Gun Barrel Targeting via Suspension-Controlled Chassis Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gun targeting systems for vehicular weapons are heavy, reducing agility and fuel efficiency, and require robust structures to withstand recoil forces, which adds weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A gun targeting system with a chassis suspension system using pivotable wheel arms and wheels to control chassis orientation, allowing the gun barrel to pivot relative to the x-axis and z-axis, eliminating the need for a separate traverse system, and enabling independent actuation of wheel and gun barrel movements for precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional traverse system with turret and bearing is used to control gun rotation, then the gun can be positioned in different directions, but the vehicle weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the separate traverse system (turret, traverse bearing, slew ring) from the vehicle platform. Instead of using a dedicated mechanical traverse mechanism, the gun is mounted directly to the vehicle chassis and oriented using the vehicle's own suspension and steering systems, thereby removing the heavy unnecessary components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the vehicle suspension and steering systems perform multiple functions: they not only support vehicle movement and stability but also control the gun's elevation and azimuth positioning. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated gun mounting mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a robust traverse system is used to withstand recoil forces, then the gun can function long-term, but the vehicle weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's existing robust suspension and steering systems are used to control the gun, leveraging their inherent ability to withstand vehicle operational forces including recoil. This eliminates the need for a separate robust traverse structure designed specifically for recoil resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the gun mounting system with the vehicle's suspension and steering systems. The gun control mechanism is integrated into the existing vehicle dynamics system, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliability through the use of proven vehicle components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a heavy traverse system is installed on the chassis, then the gun can be stabilized, but the vehicle's agility and fuel efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the heavy traverse system that would compromise vehicle agility. Gun stability is achieved not through a heavy dedicated mounting system but through the dynamic control provided by the vehicle's suspension and steering, which maintain stability without adding excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dynamic control through the vehicle's active suspension and steering systems to maintain gun stability during movement. Rather than relying on heavy static structural support, the system uses active mechanical control to keep the gun stabilized while preserving vehicle mobility and fuel efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A gun targeting system (10) comprising a chassis (200). A gun barrel (300) is mounted to the chassis (200) by a pivot mount (304). The system also comprises a chassis suspension system (400) comprising a plurality of wheel arms (402), each wheel arm (402) extending away from a different chassis mount (220) on the chassis (200) to a respective wheel (404), each wheel (404) being rotatably mounted on its respective wheel arm (402), each wheel (404) configured for engagement with a support surface (500). The gun targeting system (10) is operable to position the barrel (300) towards an orientation to target an object by pivoting one or more wheel arms (402) relative to the chassis (200) and/or by pivoting one or more wheels (404) relative to its respective wheel arm (402) and/or by rotating one or more wheels (404) relative to its respective wheel arm (402).