Vehicle Weapon Control via Spatial Coordinate Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling directional weapons on military vehicles during training exercises limit vehicle movement due to the rotation of the firing range with the vehicle, preventing crew members from effectively training as the orientation of the firing sector is defined relative to the vehicle housing rather than the environment.

Innovation Solution

The orientation of the firing sector is maintained relative to the environment by defining it in a vehicle-independent spatial coordinate system, using inertial sensors and satellite navigation to determine the aiming position of the weapon independently of the vehicle's orientation, allowing the vehicle to move without changing the firing range orientation, and adjusting the firing sector size based on aiming speed and position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the firing sector orientation is defined relative to the vehicle housing using a rotary encoder, then the weapon can be controlled within the vehicle's coordinate system, but the firing sector rotates with the vehicle and the vehicle cannot move during firing practice

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweapon control reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary coordinate transformation system is introduced between the vehicle's rotary encoder and the firing sector definition. The control device receives the rotary encoder signal indicating weapon orientation, transforms it into a vehicle-independent spatial coordinate system using stored transformation data, and then compares this transformed orientation with the predefined firing sector. This intermediary transformation layer decouples the vehicle's rotational movement from the firing sector orientation, allowing the vehicle to move while maintaining a stable firing sector in the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle rotates during firing practice, then the vehicle can change orientation, but the firing sector rotates with the vehicle and loses its original environmental orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle orientation changeVSAvoidfiring sector orientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transformation data that defines the relationship between the vehicle's coordinate system and the environment's coordinate system is stored in advance in the control device. Before the vehicle rotates or moves, the control device already has the necessary transformation information to correctly interpret the weapon's orientation in the environment-independent coordinate system. This preliminary preparation of transformation data ensures that even when the vehicle rotates, the firing sector orientation remains accurately defined relative to the environment rather than rotating with the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the aiming position is determined relative to the vehicle housing, then the control system is simple, but the firing range orientation changes with vehicle movement limiting training opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidtraining effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical coordinate system tied to the vehicle housing is replaced with a computational coordinate transformation system. Instead of physically coupling the firing sector definition to the vehicle's mechanical orientation, the control device uses software-based coordinate transformation to map the weapon's mechanical orientation (from the rotary encoder) into an environment-independent spatial coordinate system. This substitution allows the vehicle to move freely while maintaining accurate firing sector control, significantly enhancing training effectiveness without requiring complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables vehicles to move during training exercises without altering the firing range orientation, enhancing training opportunities by allowing the vehicle to drive on the shooting range and ensuring safe and timely weapon release within the defined sector.

Implementation Method 1

the aiming position of the weapon is determined independently of a sensor system in the weapon... the aiming position of the weapon is determined relative to a vehicle-independent spatial coordinate system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial measurement:

Implementation Method 2

using inertial sensors and satellite navigation to determine the aiming position of the weapon independently of the vehicle's orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSatellite navigation:

Data Source

PatentEP3060872B1Method for controlling a directable weapon of a vehicle during shooting exercises

Publication Date: 2023.02.15 KRAUSS MAFFEI WEGMANN GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~3(d)
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a directable weapon (4) of a vehicle (1) during shooting exercises, the orientation of a shooting sector (S) in which it is allowed to shoot being determined and the determined orientation being maintained when the vehicle (1) moves.