Weapon Mount With Dual Elevation Axes for Stable Curved Fire

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon mounts on turrets of military vehicles face limitations in achieving both rapid reloading and stability during direct fire while allowing for curved shots without increasing size or reducing stealth, and turrets with decoupled magazines suffer from reduced rate of fire and integration issues.

Innovation Solution

A weapon mount design that allows selective decoupling of the magazine and recoil assembly, enabling independent pivoting around a second elevation axis closer to the muzzle, combined with a pivot linkage mechanism to maintain stability and enable over-pointing for curved shots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the magazine is coupled to the oscillating mass, then rapid reloading and balanced oscillation are achieved, but the elevation range is limited to avoid interference with the mounting plane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverate of fireVSAvoidelevation range
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the oscillating mass into two separate components: the oscillating mass (containing the weapon) and the magazine. These two parts can move independently relative to each other, allowing the magazine to remain stationary while the weapon oscillates for rapid reloading, and simultaneously enabling the oscillating mass to achieve higher elevation angles without interference from the magazine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the magazine is decoupled from the oscillating mass, then higher elevation angles are achieved, but realignment is required between shots reducing the rate of fire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevation rangeVSAvoidrate of fire
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic coupling mechanism between the oscillating mass and the magazine. The magazine is connected to the oscillating mass through a movable linkage that automatically maintains proper alignment during oscillation. This dynamic connection allows the system to achieve high elevation angles while maintaining the rapid reloading capability, as the magazine remains properly positioned without requiring manual realignment between shots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the second elevation axis is positioned closer to the muzzle, then over-pointing for curved shots is enabled, but the weapon stability during firing may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurved shot capabilityVSAvoidweapon stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary linkage mechanism that connects the oscillating mass to the second elevation axis. This intermediary structure allows the weapon to pivot around the second axis closer to the muzzle for over-pointing curved shots, while simultaneously providing stabilizing elements that maintain weapon stability during firing. The intermediary linkage acts as a mediator between the desired motion and the stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4317903B1Weapon mounting and turret comprising such a weapon mounting
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 KNDS FRANCE
  • EP4317903B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4317903B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4317903B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a weapon assembly (2) comprising an oscillating mass mounted pivoting in elevation about a first elevation axis (S1) and comprising a body (5), a magazine (12), and a recoil assembly (11) comprising a recoiling mass (10), which includes a weapon (8), and translational guidance means (9) for the recoiling mass (10). The recoil assembly (11) and the magazine (12) are coupled to the body (5) so as to pivot as a single unit with it during a pivoting of the oscillating mass about the first elevation axis (S1). According to the invention, the guidance means (9) are further connected to the body (5) by second pivoting means (15) defining, at a distance and in front of the first elevation axis (S1), a second elevation axis (S2) about which only the recoil assembly (11) is capable of pivoting.