Selective Breech and Ammunition Drive Engagement Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon drive systems face inefficiencies in selectively disconnecting and switching between breech and ammunition drives, leading to unnecessary downtimes and space inefficiencies, particularly when loading different ammunition types or during specific operational requirements.

Innovation Solution

A compact design integrating a common drive block with a crank disk and stepping gear, along with a shift drum and shiftable shift rod, allows for individual or selective switching of the breech and ammunition drives using dog clutches and switching cams, enabling disengagement of either drive while maintaining system operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a common drive system is used for both breech and ammunition drives, then space efficiency is improved, but the ability to selectively disconnect individual drives is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidselective drive disconnection
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a common drive system providing rotational movement, a breech drive mechanism with its own disconnect capability, and an ammunition drive mechanism with separate disconnect capability. Each module can be independently engaged or disengaged through dedicated disconnect means, allowing selective operation while maintaining compact integration through the shared drive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate disconnect mechanisms are provided for breech and ammunition drives, then selective disconnection is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective drive disconnectionVSAvoidnumber of disconnect mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disconnect mechanisms are designed with universal functionality where a single disconnect action can affect multiple drive paths. The breech drive disconnect means and ammunition drive disconnect means, while separate, both interface with the common drive system in a standardized manner, allowing each to be controlled independently through dedicated control means while sharing the overall system architecture.

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

3Reliability

If the breech drive is disconnected during ammunition loading, then operational safety is improved, but downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables preliminary disconnection of the breech drive before ammunition loading operations begin. The disconnect means for the breech drive can be actuated in advance to prepare the system for safe loading, while the ammunition drive remains operational to continue feeding ammunition. This preliminary action prevents accidental breech movement during loading while minimizing overall downtime by maintaining ammunition supply readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2596316B1Breech and/or ammunition drive having selective engagement
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
  • EP2596316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2596316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2596316B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a breech- (100) and ammunition drive (101) for a weapon (103), which can preferably be disengaged and engaged selectively, comprising a control roll (22) that interacts with a drive (100, 101), which enables control cams (22.1, 22.2) for individual or selective engagement or isolation of the breech drive (100) and also the ammunition drive (101). To this end, elements are guided in the control cams (22.1, 22.2) which, via means (20, 21), take the breech drive (100) and/or the ammunition drive (101) out of the system. The breech drive (100) and the ammunition drive (101) have a common drive block (5) and a crank disk (6) located therein as a part of the breech drive (100), and also a stepping mechanism (16) as part of the ammunition drive (101), on which transmission the drive block (5) acts. A component of the disengagement and engagement system (103) is a displaceable control rod (15), the control rod (15) being connected to a driver lever (11) of the breech drive via a kinematic system, so that the driver lever (11) engaging in the drive block (5) of the breech and ammunition drive (1) can be moved, by which means the breech drive (100) can be isolated and engaged, and is connected to the lower means (21) and the latter is held detachably by the upper means (20), so that the ammunition drive (101) can be isolated from the breech- (100) and ammunition drive (101) and connected to the latter again.