Rotatable Turret Ammunition Mounting and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotatable weapon turrets face challenges in seamlessly integrating and rotating ammunition systems with machine guns, particularly in maintaining uninterrupted 360-degree rotation and efficient ammunition swapping without manual assistance.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable turret system with a versatile ammunition mount and locking device that allows for interchangeable high-capacity magazines and cradles, integrated with a battery tray for electrically powered guns, ensuring continuous operation and easy ammunition swapping by a standing gunner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable turret system integrates ammunition magazines and cradles for continuous 360-degree rotation, then operational flexibility and uninterrupted rotation are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple interchangeable components and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The ammunition mount is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of ammunition containers including high-capacity magazines and cradles. The mount structure includes standardized mounting features and a通用 locking mechanism that works with different ammunition types, allowing the gunner to interchange between various ammunition configurations without requiring different mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The turret system is divided into modular components: the gun mount, ammunition mount, high-capacity magazine, and cradle are all separable units. This segmentation allows independent replacement and maintenance of each component while maintaining overall system functionality. The locking device itself is a separate modular component that can engage with different ammunition types.
2Productivity
If a locking device is integrated into the ammunition mount to secure magazines and cradles, then ammunition swapping efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is integrated directly into the ammunition mount structure rather than being a separate external mechanism. The locking features are combined with the mounting interface, allowing the gunner to secure ammunition containers through the same operational sequence used for attachment. This merging reduces the number of separate actions required and simplifies the overall interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be automatically engaged when the ammunition container is properly positioned on the mount. The system provides self-locking through mechanical features that engage automatically, reducing the need for manual locking operations while ensuring secure attachment.
3Extent of automation
If high-capacity magazines and cradles are made interchangeable on the ammunition mount, then ammunition swapping without manual assistance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper fit and function
Solution Approach 1:
The interface between the ammunition mount and different container types (magazines and cradles) is designed with homogeneous mounting features. Both container types use the same mounting interface geometry, locking feature locations, and engagement mechanisms. This homogeneity allows interchangeable use while maintaining consistent manufacturing tolerances across different component batches.
Data Source
AI summary
Designs and methods are provided for a rotatable turret and weapon system. In one exemplary embodiment the system comprises a rotatable turret ring atop a gunner station in a supporting structure, and a gun mount at a first location on the turret ring adapted for mounting an automatic weapon accessible to a gunner. An ammunition mount adapted to interchangeably secure an ammunition magazine, or an adapter for holding multiple ammunition magazines, to the turret ring at a second location. The ammunition mount, gun mount, and turret ring move as an integral unit.