Adaptive Damping Support for Weapons Platform Recoil Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weapon platforms face reduced service life due to excessive mechanical stress from firing reaction forces, as current damping systems are often set too hard to accommodate maximum expected loads, leading to component damage from varying and unpredictable firing forces.
Innovation Solution
The damping characteristics of the supporting device are dynamically adjusted based on expected firing reaction forces, type of weapon, ammunition, propellant charge, and aiming position, allowing for softer damping when lower forces are anticipated and harder damping when higher forces are expected, thereby reducing mechanical stress on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the damping of the support device is set to accommodate maximum expected firing reaction forces, then the weapon platform can absorb the maximum firing reaction force, but the damping becomes too stiff and impairs the service life of components within the force path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the damping characteristic of the support device adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adapts the damping to match the actual firing reaction forces generated, allowing the system to transition between soft and hard damping states based on real-time conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the support device to provide maximum damping strength when needed while remaining soft during normal operation, thus protecting components from excessive stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the damping characteristic of the support device based on detected firing reaction forces. The control unit monitors the actual forces and adjusts the damping parameter accordingly - using softer damping for lower forces and harder damping for maximum forces. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize both component protection and force absorption capability as needed.
2Strength
If rigidly designed support structures are used, then the structure is simple and strong, but the sudden launch reaction forces cause components within the force path to fail and breakage occurs at welds and weak points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a support device with adjustable damping that prepares to absorb launch reaction forces before they occur. The control unit detects the firing event and pre-adjusts the damping characteristic to an appropriate level, cushioning the components against the sudden shock loads. This prevents breakage at welds and weak points while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between simple rigid structures and component reliability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the damping is set to a softer level for lower expected forces, then the service life of components is extended, but the weapon platform may become unstable when maximum firing reaction forces occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a control unit that continuously detects the actual firing reaction forces generated during weapon operation. Based on this feedback information, the control unit automatically adjusts the damping characteristic of the support device to the appropriate level. This ensures the platform remains stable under maximum loads while using softer damping during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between component service life and platform stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This adaptive approach extends the service life of the weapon platform by minimizing mechanical loads on components and ensuring stability across different firing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The support device (16) has several damped supports (17.1-17.3), each support (17.1-17.3) having at least one damping element (20.1-20.3)
Implementation Method 2
The damping characteristic of the support device (16) is adjustable depending on the expected firing reaction forces of the weapon (13)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a weapons platform comprising an undercarriage (11, 111) and a weapon (13, 113) that is positioned in a directable manner on the undercarriage (11, 111). The undercarriage (11, 111) can be supported in relation to the ground beneath by means of a supporting device (16, 116) that is damped in order to absorb firing recoil forces, the damping characteristics of the supporting device (16, 116) being adjustable in accordance with the firing recoil forces that are to be expected from the weapon (13, 113). The invention also relates to a military vehicle (1) comprising a weapons platform (10, 110) of this type. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a weapons platform (10, 110).