Light Vehicle Weapon System Recoil Management via Deployable Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weapon systems mounted on vehicles are too heavy and bulky, limiting their mobility and air transportability, as they are not designed to withstand the stresses generated by artillery firing on lighter vehicles with masses less than 5 tons.
Innovation Solution
A weapon system featuring a cannon mounted on a cradle integral with a vehicle, with hinged arms and spades that can be locked into extended positions to distribute firing stresses, using hydraulic jacks and motorized pivoting for elevation and traverse, allowing quick deployment and anchoring on the ground to manage recoil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a heavy or light armored vehicle with turret and cannon is used, then the weapon system can withstand firing stresses, but the vehicle mass increases (at least 18 tons for known systems)
Solution Approach 1:
The weapon system is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit fixed to the vehicle, movable arms with spades that can be deployed, and a cannon mounted on a cradle. This segmentation allows the system to distribute firing stresses across multiple components rather than requiring the entire vehicle to withstand the full recoil force, enabling lighter vehicle construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot between a stowed position during transport and an extended firing position. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt its structural properties based on operational requirements, providing stability during firing while maintaining mobility during transport.
2Power
If known artillery systems are used, then firing power is achieved, but the systems are relatively heavy (at least 18 tons) and bulky, limiting air transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the heavy cannon and its mounting structure into a modular assembly that can be detached from the vehicle. This allows the vehicle to be transported by air without the full weight of the cannon system, while the cannon can be quickly reinstalled at the destination. The base unit remains on the vehicle, but the cannon and cradle can be removed for transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is pre-configured on the vehicle with mounting points and structural reinforcements that are ready for quick installation of the cannon and cradle assembly. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment of the full weapon system at operational locations without requiring heavy transport of all components.
3Weight of moving object
If light vehicles (mass of less than 5 tons) are used, then mobility is improved, but the vehicles are not able to withstand the stresses generated by artillery firing
Solution Approach 1:
The stress absorption function is segmented between the vehicle chassis and the dedicated base unit with movable arms. The base unit and arms act as a stress-dissipating mechanism that protects the vehicle chassis from direct recoil forces, allowing light vehicles to mount artillery without requiring extensive structural reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable arms with spades serve as an intermediary element between the cannon recoil forces and the vehicle chassis. These arms pivot and extend to absorb and distribute the firing stresses, acting as a buffer that protects the light vehicle structure from direct exposure to high recoil forces.
4Strength
If a weapon system with movable arms and spades is implemented, then firing stresses are distributed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed with simple pivot joints and locking mechanisms that allow them to move between stowed and extended positions. The dynamic nature of the arms, combined with straightforward locking arrangements, provides effective stress distribution without requiring complex mechanical systems. The simplicity of the pivot and lock mechanism keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
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
Enables improved mobility and firing power for land forces by reducing stress on light vehicles, allowing rapid implementation and effective stabilization during firing, while maintaining a low vehicle mass and enabling quick deployment and withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
The arms may be made to pivot by hydraulic jacks powered by a generator integral with the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The cannon cradle may be pivoted in elevation and in traverse with respect to the base using motor means
Implementation Method 3
the vehicle is made to reverse so as to make the arms pivot on the ends of the safety supports pushing the spades into the ground
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a weapon system incorporating a cannon mounted on a cradle integral with a vehicle, characterized in that the cradle is integral with a base fastened at the rear part of the vehicle, base on which at least two arms are hinged each carrying a spade at their ends, each arm able to be locked into its extended position and also incorporating a safety support intended to press on the ground between the spade and the base.