Breech Block Cam Mechanism for Sealing and Mode Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breech block mechanisms in cannons fail to maintain a closed state after firing, which is crucial for preventing the introduction of harmful gases during chemical, biological, and radiological warfare, and require complex manipulations for mode conversion.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a cam follower, a housing, a rotation unit, a pressurizing unit, and elastic members that allow the breech block to be automatically opened and closed through simple manipulations, with an open cam mechanism that guides the cam follower's rotation and maintains the closed state by positioning the open cam out of the cam follower's path after firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional breech block mechanism is used, then the breech block can open and close the cartridge chamber, but it fails to maintain a closed state after firing, allowing harmful gases to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The open cam is pre-positioned in the housing such that its pressing surface is initially engaged with the cam follower. This preliminary positioning ensures that the breech block is automatically pushed to the closed position immediately after firing without requiring additional manual intervention, thereby maintaining the closed state and preventing harmful gas discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The open cam acts as an intermediary mechanism between the firing event and the breech block closure. When the cannon barrel moves forward after firing, the open cam translates this motion into a pushing force on the cam follower, which in turn pushes the breech block to the closed position, ensuring reliable closure and preventing gas leakage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex mechanism is used to maintain closed state, then harmful gas entry is prevented, but the operation becomes complicated and requires complex manipulations for mode conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the open cam for automatic closure, the cam follower for motion transmission, and the second plunger with pressing surface for manual override. This segmentation allows the system to maintain automatic closed-state prevention while providing a simple manual interface for mode conversion, reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The open cam mechanism is designed to automatically push the breech block to the closed position after firing without requiring operator intervention. This self-service feature simplifies operation by eliminating complex manual manipulations for mode conversion, while still ensuring harmful gas prevention through reliable closed-state maintenance
3Ease of operation
If the open cam remains in the path of the cam follower, then the breech block can be opened for loading, but the closed state cannot be maintained after firing
Solution Approach 1:
The open cam is designed to be dynamically repositionable within the housing. After firing, the cam's pressing surface is automatically positioned to engage the cam follower and push the breech block closed. When loading is required, the cam can be manually repositioned to disengage from the cam follower's path, allowing the breech block to be opened. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining closed state and enabling loading accessibility
4Object-affected harmful factors
If manual intervention is required to maintain closed state, then harmful gas entry is prevented, but simple manipulations cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The open cam mechanism automatically pushes the breech block to the closed position after firing through the motion of the cannon barrel, eliminating the need for manual intervention to maintain the closed state. This self-service feature prevents harmful gas entry while achieving simple operations, as the system performs the closure action autonomously based on the firing cycle
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
Enables the breech block to remain closed after firing, preventing harmful gas entry and allowing for easy mode conversion between open and closed states through simple operations, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member installed in the housing, and configured to support the first plunger such that a restoration force is applied to the rotation unit
Implementation Method 2
a pressurizing unit coupled to the rotation unit, inserted into the housing, and configured to pressurize the first plunger when the rotation unit rotates
Implementation Method 3
a second elastic member mounted to the housing, and configured to apply an elastic force to the second plunger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An apparatus for opening and closing a breech block includes a cam follower connected to a breech block for opening and closing a cartridge chamber of a cannon barrel, and rotating so as to open and close the breech block; a housing mounted to a bracket; a first plunger mounted in the housing, and disposed to be moveable to one direction; a rotation unit rotatably mounted to the bracket; a pressurizing unit coupled to the rotation unit, inserted into the housing, and configured to pressurize the first plunger when the rotation unit rotates; an open cam coupled to the rotation unit, and moveable by rotation of the rotation unit between a first state for guiding rotation of the cam follower and a second state which is out of the range of a moving path of the cam follower; a first elastic member installed in the housing, and configured to support the first plunger such that a restoration force is applied to the rotation unit; and a second plunger moveably mounted to the housing, and configured to support the pressurizing unit in the second state by movements.