Transmission unit for holding and orienting launcher segments of a launcher unit, and launcher unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a transmission unit (10) for holding and orienting launcher segments (102) of a launcher unit (100), comprising: a housing (12) which extends in a longitudinal direction (13); a shaft (20) which is mounted in the housing (12) such that the shaft can be rotated about it axis of rotation (22) and which 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 output shaft being mounted in the housing (12) such that said output shaft can be rotated about its central longitudinal axis (34), and the output shafts being arranged parallel to one another, wherein: the output shafts (32) are each coupled to a worm wheel segment (38) for conjoint rotation; the worm wheel segments (38) are each 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 the output shafts (32) each protrude from the housing (12) on a housing side (42) and have a mechanical interface (44) for the coupling and fastening of a launcher segment (102). The invention also relates to a launcher unit (100) having a transmission unit (10) of this type.

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 a plurality of output shafts, each of which is mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable about its central longitudinal axes and 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. The output shafts can be spaced apart from one another by equal distances along the longitudinal direction.

[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 or set 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 by means of 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 six to twelve, more preferably eight to twelve, of these elements. In particular, eight or ten 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 coordinated in such a way that the angles of rotation that arise on adjacent output shafts when the shaft (worm shaft) rotates through a defined shaft rotation angle or a complete revolution (rotation of the shaft around its axis of rotation through an angle of 360°) vary in size from output shafts arranged in or near the middle (middle region) of the housing (central output shaft) to output shafts arranged in an outer region of the housing (outer output shafts) in the longitudinal direction, and preferably increase towards the outside. This allows the mechanical interfaces to which thrower segments can be attached to 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.In particular, when the angle of rotation increases towards the outside, a collision of thrower segments attached to the mechanical interfaces of the output shafts can be avoided.

[0024] It is understood that, depending on the gear ratio, more than just one full rotation of the shaft may be required to achieve the maximum possible angle of rotation at the output shafts (total gearing), e.g., four, six, or eight rotations. At the central output shafts, a small maximum angle of rotation can be achieved (due to a high gear ratio), e.g., a rotation angle of ± 2-4°. At the outer output shafts, a large maximum angle of rotation can be achieved (due to a low gear ratio), e.g., a rotation angle of ± 25-30°.

[0025] Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, on output shafts which are arranged on either side of the center and equidistant from the center, angles of rotation of the same magnitude can be set when the shaft rotates by one revolution (defined shaft rotation angle; e.g. an angle of 360° for one revolution). This makes it possible to form pairs of output shafts with the same rotation angle for a predetermined shaft rotation angle. The rotation angles can be equal in magnitude and preferably opposite in direction. This makes it possible to achieve a partially or completely symmetrical fanning out of thrower segments.

[0026] In an expedient manner, the output shafts can be adjusted by means of the drive unit between a first orientation, in which all output shafts are in the same rotational position relative to each other (mechanical interfaces all arranged in the same rotational position or orientation), and a second

[0027] Alignment must be displaceable 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 a starting position or end position (different rotational positions of all output shafts).

[0028] Advantageously, the mechanical interfaces can 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 shaft can have, for example, a polygonal cross-section with an N-cornered polygon with N > 3 as a profile feature. 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 with these holes located at the vertices of a triangle.

[0029] The shaft can expediently be formed from a first shaft section and a second shaft section, which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner at a connection point. Thus, a one-piece design of the shaft is conceivable, which contributes to a small number of components.

[0030] In addition, only a small number of storage locations are required (e.g. two or three storage locations).

[0031] Alternatively, the shaft sections can be designed as separate shaft parts that are connected to one another at the connection point by means of a connecting element. The separate shaft parts facilitate manufacturing. Assembly can also be simplified. The connecting element can be designed as a shaft coupling, e.g., as a keyway collar or claw coupling.

[0032] Advantageously, the first shaft section and the second shaft section, in particular the first shaft part and the second shaft part, can be driven in the same direction of rotation by a drive of the drive unit, the worm shaft sections on the first shaft section (first shaft part) and on the second shaft section (second shaft part) having opposite pitches (positive pitch in one of the two sections and an opposite negative pitch in the other shaft section). In this way, the output shafts can be driven in different directions of rotation in a structurally simple manner when the shaft sections are driven in the same direction. The worm shaft sections are helical and the helical shape can have different pitches.

[0033] Irrespective of this, the worm shaft sections can have different pitches and / or different threads. This makes it possible to adapt the gear ratios. 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 toothing of the respective worm gear segment can be adapted to the relevant 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 coupled to the output shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and engage with the associated worm shaft sections, but are not coupled in any other way.

[0034] Advantageously, the drive unit can be attached 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 (indirectly) via a gear. This allows the gear unit, together with the drive unit attached to it, to be handled as a single assembly. The coupling between the electric motor and the shaft is designed such that, when the motor is driven, the shaft is or can be driven in rotation.

[0035] The drive unit is expediently positioned on the housing in such a way that the shaft is driven at the connection point of the shaft sections between two adjacent output shafts. This makes it possible to achieve a drive that is central in relation to the shaft. This makes it possible to keep vibrations and torsion on the shaft to a minimum. In a preferred embodiment, the gearbox can be designed in such a way that the motor is arranged with its motor shaft parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. This contributes to a flat and compact design of the gearbox unit. This makes it possible to achieve an advantageously narrow installation space for the gearbox unit in tight installation situations.

[0036] The gearbox can have two gear stages or, in other words, be designed in two stages. For example, the gearbox can have a bevel gear stage (90° bevel gear stage) as the first gear stage, which is coupled to the motor shaft so that the bevel gear stage can be driven in rotation by a drive from the motor. As a second gear stage, the gearbox can have a bevel gear or hypoid gear stage, which can be driven in rotation by means of the first gear stage and is coupled to the shaft in order to drive the shaft in rotation. By means of the first gear stage, a pre-transmission of the second gear stage or to the shaft can be achieved.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 output shafts and the launcher segments or agent ejectors coupled thereto can be brought into different angles or angles of rotation relative to one another. Thus, agents, e.g., decoy projectiles, can be deployed at different angles relative to one another.

[0040] The thrower unit can have a frame that is attached to the gear unit, e.g. by screwing. The frame can have a holding section that engages underneath the gear unit on the side of the housing facing away from the output shafts. Depending on the number of output shafts, support bearings can be arranged on the holding section, spaced from the housing of the gear unit and arranged concentrically to the respective output shaft, each of which supports one of the thrower segments in addition to the output shaft. This can prevent excessive torques from acting on the output shafts and thus on the worm shaft sections.

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, wherein identical or functionally similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals, but possibly only once. They show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a gear unit in a perspective view;

[0042] Fig.2a the gear unit from Figure 1 in a front view according to arrow II in Figure 1;

[0043] Fig.2b shows the gear unit from Figure 1 in a partially sectioned view according to the section plane III-III in Figure 2a;

[0044] Fig.3 shows an embodiment of a launcher unit, wherein the launcher segments are oriented parallel to each other; and

[0045] Fig.4 the launcher unit from Figure 3, with the launcher segments angled to each other.

[0046] Figures 1 to 2b show an embodiment of a transmission unit, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 10.

[0047] 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. The gear unit 10 has a housing, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 12 and extends along a longitudinal direction 13. 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.

[0048] 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 for rotation about a rotation axis 22, for example, by means of rolling bearings. Only rolling bearings 23, 24 are shown here at the ends of the shaft 20. Additional rolling bearings can be provided on the shaft 20, for example, in a central region (wall section 15) relative to the longitudinal direction 13 of the housing 12.

[0049] The shaft 20 has a plurality of worm shaft sections 26, which are shaft sections with 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.

[0050] The gear unit 10 further comprises a drive unit 30, which is coupled to the shaft 20 in order to drive the shaft 20 in rotation (see Fig. 2b). In the example, the drive unit 30 is attached to the housing 12.

[0051] The gear unit 10 also has a plurality of output shafts 32, each of which is mounted in the housing 12 so as to be rotatable about its central longitudinal axis 34 and is arranged parallel to one another (see Fig. 1 or 2b). In other words, the

[0052] The central longitudinal axes 34 of the output shafts 32 are oriented parallel to each other. In the example, the central longitudinal axes 34 lie in a geometric plane 36.

[0053] The output shafts 32 are each rotationally fixedly coupled to a worm gear segment 38, wherein the worm gear segments 38 each engage 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 (see Fig. 2b). The worm gear segments 38 can each be rotationally fixedly coupled to the respective output shaft 32, for example, by means of a key 40.

[0054] 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 equally apart from each other.

[0055] 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). The bores 48 can be designed as dowel pins or threaded bores. In the present case, three bores 48 are provided, each of which lies at the vertices of a triangle (see Fig. 2b). Optionally, the mechanical interfaces 44 can also have profile features, as explained above.

[0056] 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, ten worm shaft sections 26, worm gear segments 38, and output shafts 32 are provided.

[0057] In the present case, the shaft 20 is formed from a first shaft section 20' and a second shaft section 20'', which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner at a connection point 27. In the example, the shaft sections 20', 20'' are designed as separate shaft parts, which are rotationally fixedly connected to one another at the connection point 27 by means of a connecting element (not shown). The connecting element can be designed as a shaft coupling, as explained above. At the connection point 27, the housing 12 can have a wall section 15, which can accommodate a bearing element for supporting the shaft 20, for example a rolling bearing.

[0058] Due to the rotationally fixed coupling, the first shaft section 20' and the second shaft section 20" can be driven in the same direction of rotation by a drive of the drive unit 30. The worm shaft sections 26' on the first shaft section 20' and the worm shaft sections 26" on the second shaft section 20' have opposite pitches, as explained above.

[0059] The drive unit 30 is attached 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.

[0060] The drive unit 30 is positioned on the housing 12 in such a way that the shaft 20 is driven at the connection point 27 of the shaft sections 20', 20'' between two adjacent output shafts 32 (cf. Fig. 2b). The gearbox 58 is designed such that the motor 54 is arranged with its motor shaft 56 parallel to the axis of rotation 22 of the shaft 20. The gearbox 58 has two gear stages or, in other words, is designed in two stages. The gearbox 58 has, as the first gear stage 60, a bevel gear stage (90° bevel gear stage) which is coupled to the motor shaft 56 of the motor 54 so that the bevel gear stage can be driven in rotation by a drive from the motor 54. For this purpose, the motor shaft 56 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the input shaft 64 via a coupling element 62. The input shaft 64 drives an output shaft 66 via bevel gears.

[0061] The transmission 58 further comprises a second gear stage 68, which is designed as a bevel gear or hypoid gear stage and is coupled to the shaft 20. Specifically, a drive gear 70 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at the end of the output shaft 66 facing the shaft 20, which drive gear 70 engages with a ring gear 72 arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the shaft 20.

[0062] The worm shaft sections 26 and the worm wheel segments 38 are each matched in such a way that the angles of rotation that occur on adjacent output shafts 32 when the shaft 20 rotates through a full revolution (rotation of the shaft 20 around its rotational axis 22 through an angle of 360°) vary in size from the output shafts 32 arranged in or near the center M of the housing 12 with respect to the longitudinal direction 13 (central output shaft) to the output shafts 32 arranged in an outer region of the housing 12 with respect to the longitudinal direction 13 (outer output shafts). In the example, the angles of rotation that occur on the output shafts 32 when the shaft 20 rotates through a defined shaft rotation angle increase towards the outside (cf. Fig. 4). To achieve the maximum possible angles of rotation on the output shafts 32

[0063] (Total gearing) may require more than one complete revolution of the shaft 20, e.g. four, six or eight revolutions, depending on the gear ratios.

[0064] In the example, a comparatively small maximum angle of rotation is achieved at the output shafts 32 adjacent to the center M (central output shafts 32), namely a rotation angle of ± 2-4°. At the outer output shafts 32 (output shafts 32 at the ends of the housing 12), a comparatively large maximum angle of rotation is achieved, namely a rotation angle of ± 25-30°.

[0065] At output shafts 32, which are arranged on either side of the center M and equidistant from the center M, rotation angles of equal magnitude are achieved when the shaft 20 rotates through a defined shaft rotation angle. In the example, the rotation angles are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction (see Fig. 4).

[0066] 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. 3), 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. 4). Thus, in Figures 3 and 4, the thrower segments 102 coupled to the output shafts 32 of the drive unit 10 represent the rotational position of the respective

[0067] Output shaft 32 . As already indicated, Figures 3 and 4 show a

[0068] Launcher unit 100 for deploying fireable agents

[0069] 104 . The launcher unit 100 has a plurality of launcher segments 102 arranged adjacent to one another and a gear unit 10 as described above.

[0070] The launcher segments 102 (agent ejectors) are each received and secured to one of the mechanical interfaces 44 of the output shafts 32. By driving the drive unit 30, the output shafts 32 and the launcher segments 10 coupled thereto can be brought into different angles of rotation relative to one another.

[0071] In Figure 3, the thrower segments 102 are aligned parallel to one another. In Figure 4, the output shafts 32 are all in different rotational positions due to a drive by the drive unit 30.

[0072] The output shafts 32 of the gear unit 10 are displaceable 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. 3), 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.

[0073] Fig. 4). Depending on the rotational position of the output shafts 32, the total fan angle a is between 0 and 60°.

[0074] Figure 4 shows the maximum total fan-out angle of a = 60°. The output shafts 32 arranged to the left of the center M and the associated thrower units 102 are pivoted counterclockwise (positive angle), and the output shafts 32 arranged to the right of the center M are pivoted clockwise (negative angle). The output shafts 32 and associated thrower units 102, which are equidistant from the center M, are pivoted by equal angles of rotation (symmetrical fan-out).

[0075] 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.

[0076] In principle, a direct accommodation of an active agent 104 in the accommodation space 112 is conceivable. In the present case, however, the accommodation space 112 is configured to accommodate a magazine 114 in which several, for example, two to four, active agents 104 are arranged one above the other (orthogonal to the plane of the drawing).

[0077] The launcher segments 102 are preferably open or openable 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 can each have a handle for handling (not shown).

[0078] 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.

[0079] Specifically, the active means 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 allow the desired protective effects to be achieved 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) extending along a longitudinal direction (13), a shaft (20) rotatably mounted in the housing (12) about its axis of rotation (22) 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 in the housing (12) about its central longitudinal axis (34) and arranged parallel to one another, wherein the output shafts (32) are each coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a worm gear segment (38), wherein the worm gear segments (38) are each in engagement with one of the worm shaft sections (26) of the shaft (20), so that the output shafts (32) are Drive of the drive unit (30) can be driven in rotation,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 matched in such a way that angles of rotation which are set on adjacent output shafts (32) when the shaft (20) rotates by one revolution are, in relation to the Longitudinal direction (13) in or near the center (M) of the Housing (12) arranged output shafts (32) relative to the longitudinal direction (13) in an outer Area of ​​the housing (12) arranged output shafts (32) are of different sizes, preferably increasing.

3. Gear unit (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that on output shafts (32) which are arranged on both sides of the center (M) and are equidistant from the center (M), when the shaft (20) is rotated by one revolution, angles of rotation of the same magnitude are set.

4. 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.

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

6. Gear unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft (20) is formed from a first shaft section (20') and a second shaft section (20'') which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner at a connection point (27).

7. Gear unit (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first shaft section (20') and the second shaft section (20'') are driven in the same direction of rotation by a drive of the drive unit (30), wherein the worm shaft sections (26', 26'') on the first shaft section (20') and on the second shaft section (20'') have mutually opposite pitches.

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

9. Gear unit (10) according to claim 8 and 6 or 7, characterized in that the drive unit (30) is positioned on the housing (12) in such a way that the shaft (20) is driven at the connection point (27) of the shaft sections (20', 20'') between two adjacent output shafts (32).

10. Gear unit (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the gear (58) is designed such that the motor (54) with its motor shaft (56) is parallel to the axis of rotation (22) of the shaft (20) is arranged.

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

12. 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).

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