Fuze Setter Electrical Interface for Rotation-Independent Programming

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fuze setting systems for artillery projectiles face challenges due to rotational misalignment between the fuze and the fuze setter, which increases complexity, reduces reliability, and decreases the rate of fire by requiring physical rotational alignment, thereby complicating the autoloader design and operation.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical and electrical interface system that allows for fuze programming without physical rotational alignment, utilizing a radome housing with rotationally symmetric electrical contact pads and a fuze setter with corresponding contact pins, enabling direct electrical connection and communication through a mechanical interface that can accommodate arbitrary rotational orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If rotational alignment capability is incorporated into the autoloader to align the fuze connector to the fuze setter connector, then the electrical connection can be established, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection establishmentVSAvoidautoloader design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by making the fuze connector rotationally asymmetric with a unique orientation, while the fuze setter connector is designed to accept only this specific orientation. This eliminates the need for complex rotational alignment mechanisms in the autoloader, as the asymmetric design inherently guides proper alignment during the loading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical rotational alignment systems with a simpler mechanical interface design. Instead of using motors, sensors, or active alignment mechanisms, the solution uses a mechanically constrained interface where the fuze connector's asymmetric shape naturally guides it into the correct rotational position during insertion into the fuze setter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If rotational alignment is required for fuze connector to mating connector connection, then electrical connection can be made, but the overall timeline for fuze setting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection establishmentVSAvoidfuze setting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the fuze connector with a specific rotational orientation relative to the projectile body before the fuze is even attached to the projectile. This pre-configuration ensures that when the fuze is attached and the projectile is loaded into the autoloader, the connector is already in the correct rotational position to mate with the fuze setter connector, eliminating any additional alignment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetric design of the fuze connector ensures that only one rotational orientation is valid, allowing the system to quickly determine and achieve proper alignment without requiring time-consuming rotational adjustments or alignment procedures during the fuze setting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If rotational alignment capability is added to the autoloader, then the fuze connector can be aligned to the fuze setter connector, but the cost of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector alignmentVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rotational alignment function from the complex and expensive autoloader system and incorporates it directly into the simple, low-cost fuze connector design. By moving the alignment capability from the expensive autoloader to the inexpensive fuze connector, the overall system cost is reduced while maintaining the alignment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies this principle by implementing the rotational alignment capability in the disposable fuze connector rather than in the expensive, reusable autoloader. The alignment feature is built into the low-cost fuze connector using simple geometric constraints, avoiding the need for expensive alignment mechanisms in the durable autoloader system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10962341B2Fuze setting systems and techniques

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION ANDELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC

AI summary

Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a system that includes a fuze at a leading end of a projectile body and a fuze setter configured to engage the fuze and to program the same prior to launch. The system, in one example, includes a plurality of electrical contact pads on an exterior surface of a fuze radome housing and a plurality of electrical contact pins on the fuze setter. The electrical contact pads are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern that enables an electrical interface to be formed with the electrical contact pins, regardless of the rotational orientation of the fuze. Commutation is performed to rotate signals to the electrical contact pins instead of requiring that the fuze be physically rotated to bring the electrical contact pads into alignment with the electrical contact pins.