Weapon Barrel Module with Movable Connection Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon barrel systems face challenges in efficiently storing and ejecting two guided weapons one behind the other while maintaining a connection between the weapons and the guiding object, such as a submarine, without damaging fiber optic cables and allowing for easy reloading and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A weapon barrel module with a first storage area for two weapons arranged one behind the other, featuring a folding connection device that moves from the storage area to a secondary area to prevent damage and allow for the ejection of both weapons, maintaining connectivity through a spool-like mechanism for fiber optic cables, and enabling easy reconfiguration and reloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the first connection device is arranged directly behind the first weapon in the storage area to maintain connection during ejection, then the connection between the weapon and the guiding object is maintained, but the connection device becomes an obstacle when the second weapon needs to be ejected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection maintenanceVSAvoidweapon ejection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device is made movable between two positions: a first position behind the first weapon during storage to maintain connection, and a second position in the secondary area during ejection to clear the path. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining connection and enabling ejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A secondary area is introduced as an intermediary space where the connection device can be temporarily relocated. This intermediary zone allows the connection device to be moved out of the way during ejection while providing a designated location for the device, preventing it from becoming an obstacle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the weapon barrel module is designed to be completely removable from the weapon barrel for reloading, then reloading and maintenance become easier, but the complexity of the module increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereloading easeVSAvoidmodule complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon barrel system is divided into a removable weapon barrel module and a fixed weapon barrel. The module contains the storage areas, connection devices, and ejection mechanisms, allowing it to be completely removed and replaced. This segmentation enables easy reloading while concentrating complexity in a modular unit that can be pre-assembled and tested separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3794303B1Barrel module for ejection of two guided weapons arranged one behind the other
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYST GMBH
  • EP3794303B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3794303B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3794303B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a barrel module (10) for a barrel (20) having at least one first weapon (30) and one second weapon (32), wherein: the barrel module (10) can be completely introduced into the barrel (20) and completely removed from the barrel (20); the barrel module (10) has at least one first storage region (40); the at least one first storage region (40) has at least one first first storage position and one second first storage position; the first first storage position and the second first storage position are each designed to receive a weapon (30, 32); the first first storage position and the second first storage position are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the barrel module (10); the first weapon (30) is arranged in the first first storage position; the second weapon (32) is arranged in the second first storage position; the barrel module (10) has at least one first secondary region (50); the at least one first secondary region is arranged in the transverse direction of the barrel module (10) adjacent to the at least one first storage region (40); a first connection apparatus (60) is arranged behind the first weapon (30) in the at least one first storage region (40); the first connection apparatus (60) can be moved from the at least one first storage region (40) into the at least one first secondary region (50).