Projectile Holding Assembly With Pivoting Arms for Stretcher Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for loading projectiles into large caliber weapons fail to ensure proper alignment and maintain the projectile in position, leading to potential safety issues due to misalignment with the weapon's chamber.

Innovation Solution

A positioning and holding assembly with movable arms and a pivoting actuation mechanism that aligns the projectile with the stretcher's longitudinal axis, using a pivoting actuating mechanism and elastic return means to maintain the projectile in the correct position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-extraction devices or blocking means are used to prevent ejection of the shell, then the shell is prevented from being ejected during stretcher movement, but the positioning and maintenance of the shell in the stretcher is not ensured, and alignment with the longitudinal axis is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of shell ejectionVSAvoidalignment precision of shell with longitudinal axis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs movable arms that can dynamically adjust their position between a raised state (allowing shell deposition) and a lowered state (providing alignment and positioning). This dynamic mechanism ensures both reliable shell retention and precise alignment with the longitudinal axis, resolving the contradiction between prevention of ejection and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the shell is not perfectly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the stretcher, then the shell may be placed at an angle in the chamber, causing safety problems, but ensuring perfect alignment requires additional positioning mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of shell positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable arms are designed to automatically align the shell with the longitudinal axis through their own movement and positioning capabilities. The arms self-adjust to provide the necessary alignment without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms, thus ensuring safety while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If movable arms are used to align and position the projectile, then precise alignment and secure positioning are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of projectileVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable arms serve multiple functions: they prevent shell ejection, align the shell with the longitudinal axis, and maintain positioning throughout the stretcher movement. By combining these functions into a single mechanism, the invention achieves precise alignment without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

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

Ensures precise alignment and secure positioning of the projectile within the stretcher, preventing misalignment and enhancing safety during loading.

Implementation Method 1

elastic return means for the at least one arm to return it to its raised position once the stretcher is placed in the positioning position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4582764A1Assembly for positioning and holding a projectile in a tray and loading aid comprising such an assembly
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 KNDS FRANCE
  • EP4582764A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4582764A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4582764A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (5) for positioning and holding in position a projectile (2) in a stretcher (3) and a loading assistance device (1) comprising such an assembly (5). The assembly (5) comprises at least one arm (8) pivotally mounted between a raised position allowing the projectile (2) to be placed in the stretcher (3) and a lowered position in which the at least one arm (8) cooperates with the projectile (2) received in the stretcher (3) so as to ensure its alignment with the longitudinal axis (X0) of the stretcher (3). The at least one arm (8) is pivoted from the raised position to the lowered position by an actuating mechanism (9) intended to cooperate with drive means (4) of the stretcher (3) and capable of transmitting a movement of said drive means (4) to the at least one arm (8).