Wheel-Arm Gun Targeting Without Heavy Traverse Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular gun systems are hindered by heavy traverse control mechanisms that increase weight, reduce agility, and require more fuel, while also needing robust structures to withstand recoil forces.
Innovation Solution
A gun targeting system with a chassis suspension system using pivotable wheel arms and wheels to control chassis orientation, allowing the gun barrel to pivot relative to the y-axis, eliminating the need for traditional traverse systems, and enabling independent actuation of wheel and gun barrel adjustments for precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional traverse control mechanisms are used to position the gun barrel, then the gun can be positioned in any direction, but the vehicle weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional traverse control mechanism entirely from the vehicle system. Instead of using a separate traverse bearing or slew ring to rotate the gun barrel horizontally, the invention uses the vehicle chassis itself as the mounting base, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical traverse components while maintaining gun positioning capability through alternative means
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle chassis is made to serve dual functions: it provides both the structural platform for mounting the gun and the means for horizontal positioning (traverse). The chassis suspension system and vehicle movement capabilities are utilized to achieve traverse functionality without requiring dedicated heavy mechanical components
2Reliability
If robust traverse structures are used to withstand recoil forces, then the gun system reliability improves, but the vehicle weight and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate robust traverse structure (traverse bearing, slew ring) that would be required to withstand recoil forces. By removing this intermediate mechanical structure, the recoil forces are directly managed by the chassis mounting points and suspension system, reducing overall structural mass and associated fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The function of withstanding and managing recoil forces is merged into the existing chassis and suspension system design. Rather than adding a separate robust traverse structure, the chassis itself is designed to handle the recoil loads directly, eliminating redundant structural components
3Measurement precision
If heavy traverse mechanisms are installed on the chassis, then the gun can be positioned accurately, but the vehicle agility and speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes heavy mechanical traverse mechanisms that would constrain vehicle movement. Without these mechanisms, the vehicle can move and reposition more freely and quickly, improving agility and speed while maintaining targeting accuracy through alternative positioning methods using the chassis suspension and wheel arm system
4Reliability
If a robust chassis structure is used to support the traverse system, then the traverse system reliability improves, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for an oversized robust chassis structure that would be required to support heavy traverse mechanisms. By eliminating the traverse system, the chassis can be designed with reduced mass while still providing adequate support for the gun mounting and suspension system
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis is designed to perform multiple functions with optimized mass: it provides gun mounting, supports the suspension system, and enables horizontal positioning. This multi-functionality allows for a lighter chassis design compared to one that would need to support separate heavy traverse components
Data Source
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AI summary
A gun targeting system (10) comprising a chassis (200). A gun barrel (300) is mounted to the chassis (200) by a pivot mount (304). The system also comprises a chassis suspension system (400) comprising a plurality of wheel arms (402), each wheel arm (402) extending away from a different chassis mount (220) on the chassis (200) to a respective wheel (404), each wheel (404) being rotatably mounted on its respective wheel arm (402), each wheel (404) configured for engagement with a support surface (500). The gun targeting system (10) is operable to position the barrel (300) towards an orientation to target an object by pivoting one or more wheel arms (402) relative to the chassis (200) and/or by pivoting one or more wheels (404) relative to its respective wheel arm (402) and/or by rotating one or more wheels (404) relative to its respective wheel arm (402).