Cartridge Case Crimping Tool for Simplified Countermeasure Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current military technologies require complex mechanical assemblies and extensive training to assemble countermeasure expendables, leading to high maintenance and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A crimping tool with a main body, presser, and set of crimpers that simplifies the assembly of countermeasure expendables by pressing and crimping a cap, spacer, and cartridge case together, reducing complexity and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanical assemblies and machines are used to assemble countermeasure expendables, then assembly precision and sealing reliability are improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a housing containing the cartridge case, a separate cap assembly with crimping mechanism, and a spacer component. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimping mechanism is integrated directly into the cap assembly, combining the sealing function with the cap structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate complex sealing devices while maintaining reliable sealing through the crimping action that permanently attaches the cap to the cartridge case.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex machines with vast mechanical assemblies are used, then assembly precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to extensive training requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping mechanism is designed to automatically perform the sealing operation when the cap is placed on the cartridge case. The crimping surfaces and spacing elements work together to ensure precise alignment and consistent sealing without requiring manual adjustment or complex machine operation, making the device easy to use while maintaining high precision.
3Reliability
If vast mechanical assemblies are used to assemble countermeasure expendables, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to constant maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a housing containing the cartridge case, a separate cap assembly with crimping mechanism, and a spacer component. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly with integrated crimping mechanism is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component. After use, the entire cap assembly can be discarded or replaced without requiring repair of complex mechanical sealing systems, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while ensuring reliable sealing during each use.
Data Source
AI summary
A crimping tool for assembling a countermeasure expendable. The crimping tool includes a main body that has a top end, a bottom end vertically opposite to the top end, and an axis defined between the top end and the bottom end. The main body is configured to receive a cap of the countermeasure expendable, a spacer of the countermeasure expendable, and a cartridge case of the countermeasure expendable. The crimping tool also includes a presser that selectively operably engages with the main body and is configured to press the cap and the spacer of the countermeasure expendable into the cartridge case of the countermeasure expendable. The crimping tool also includes a set of crimpers that operably engages with the main body and is configured to crimp at least the cap, the spacer, the cartridge case with one another to collectively maintain the cap and the spacer with the cartridge case.