Munition Container Segmented Cover for Debris-Free Launch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing munition containers face issues such as debris interference during launch, potential damage to munitions, and the need for specific covers that do not occupy excessive space, while also ensuring reliable operation and protection against electromagnetic interference.
Innovation Solution
A container with a cover featuring a frame and a closure comprising hinged and non-hinged sections that open outward upon launch, using a cooperative engagement mechanism to resist external pressure and minimize debris, while providing electromagnetic shielding and low-friction surfaces to protect the munition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a frangible cover is used to break and tear during launch, then the cover can be simple in structure, but fragments are generated that interfere with munition launch and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple hinged sections that can independently open outward during launch. This segmentation allows the cover to function without breaking into fragments, as each section remains intact and controlled, eliminating debris generation while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic open structure through hinged sections that rotate outward during launch. This dynamic mechanism replaces the frangible breaking approach with a controlled movement system that prevents fragment generation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a door-actuated cover is used to open during launch, then debris generation is minimized, but a large amount of space is required which may not be available in all applications
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into multiple hinged sections that open outward in a compact manner. This segmentation allows the cover to achieve the debris-minimizing benefit of door-actuated covers while requiring significantly less space, as the hinged sections rotate within the container's existing volume rather than requiring external door clearance space
3Strength
If the cover is designed to remain closed during launch, then protection against external pressure is maintained, but the munition cannot be launched
Solution Approach 1:
The cover transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic open structure through hinged sections that rotate outward during launch. This dynamic mechanism allows the cover to maintain protective strength when closed while enabling reliable opening for munition launch
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged sections are pre-positioned and prepared to open outward upon launch initiation. This preliminary configuration ensures that the cover maintains its closed protective state until launch is required, at which point the pre-configured hinged mechanism enables immediate opening
4Strength
If the cover sections are made large to resist external pressure, then external pressure resistance is improved, but the risk of cover collapse into the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple smaller hinged sections rather than one or two large sections. This segmentation distributes the external pressure load across multiple smaller structural elements, reducing the risk that any single section will collapse into the container while maintaining overall pressure resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged sections are designed to rotate outward dynamically during launch rather than remaining static. This dynamic behavior prevents cover collapse by ensuring that sections move away from the container interior when pressure differentials occur, eliminating the collapse risk while maintaining closed-state protection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A container for launch of a munition having a hollow body portion for accommodating the munition, and a cover 300 through which, on launch of the munition, the munition passes. The cover comprises a frame 302 attached to the body and a closure comprising a plurality of sections 306. Each of the plurality of sections 306 comprises a hinged edge attached to the frame at a hinge 310, and at least one non-hinged edge 314. The non-hinged edges 314 cooperatively engage with one another so as to resist external pressure applied from the exterior of the container, and such that, on launch of the munition, the sections open outwards from the container so as to release the munition.