Contacting unit and cartridge-based ammunition

Abstract

The invention relates to a contacting unit (10) for electrically contacting cartridge-based ammunition, the contacting unit comprising: a circuit board (56); at least one electrical contact element (64), the contact element being arranged on a first side (68) of the circuit board; a housing (12) which extends along a central longitudinal axis (14) and has a first end (16) and a second end (18), the housing having, at the first end, a receiving portion (20) for receiving the circuit board, and the housing having, at the second end, a connecting portion (44) for connecting the housing to a cartridge casing of the cartridge-based ammunition, the housing being made of plastic, and at least one clamping or snap-in element (46) for holding the housing (12) on the cartridge casing (82) being formed on the connecting portion (44).

Description

[0001] Title: Contact unit and cartridge ammunition

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a contacting unit for electrically contacting a cartridge-loaded ammunition having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cartridge-loaded ammunition having the features of the independent claim.

[0004] A contacting unit of the type mentioned at the beginning is known to the applicant from practice. The contacting unit represents a component of a cartridged ammunition and is used in particular to initiate the cartridged ammunition, for example by means of an ignition device for the cartridged ammunition. The contacting unit known to the applicant comprises, among other things, a metallic housing, a separate electronic circuit board and brass contact rings attached to the circuit board. The components of the contacting unit are manually assembled into an assembly by screwing, among other things, and then overmolded with plastic. Due to the large number of components, the manufacturing process is cost-intensive and complex, and is prone to errors.

[0005] The housing of the known contact unit features an external thread for securing the contact unit in a corresponding internal thread of the ammunition case. A connecting cable extending from the contact unit must be pre-twisted in the opposite direction before screwing the contact unit into the ammunition case to prevent damage to the connecting cable during screwing. This complicates the assembly of the cartridge-loaded ammunition and is time-consuming.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a contacting unit with a structurally simple design, which can be produced cost-effectively and ensures reliable electrical contact.

[0007] The invention solves this problem by a contacting unit having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The contacting unit is designed and / or intended for electrically contacting a cartridge ammunition, in particular electrical or electronic components of the cartridge ammunition, e.g. an ignition device.

[0009] The contacting unit comprises an (electrical or electronic) circuit board and at least one electrical contact element arranged on a first side of the circuit board. Preferably, the circuit board has two electrical contact elements on the first side.

[0010] The contacting unit also has a housing extending along a central longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end, wherein the housing has a receiving portion at the first end for receiving the circuit board and wherein the housing has a connecting portion at the second end for connecting the housing to a cartridge case of the cartridged ammunition.

[0011] The housing of the contacting unit is made of plastic, wherein at least one, preferably form-fitting, clamping and / or snap element for holding the contacting unit on the cartridge case is formed on the connecting section of the housing.

[0012] The plastic design of the housing allows for simple and cost-effective production. Even complex components, such as the housing of the contact unit, can be easily manufactured from plastic.

[0013] According to the invention, it was also recognized that the plastic housing has sufficient stability and strength to be used as a component of the cartridge ammunition. Furthermore, the housing can be realized with a comparatively low weight.

[0014] The housing, which is made of plastic, can also be connected to the cartridge case particularly easily and reliably using the connecting section.

[0015] For this purpose, the connecting section of the housing, with its at least one clamping or snap-in element, can be inserted into a rear end of the cartridge case and held or fixed to the cartridge case (in particular to an inner surface of the cartridge case) by means of the clamping or snap-in element, at least in a clamping manner, but preferably also in a form-fitting manner. The rear end of the cartridge case corresponds to an end of the cartridge case opposite the firing direction (rear end of the cartridge case).

[0016] Specifically, the clamping or snap element can have the shape of a ring or a ring segment. If the clamping or snap element has the shape of a ring, the clamping or snap element can be designed to run completely around the circumferential direction. If the clamping or snap element has the shape of a ring segment, the clamping or snap element can be designed to run only partially around the circumferential direction, for example by an angle of at least 181°. In addition to the clamping or snap element in the shape of a ring segment, a positioning element can also be formed on the connecting section, which positioning element is designed to bear against an inner surface of the cartridge case when the contacting unit is in the assembled state.Advantageously, a plurality of clamping and / or snap elements can be formed on the connecting section of the housing, which are distributed around the circumference and can be moved or deformed transversely to the central longitudinal axis in order to hold the contacting unit on the cartridge case. This contributes to a uniform and reliable connection of the contacting unit to the cartridge case of the cartridge-loaded ammunition. As already indicated above, the clamping and / or snap elements can be designed as form-fitting or form-fitting clamping and / or snap elements. If the connecting section is pushed into the cartridge case, the clamping or snap elements preferably abut at least with a partial section against an inner edge of the cartridge case and are moved or deformed transversely to the central longitudinal axis, preferably radially, inwards.

[0017] (elastically) deformed. This movement or deformation of the clamping or snap elements creates a radially outward-directed force that presses the clamping or snap elements against the cartridge case (or against the inner surface of the cartridge case) and holds or fixes the housing of the contact unit to the cartridge case.

[0018] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, the contact element can be firmly connected to the circuit board, wherein the contact element and the circuit board together form a single component. This means that the contact element and the circuit board are combined to form one component and can be accommodated simultaneously or jointly in the receiving section of the housing. This reduces the number of components of the contacting unit and the time required for assembling the contacting unit. It is also possible to provide more than one contact element, preferably two contact elements or three contact elements, and the contact elements can each be firmly connected to the circuit board.

[0019] Advantageously, the contact element or elements can each be designed as a flat contact layer which is applied to the circuit board. By designing the contact element as a flat contact layer, a sufficiently large area is provided for electrical contacting of the contacting unit with comparatively little material being used. The flat contact layer can, for example, be provided as a (preferably metallic) foil or can be applied to the circuit board by means of a deposition process. The flat contact layer is preferably arranged on the first side of the circuit board, wherein the first side of the circuit board (when the circuit board is mounted on the housing) corresponds to a side facing away from the housing or from the cartridge case.

[0020] Advantageously, the flat contact layer can be gold-plated. This ensures particularly good electrical contact between the contact element or contact unit.

[0021] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, the receiving section can receive the circuit board in a recess and have a clamping or snap-in device for clamping and holding the circuit board in the recess. In the recess, the circuit board is supported against an inner wall of the recess and is thus securely positioned. The clamping or snap-in device represents a simple option for fixing the circuit board in the recess and prevents the circuit board from falling out of the recess. For this purpose, the clamping or snap-in device can have expandable, jaw-like or finger-like clamping members distributed around the circumference. To receive the circuit board in the recess, the circuit board can preferably be pressed or pressed manually onto the clamping or snap-in device of the receiving section.Due to the pressing pressure, the clamping elements of the clamping or snap-in device are expanded or deformed outwards (away from the central longitudinal axis) transversely to the central longitudinal axis, preferably radially, and create a (joining) path for the circuit board. Once the circuit board has passed through the clamping or snap-in device and is received in the recess, the pressing pressure no longer acts on the clamping elements, and the clamping elements return to their respective starting positions. In the starting position, the clamping elements hold the circuit board in the recess.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the housing can be made of a conductive plastic. Constructing the housing from (electrically) conductive plastic results in a shielding effect against electrical or magnetic fields or signals. This shielding effect increases safety, as the risk of unintentional discharge of the loaded ammunition can be minimized.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the plastic of the housing can be fiber-reinforced. Fiber-reinforced plastics generally exhibit high specific stiffness and strength, thereby increasing the stability and durability of the housing. Furthermore, the mechanical and thermal properties of fiber-reinforced plastics can be adjusted using a variety of parameters (e.g., through the selection of fibers) and tailored to application-specific requirements.

[0024] The housing can expediently be metallized, in particular nickel-plated, and / or formed by an injection molding process. Metallization is understood to mean the coating of the housing with a metal layer. This means that the plastic of the housing is provided with a metal layer (e.g. a layer of nickel). The metallization can further improve the conductive effect of the housing. Manufacturing the housing using an injection molding process makes it possible to produce housings in large quantities and using cost-effective and proven methods.

[0025] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, the housing can have a passage extending along the central longitudinal axis and adjoining the circuit board, into which passage a potting compound can be or is introduced, in particular can be or is potted, wherein the potting compound protects the circuit board on a second side of the circuit board from environmental influences or influences of the cartridge-loaded ammunition. The second side of the circuit board is preferably covered completely or partially by the potting compound, in particular over the entire cross-section of the passage, whereby particularly good protection is achieved, for example, against the penetration of moisture up to the circuit board and against corrosion of components of the circuit board. In concrete terms, the passage can be dimensioned such that the circuit board, when received in the recess, completely covers the passage.In particular, the passage may have a cross-section or an inner diameter in an end region adjacent to the recess or along its entire length which is smaller than the cross-section or the outer diameter of the circuit board.

[0026] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, the connecting section, in particular in its outer dimensions, preferably its outer diameter, can be tapered relative to the receiving section, wherein the connecting section has a preferably circumferential sealing element, in particular a sealing ring such as an O-ring, at its end facing the receiving section. As a result of the tapering of the connecting section, a shoulder is formed which enables a defined stop when the connecting section is inserted into the cartridge case. The sealing element contributes to a sealing effect between the cartridge case and the housing of the contacting unit.

[0027] Advantageously, a preferably circumferential groove (surrounding the passage) can be formed in the recess adjacent to a second side of the circuit board in the receiving section, in which groove a preferably circumferential further sealing element, in particular a further sealing ring such as an O-ring, is arranged. This contributes to a seal between the circuit board and the housing of the contacting unit and thus reduces the risk of moisture ingress. The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a cartridge-loaded ammunition having the features of the independent claim.

[0028] The cartridge ammunition comprises at least one cartridge case, a projectile, an ignition device (e.g., a primer), and a contact unit according to one of the preceding claims. Optionally, the cartridge ammunition may comprise further components, such as an active charge (e.g., pyrotechnics) and a propellant charge or ejection charge.

[0029] With regard to the advantages that can be achieved with cartridged ammunition, reference is made to the relevant comments on the contact unit.

[0030] The measures discussed above in connection with the contacting unit and / or those explained below can be used to further design the cartridged ammunition.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals, if necessary, however, only once. They show:

[0032] Fig. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a contacting unit; Fig. 2 is a representation of the contacting unit corresponding to Fig. 1 in an assembled state;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge ammunition;

[0034] Fig. 4 is a partial and sectional view of a rear end of the cartridge ammunition according to Fig. 3 and the contacting unit according to Fig. 1 in a non-connected state along a sectional plane designated IV-IV in Figs. 2 and 3;

[0035] Fig. 5 shows a representation corresponding to Fig. 4 during the connection of the contact unit with the cartridged ammunition; and

[0036] Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 of the cartridged ammunition and the contacting unit in a connected state.

[0037] A generally designated with the reference symbol 10

[0038] Embodiment of a contacting unit 10 serves for the electrical contacting of a cartridge-loaded ammunition 84, i.e. for the electrical contacting of electrical or electronic components of the cartridge-loaded ammunition 84.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows the contacting unit 10 in an exploded view. The contacting unit 10 comprises a housing 12. In the example, the housing 12 is rotationally symmetrical and extends along a central longitudinal axis 14 between a first end 16 and a second end 18.

[0040] Starting from the first end 16 of the housing 12, a receiving portion 20 of the housing 12 is formed, extending along the central longitudinal axis 14. The receiving portion 20 is delimited radially outwardly by a substantially cylindrical receiving portion surface 22, wherein the receiving portion surface 22, in the example, defines an outer diameter 24 of the receiving portion 20.

[0041] The receiving portion 20 of the housing 12 has an axial passage 26 extending along the central longitudinal axis 14. The axial passage 26 is delimited by a through-opening 27 extending orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis 14 and by a cylindrical inner wall 28 extending along the central longitudinal axis. In the example, the inner wall 28 defines an inner diameter 30 of the receiving portion 20.

[0042] At the first end 16, the receiving portion 20 has an end portion 32 extending orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis 14. The end portion 32 is circumferentially delimited by an annular edge 33 formed by an end portion of the receiving portion surface 22.

[0043] A recess 34 of the receiving portion 20 is formed on the end portion 32. The formation of the recess 34 results in the through-opening 27 of the axial passage 26 being arranged axially offset from the annular edge 33 in the direction of the second end 18.

[0044] The recess 34 has a circumferential inner wall 36, the diameter of the inner wall 36 being between the outer diameter 24 of the receiving portion 20 and the inner diameter of the receiving portion 30. The recess 34 is delimited toward the second end 18 of the housing 12 by a bearing surface 38, the bearing surface 38 being formed at least in part by an edge of the through-opening 27 of the axial passage 26.

[0045] In the region of the recess 34, the receiving portion 20 has a clamping or snap-in device 40 with a plurality of circumferentially distributed clamping members 42. The clamping members 42 are jaw- or finger-like and elastically deformable; in particular, the clamping members 42 can be expanded radially outward relative to the central longitudinal axis 14.

[0046] The clamping members 42 preferably have sections extending parallel to the end portion 32 and at least partially covering the recess. The sections are preferably aligned toward the central longitudinal axis 14.

[0047] Starting from the receiving section 20, a connecting section 44 is formed on the housing 12 along the central longitudinal axis 14 towards the second end 18.

[0048] The axial passage 26 described above extends along the entire housing 12 and also continues through the connecting section 44 of the housing 12. The axial passage 26 thus extends to the second

[0049] End 18 of the housing 12 .

[0050] In the example, the connecting section 44 has a plurality of clamping or snap elements 46 distributed around the circumference. The clamping or snap elements 46 are designed like jaws or fingers. In particular, the clamping or snap elements 46 are movable and / or (elastically) deformable transversely to the central longitudinal axis 14.

[0051] The clamping or snap elements 46 are each delimited radially outwardly by a clamping element surface 50, wherein the clamping element surfaces 50 define an outer diameter 52 of the connecting portion 44. The outer diameter 52 of the connecting portion 44 is smaller than the outer diameter 22 of the receiving portion 20. In other words, the connecting portion 44 is designed as an axially extending extension that is tapered relative to the receiving portion 20.

[0052] The clamping or snap-on elements 46 or the clamping element outer surfaces 50 can each have profiling features, for example, nose-like projections 54 projecting radially outward. The clamping or snap-on elements 46 can thus be designed as positive-locking clamping or snap-on elements 46.

[0053] The contacting unit 10 also has a circuit board 56. In the example, the circuit board 56 is disk-shaped and has a circular cross-section. The circuit board 56 is delimited on the outside by a circular border 58. An outer diameter 60 of the circuit board 56 is matched to a diameter of the wall 36 of the recess 34.

[0054] A first contact element 64 and a second contact element 66 are arranged on a first side 62 of the circuit board 56. The first side 62 of the circuit board 56 corresponds to a side of the circuit board 56 facing away from the housing 12 (in the assembled state).

[0055] In the present case, the contact elements 64 and 66 are designed as flat contact layers 65 and are firmly connected to the circuit board 56, in particular by means of a material bond, for example, by gluing. In this way, the circuit board 56 and the contact elements 64, 66 form a single component.

[0056] On a second side 68 of the circuit board 56 (facing the housing 12), a conductive element 70, for example, a multi-core cable 70, is arranged, which is electrically connected to the contact elements 64, 66. In the example, a connecting element, for example, a plug 72, is attached to the end of the cable 70 facing away from the circuit board 56.

[0057] The circuit board 56 can be received in the recess 34 of the receiving section 20 of the housing 12. For this purpose, the connector 72 and the cable 70 are guided through the axial passage 26 of the housing 12, and a geometric center of the circuit board 56 is aligned with the central longitudinal axis 14 of the housing 12.

[0058] The circuit board 56 is then brought into physical contact with the receiving section 20 and preferably manually pressed or pressed onto the clamping or snap-in device 40.

[0059] Due to the pressing pressure, the clamping members 42 of the clamping device 40 are expanded radially outwards (i.e. away from the central longitudinal axis 14) and provide a (joining) path for the circuit board 56.

[0060] Once the circuit board 56 has passed through the clamping or snap-in device 40 and is received in the recess 34, no further pressure acts on the clamping members 42, and the clamping members 42 return to their respective starting positions (deformation or movement toward the central longitudinal axis 14). In the starting position, the clamping members 42 hold the circuit board 56 clamped in the recess 34.

[0061] Preferably, in the starting position, the partial sections of the clamping members 42 partially cover the first side 62 of the circuit board 56 (rear grip) and form a secure protection against the circuit board 56 falling out of the recess 34.

[0062] In the recess 34, the circuit board 56 is circumferentially supported on the wall 36 of the recess 34 and is thereby positioned. Toward the second end 18, the circuit board 56 is in physical contact with the support surface 38 of the recess 34 and is supported on the support surface 38.

[0063] Before assembling the circuit board 56 and the housing 12, it is possible to arrange a first sealing ring, such as an O-ring 74, preferably in a groove in the recess 34. The first O-ring 74 serves to seal the circuit board 56 on the second side 68 relative to the housing 12 and protects the circuit board 56 from environmental influences.

[0064] If the circuit board 56 is received in the recess 34 of the receiving section 20, a potting compound 76 can be introduced, in particular cast, into the axial passage 26 from the second end 18 of the housing 12.

[0065] The potting compound 76 moves through the axial passage 26 and covers the second side 68 of the circuit board 56, arranged in the recess 34, in the example over the entire cross-section of the passage 26. The potting compound 76 protects the second side 68 of the circuit board 56 from environmental influences and also increases the stability of the coupling between the housing 12 and the circuit board 56.

[0066] Once the potting compound 76 has been cast in, the cable 70 is only partially enclosed by the potting compound 76 along its longitudinal extent. In particular, the cable 70 extends through the potting compound 76, so that the connector 72 does not come into contact with the potting compound 76 and is spaced apart from the potting compound 76.

[0067] It is preferably possible to arrange a second O-ring 78 on the connecting section 44 of the housing 12. The second O-ring 78 is guided over the clamping element casing surfaces 50 and rests against a shoulder or stop 80 formed by the annular partial region of the receiving section 20. The second O-ring 78 serves to seal the housing 12 relative to the cartridge case 82 of the cartridge-loaded ammunition 84. Figure 2 shows the contacting unit 10 in an assembled state. The circuit board 56 is received in the recess 34 of the receiving section 20 of the housing 12 and is held in a clamped manner by means of the clamping members 42 of the clamping or snap-in device 40. The clamping members 42 can engage behind the circuit board 56 on the first side 62.

[0068] In the assembled state, the contact elements 64, 66 of the circuit board 12 are oriented away from the housing 12. Furthermore, the cable 70 extends substantially along or parallel to the central longitudinal axis 14 beyond the second end 18 of the housing 12, thereby spacing the connector 72 from the housing 12.

[0069] In the assembled state, the contacting unit 10 can be connected to a cartridge case 82 of a cartridge-loaded ammunition 84, see Fig. 3.

[0070] The cartridge case 82 has a hollow cylindrical casing body 86, which in the example is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis 88. The cartridge case 82 extends along the longitudinal axis 88 between a first, front end 90 and a second, rear end 92.

[0071] The front end 90 of the cartridge case 82 has a front opening 94 extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 88. A projectile 96 (only schematically indicated) of the loaded ammunition 84 is inserted and fixed into the front opening 94. The front opening 94 of the cartridge case 82 can, if necessary, be closed by the projectile 96 itself or by a separate cap (not shown).

[0072] The rear end 92 of the cartridge case 82 has a rear opening 98 extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 88. The rear opening 98 is delimited by an annular inner edge 100 of the jacket body 86, wherein the annular inner edge 100 defines an inner diameter 102 of the cartridge case 82.

[0073] Starting from the annular inner edge 100, an annular bottom surface 106 of the cartridge case 82 extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 88 toward an annular outer edge 104 of the casing body 86. The annular outer edge 104 defines an outer diameter 108 of the cartridge case 82.

[0074] The jacket body 86 of the cartridge case 82 has a cylindrical outer surface 110 and a cylindrical inner surface 112.

[0075] The cylindrical inner surface 112, the front opening 94 and the rear opening 98 define an interior space 114 of the cartridge case 82.

[0076] A known ignition device 118 is arranged in the interior 114 of the cartridge case 82. The ignition device 118 preferably comprises a receiving device, for example, a socket 120.

[0077] The cartridge ammunition 84 is preferably ammunition for generating artificial smoke (“smoke ammunition”). The cartridge ammunition preferably has

[0078] 84 has a caliber of 40mm (outer diameter 108).

[0079] The contacting unit 10 can be connected to the cartridge case 82 at the rear end 92 with the cartridge-loaded ammunition 84. For connection, the contacting unit 10 is arranged adjacent to the rear end 92 of the cartridge case 82, see Fig. 4.

[0080] The cable 70 and the plug 72 of the contacting unit 10 are inserted through the rear opening 98 into the interior 114 of the cartridge case 82 (not shown in Figure 4). In the interior 114, the plug 72 is electrically connected to the ignition device 118 via the socket 120 (not shown in Figure 4). Once the plug 72 is received in the socket 120, the contact elements 64, 66 are electrically connected to the ignition device 118 via the circuit board 56 and the cable 70.

[0081] Subsequently, the central longitudinal axis 14 of the

[0082] Contacting unit 10 with the longitudinal axis 88 of the

[0083] Cartridge case 82 of the cartridge 84 ammunition aligned.

[0084] From this point, the connecting section 44 of the contacting unit 10 is pushed through the rear opening 98 into the interior 114 of the cartridge case 82, see Fig. 5.

[0085] During insertion, the clamping element surfaces 50 of the clamping or snap elements 46 of the connecting section 44 come into contact with the inner surface 112 of the cartridge case 82. In this case, the outer diameter 52 of the connecting section 44, defined by the clamping element surfaces 50, is slightly larger than the inner diameter 102 of the cartridge case 82. As a result, the clamping or snap elements 46 of the connecting section 44 are moved or (elastically) deformed toward the central longitudinal axis 14 upon insertion into the cartridge case 82.

[0086] By compressing the clamping or snap elements 46, a radially outward-acting force (i.e. acting radially away from the central longitudinal axis 14) is built up, which presses the clamping element surface 50 against the inner surface 112 of the cartridge case 82 and ensures that the contact unit 10 is held in a clamping manner on the cartridge-loaded ammunition 84.

[0087] As the radially outwardly projecting, nose-like projections 54 of the clamping or snap elements 46 increase the movement or deformation of the clamping or snap elements 46, the outwardly acting force is increased and a particularly secure and reliable connection is achieved.

[0088] If the connecting section 44 of the contacting unit 10 is completely inserted into the interior 114 of the cartridge case 82, a connected state is achieved, see Fig. 6.

[0089] The connected state is characterized in that the contacting unit 10 is clamped to the cartridge case 82 of the cartridge-loaded ammunition by means of the clamping or snap-on elements 46 of the connecting section 44. In other words, the contacting unit 10 is fixed to the cartridge case 82 of the cartridge-loaded ammunition 84 and, as a component of the cartridge-loaded ammunition 84, can be moved together with the cartridge-loaded ammunition 84.

[0090] In the connected state, a contact surface formed between the clamping element surface 50 and the inner surface 112 of the cartridge case 82 is maximized, resulting in a large frictional force between the clamping element surface 50 and the inner surface 112. This ensures that the contact unit 10 is held particularly securely in the cartridge case 82.

[0091] It is also possible for the inner surface 112 of the cartridge case 82 to have a surface structure, for example, annular recesses. The annular recesses are preferably matched to the radially outwardly projecting, nose-like projections 54 of the clamping elements 46. In the connected state, the projections 54 engage in the annular recesses and enable a particularly secure and reliable connection of the contacting unit 10 to the cartridge case 82 (positive connection between the projections 54 of the clamping elements 46 and the surface structure, for example, annular recesses, of the inner surface 112).

[0092] In the connected state, the contacting unit 10 of the cartridge 84 can be electrically contacted via the contact elements 64, 66 with a known triggering device (not shown in the figures). If the triggering device generates an electrical pulse to initiate the cartridge 84, the electrical pulse is received by the contact elements 64, 66 and transmitted to the ignition device 118 via the circuit board 56, the cable 70, and the plug 72.

[0093] The ignition device 118 generates, for example, via a suitable propellant, an overpressure in the interior 114 of the cartridge case 82, which accordingly launches and accelerates the projectile 96. The projectile 96 leaves the cartridge case 82, which remains behind together with the contact unit 10, for example, in a suitable launcher for firing the cartridge-loaded ammunition.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Contacting unit (10) for electrically contacting a cartridged ammunition (84), the contacting unit (10) comprising: - a circuit board (56) , - at least one electrical contact element (64), wherein the contact element (64) is arranged on a first side (62) of the circuit board (56), - a housing (12) extending along a central longitudinal axis (14) with a first end (16) and a second end (18), - wherein the housing (12) has a receiving portion (20) at the first end (16) for receiving the circuit board (56) and - wherein the housing (12) has a connecting section (44) at the second end (18) for connecting the housing to a cartridge case (82) of the cartridge-loaded ammunition (84), characterized in that the housing (12) is made of plastic, wherein at least one clamping or snap element (46) for holding the housing (12) on the cartridge case (82) is formed on the connecting section (44).

2. Contacting unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the connecting section (44) a plurality of circumferentially distributed, transversely to the Central longitudinal axis (14) movable or deformable clamping or snap elements (46) are formed for holding the housing (12) on the cartridge case (82).

3. Contacting unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (64) is fixedly connected to the circuit board (56), wherein the contact element (64) and the circuit board (56) together form a single component.

4. Contacting unit (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact element (64) is designed as a flat contact layer (65) which is applied to the circuit board (56).

5. Contacting unit (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the flat contact layer (65) is gold-plated.

6. Contacting unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving section (20) receives the circuit board (56) in a recess (34) and has a clamping or snap-in device (40) for clamping and holding the circuit board (56) in the recess (34).

7. Contacting unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) is made of a conductive plastic.

8. Contacting unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic is fiber-reinforced.

9. Contacting unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) is metallized, in particular nickel-plated, and / or is formed by an injection molding process.

10. Contacting unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) has a passage (26) extending along the central longitudinal axis (14) and adjoining the circuit board, into which passage a potting compound (76) can be introduced or is introduced, wherein the potting compound (76) protects the circuit board (56) on a second side (68) from environmental influences.

11. Contacting unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (44) is tapered relative to the receiving section (20), wherein the connecting section (44) has a preferably circumferential sealing element, in particular a sealing ring (78) at its end facing the receiving section (20).

12. Contacting unit (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that in the recess (34) adjacent to a second side (68) of the circuit board (56) in the receiving section (20) a preferably circumferential groove is formed, in which a further sealing element (74), in particular a further sealing ring (74), is arranged.

13. Cartridge ammunition (84), comprising at least a cartridge case (82), a projectile (96), an ignition device (118) and a contacting unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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