Rotating Logistics Container Panels for Rapid Weapon Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing logistics containers for remote-controlled weapons require significant spatial clearance for deployment, are slow to deploy, lack rigidity, and interfere with their surroundings during aiming, limiting their operational effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A logistics container with a movable panel that can pivot between retracted and service positions, allowing quick deployment of a weapon system outside the container without interference, featuring a rigid frame and locking mechanism for stability and precise aiming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper panels are opened to deploy the weapon system, then the weapon can be deployed outside the container, but significant spatial clearance is required around the container which interferes with surrounding space
Solution Approach 1:
The container panels are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to rotate between retracted and service positions. This dynamic configuration enables the weapon system to be deployed without requiring permanent clearance around the container, as the panels can be rotated back to their retracted position after deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying the weapon system horizontally which requires lateral clearance, the invention enables deployment through vertical rotation of the panels. The weapon system is elevated vertically when the panel rotates from retracted to service position, changing the deployment dimension from horizontal to vertical and eliminating the need for lateral spatial clearance.
2Ease of operation
If a mast is used to erect the weapon, then the weapon can be deployed outside the container, but the deployment is slow and the mast lacks rigidity causing shooting inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the intermediate mast structure entirely and directly integrates the weapon system mounting to the container panel. This eliminates the multi-step deployment process required by mast erection, allowing the weapon system to be rapidly deployed directly with the panel rotation, significantly reducing deployment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The container panel itself serves as the rigid support structure for the weapon system, utilizing the inherent strength and rigidity of the container panel design. This eliminates the need for separate mast structures that would require assembly time and may compromise rigidity, as the weapon is mounted directly to the robust container panel.
3Strength
If the weapon system is mounted on a fixed panel, then the structure is rigid, but the weapon cannot pivot in bearing to achieve accurate aiming
Solution Approach 1:
The weapon system is segmented into two independent rotational degrees of freedom: elevation movement achieved through panel rotation, and bearing movement achieved through turret rotation. This segmentation allows the weapon to aim in both elevation and bearing directions while maintaining structural rigidity, as each rotation is independent and does not compromise the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The container panel is designed to rotate dynamically between retracted and service positions to provide elevation aiming, while the turret mounted on the panel can independently rotate to provide bearing aiming. This dynamic design enables full aiming capability in both directions without compromising the structural rigidity of the container panel itself.
4Area of stationary object
If the panel is made movable to enable deployment, then the weapon can be deployed without spatial clearance, but the panel requires a turning mechanism adding device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The turning mechanism is integrated directly into the container structure itself, merging the deployment function with the container's structural elements. The panel rotates on hinges or pivots that are part of the container's frame, eliminating the need for separate external turning mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while enabling the panel to rotate between retracted and service positions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a logistics container (1) intended to be fitted with at least one protection means, such as a weapon system (6). The container comprises at least one support (5) intended to support the protection means (6), which support (5) is secured to a first face (2a) of at least one movable panel (2) of the container (1). The container is characterised in that the movable panel (2) is able to revolve about a revolving axis (9) between a first position, called stowed position, and a second position, called service position, the movable panel (2) exposing, in its service position, its first face (2a) to the outside, which allows the protection means (6) to be placed so that it is projecting out of the container (1) in a position that is suitable for its operation, the movable panel (2), in its stowed position, exposing its second face (2b) to the outside to give the container (1) the appearance of a conventional logistics container (1), said container comprising a revolving means (20) capable of driving the revolving axis (9) over a half-revolution, to cause the movable panel (2) to transition from its stowed position to its service position.