Weapon Carrier Automatic Reloading Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon carrier systems require manual reloading, exposing personnel to danger and necessitating additional logistical resources, as they lack the capability for fully automatic reloading and connection establishment between the ammunition and weapon carrier systems.

Innovation Solution

A weapon carrier equipped with a receiving arm and swivel arm connected via a telescopic mechanism, allowing for automatic reloading by grasping and fixing ammunition modules, with independent azimuth and elevation alignment capabilities, and automatic interface connection establishment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual reloading is performed, then personnel can exchange ammunition modules, but personnel are exposed to danger and additional logistical resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereloading processVSAvoidweapon carrier system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon carrier is equipped with an integrated reloading mechanism that performs the reloading operation autonomously without human intervention. The system uses its own structural components (receiving arm, swivel arm, telescopic mechanism) to grasp, lift, and secure ammunition modules, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external cranes or manual personnel involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: the receiving arm for grasping ammunition modules, the swivel arm for positioning, and the telescopic mechanism for lifting and securing. This merging of functions into one coordinated system achieves full automation while avoiding the need for separate manual operations or additional external equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Extent of automation

If manual connection establishment is performed, then ammunition modules can be attached to the weapon carrier, but personnel are exposed to danger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidreloading operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon carrier automatically establishes connections between the ammunition modules and its own structure through the integrated reloading mechanism. The system autonomously positions the ammunition module and secures it using the receiving arm and swivel arm, eliminating the need for personnel to manually make connections and thereby removing the associated safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If additional logistical resources are used, then ammunition modules can be lifted onto the weapon carrier, but the system becomes more complex and resource-dependent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereloading capabilityVSAvoidlogistical requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The weapon carrier possesses its own built-in lifting and securing mechanism through the telescopic mechanism and swivel arm assembly. This self-sufficient capability allows the system to lift and secure ammunition modules independently without requiring external cranes or other logistical resources, thereby maintaining high productivity while minimizing system complexity and external dependencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3136040B1Weapons holder
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 MBDA DEUTSCHIAND GMBH
  • EP3136040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3136040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3136040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a weapon carrier (1) comprising a receiving arm (2) with a first receptacle (5) for holding a first suspension (7) of an ammunition module (9), and a pivoting arm (3) with a second receptacle (6) for holding a second suspension (8) of the ammunition module (9), wherein the pivoting arm (3) is connected to the receiving arm (2) via a telescopic mechanism (10), and wherein by retracting the telescopic mechanism (10) the second suspension (8) of the ammunition module (9) can be inserted into the second receptacle (6) when the first suspension (7) of the ammunition module (9) is attached to the first receptacle (5).