Coaxial Control Body for Compact Machine Gun Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine guns, particularly those with externally driven mechanisms, are large and bulky due to the arrangement of supply and connection devices in the rear area, which limits their compactness and portability.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a control roller system within the plane of the gun barrel's axis, using a control body with two control cams mounted coaxially around the weapon housing, driven by an electric motor, to facilitate straight-line ammunition feeding and locking, allowing for a more compact design and adjustable length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If supply and connection devices are arranged in the rear area of the weapon, then the weapon structure is simplified and reliable operation is ensured, but the weapon size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control roller is repositioned from the traditional rear area arrangement to a lateral arrangement in the plane of the tube core axis. This dimensional change allows the control mechanism to be integrated alongside the barrel rather than extending the rear structure, thereby reducing overall weapon length and weight while maintaining functional reliability
2Device complexity
If supply and connection devices are arranged in the rear area of the weapon, then the weapon structure is simplified, but the weapon length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control roller and associated supply devices are arranged laterally in the plane of the tube core axis rather than extending the rear area. This repositioning in another dimension (from longitudinal to lateral arrangement) reduces the weapon's overall length while maintaining structural simplicity and functional integrity
3Weight of moving object
If a control roller is integrated in the plane of the tube core axis, then the weapon size is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control roller is merged with the existing weapon structure by integrating it into the plane of the tube core axis, combining the control function with the barrel assembly. This merging approach consolidates components rather than adding separate rear-area mechanisms, reducing overall weapon weight while managing complexity through integration
Solution Approach 2:
The control roller serves multiple functions: it controls the straight-pull shutter operation, guides ammunition feeding, and is driven by the existing indexing gear system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall weapon weight and complexity
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 configuration reduces the size and weight of the weapon while enabling free selection of firing cadence and ensuring reliable operation, with the ability to vary the control body length and decouple the motor drive for flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a control body (3) carrying at least two control cams (7, 8) is mounted coaxially around a weapon housing (10) in an area of a cartridge chamber (6) or loading space
Implementation Method 2
The control roller (14) has for its part reached the reversal point in the control cam (7). With the further rotation of the control body (3), the locking slide (19) is thereby brought forward again via the toothing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has a rotatable control body (3) attached coaxially around a weapon housing (10) in a level of a pipe core axle. The axle consists of two radial cams (7, 8), where mantle-side and front side of the control body are integrated. An actuator (14) for adjusting a lock is engaged in the mantel sided radial cam at a locking slide. Another actuator (23) is guided in the front sided radial cam for opening and closing the locking bolt.