig. 7 and also the Fig. 10b As can be seen, the primer magazine holders 8.2 of a depot register 8.4 arranged one above the other are not arranged parallel to each other, but rather are arranged radially and converging towards the pivot axis A. Accordingly, the rear guides 8.8 and the holding surfaces 8.81 are not straight, but as shown in the illustration of the Fig. 10b convexly curved. Thus, the insertion directions V are not parallel to each other, but rather intersect at the pivot axis A.

[0085] In the following, based on the representations of the Fig. 9a bis 9k and the Fig. 10d bis 10e The individual processes for the fully automatic exchange of an empty primer magazine 9 with a filled primer magazine 9 are described. In the illustration of the Fig. 9a The primer magazine changing device 2 is initially in the parking position P, in which the swivel arm 3 is locked via the fixing device 7 on the roof 12.1 of the turret 12, so that the swivel drive 4, in particular, does not need to be re-clocked even after extended periods. The primer magazine 9 is secured in the primer magazine slot 14.1, and a primer from the primer magazine 9 can be used to ignite the propellant charges until the primer magazine 9 is empty.

[0086] In order to replace the empty primer magazine 9 with a new primer magazine 9, the empty primer magazine 9 must first be pulled out of the weapon-side primer magazine slot 14.1 and then stored in the primer magazine depot 8. For this purpose, the swivel arm 3 is first rotated by the swivel drive 4 about the swivel axis A from the park position into the position shown in the illustration of the Fig. 9b shown second transfer position U2. Therefore, the slide 3.3 and thus also the holding device 5 are in a movement position N, in which the slide 3.3 has been moved as close as possible to the pivot axis A. As soon as the stops 3.5 of the two supports 3.4 rest on the weapon 13 and the pivot arm 3 has thus reached the second transfer position U2, the drive 3.1 is activated and the slide 3.3 is moved from the movement position N into the change position W. Since the distance of the slide 3.3 in the change position W from the pivot axis A is greater than in the movement position N, the slide 3.3 is extended into the change position W. This position is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 9c to recognize.

[0087] In this position, the holding device 5 engages the end of the primer magazine 9, and the closure actuation 6 or the actuation interface 6.3 is able to unlock the primer magazine lock 14.3, as already described above. Furthermore, in this position, the gripping arms 5.3 of the gripping device 5.1 or the end-side hook sections 5.9 are pivoted into the receiving area 5.08 to secure the primer magazine 9 in the holding device 5. Once the primer magazine 9 is then appropriately secured in the holding device 5 and the primer magazine lock 14.3 has been unlocked, the carriage 3.3 can be retracted or moved from the change position W back to the movement position N. The primer magazine 9 is then pulled out of the primer magazine slot 14.1 in a linear direction.

[0088] In a next step, the swivel arm 3 is moved via the swivel drive 4 into the first transfer position U1, which is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 9d can be seen. In addition, the depot register 8.4, in which the empty primer magazine 9 is to be stored, is moved from the storage position B towards the other depot register 8.4 into the transfer position T. According to the illustration in the Fig. 9e the primer magazine 9 held in the holding device 5 is then in line with the primer magazine holder 8.2 of the depot register 8.4 in which the primer magazine 9 is to be stored.

[0089] In the next step, the slide 3.3 is then extended again and moved into the change position W. In the process, the holding device 5 is moved in the direction of the depot register 8.4 and the primer magazine 9 is inserted into the corresponding primer magazine holder 8.2 in the insertion direction V. When the slide 3.3 is fully extended, the primary magazine 9 is inserted with one end into the primer magazine holder 8.2 of the depot register 8.4 and with its other end still in the holding device 5. This position is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 9f to recognize.

[0090] In order to then completely transfer the primer magazine 9 to the primer magazine depot 8, the gripping device 5.1 is opened and the carriage 3.3 is then moved back to the movement position N. The holding device 5 slides off the primer magazine 9 and the pre-lock in the primer magazine depot 8 ensures that the primer magazine 9 does not move, but remains stuck in the holder 8.2 of the depot register 8.4.

[0091] If a full primer magazine 9 is to be removed from the other depot register 8.4, the depot register 8.4, into which the primer magazine 9 was transferred, would first have to be transferred back to the storage position B. According to the representation of the Fig. 9h and 10eIn the exemplary embodiment, however, the primer magazine 9 is now to be removed, which is arranged in the same depot register 8.4 below the primer magazine 9 stored in the primer magazine depot 8. For this purpose, the pivot arm 3 is first pivoted about the pivot axis A into the third transfer position U3. In this transfer position U3, the holding device 5 is aligned with the lower holder 8.2 of the depot register 8.4, which also clarifies the reason for the radial alignment of the holders 8.2.

[0092] In order to remove the full primer magazine 9 from the primer magazine depot 8, the slide 3.3 is first extended back into the change position W. The holding device 5 is placed onto the primer magazine 9 from behind, and the guide pin 9.1 is inserted into the guide 5.05 designed as an elongated hole. Once the holding device 5 has been completely placed onto the primer magazine 9, the gripping device 5.1 is closed, and the primer magazine 9 can be pulled out of the primer magazine depot 8 by moving the slide 3.3 into the movement position N, opposite to the insertion direction V.

[0093] The corresponding depot register 8.4 can then be moved into the storage position B, whereby the empty primer magazine 9 is moved behind the rear guide 8.8 and is thus then positively received in the primer magazine depot 8. This is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 10d to recognize.

[0094] To slide the full primer magazine 9 into the primer magazine slot 14.1, the steps described above are carried out in reverse order. This means that the swivel arm 3 is first pivoted from the third transfer position U3 to the first transfer position U1. In this position, the primer magazine 9 is aligned with the primer magazine slot 14.1. The slide 3.3 is then extended, whereby the primer magazine 9 is inserted into the primer magazine slot 14.1. Once the slide 3.3 has reached the change position W, the gripping device 5.1 can be released and the primer magazine lock 14.3 can be moved into the locking position via the locking mechanism 6 to lock the primer magazine 9 in the primer magazine slot 14.1. When the slide 3.33 is then retracted and moved in the direction L back into the movement position N, the holding device 5 slides off the primer magazine 9 and this remains in the breech 14 of the weapon 13. This position is shown in the illustration of the . Fig. 9k Once the exchange of an empty primer magazine 9 for a full primer magazine 9 is complete, the swivel arm 3 can be moved back into the parking position P and then re-secured to the roof 12.1 of the vehicle 10 or the turret 12 via the securing device 7. Reference symbol:

[0095] 1 Primer magazine change assembly 2 Primer magazine change device 3 Swivel arm 3.1 Drive 3.2 Pinion 3.3 Slide 3.31 Top 3.32 Bottom 3.4 Carrier 3.5 Stop 3.6 Shaft bore 3.7 Mounting surface 3.8 Slide guide 3.9 Rack 4 Swivel drive 4.1 Electric motor 4.2 Gearbox 4.21 Drive pinion 4.22 Partial gear 4.23 Gear 4.24 Output pinion 4.3 Output shaft 4.4 Gearbox housing 5 Holding device 5.01 Lower area 5.02 Side area 5.03 Recess 5.04 Upper area 5.05 Guide 5.06 Holding pad 5.07 Starting bevel 5.08 Receiving area 5.09Recess 5.1Gripping device 5.2Drive 5.3Gripper arm 5.4Pivot point 5.5Roller 5.6Link piece 5.61Wider section 5.62Narrower section 5.7Spring 5.8Control rod 5.9Hook section 6Bolt actuation 6.1Drive 6.2Actuating element 6.21Head section 6.22Cylinder section 6.3Actuating interface 6.4Guide carriage 6.5Guide strut 6.6Link 6.7Drive rod 6.8Retaining element 6.9Guide pin 7Fixing device 8Primer magazine depot 8.1 mounting location 8.2 primer magazine holder 8.21 guide piece 8.3 guide 8.4 cartridge register 8.5 free space 8.6 drive 8.7 guide rail 8.8 rear guide 8.81 holding surface 9 primer magazine 9.1 guide pin 9.2 timing lever 9.3 guide groove 9.4 safety groove 10 vehicle 11 vehicle hull 12 turret 12.1 roof 12.2 rear wall 12.3 rear hatch 13 weapon 13.1 weapon barrel 14 breech 14.1 primer magazine slot 14.2 guide 14.3 primer magazine lock 15 projectile chamber 16 propellant chamber . FTravel direction TTransfer position BStorage position VInsertion direction PParking position U1First transfer position U2Second transfer position U3Third transfer position WChange position NMovement position ASwivel axis LDirectory SSafety position ERelease position GActuating axis

Claims

1. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly with a primer magazine depot (8) in which primer magazines (9) can be accommodated, each containing a plurality of primers, wherein the primer magazines (9) can be inserted into a primer magazine slot (14.1) of a weapon (13) and wherein a propellant charge located in the weapon barrel (13.1) of the weapon (13) can be ignited via a primer, characterized by a primer magazine changing device (2) for transferring a primer magazine (9) between the primer magazine depot (8) and the primer magazine insert (14.1).

2. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe primer magazine changing device (2) is movable back and forth, in particular pivotable back and forth, between a first transfer position (U1) for transferring a primer magazine (9) between the primer magazine changing device (2) and the primer magazine depot (8) and a second transfer position (U2) for transferring a primer magazine (9) between the primer magazine changing device (2) and the primer magazine insert (14.1).

3. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primer magazine changing device (2) has a holding device (5) in which the primer magazine (9) can be held, wherein the holding device (5) can be moved back and forth, in particular linearly back and forth, between a changing position (W) and a movement position (N).

4. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to claim 3, characterized in thatin the change position (W) a primer magazine (9) can be transferred between the holding device (5) and the primer magazine depot (8) and / or between the holding device (5) and the primer magazine insert (14.1).

5. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primer magazine changing device (2) can be fixed in a parking position (P) via a fixing device (7).

6. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the primer magazine depot (8) has several receiving locations (8.1) for each receiving a primer magazine (9).

7. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that each receiving location (8.1) is assigned a primer magazine holder (8.2), via which a primer magazine (9) can be held at a receiving location (8.1).

8. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the primer magazine holder (8.2) is designed in the form of slots.

9. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primer magazine depot (8) has several, preferably two depot registers (8.4), each having at least one receiving location (8.1).

10. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the depot registers (8.4) has a free space (8.5), wherein the free space (8.5) is arranged below a receiving space (8.1).

11. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the primer magazine holders (8.2) of a depot register (8.4) are radially aligned.

12. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in thatthe depot registers (8.4) can be moved back and forth between a transfer position (T) and a storage position (B) via a drive (8.6).

13. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one primer magazine (9) is positively secured in a depot register (8.4) in the storage position (B).

14. Primer magazine interchangeable assembly according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the primer magazine depot (8) has a rear guide (8.8) arranged at a distance from the depot register (8.4), against which the primer magazine (9) can rest for securing in a depot register (8.4) in the storage position (B).

15. Vehicle, in particular a military land vehicle, with a vehicle hull (11) and a turret (12) rotatably mounted relative to the vehicle hull (11), wherein a primer magazine interchangeable assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the turret.

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