Gearing unit for receiving and orienting launcher segments of a launcher unit, and launcher unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a gearing unit (10) for receiving and orienting launcher segments (102) of a launcher unit (100), comprising: a housing (12); a shaft (20) which is rotatably mounted in the housing (12) and has a plurality of worm shaft sections (26); a drive unit (30) which is coupled to the shaft (20) in order to rotationally drive the shaft (20); a plurality of output shafts (32), each of which is mounted, for rotation about its central longitudinal axis (34), in the housing (12) and which are arranged parallel to one another, wherein each of the output shafts (32) is coupled to a worm wheel segment (38) for conjoint rotation, wherein each of the worm wheels segments (38) is in engagement with one of the worm shaft sections (26) of the shaft (20), so that the output shafts (32) can be rotationally driven by a drive of the drive unit (30), and wherein the output shafts (32) each protrude from the housing (12) on a housing side (42) and have a mechanical interface (44) for coupling and fastening a launcher segment (102). The invention further relates to a launcher unit (100) having such a gearing unit (10).

Description

[0001] Applicant:

[0002] Rheinmetall Waf fe Munition GmbH Heinrich-Ehrhardt-Straße 2 29345 Südheide

[0003] Title: Gear unit for receiving and aligning

[0004] Launcher segments of a launcher unit and launcher unit

[0005] Description

[0006] The present invention relates to a gear unit for receiving and aligning launcher segments of a launcher unit having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a launcher unit having the features of the independent claim.

[0007] Launchers or decoy launchers are known from the state of the art for protecting vehicles or objects against threats, particularly incoming enemy missiles. As a protective function, agents are deployed that, for example, create a smokescreen or form a decoy target that appears more attractive to the enemy missile's homing system than the vehicle or object itself.

[0008] Such launch devices typically comprise a launcher base that is attached to a surface, e.g., a ship's deck, and has a launcher drive to which, e.g., via a mechanical interface, a launcher unit for deploying launchable agents or projectiles, e.g., smoke grenades, is attached. By driving the launcher drive, the launcher unit can typically be aligned in azimuth and elevation to deliver launchable agents against an approaching threat.

[0009] One such launching device is the MASS decoy system available from the applicant. This decoy system has a launcher unit with chambers or receptacles in which active agents are arranged and from which the agents can be fired. The chambers or receptacles are attached to the launcher unit and angled to one another (launch axes of the receptacles are arranged at a fixed angle to one another). As a result of this arrangement, the width of a smoke screen to be launched by the active agents can only be varied by adjusting the firing distance or by launching several active agents with intermediate aiming operations of the launcher unit. This leads to a loss of time when launching the active agents and limits flexibility under operational conditions.

[0010] DE 100 08 198 A1 describes a throwing system in which throwing cups are held in pivoting frame parts. When arranged side by side, the frame parts can be pivoted together by driving a rack and pinion via a geared motor. When arranged one above the other, the frame parts are coupled to one another by coaxial hollow shafts, with the lowest hollow shaft being driven by a geared motor.

[0011] EP 2 157 398 B1 discloses a counter-firing system in which launch units are mounted in a rotating element so that they can be directed in elevation and can be directed in azimuth by rotating the rotating element relative to a holding element. The launch units are driven for elevation by means of a rack.

[0012] Solutions have been pursued in which each weapon on a launcher unit can be aligned by its own drive (one drive per weapon). This has proven to be comparatively complex in terms of controlling and coordinating individual movements. The large number of components increases the risk of failure and thus reduces system reliability. Furthermore, these solutions are associated with high costs.

[0013] The invention is based on the object of increasing the flexibility of use of a launcher in a structurally robust, reliable and accurate manner.

[0014] The invention solves this problem by a gear unit having the features of claim 1.

[0015] The gear unit is designed and / or intended to receive and align launcher segments or active agent ejectors of a launcher unit. The gear unit has a housing and a shaft or worm shaft which is rotatably mounted in the housing and has a plurality of worm shaft sections. The shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing about an axis of rotation or shaft axis of rotation. The worm shaft sections are shaft sections which have helical windings in the sense of a worm shaft. The worm shaft sections can be separated from one another by intermediate, preferably smooth or worm-free, shaft sections.

[0016] The gear unit further comprises a drive unit coupled to the shaft in order to be able to drive or to drive the shaft in rotation. The drive unit can be attached to the housing of the gear unit, for example, by screwing.

[0017] The gear unit also has several output shafts, each of which is mounted in the housing so that it can rotate about its central longitudinal axes and is arranged parallel to one another. In other words, the central longitudinal axes of the output shafts are oriented parallel to one another. Optionally, the central longitudinal axes are aligned or, in other words, lie in a geometric plane.

[0018] The output shafts are each coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a worm gear segment, wherein the worm gear segments are each in meshing engagement with one of the worm shaft sections of the shaft, so that the output shafts can be driven in rotation by a drive of the drive unit. By a drive of the drive unit, the output shafts can each be adjusted, preferably continuously, within a predetermined adjustment range. The worm gear segments can each be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the output shaft, for example by means of a feather key.

[0019] The output shafts each protrude from the housing on one side and have a mechanical interface for coupling and fastening a launcher segment or agent ejector.

[0020] The proposed gear unit allows launcher segments or agent ejectors of a launcher unit to be aligned and brought into different angles to one another. By means of the gear unit, the launcher segments or agent ejectors can be adjusted relative to one another in one plane (azimuth plane). This multiplies the possible applications of a launcher unit. Because the individual output shafts are geared together by the shaft or worm shaft, only one drive unit is required. This contributes to a structurally simple and robust design of the gear unit. The launcher logic can be kept simple thanks to the mechanical coupling of the output shafts.Another advantage is that any load impulses that may occur during advance and that may act on the output shafts only have a minimal effect, if any, on the drive unit due to the worm shaft sections (self-locking).

[0021] The proposed gear unit thus differs from the launching system described in DE 100 08 198 A1, in which the launching cups are pivoted together by an identical differential angle, namely by means of a rack or coaxial hollow shafts. The launching units disclosed in EP 2 157 398 B1 are also pivoted together by an identical differential angle, using a rack.

[0022] In principle, a different number of worm shaft sections, worm gear segments, and output shafts is conceivable, for example, a number of two to six or two to five of these elements. Preferably, four or five worm shaft sections, worm gear segments, and output shafts are provided. The output shafts can each be rotatably mounted in the housing of the gear unit by means of a rolling bearing.

[0023] Advantageously, the worm shaft sections and the worm wheel segments can each be designed in such a way that when the shaft (worm shaft) rotates by a defined shaft rotation angle or a full rotation (rotation of the shaft around its axis of rotation by an angle of 360°), different angles of rotation are set on adjacent output shafts. This means that the mechanical interfaces to which thrower segments can be attached can be brought into different angles to one another. This promotes variable fanning and contributes to a high level of flexibility in the application of active agents. It is understood that to achieve the maximum possible angle of rotation on the output shafts (total fanning), depending on the transmission ratios, more than just one full rotation of the shaft may be necessary, e.g. four, six or eight rotations.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the

[0025] The worm shaft sections and the worm wheel segments must each be coordinated in such a way that the angles of rotation which arise when the shaft is rotated by a defined shaft rotation angle or by a complete revolution (rotating the shaft by an angle of 360°) increase from the output shafts at a first end of the shaft, in particular the end of the shaft facing away from the drive unit, to the output shafts at the second end of the shaft, in particular the end of the shaft facing the drive unit. This promotes targeted fanning, i.e. targeted twisting of the individual output shafts. A collision between thrower segments fastened to the mechanical interfaces of the output shafts can be avoided. At the first end of the shaft, preferably the end furthest from the drive, a maximum small angle of rotation is achieved at the output shaft there (as a result of a large gear ratio), for example a angle of rotation of 2-4°.At the second end of the shaft, preferably close to the drive, a small gear ratio is applied to the shaft there.

[0026] Output shaft a larger maximum angle of rotation is achieved, e.g. a angle of rotation of 25-30 °.

[0027] Specifically, the worm shaft sections can have different pitches and / or different threads. This allows the gear ratios to be adjusted. The worm shaft sections can be helical, and the helical shape can have different pitches. Furthermore, the worm shaft sections can have different threads and can be, for example, 2-thread, 3-thread, 4-thread, 5-thread or 6-thread. The pitches of the worm shaft sections are preferably aligned. The toothing of the respective worm gear segment can be adapted to the respective worm shaft section, for example in terms of number of teeth, pitch and / or pitch circle diameter. Irrespective of this, the worm gear segments are each only rotationally coupled to the output shaft and engage with the associated worm shaft sections, but not coupled in any other way.

[0028] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, the output shafts can be displaced by means of the drive unit between a first orientation, in which all output shafts are in the same rotational position relative to one another (mechanical interfaces all arranged in the same rotational position or orientation), and a second orientation, in which all output shafts are in different rotational positions relative to one another (mechanical interfaces all arranged in different rotational positions or orientations). This creates defined end points in the alignment, namely a starting position (same rotational position of all output shafts) and an output position or end position (different rotational positions of all output shafts).

[0029] The mechanical interfaces can expediently each have a flat surface, one or more profile features and / or a plurality of bores. This enables a precise connection of the thrower segments to the output shafts. The flat surfaces can each be oriented orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis of the output shaft in question. The flat surfaces can all lie within a geometric plane or reference plane R. An end section of the output shafts can each have a profile feature, for example a polygonal cross-section with an N-cornered polygon with N > 3. The bores can be designed as dowel pins or threaded bores. The bores can be arranged in a defined pattern on the output shaft or in the flat surface, for example at corners of an N-cornered polygon with N > 3. For example.Three holes can be arranged in the flat surface, preferably at the vertices of a triangle. Some or all of the holes can be provided with an internal thread.

[0030] The drive unit can advantageously be fastened to the housing of the gear unit and can have a motor, in particular an electric motor, which is coupled to the shaft directly or by means of a gear. This means that the gear unit can be handled as a single assembly together with the drive unit fastened thereto. The coupling between the electric motor and the shaft is designed in such a way that when the motor is driven, the shaft is or can be driven in rotation. The motor can be arranged (with its motor shaft) parallel or at right angles to the shaft or its axis of rotation. If the motor is arranged in parallel, any gear that is provided can be designed, for example, as a spur gear. If the motor is arranged at a right angle, the gear can, for example.It can be designed as a bevel gear (drive gear and ring gear) or a hypoid gear (a modification of a bevel gear, with the rotational axes of the drive gear and ring gear offset from one another). The drive unit can be attached to the housing, in particular at one end of the shaft, preferably at the second end of the shaft.

[0031] The aforementioned problem is also solved by a launcher unit for deploying fireable agents (firing agent) with the features of the independent claim. Regarding the advantages thus achieved, reference is made to the relevant statements regarding the launcher unit.

[0032] The launcher unit is configured and / or intended for deploying fireable active agents. The launcher unit comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged launcher segments or active agent ejectors and at least one first gear unit with one or more of the aspects described above.

[0033] Advantageously, the launcher segments (agent ejectors) can each be received and / or attached to one of the mechanical interfaces of the output shafts. By driving the drive unit, the launcher segments or agent ejectors can be brought into different angles or angles of rotation relative to one another. This allows agents, for example, decoy projectiles, to be deployed at different angles relative to one another.

[0034] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, a second gear unit can be provided with one or more of the aspects described above, wherein additionally further launcher segments or active agent ejectors are provided, each of which is fastened to one of the mechanical interfaces of the output shafts of the second gear unit. In this way, a launcher unit with several launcher segments or active agent ejectors can be provided. The further launcher segments or active agent ejectors can correspond in their design to the (first) launcher segments or active agent ejectors. Advantageously, the second gear unit can be designed mirror-symmetrically to the first gear unit. This contributes to a modular design of the launcher unit. The first gear unit and the second gear unit as a whole can thus form an actuator for the launcher unit.The first gear unit can be designed as a left gear unit (left part) and the second gear unit as a right gear unit (right part). The plane of symmetry S (mirror-symmetrical design) can be formed by the housing side facing away from the drive unit, with the axis of rotation of the shaft forming a normal vector to the plane of symmetry.

[0035] The output shafts of the actuator formed by the first gear unit and the second gear unit can be moved between a first orientation, in which all output shafts are in the same rotational position (mechanical interfaces all arranged in the same rotational position or orientation), and a second orientation in which all output shafts are in different rotational positions to one another (mechanical interfaces all arranged in different rotational positions or orientations). The launcher segments or active agent ejectors coupled to the mechanical interfaces of the output shafts are oriented parallel to one another in the first orientation (deployment axes of the launcher segments parallel to one another) and oriented in different rotational positions or at different angles to one another in the second orientation.The thrower unit is designed such that, depending on the rotational position of the output shafts, a total fan angle α of 0-60° results. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals, although possibly only once. They show:

[0036] Fig.l shows an embodiment of a gear unit in a perspective view;

[0037] Fig.2a the gear unit from Figure 1 in a rear view according to arrow II in Figure 1;

[0038] Fig.2b shows the gear unit from Figure 1 in a partially sectioned view according to the section plane III - III in Figure 2a;

[0039] Fig.3a is a front view of the gear unit from Figure 1 according to arrow IV in Figure 1;

[0040] Fig.3b shows the gear unit from Figure 1 in a partially sectioned view according to the section plane V - V in Figure 2a;

[0041] Fig.4a shows an embodiment of a launcher unit, wherein the launcher segments are oriented parallel to each other; and

[0042] Fig.4b shows the launcher unit from Figure 4a, with the launcher segments angled to each other.

[0043] Figures 1 to 3b show an embodiment of a gear unit, designated overall by reference numeral 10. The gear unit 10 is configured and / or intended for receiving and aligning launcher segments or active agent ejectors 102 of a launcher unit 100.

[0044] The gear unit 10 has a housing, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 12. In the example, the housing 12 has a housing pan 14 and a housing cover 16, which is fastened to the housing pan 14 by means of screws 18.

[0045] The gear unit 10 has a shaft 20 rotatably mounted in the housing 12 (see Fig. 2b). The shaft 20 is mounted in the housing 12 so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis 22, here, for example, with rolling bearings 23, 24.

[0046] The shaft 20 has a plurality of worm shaft sections 26, which are shaft sections that have helical windings in the sense of a worm shaft (not shown). In the example, the worm shaft sections 26 are spaced apart from one another and separated by intermediate worm-free shaft sections 28.

[0047] The gear unit 10 further comprises a drive unit 30, which is coupled to the shaft 20 in order to be able to drive the shaft 20 in rotation (see Fig. 3b). In the example, the drive unit is attached to the housing 12.

[0048] The transmission unit 10 also has a plurality of output shafts 32, each of which is mounted in the housing 12 for rotation about its central longitudinal axis 34 and arranged parallel to one another (see Fig. 1 or 2b). In other words, the central longitudinal axes 34 of the output shafts 32 are oriented parallel to one another. In the example, the central longitudinal axes 34 lie in a geometric plane 36.

[0049] The output shafts 32 are each rotationally coupled to a worm gear segment 38, wherein the worm gear segments 38 are each engaged with one of the worm shaft sections 26 of the shaft 20, so that the output shafts 32 can be rotationally driven by a drive of the drive unit 30 (see Fig. 2b). The worm gear segments 38 can each be rotationally coupled to the output shaft 32, for example, by means of a key 40.

[0050] The output shafts 32 each protrude from the housing 12 on a housing side 42 and have a mechanical interface 44 for coupling and fastening a respective launcher segment 102 (see Fig. 1). In the example, the output shafts 32 are spaced from each other by equal distances.

[0051] In the present case, the mechanical interfaces 44 each have a flat surface 46 and a plurality of bores 48. In the example, the flat surfaces 46 are each oriented orthogonally to the central longitudinal axis 34 of the respective output shaft 32 and all lie within a geometric plane R (see Fig. 2a). In the present case, three bores 48 are provided, each of which lies at the vertices of a triangle (see Fig. 2b). Some or all of the bores 48 can each be provided with an internal thread (not shown).

[0052] In principle, a different number of worm shaft sections 26, worm gear segments 38, and output shafts 32 is conceivable, as explained above. In the example, five worm shaft sections 26, worm gear segments 38, and output shafts 32 are provided.

[0053] The worm shaft sections 26 and the worm gear segments 38 are each designed such that when the shaft 20 rotates through a defined shaft rotation angle, for example, a full revolution (rotation of the shaft 20 through an angle of 360°), different angles of rotation are set on the adjacent output shaft 32. This allows the mechanical interfaces 44, to which the thrower segments 102 can be attached, to be brought into different angles to one another (see Fig. 4b).

[0054] The worm shaft sections 26 and the worm wheel segments 38 are each matched in such a way that the angles of rotation which arise when the shaft 20 rotates through a defined shaft rotation angle or complete revolution (rotation of the shaft 20 through an angle of 360°) increase from the output shafts 32 at a first end 50 of the shaft 20 (end of the shaft 20 facing away from the drive unit 30) to the output shafts 32 at the second end 52 of the shaft 20 (the end of the shaft 20 facing the drive unit 30; cf. Figs. 2b and 4b).

[0055] At the first end 50 of the shaft 20, a maximum angle of rotation of 2-4 ° is achieved on the drive shaft 32 there.

[0056] At the second end 52 of the shaft 20, a maximum angle of rotation of 25-30° is achieved at the output shaft 32 there. The worm shaft sections 26 and the worm wheel segments 38 can be designed and / or adapted to one another as described above. The drive unit 30 is fastened to the housing 12 of the gear unit 10 and in this case has a motor 54 which is designed as an electric motor. The motor 54 has a motor shaft 56. The motor 54 is coupled to the shaft 20 by means of a gear 58 and can drive the shaft 20 in rotation. The motor 54 or the motor shaft 56 and the shaft 20 are oriented at right angles to one another in the example (cf. Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b). The gear 58 is designed as a hypoid gear in this case. The drive unit 30 is attached to the housing 12 at the second end 52 of the shaft 20.

[0057] The output shafts 32 can be displaced by means of the drive unit 30 between a first orientation, in which all output shafts 32 are in the same rotational position relative to one another (mechanical interfaces 44 all in the same rotational position; see Fig. 4a), and a second orientation, in which all output shafts 32 are in different rotational positions relative to one another (mechanical interfaces 44 all in different rotational positions; see Fig. 4b). Thus, in Figures 4a and 4b, the thrower segments 102 coupled to the output shafts 32 of the left drive unit 10 represent the rotational position of the respective output shaft 32.

[0058] As already indicated, Figures 4a and 4b show a launcher unit 100 for deploying displaceable active means 104. The launcher unit 100 has a plurality of launcher segments 102 arranged adjacent to one another and at least one first gear unit 10 as described above (gear unit 10 shown on the left or left part).

[0059] The five launcher segments 102 , which are assigned to the first gear unit 10, are each connected to one of the mechanical

[0060] Interfaces 44 of the output shafts 32 are received and fastened. By driving the drive unit 30, the output shafts 32 and the thrower segments 102 coupled thereto can be brought into different angles of rotation with respect to one another. In Figure 4a, the thrower segments 102 are aligned parallel to one another. In Figure 4b, the output shafts 32 are all in different rotational positions as a result of being driven by the drive unit 30. The maximum partial fan-out angle cg of the first drive unit 10 is 30° in the example.

[0061] The launcher unit 100 has a second gear unit 10'. The second gear unit 10' corresponds largely to the first gear unit 10 in its design, but is mirror-symmetrical to the first gear unit 10. The plane of symmetry S is formed by the housing side 62 facing away from the drive unit 30, wherein the axis of rotation 22 of the shaft 20 forms a normal vector to the plane of symmetry S (cf. Figs. 2b, 3b and 4b).

[0062] The first gear unit 10 and the second gear unit 10' together form an actuator drive for the launcher unit 100. The first gear unit 10 is designed as a left gear unit (left part) and the second gear unit 10' as a right gear unit (right part). The gear units 10, 10' are partially concealed in Figures 4a and 4b by a support structure 108 for fastening the launcher unit 100 to a directional drive.

[0063] Five further thrower segments 102 are provided, each of which is received and fastened to one of the mechanical interfaces 44 of the output shafts 32 of the second gear unit 10'. By driving the drive unit 30', the output shafts 32 and the thrower segments 102 coupled thereto can be brought into different angles of rotation with respect to one another. In Figure 4a, the thrower segments 102 are aligned parallel to one another. In Figure 4b, the output shafts 32 are all in different rotational positions as a result of being driven by the drive unit 30'. The partial fan-out angle θ2 of the second drive unit 10' is 30° in the example.

[0064] The output shafts 32 of the actuator formed by the first gear unit 10 and the second gear unit 10' can be moved between a first orientation, in which all output shafts 32 and the thrower units 102 connected thereto are in the same rotational position (cf. Fig. 4a), and a second orientation, in which all output shafts 32 and the thrower units 102 connected thereto are in different rotational positions relative to one another (cf. Fig. 4b). Depending on the rotational position of the output shafts 32, the total fan-out angle is a = cg + cg of 0-60°. Figure 4b shows the maximum total fan-out angle of a = 60°.

[0065] The launcher segments 102 each have a receiving space 112 extending along a deployment axis 110 for receiving and firing at least one active agent 104. The receiving space 112 is open at the front along the deployment axis 110 in the firing direction, so that an active agent 104 can be fired from the receiving space 112.

[0066] In principle, the immediate absorption of an active substance

[0067] 104 in the receiving space 112 is conceivable. In the present case, however, the receiving space 112 is configured to accommodate a magazine 114 in which several, e.g., two to four, active agents 104 are arranged one above the other (orthogonal to the plane of the drawing).

[0068] The launcher segments 102 are open upwards orthogonally to the deployment axis 110, so that the magazines 114 can be removed from the receiving space 112 by an upward movement (orthogonal to the plane of the drawing) and inserted into the receiving space 112 by a countermovement. The magazines 114 each have a handle 116 for handling.

[0069] The active means 104 are designed as fireable active means (firing active means). The active means 104 are, in particular, cartridge-loaded ammunition from which a projectile or missile can be fired from the receiving chamber 112 after initiation of a propellant charge.

[0070] Specifically, the active agents 104 can be designed as grenades (e.g., smoke grenades), decoys (multispectral decoys), or launchable drones (e.g., multicopters enclosed in a transport case). These can be used to achieve the desired protective effects depending on the intended use.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Gear unit (10) for receiving and aligning launcher segments (102) of a launcher unit (100), characterized by a housing (12), a shaft (20) rotatably mounted in the housing (12) with a plurality of worm shaft sections (26), a drive unit (30) coupled to the shaft (20) to drive the shaft (20) in rotation, a plurality of output shafts (32), each rotatably mounted about its central longitudinal axis (34) in the housing (12) and arranged parallel to one another, wherein the output shafts (32) are each rotationally fixedly coupled to a worm gear segment (38), wherein the worm gear segments (38) are each engaged with one of the worm shaft sections (26) of the shaft (20), so that the output shafts (32) can be driven in rotation by a drive of the drive unit (30),and wherein the output shafts (32) each protrude from the housing (12) on a housing side (42) and have a mechanical interface (44) for coupling and fastening a launcher segment (102).

2. Gear unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the worm shaft sections (26) and the worm wheel segments (38) are each designed such that when the shaft (20) rotates by one revolution, different angles of rotation are set on adjacent output shafts (32).

3. Gear unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the worm shaft sections (26) and the worm gear segments (38) are each matched in such a way that the angles of rotation which occur on adjacent output shafts (32) when the shaft (20) rotates by one revolution increase from the output shafts (32) at a first end (50) of the shaft (20), in particular an end of the shaft (20) facing away from the drive unit (30), to the output shafts (32) at the second end (52) of the shaft (20), in particular the end of the shaft (20) facing the drive unit (30).

4. Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the worm shaft sections (26) have different pitches and / or different threads.

5. Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output shafts (32) can be displaced by means of the drive unit (30) between a first orientation in which all output shafts (32) are in the same rotational position relative to one another, and a second orientation in which all output shafts (32) are in different rotational positions relative to one another.

6. Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical interfaces (44) each have a flat surface (46) and / or a plurality of bores (48).

7. Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Drive unit (30) is attached to the housing (12) and a motor (54), in particular an electric motor, which is coupled to the shaft (20) directly or by means of a gear (58).

8. Launcher unit (100) for deploying fireable active means (104), with a plurality of launcher segments (102) arranged adjacent to one another and at least one first gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Thrower unit (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thrower segments (102) are each fastened to one of the mechanical interfaces (44) of the output shafts (32).

10. Thrower unit (100) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that a second gear unit (10') according to one of claims 1 to 7 is provided, wherein further thrower segments (102) are each fastened to one of the mechanical interfaces (44) of the output shafts (32).

11. Launcher unit (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second gear unit (10') is mirror-symmetrical to the first gear unit (10).

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