Weapon Mount Lock with Dynamic Damping Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking mechanisms for large caliber weapons on tanks suffer from residual stroke issues due to energy developed during pointing, leading to potential collisions between the gun and chassis when aimed at the rear of the tank.
Innovation Solution
A lock system with a second actuator that moves the damping means between a disengaged and buffer position, using a splined shaft and helical connection to prevent the bolt from rising beyond a specific angular position, aligning with the striker opening, and featuring a damping means to absorb energy and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damping stop is used to limit weapon travel, then the weapon can be protected from collision with chassis, but residual stroke remains due to energy developed during pointing
Solution Approach 1:
The damping stop is made movable between a retracted position (allowing full weapon travel) and an extended position (providing buffer at limit). The second actuator dynamically positions the damping stop based on operational requirements, enabling the system to adapt between freedom of movement and collision protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable damping stop acts as an intermediary element between the weapon and the chassis. By positioning it only when needed (controlled by second actuator), it mediates the interaction between weapon movement and chassis protection, preventing collision without continuously restricting weapon travel.
2Reliability
If the bolt is kept in locked position continuously, then the weapon is secured, but the weapon cannot be repositioned or loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The first actuator periodically engages and disengages the bolt between locked and unlocked positions based on operational phase. During loading, the bolt is locked; during repositioning, it is unlocked. This periodic action ensures security when needed while enabling operation when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is integrated with the weapon mounting system such that the bolt automatically engages with the striker when the weapon reaches the correct position. The system self-regulates the locking state based on the weapon's position and operational requirements.
3Reliability
If the damping stop is always extended to prevent collision, then collision protection is maximized, but the weapon's angular travel is unnecessarily restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The damping stop's position is dynamically controlled by the second actuator, which extends it only when the weapon approaches the limit position. During normal operation, the damping stop remains retracted, allowing full angular travel. This dynamic adjustment provides collision protection without unnecessarily restricting versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The second actuator anticipates the weapon's approach to the limit position and extends the damping stop in advance (preliminary action) to prevent collision. This proactive positioning ensures protection is available when needed without continuously limiting the weapon's travel range.
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
Effectively limits the weapon's travel to prevent collisions with the chassis, ensuring safe loading and operation by absorbing energy and maintaining the bolt's alignment with the striker opening, thus enhancing the safety and reliability of the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a helical connection between the damping means and the striker in order to transform the rotation of the first shaft into a translational movement of the damping means
Implementation Method 2
the stopper 5 comprises a through hole 6bis which is coaxial with the bore 6 of the striker plate 4 when the stopper 5 is in the low position, so as to allow the passage of the bolt 3 when it is in the locked position as visible at figure 1
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock (1) for a large-calibre weapon mount and a mount comprising such a lock (1) which (1) comprises a bolt (3) and a striker (4) in addition to a damping stop (5) situated in the vicinity of the striker (4), the bolt (3) being able to be moved by a first actuator (9) between a first position, in which it is situated in an opening (6) of the striker (4), a second position, in which it is outside the striker (4) and can interfere with a damping means (7), and a third position in which the bolt (3) is positioned at a distance from the striker (4). The lock (1) comprises a second actuator (10) which, when the bolt (3) allows the damping means (5) to be moved between a position allowing the bolt (3) to be aligned with the opening (6) of the striker (4) and a position in which the damping means (5) is able to travel in order to prevent the bolt (3) from rising beyond an angular position aligning the bolt (3) with the opening (6) of the striker (4).