Firearm Support Cam Mechanism for Irregular Firing Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm supports for vehicles often restrict the firing profile to a rectangular or square shape due to independent elevation and azimuthal angular ranges, limiting the effective use of the firearm's field of aim and increasing the risk of hitting undesired objects, especially when installed in vehicles with irregular openings or when firing near critical components.
Innovation Solution
A firearm support system that includes a mobile support structure with a sliding and rotating mechanism, allowing the firearm to move between operating and non-operating positions, and a cam-type mechanism that defines a customizable firing profile, enabling the firearm to exploit the available space while minimizing the risk of hitting vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the firearm support uses independent elevation and azimuthal angular ranges with a rectangular or square field of aim, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the firing profile is limited and cannot exploit the full field of aim, increasing the risk of hitting undesired objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the elevation angle dependent on the azimuthal angle through a cam mechanism. Instead of independent angular ranges, the elevation angle dynamically adjusts according to the azimuthal position, creating an irregular-shaped firing profile that adapts to the vehicle's geometry and avoids undesired areas while expanding the usable field of aim.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary element that couples the azimuthal and elevation movements. The cam profile translates azimuthal angle changes into corresponding elevation angle changes, mediating between the two independent degrees of freedom to achieve the desired irregular firing profile without requiring complex independent control systems.
2Reliability
If the traverse angle and elevation/depression angle are reduced to avoid hitting undesired objects, then safety is improved, but the firing profile becomes too reduced and the field of aim is not fully exploited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the elevation angle as a function of the azimuthal angle according to a specific cam profile. This continuous parameter adjustment allows the firing profile to expand into areas that would otherwise be unsafe, optimizing both safety and effective field of aim by dynamically adapting the angular parameters to the operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is pre-configured with a profile that anticipates safety requirements and pre-determines the appropriate elevation angle for each azimuthal position. This preliminary action embeds the safety logic into the mechanical structure itself, allowing the system to automatically achieve both safety and maximum field of aim without real-time complex calculations.
3Volume of moving object
If the firearm support is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the firearm cannot be retracted to minimize space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the firearm support mobile rather than fixed. The support can be positioned in different locations along the vehicle and retracted when not in use, dynamically adapting to space requirements. This mobile support maintains the ability to provide stable firearm positioning while optimizing space utilization throughout the vehicle.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The firearm support (28) for a firearm comprises: a body (104), which is provided with at least one profile (106, 106a, 106b, 107a, 107b) on its surface; a feeler pin (100), for striking against the profile and for being coupled to the firearm (10) so as to follow the movement of said firearm (10); a support element (108), rotatable around a first axis (z-z) relative to the body (104). The support element (108) is also suited to be coupled to the firearm (10), thus allowing a mutual rotation between said firearm (10) around a second axis (x-x).