Projectile launcher
A simplified restraint mechanism with a spring and position detector addresses the complexity and safety issues of existing launchers by automatically releasing restraints and ensuring safe launch detection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing projectile launchers require complex structures with actuators and gears for releasing restraints, increasing costs and posing safety risks due to undetected restraint failures during launch.
A restraint mechanism with a movable restraining member and a spring mechanism that automatically releases the restraint without external actuators, combined with a position detector to ensure safe and reliable detachment detection.
The solution simplifies the structure, reduces manufacturing costs, and ensures safe operation by detecting when the restraint is released, preventing propellant ignition risks.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a projectile launcher.
Background Art
[0002] A projectile launcher for launching a projectile includes a pedestal and a sliding base (or a launch tube) configured to rotate vertically with respect to the pedestal while carrying (or accommodating) the projectile. The pedestal is installed on the ground or mounted on a vehicle or a ship and is configured to rotate around a vertical axis as required.
[0003] Particularly in the case of a projectile launcher mounted on a vehicle or a ship, due to the sway of the vehicle or the ship during travel or navigation, the projectile may sway back and forth on the sliding base (or inside the launch tube).
[0004] To prevent this, a restraint mechanism having a restraint member is provided on the sliding base (or the launch tube), and a recess is provided on the projectile (particularly, its lower outer surface). Until immediately before the launch of the projectile, the restraint member of the restraint mechanism is fitted into the recess of the projectile to restrain the projectile and prevent its back-and-forth swaying. Technologies have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0005]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] In the technology described above, when launching a projectile, an actuator is used to release the projectile's restraint by detaching the restraint member, which was fitted into a recess in the projectile, from that recess. Therefore, the aforementioned restraint mechanism requires not only an actuator but also drive components such as gears, leading to an increase in the number of parts and structural complexity, resulting in higher manufacturing costs.
[0007] Furthermore, the aforementioned restraint mechanism lacks a means to detect when the restraint member has detached from the recess of the projectile. Therefore, even if the restraint member fails to detach from the recess for any reason and the projectile remains restrained, it would not be possible to abort the launch for this reason. Consequently, there was a possibility that the projectile's propellant could be ignited while the projectile remained on the launch platform (or inside the launch tube), posing a safety problem.
[0008] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a projectile launcher that can prevent the projectile from swinging in the forward and backward directions with a simple structure and is equipped with a restraint mechanism capable of detecting when the restraint on the projectile has been released. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] To solve the above problems, a projectile launcher according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a base, a launching platform configured to rotate vertically relative to the base with a projectile mounted on it, and a restraining mechanism for preventing the projectile from swinging in the front-rear direction on the launching platform, wherein the projectile has a recess on its lower outer surface, the restraining mechanism comprises a restraining mechanism body fixed to the launching platform, the restraining mechanism body comprises a restraining member configured to be movable vertically and having a restraining portion at its upper end, the restraining portion is fitted into the recess when the launching platform is parallel to the base, and automatically disengages from the recess when the launching platform moves to a state inclined relative to the base.
[0010] In a projectile launcher according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the restraint mechanism further comprises a fastener fixed to the base, the restraint mechanism body further comprises a housing having a spring chamber formed inside, the restraint member further comprises a guide portion configured to slide vertically within the spring chamber, a spring is disposed in the spring chamber, and when the launch platform is parallel to the base, the lower end of the restraint member is in contact with the upper end of the fastener, so that the spring is compressed, and when the launch platform moves to a state inclined with respect to the base, the lower end of the restraint member separates from the upper end of the fastener, thereby releasing the spring from its compressed state, and the guide portion is pushed downward by the spring, causing the restraint member to move downward, and as a result the restraint portion detaches from the recess.
[0011] In a projectile launcher according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a detector chamber is further formed within the housing, and a projection extending from the lower surface of the restraint portion is provided within the detector chamber, along with a position detector that detects the vertical position of the projection, and the position detector detects that the restraint portion has detached from the recess.
[0012] In a projectile launcher according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the position detector is a limit switch. [Effects of the Invention]
[0013] According to this disclosure, it is possible to prevent the forward and backward oscillation of the flying object with a simple structure, and to detect when the constraint on the flying object has been released, thus achieving excellent effects. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a projectile launcher according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where (a) shows the projectile launcher in the stowed state and (b) shows the projectile launcher in the launch state. [Figure 2]It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a restraint mechanism included in a projectile launcher according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where (a) shows a state in which the projectile is restrained by the restraint mechanism, and (b) shows a state in which the restraint of the projectile by the restraint mechanism is released.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a projectile launcher 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] The projectile launcher 1 includes a pedestal B, a sliding base S on which a projectile F is mounted, and a restraint mechanism L for preventing the projectile F from rocking in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the figure) on the sliding base S.
[0018] The pedestal B is a member installed on the ground or on a vehicle or a ship, and is configured to rotate around a vertical axis as necessary to adjust the azimuth angle at the time of launching the projectile F.
[0019] The sliding base S is a member on which the projectile F is mounted, and after the propellant of the projectile F is ignited, the projectile F slides thereon. The sliding base S is configured to rotate in the vertical direction with respect to the pedestal B to adjust the angle of attack at the time of launching the projectile F. Further, the sliding base S is provided with a through-opening Sa that penetrates from the upper side (projectile F side) to the lower side (pedestal B side) (see FIG. 2).
[0020] FIG. 1(a) shows a state in which the sliding base S is parallel to the pedestal B horizontally installed on the ground or on a vehicle or a ship, that is, a state in which the angle of attack of the projectile F is oriented to 0 (the storage state of the projectile launcher 1). In this state, the restraint mechanism L restrains the projectile F on the sliding base S, that is, its movement in the front-rear direction is blocked.
[0021] On the one hand, FIG. 1(b) shows a state in which the sliding base S is inclined with respect to the pedestal B, that is, a state in which the flying object F is oriented so as to have an angle of attack greater than 0 (the launch state of the flying object launcher 1). In this state, the restraint of the flying object F by the restraint mechanism L is released, and the flying object F can move in its front-rear direction on the sliding base S. Although not shown in the figure, a member for preventing the flying object F from sliding down backward (rightward in the figure) is attached to the sliding base S. Therefore, in the launch state of the flying object launcher 1, the flying object F can move substantially only in the forward direction on the sliding base S.
[0022] The restraint mechanism L is a mechanism configured to restrain the flying object F on the sliding base S when the flying object launcher 1 is in the stored state, and automatically release the restraint of the flying object F on the sliding base S when the flying object launcher 1 transitions to the launch state. The structure thereof will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the restraint mechanism L included in the flying object launcher 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2(a) shows a state in which the flying object F is restrained by the restraint mechanism L when the flying object launcher 1 is in the stored state, and FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the restraint of the flying object F by the restraint mechanism L is released when the flying object launcher 1 is in the launch state.
[0024] When the flying object launcher 1 is in the launch state, the restraint mechanism L is actually in an inclined state compared to when the flying object launcher 1 is in the stored state (see FIG. 1(b)). However, in order to make it easier to understand the movement of each part of the restraint mechanism L, in FIG. 2(b), the restraint mechanism L is shown in a non-inclined state.
[0025] The restraint mechanism L is composed of a restraint mechanism main body LM fixed to the sliding base S and a fixture LS fixed to the pedestal B.
[0026] The restraint mechanism main body LM includes a housing 10, a restraint member 20, a spring 30, and a limit switch 40 (position detector).
[0027] The housing 10 is substantially a bottomed cylindrical member with an open bottom, and comprises an upper wall 12 and side walls 14. The housing 10 is fitted and fixed into the through-opening Sa provided in the sliding platform S, such that the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 14 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the through-opening Sa. Inside the housing 10, preferably cylindrical spaces, a spring chamber 10S and a detector chamber 10D, are formed. The upper wall 12 also has openings through which the shaft portion 24 and projection portion 21 of the restraining member 20, described later, pass.
[0028] The restraining member 20 is a member configured to be movable in the vertical direction, as will be described later, and has a restraining portion 22, a shaft portion 24 protruding from the lower surface 22b of the restraining portion 22, and a guide portion 26 formed at the lower end of the shaft portion 24. In addition, a projection 21 protrudes downward from the lower surface 22b of the restraining portion 22 (a portion different from the shaft portion 24), and a projection 27 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the guide portion 26.
[0029] The restraining portion 22 is a part formed at the upper end of the restraining member 20, and has a shape and dimensions that allow it to fit into a recess Fr provided on the lower outer surface of the projectile F when the projectile launcher 1 is in a stored state. Furthermore, if the vertical thickness of the restraining portion 22 is t, and the vertical distance between the upper surface St of the launching platform S and the upper surface 12t of the upper wall 12 of the housing 10 (in other words, the depth to which the upper surface 12t of the upper wall 12 of the housing 10 is embedded downward relative to the upper surface St of the launching platform S within the through-opening Sa provided in the launching platform S), then t ≤ d.
[0030] The shaft portion 24 extends from the lower surface 22b of the restraining portion 22, through an opening provided in the upper wall 12 of the housing 10, and is positioned to extend longitudinally within the spring chamber 10S of the housing 10, connecting the restraining portion 22 to the guide portion 26, which will be described later. The shaft portion 24 is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape.
[0031] The guide portion 26 is a part whose outer circumferential surface is configured to slide along the inner circumferential surface of the spring chamber 10S of the housing 10. The guide portion 26 is preferably formed in a disc shape, and its outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 24.
[0032] The lower end of the projection 27 protruding from the lower surface of the guide section 26 contacts the upper end of the fixing device LS fixed to the base B when the projectile launcher 1 is in its stowed state.
[0033] A spring 30 is positioned within the spring chamber 10S of the housing 10, between the lower surface of the upper wall 12 of the housing 10 and the upper surface of the guide portion 26 of the restraint member 20. The spring 30 is compressed when the projectile launcher 1 is in its stored state, but as the projectile launcher 1 transitions from the stored state to the launch state during the operation of the restraint mechanism L (described later), the lower end of the projection 27 separates from the upper end of the fixing device LS, releasing the spring 30 from its compressed state and extending. At this time, the spring 30 pushes the guide portion 26, and therefore the entire restraint member 20, downward relative to the housing 10. The downward movement of the restraint member 20 stops when the lower surface 22b of the restraint portion 22 contacts the upper surface 12t of the upper wall 12 of the housing 10, and in this state, the entire guide portion 26 remains within the spring chamber 10S of the housing 10.
[0034] The projection 21 protruding from the lower surface 22b of the restraining portion 22 penetrates an opening provided in the upper wall 12 of the housing 10 and is positioned to extend in the longitudinal direction inside the detector chamber 10D of the housing 10.
[0035] A limit switch 40 (position detector) is located inside the detector chamber 10D of the housing 10. The limit switch 40 includes a movable body 44 configured to rotate around a hinge 42 at its base end, and the tip 46 of the movable body 44 is always pressed upward against the lower end of the projection 21. The limit switch 40 configured in this way is configured to detect the vertical position of the restraint member 20 by detecting the rotation state of the movable body 44, which rotates in accordance with the vertical movement of the restraint member 20, using a detection circuit (not shown).
[0036] The operation of the restraint mechanism L of the embodiment of this disclosure, configured as described above, will be explained below.
[0037] In the stowed state of the projectile launcher 1, as shown in Figure 2(a), the lower end of the projection 27 of the restraint member 20 is in contact with the upper end of the fastener LS fixed to the base B. In this state, the restraint portion 22 of the restraint member 20 is fitted into the recess Fr provided on the lower outer surface of the projectile F, thereby restraining the projectile F on the launching platform S, that is, preventing its movement in the forward and backward directions. Also in this state, the spring 30 is compressed between the upper surface of the guide portion 26 of the restraint member 20 and the lower surface of the upper wall 12 of the housing 10.
[0038] When the projectile launcher 1 transitions to the launch state and the launch platform S becomes inclined relative to the base B, as shown in Figure 1(b), the lower end of the projection 27 separates from the upper end of the fixing device LS, as shown in Figure 2(b).
[0039] As a result, the restraint member 20, which is now freely movable in the vertical direction, moves downward relative to the housing 10 as a whole when its guide portion 26 is pushed downward by the spring 30. This movement stops when the lower surface 22b of the restraint portion 22 contacts the upper surface 12t of the upper wall 12 of the housing 10. At this time, the upper surface 22t of the restraint portion 22 of the restraint member 20 is flush with or below the upper surface St of the launching platform S. As a result, the restraint portion 22 of the restraint member 20 completely detaches from the recess Fr provided on the lower outer surface of the projectile F, and the restraint of the projectile F on the launching platform S is released.
[0040] Furthermore, in the state described above, the tip portion 46 is pushed down by the lower end of the projection portion 21, causing the movable body 44 to rotate downward. The detection circuit of the limit switch 40 then detects that the restraining portion 22 of the restraining member 20 has detached from the recess Fr of the projectile F, that is, that the restraint on the launching platform S has been released.
[0041] As described above, in the restraint mechanism L of the embodiment of this disclosure, the movement of the restraint member 20 to release the restraint of the projectile F is caused by the elastic force of the spring 30 released from a compressed state (i.e., without being subjected to the action of forces from outside the system). In other words, the detachment of the restraint portion 22 of the restraint member 20 from the recess Fr of the projectile F is automatically caused by the transition of the projectile launcher 1 from the stored state to the launch state. Therefore, unlike the prior art, there is no need for parts such as actuators and gears to move the restraint member, which reduces the number of parts, simplifies the structure, and reduces manufacturing costs.
[0042] Furthermore, in the restraint mechanism L of the embodiment of this disclosure, the release of the restraint of the projectile F is detected by the limit switch 40. Therefore, by configuring the projectile launcher 1 so that the projectile F is not launched unless the release of the restraint of the projectile F is detected by the limit switch 40, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the propellant of the projectile F is ignited while the projectile F remains on the launching platform S, even if the restraint portion 22 of the restraint member 20 fails to detach from the recess Fr of the projectile F for some reason. For this reason, the projectile launcher 1 of this disclosure is safer than conventional projectile launchers.
[0043] In the above explanation, we have described the case where the projectile F is mounted on a launching platform S, but the projectile F may also be housed inside a cylindrical launch tube. In this case, the restraint mechanism L is fitted and fixed into a through-opening provided at the bottom of the side wall of the launch tube.
[0044] Furthermore, while the above explanation described the case in which a limit switch 40 is used as a detector (position detector) for detecting the vertical position of the restraint member 20, other detectors can also be used.
[0045] Furthermore, although Figure 2 shows the detector chamber 10D of the housing 10 as having an open bottom, the bottom of the detector chamber 10D may be closed in order to protect the limit switch 40 from dust, moisture, gases generated by the combustion of propellant when the projectile F is launched, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0046] 1. Projectile launcher 10 Housing 10D Detector Room 10S Spring Chamber 20 Restraining member 21 Protrusion 22 Restraint part 22b Lower surface of the restraint 26 Guide section 30 Spring 40 Limit switch (position detector) B Base F flying object Fr recess L restraint mechanism LM restraint mechanism body LS fixture S runway
Claims
1. The base and A launching platform configured to rotate vertically relative to the base while a projectile is mounted on it, A restraining mechanism for preventing the projectile from swinging in the front-to-back direction on the launching platform, A projectile launcher equipped with, The aforementioned flying object has a recess on its lower outer surface, The restraint mechanism comprises a restraint mechanism body fixed to the sliding platform, The restraint mechanism body is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and includes a restraint member having a restraint portion at its upper end. The restraining part is, When the slide is parallel to the base, it fits into the recess. A projectile launcher that automatically detaches from the recess when the launching platform moves to a tilted position relative to the base.
2. The restraint mechanism further comprises a fixing device fixed to the base, The aforementioned restraint mechanism body further comprises a housing in which a spring chamber is formed inside, The restraining member further has a guide portion configured to slide vertically within the spring chamber, A spring is arranged inside the aforementioned spring chamber. When the slide is parallel to the base, the lower end of the restraining member is in contact with the upper end of the fixing device, and the spring is in a compressed state. As the launch platform moves to a state inclined with respect to the base, the lower end of the restraining member separates from the upper end of the fixing device, thereby releasing the spring from its compressed state, and the guide portion is pushed downward by the spring, causing the restraining member to move downward, and as a result the restraining portion detaches from the recess, the projectile launcher according to claim 1.
3. A detector chamber is further formed within the aforementioned housing. A position detector is arranged inside the detector chamber, with a projection extending from the lower surface of the restraining portion and detecting the vertical position of the projection. The projectile launcher according to claim 2, wherein the position detector detects that the restraint portion has detached from the recess.
4. The projectile launcher according to claim 3, wherein the position detector is a limit switch.
Citation Information
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