Artillery Guiding Fin Contacts for Power and Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artillery projectile guiding systems face inefficiencies in power and data transfer, particularly under harsh environmental conditions, requiring dedicated surface areas for contacts and being less robust.

Innovation Solution

A projectile guiding assembly with spring-mounted fins and an electronics module, featuring a continuous electrically conductive path through the spring, allows for direct power and data delivery via the fin, secured by a detachable cap, ensuring reliable connectivity and reducing the need for surface area dedicated to contacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated surface areas are used for power and data contacts, then power and data transfer can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and robustness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverobustnessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power and data transfer functions with the existing fin structure. The fin serves dual purposes: aerodynamic control and electrical connectivity. By integrating the electrical contact function into the fin itself, the invention eliminates the need for separate dedicated contact surfaces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining robustness through the hardened fin material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fin is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides aerodynamic stability, serves as a mechanical mounting element, and acts as an electrical conductor for power and data transfer. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated contact components, reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability by using the robust fin structure for electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If spring-mounted fins are used for aerodynamic control, then guiding accuracy is improved, but electrical connectivity becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding accuracyVSAvoidelectrical connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates electrical contacts directly into the fin structure before deployment. The fin is pre-configured with embedded electrical pathways that maintain connectivity regardless of the fin's position or orientation. This preliminary integration ensures that electrical connectivity is established and maintained throughout the fin's range of motion, solving the reliability issue while preserving the spring-mounted fin's aerodynamic control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If multiple separate contacts are used for power and data, then electrical connectivity is established, but the surface area required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsurface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple electrical contact functions into the single fin structure. Instead of requiring separate contacts for power and data transfer, the fin integrates multiple electrical pathways within its body, allowing multiple signals to be transmitted through a single aerodynamic component. This consolidation significantly reduces the surface area required while maintaining efficient power and data transfer capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances power and data transfer efficiency, simplifies the process, and improves robustness under field conditions, making it more economical and reliable.

Implementation Method 1

the guiding assembly is configured to have a continuous electrically conductive path from the at least one fin, through at least one spring on which the at least one fin is mounted and into the electronics module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12571617B2Testing and data transfer to artillery guiding kits

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 ELBIT SYST ROKAR LTD

AI summary

Projectile guiding assemblies, caps and methods of delivering power for testing and optionally data over spring-mounted fin(s) of the guiding assembly are provided. The guiding assemblies are configured to have continuous electrically conductive path(s) from the fin(s), through the respective spring(s) on which the fin(s) are mounted, and into the electronics module, which may receive power for testing and guiding data from external source(s) over the electrically conductive path(s). In the testing state, cap mechanically secures the fin(s) to contact(s) thereupon to assure continuous power and data transfer, sparing surface area that was previously dedicated to power and data transfer and simplifying these processes, especially under field conditions.