Pivoting-Arm Primer Magazine Changer for Automated Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon systems require manual intervention to replace primer magazines, which are cumbersome and inefficient, especially in modern systems where automatic loading of projectiles and propellant charges is implemented.

Innovation Solution

A primer magazine changing device with a pivotable holding device that allows for reliable movement and transfer of primer magazines between a depot and a weapon's magazine slot, utilizing a pivot arm and holding device design that ensures secure, uniaxial movement and alignment, with features like guides, retaining pads, and a gripping device for automated operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual intervention is used to replace primer magazines, then the structure remains simple, but productivity and automation level deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of primer magazine replacementVSAvoidcomplexity of magazine changing device
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is made pivotable about a pivot axis, allowing it to dynamically change position between the primer magazine depot and the weapon's magazine slot. This dynamic capability enables automated transfer without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between automation and simplicity by using controlled mechanical movement rather than complex multi-axis mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device serves multiple functions: it holds the primer magazine, transfers it between locations, and interfaces with both the depot and weapon systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, achieving automation while maintaining relatively simple device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a pivotable holding device is used for automated transfer, then productivity and automation improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of primer magazine replacementVSAvoidcomplexity of pivot mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magazine changing system is segmented into distinct functional components: the pivot arm for positioning, the holding device for securing the magazine, the depot for storage, and the weapon interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving fast automated replacement without requiring the entire system to be overly complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device acts as an intermediary between the depot and the weapon, transferring the primer magazine between these two locations. This intermediary approach enables automated high-speed replacement by decoupling the storage and firing systems, allowing each to operate independently while maintaining simple individual structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the holding device is rigidly fixed, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability and reliability of transfer deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of primer magazine transferVSAvoidcomplexity of holding device mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows it to rotate about a pivot axis, dynamically adjusting its position to reliably interface with both the depot and weapon magazine slots. This dynamic positioning ensures reliable transfer regardless of slight variations in alignment, achieving high reliability without requiring complex active control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable holding device changes its angular parameter (rotation angle) to adapt between different transfer positions. This parameter change enables the device to reliably accommodate variations in positioning while maintaining a simple mechanical structure without sensors or active control, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4621341A1Primer magazine changing device with pivoting arm
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 KNDS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4621341A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4621341A1 patent drawingFigure 1d~1e
  • EP4621341A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a primer magazine changing device for transferring a primer magazine (9) between a primer magazine depot (8) and a primer magazine insert (14.1) of a weapon (13), having a holding device (5) in which the primer magazine (9) can be held, wherein the holding device (5) can be pivoted back and forth about a pivot axis (A) via a pivot arm (3) between a first transfer position (U1) for transferring a primer magazine (9) between the holding device (5) and the primer magazine depot (8) and a second transfer position (U2) for transferring a primer magazine (9) between the holding device (5) and the primer magazine insert (14.1).