Ammunition Belt Link Separation Device with Elastic Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing link separation devices for medium caliber weapons rely on gravity for separation, which is unreliable due to inter-link friction and varying gravitational forces, leading to jamming and inefficient unlinking, especially in compact turret systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with elastic blades and horizontal fins ensures tilting and guiding of links, complementing gravity to reliably separate links by overcoming friction and maintaining consistent unlinking, featuring elastic blades to tilt the first link and horizontal fins to guide and maintain the following link, along with a rigid blade for impetus, ensuring controlled separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gravity alone is used to separate links, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of link separation deteriorates due to inter-link friction and varying gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic blade is pre-loaded in a deflected position, storing elastic energy before the link arrives. When the link triggers the blade, the pre-stored energy is released to provide the separating force, eliminating the need for complex active control systems while ensuring reliable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic blade automatically resets after each separation event, using the link's passage to trigger the release and then returning to its initial deflected position ready for the next link. This self-resetting mechanism eliminates the need for external reset systems or manual intervention.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact turret design is used, then the volume of the turret is reduced, but the ability to separate links deteriorates because link strips cannot be evacuated outside and must be stored in limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The link separation function is extracted from the internal turret storage space and performed at the exit opening. Links are separated immediately upon exiting the turret, preventing accumulation inside the limited turret volume and eliminating interference with turret operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic blade acts as an intermediary mechanism positioned at the turret exit, providing the separating action without requiring internal turret space. This mediator enables separation in the external environment while maintaining compact turret dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If links are allowed to separate naturally without guidance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because links may not achieve the correct angular position for unhooking
Solution Approach 1:
The guide corridor acts as an intermediary structure that passively guides links into the correct orientation as they exit the turret. The corridor's geometry naturally positions links at the appropriate angle for the elastic blade to effect separation, combining simplicity with reliability.
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
The solution provides a reliable and compact mechanism for separating links driven by gravity, ensuring consistent unlinking and preventing jamming, maintaining efficient ammunition evacuation and reducing the risk of link accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
designed in such a way as to ensure the tilting of a first link (M1) coming out of the opening (7) and means (11) ensuring guiding and maintaining a following link (M2) during the tilting of the first link (M1)
Implementation Method 2
The links that come out at the top are oriented with their side and middle stirrups open downwards. The effect of gravity naturally causes the outgoing link to pivot with respect to the following link when it is no longer held by the feed passage.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The device (5) has links (M1, M2) pivotingly mounted with respect to each other at an angle, where each link has side clamps (2) and a middle clamp (1). The middle clamp pivots in grooves of the side clamps. The links are placed in a position relative to the device such that the links are rotated by gravity exerting on the link (M1) to ensure unlocking and disengaging of the link (M1). Elastic plates (10) ensure the swinging of the link and the fins (11) guide and maintain the link (M2) during the swinging of the link (M1).