EP1236964A1 - Light firearm simulator and its simulating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The firing weapon simulator comprises a movable release part (107) and a mechanical energy source able to move the release part from an armed position to a firing position. There are release part locking means in the armed position and firing trigger (105) connected to locking means by firing control transmission means, following the activating of trigger, to act on the locking means so as to free the release part. The simulator includes non-mechanical detection means (109,111) of the position of the release part and control means (126) of the firing production means slaved to the detection means so as to be able to release a simulated firing when the release part arrives in the shot commencement as detected by the detection means.

Description

The invention relates to a light weapon simulator equipped with in particular means of production of simulated shooting (laser) triggered following the actuation of fire control means (trigger) by a user. Such a simulator is used in particular in the context of a light weapon technical shooting simulation including a screen, allowing the diffusion of target images and on which the impact of the laser is detected during of the shooting, and of the computer means of broadcasting said images, of detecting said impact, calculating the position of the corresponding shot.

In the following, "weapon simulator" means either a real weapon modified so as to be used for technical shooting simulation, or any training device fully designed and produced for this purpose. Concerning modified real weapons, they can be demilitarized or not. We also by simulated weapon means the real weapon which the weapon simulator represents and which reproduces the majority of the main technical characteristics and in particular certain shooting characteristics. It is, if necessary, the real original weapon used to make the simulator. Lastly, by light weapon of shooting, one understands any handgun of the handgun type (pistol, submachine gun ...), weapon light infantry (rifle or rifle, manual or automatic reload, rifle or sniper rifle, submachine gun or submachine gun).

Known light weapon simulators are mainly of two types. A first type brings together weapon simulators with a laser triggered directly by the pressure of the trigger. Such simulators are for example obtained by depositing the original mechanism of transmission of the trigger movement to the striker of a real weapon and in incorporating into the said weapon, instead of the original mechanism, means electronic triggering of a laser controlled by trigger. These means electronic devices include a trigger position sensor and means for calculating the transmission time of the trigger movement at striker by the original mechanism. This transformation of the real weapon leads a modification of certain essential technical characteristics of the weapon such that its total weight and the geometric distribution of said weight, certain sensations of shooting (resistance of the trigger, feelings of the departure of blow ...), etc. In addition, the means for calculating the transmission time of the trigger movement at striker do not take into account the wear of the weapon, which results, in the case of a real weapon, depending on the actual wear of the different parts of the corresponding transmission mechanism, by a different response from the trigger when the user exerts pressure on it and by a modification of said transmission time.

It should be noted that such weapon simulators can also be specifically manufactured from scratch, as the sign for example US 4,380,437; but despite significant reconstruction efforts, the drawbacks mentioned above remain. The simulation of the shooting remains imprecise and this first type of weapon simulator allows only low level education.

A second type of weapon simulator collects weapons including the striker and the original mechanism for transmitting the movement of the trigger strikers have been retained, and which include means of triggering of the laser located downstream of the original striker of the weapon and activated by the shock of this striker

In a first known embodiment, the means triggers include a fake cartridge carrying an electrical organ, intended to supply the laser or a control circuit of said laser consecutively impact of the cartridge by the striker, or a blank cartridge associated with a electric organ activated following percussion of the cartridge by the striker. US 4,830,617 thus describes a false cartridge comprising a mounted capacity sliding in the cartridge and previously loaded, a piston located at the end rear of the cartridge and intended to receive the impact of the striker and to transmit this one with the capacity, and a contactor integral with the capacity and located at the end front of the cartridge to transmit an electrical signal to a contactor associated with the electronic laser control circuit (when the false cartridge is struck by the striker, the piston moves the capacity forward until the front end of the capacitor contacts the circuit contactor in which it discharges). Alternatively, the fake cartridge includes a piezoelectric pulse generator (activated by the shock of the striker against the fake cartridge), connected to a conductive plate before said false cartridge forming, with an opposite conductive plate fixed on the canon, a capacitive connection between the piezoelectric generator and the circuit laser control electronics. US 5,842,300 teaches the use of a module piezo comprising a piezoelectric crystal and, upstream of said crystal, means compression (ball resting on a spring) transmitting the shock of the striker on the piezo module, causing the polarization of said crystal and the subsequent triggering of the laser emission.

None of the known prior devices can simulate burst fire. In the case of a live fire weapon, during bursts, the shooter keeps the trigger pressed, and the rearming of the weapon is carried out thanks to the recoil of the breech following the explosion of the cartridge, which allows the hammer to be lowered in a position called the armed position, the said bolt then being brought back into its original position by a return spring. Weapon simulators of the first type sensing the position of the trigger to trigger the fire are naturally unsuitable in rapid fire, since the latter is carried out by maintaining the trigger pressed, in a given rear position. The inventors have also shown that the weapon simulators of the second type using a fake cartridge have response times too long (due to displacement and / or activation and / or discharge of the electrical components used) to enable triggering of a ten rounds per second, as is the case for certain real weapons. It is note that in the case of false consumable cartridges (blank cartridges generating, following the impact of the striker, a shock wave polarizing a piezoelectric crystal, or false cartridges of US-4,830,617 which should be refilled capacity), each burst fire simulation exercise leads to consumption a large quantity of false cartridges, which come prohibitively to burden the cost of operating said weapon simulator. In addition, it should be remembered that simulation exercises often take place in closed sites (to allow projection of target images on a display screen). A burst of fire using white cartridges cannot be envisaged in such a site under penalty of make the atmosphere dangerously unbreathable in minutes.

It should also be noted that, generally, simulators of the second type are not demilitarized, and therefore constitute firearms that it is easy, even for a person with little knowledge in the field, to make usable as real firearms.

Finally, weapon simulators of the second type, while retaining a large part of the original real weapons (and in particular the mechanism of transmission of the trigger movement to the striker and the mechanical games it present) and by reproducing a real shot by the use of either a fake cartridge comprising an electrical component (capacitor or piezoelectric element) either of blank cartridge associated with an electric shock detection device (piezoelectric element for example), are supposed to give the best precision and fidelity of firing simulation.

However, as mentioned above, the inventors have shown that the electrical organs used "activated" by the impact of the striker, have significant response times. There is therefore a gap in the time between the start of the shot (i.e. the exact moment when the striker strikes the false cartridge, which also corresponds to the moment when the hammer strikes the striker in the case of an automatic weapon) and the emission of the laser, which encounter when firing a live weapon, and during which the simulator is likely to move. This inertia affects the accuracy of the simulation. However, the inventors have also shown that this precision is essential. A weapon of the type submachine gun or submachine gun (for example Famas) allows to reach targets located 300 meters from the shooter (simulating such targets on a screen located one ten meters from the shooter results in very small images and high resolution). At this distance, the slightest movement of the weapon results in a significant deviation from the impact of the shot. To make the simulation realistic and useful and appropriate instruction, so it is necessary not only to be able to accurately determine the position of the impact of the laser shot on the screen (this objective is achieved by current simulation systems that offer order resolution pixel), but also to precisely coincide the triggering of the laser shot with the kick start (i.e. with the exact moment when the striker strikes the cartridge in the case of a shot made with the original real weapon or with the weapon real simulated). This temporal coincidence does not exist in the simulators known, due to the response time of the electrical components used. The impact obtained with the simulator, whose position is calculated from the laser impact detected on the screen, does not correspond to the impact which would have been obtained with the weapon real original or real simulated weapon; and the instructor's advice is often wrong.

The invention, taken in all its variants, aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, the invention aims to propose a simulator of a weapon comprising a trigger (or any other means of controlling firing by the shooter), a trigger (hammer or hammer for example) and a mechanism for transmitting the movement of the trigger to the triggering member of a weapon light real shot, said simulator being adapted to trigger, during a shot, a laser emission at the precise moment of the start of the shot as defined in the real weapon original. The invention aims to offer a precise simulation of shooting, the triggering of the laser emission being confused with the start of the shot of the corresponding real shot.

Another objective of the invention is to design a simulator of weapon obtained from a real weapon while preserving the majority of the parts of origin of the weapon, including in particular the parts located upstream of the striker (i.e. before the start of the stroke), in order to maintain both the sensations of shooting and mechanical games existing in the case of the real weapon, and to be taken into account counts in the case of simulated shooting for better learning. The invention aims also to keep the general characteristics of the weapon such as its weight, his balance, etc., so that the training is effective.

Another objective of the invention is to propose a simulator weapon to simulate burst fire, and in particular capable of simulating typically around ten shots per second.

Another objective of the invention is to propose a simulator inexpensive weapon to use, and in particular not using a fake cartridge consumable.

Another objective of the invention is to propose a simulator of weapon accurately reconstructing all the sensations of shooting, including the force of recoil exerted on the weapon and its user during the explosion of a cartridge in a real shot. The invention also aims to detect all of the actions and movements of the shooter and the weapon simulator so as to enable the best possible instruction.

• des moyens de production d'un tir simulé,
• un organe déclencheur mobile,
• une source d'énergie mécanique apte à mouvoir l'organe déclencheur depuis une position armée vers une position de tir,
• des moyens de blocage de l'organe déclencheur en position armée,
• des moyens de commande de tir par un utilisateur, reliés aux moyens de blocage par des moyens de transmission de la commande de tir adaptés pour, suite à l'actionnement des moyens de commande de tir, agir sur les moyens de blocage de façon à libérer l'organe déclencheur,

caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens non mécaniques de détection d'au moins une position de l'organe déclencheur, dite position de départ de coup, et des moyens de contrôle des moyens de production de tir asservis auxdits moyens de détection de façon à pouvoir déclencher un tir simulé lorsque l'organe déclencheur arrive en position de départ de coup telle que détectée par les moyens de détection.The invention relates to a light weapon simulator comprising:

• means of producing a simulated shot,
• a movable trigger,
• a source of mechanical energy capable of moving the triggering member from an armed position towards a firing position,
• means for blocking the triggering member in the armed position,
• fire control means by a user, connected to the blocking means by means of transmission of the fire control adapted for, following actuation of the fire control means, act on the blocking means so as to release the triggering organ,

characterized in that it comprises non-mechanical means for detecting at least one position of the triggering member, known as the shot start position, and means for controlling the production means for firing enslaved to said detection means so to be able to trigger a simulated shot when the triggering member arrives in the starting position of the shot as detected by the detection means.

The fire control means are usually the trigger of the weapon. In the following, the term “triggering member” means any part which, during of a real shot, brings the amount of movement necessary for the explosion of the cartridge. Before firing, this part is held, by blocking means (trigger for example), in a position called armed position in which it undergoes significant stress from a mechanical energy source (spring percussion for example). The actuation of the fire control means (pressure of the trigger) causes the removal of the locking means and the release of the triggering organ (via the transmission means of the fire command), which strikes violently either the cartridge or a striker. In the first case, the triggering organ is the striker of the simulator weapon (this is particularly the case with simulated weapons with manual reloading) or a part integral with the striker such as a movable breech (case of a machine gun); in the second case, the triggering member is for example the hammer of the weapon (case of automatic simulated weapons).

By "non-mechanical position detection means", we mean means means capable of transmitting an electrical signal according to the position of the member trigger (and in particular capable of emitting an electrical signal representative of a given position, called kick start position, when the triggering member is, or arrives, in this position) from the only position of said trigger member and to the exclusion of any other parameter such as a shock wave generated by the percussion of a stop (and in particular of a false cartridge) by the organ trigger, the structural modification of a piezoelectric crystal following a shock of the triggering member against a stop mechanically connected to said crystal, the displacement, following such a shock, of an electrical member capable of emitting a signal to the outcome of its movement, and, in general, the transmission to an element electric, by mechanical means of compression, damping or of training, of information representative of the arrival of the triggering organ in the kick start position. In the invention, the processing of such information does not use any means likely to have a response time random and / or variable and / or important. In previous devices, information used is the shock of the trigger against the bottom of a fake cartridge; and the processing time of this information depends in particular on the intensity of the shock, consecutive deformations of the fake cartridge, nature and condition of the final electrical component intended to emit the signal, of the state (arrangement, wear, deformations ...) of the intermediate mechanical means (bottom of cartridge, piston, compression means) responsible for transmitting said shock to the electrical component final, etc ... This response time, somewhat variable and in no way representative of the functioning of the simulated real weapon, affects the accuracy of the simulation (and including the calculation of the position of the impact of the corresponding live fire). He is by elsewhere too long to simulate burst fire. In the invention, the information used is the position of the triggering organ and no provision is made intermediate mechanical or piezoelectric means of transmission of this information to the final electrical organ emitting the signal, so that its processing is very fast.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the detection means have a response time of less than 100 nanoseconds. We mean by "time of response "the time elapsed between the effective arrival of the triggering organ in kick start position and the emission of the corresponding detection signal (this time includes trigger organ detection and signal generation electric).

Advantageously and according to the invention, the detection means are of the type performing remote position detection, without contact.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the detection means consist of transmitting and electromagnetic sensors. Alternatively, we may use optical position sensor means. Such means present however the disadvantage of being relatively bulky and sensitive to dust (or other material likely to block the optical means, such as lubrication used for weapons).

Advantageously and according to the invention, the means of fire control, trigger, mechanical energy source, means blocking and the original fire control transmission means are those of a real original weapon. In this case, the organ's starting blow position trigger in the simulator advantageously corresponds to the position of said organ in the original real weapon at the time of the start of a live fire. We “live fire” means a shot made with a live firearm, in this case the weapon real original from which the simulator was made, and with a cartridge real. The starting point of a live shot corresponds to the precise moment when the striker strikes the cartridge, or also, if applicable, when the hammer the weapon strikes the striker. The trigger and all the original parts of the weapon located upstream of the triggering member being preserved, the position of the trigger throughout the shot (from preparation to departure of the shot) is exactly that of said organ in the original real weapon. Detection of its kick start position in the simulator therefore makes it possible to determine with precision when the striker would normally strike the cartridge in the case of a live fire.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the means of shooting production include a laser for shooting simulation on a screen of viewing. The laser emission is triggered at the precise moment when the organ trigger (hammer or striker for example) arrives in the starting position of blow (the aforementioned detection means and laser control means do not have no significant response time) and is detected at this time corresponding, if any, exactly at the start of a live fire fired with the original weapon.

To do this, according to the invention, the detection means include a movable part secured to the triggering member and a fixed part secured to a simulator frame, adapted to cooperate with each other remotely, without contact. In a preferred version of the invention, part of the means for detection is embedded in the trigger, which allows positioning with greater precision said part of the detection means compared to the triggering organ.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the detection means include a magnet housed in a non-magnetic cover embedded in a reservation made in the triggering member, and an electromagnetic sensor to Hall effect carried by a fixed part at the time of firing, said sensor and magnet being arranged to be exactly opposite one another when the organ trigger is in kick start position.

In a first embodiment where the triggering member is a hammer pivotally mounted on a fixed casing or casing (but possibly removable from the simulator) by an overall fixing head cylindrical, the magnet and the non-magnetic cover are advantageously embedded in the hammer fixing head and the sensor is fixed to said housing or casing (either directly on the case, or on a part fixed on said case) opposite said fixing head, so as to be exactly opposite the magnet at the time of the kick start. The sensor is for example embedded in an insert arranged opposite the fixing head, and having a face for receiving the vertical sensor. Before firing, the hammer is in a rear position in which the magnet is oriented in a direction making an angle of about 30 to 45 ° with the longitudinal axis of the weapon simulator. In this position, the distance between the sensor and the magnet is sufficient so that the sensor is not influenced by the magnet. When firing, the hammer pivots to its starting position in which the outer face of the magnet is found in a vertical plane, parallel to and facing the sensor. The characteristics of the magnet and sensor, as well as the positioning of the part supporting the sensor, are preferably chosen so that the distance between the sensor and the magnet is greater to that allowing the detection of the magnet by the sensor as long as the hammer is not arrived at the end of the race and the magnet is not strictly facing the sensor. This characteristic allows precise detection of the kick start.

In a second embodiment where the organ trigger is a striker, caused to move in translation in a breech inserted in a cylinder head box, and guided for this purpose by an extreme rear heel protruding into a light in said cylinder head, the magnet and the cover non-magnetic are advantageously embedded in the heel of the striker, the sensor being embedded in the cylinder head box facing said light, so as to be exactly in front of the magnet when the blow starts.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the magnet comprises a organic matrix containing neodymium, iron and boron, and generating a magnetic induction of the order of 0.5 Tesla (i.e. 5000 Gauss). The external face of the magnet and that of the sensor are preferably separated by 1 to 1.5 mm when the triggering member is in the kick start position. Advantageously and according to the invention, the non-magnetic cover has projecting peripheral walls of the external face of the magnet, in order to protect said face from possible shocks occurring during firing. Similarly, the sensor is advantageously housed in a receiving case having two opposite branches projecting from the face external of said sensor in order to protect the latter from possible shocks during firing.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the weapon simulator light firing includes means for reproducing the recoil of the simulated weapon and means of controlling said recoil reproduction means, subject to the means detection so as to be able to generate a recoil force when the organ trigger arrives in the kick start position and is detected. The means of reproduction of the recoil include for example a piston arranged in a barrel of the weapon simulator, and a device for supplying compressed air to a chamber fitted in said barrel at the front of said piston. The barrel in which the piston may be the original barrel of the actual weapon from which the simulator has been made, or the said original cannon cut and extended by a piece cylindrical insert containing the piston, or an entire barrel machined for this effect, of dimensions similar or not to that of the original weapon or the weapon simulated.

Detection of the triggering device in the starting position of blow is accompanied by a simultaneous injection (the means of detection and the means of controlling the means of reproducing the recoil have a time of response less than a few nanoseconds) of compressed air in said chamber, which violently pushes the piston backwards. Moving it backwards is immediately followed, according to the simulated weapons, either by the shock of said piston against the breech (fixed during firing) of the weapon simulator, i.e. of the displacement towards the rear of the movable breech of the weapon simulator. These displacements and / or shocks simulate the recoil force exerted on the real weapon (original or simulated) and on the shooter following the shooting.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the piston has a mass adapted so that the amount of movement of the piston and, in the case of a movable breech weapon simulator when firing, the amount of movement of the breech, acquired at the start of the blow by supplying the chamber with compressed air, used to reproduce the real recoil force of the simulated weapon.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the weapon simulator light firing also includes means for detecting the position of the trigger to assess the user's pressure on the trigger throughout the shot, a weapon safety position sensor to monitor its "engaged" state or "withdrawn" throughout the simulation exercise, as well as means of detection, such as inertial sensors or other linear sensors, for measurement of a possible rotation of the simulator around its longitudinal axis with respect to a nominal shooting position in which the weapon is in a vertical plane. The detection of this angle is used by calculating the impact on the target of the simulated shot. Advantageously and according to the invention, in the case of a simulator of a light weapon infantry including a butt of support of the weapon on the shoulder of the shooter, this one also includes sensors (strain gauge) of the pressure exerted (by the shooter) on the rear face of the stock of the weapon simulator at the time of the shooting. The data collected by these different sensors are compared with each other in the time in order to analyze the evolution of the shooter's breathing (given by weapon simulator movements, detected by inertial sensors among others) in all phases of shooting, determine the influence of the "finger shot" (possible movements of the weapon when the trigger is fully pressed), check the pressure of the butt against the shoulder at the start of the stroke and after this to determine the seat of the weapon on the shoulder, etc. It should be noted that the simulation system also provides for the triggering of laser emissions at regular intervals, to allow monitoring, by detecting the impact of these emissions on the display screen, the trajectory of the weapon. The positions of laser emissions occurring in the seconds preceding the firing are in particular memorized and analyzed to control the aiming of the target by the shooter, as well as the breathing of it.

Advantageously and according to the invention, being a automatic reloading weapon simulator (especially of the Famas type), this one also includes cylinder head position sensors to determine condition loaded (awaiting firing, breech positioned above the hammer and hammer in rear position and under constraints) or not (cylinder head in front position and hammer in forward position) of the weapon simulator. A single sensor detecting the passage of the breech to an extreme rear position is sufficient to determine the state of the simulator.

In the case of a rifle or sniper rifle type manual cocking (notably FR-F1), the loaded state results in a breech inserted and locked in the cylinder head box and a striker located in position back. At the end of firing, the breech is still locked inside the box. breech, but the striker is in the front position. Resetting is carried out by unlocking, rotation and retraction of the bolt so as to position the striker in its extreme rear position and, in the case of a real weapon, to eject the casing of the cartridge just used. The cylinder head is then returned to a position front locked inside the cylinder head so as to insert a new cartridge and keep the striker in the rear position. Two sensors are required in this type of weapon simulator to determine the condition of the weapon. Passage detection from the cylinder head from its front position to its rear position then from the return of the cylinder head in its forward position translates the arming of the simulator by the shooter.

The invention extends to a simulation system comprising at at least one screen for viewing target images associated with broadcasting means said images, at least one weapon simulator comprising a laser simulating the shooting on the display screen (s), and computer means connected to the dissemination means and weapon simulator (s), and adapted to control the dissemination of target images, detecting the impact of laser emissions from the simulator (s) on the screen (s), calculate the position of the corresponding simulated shots on the target images, etc., characterized in that the system comprises at least one weapon simulator comprising all or some of the characteristics previously defined, the means of control of the means of production of shooting and reproduction of the decline in said simulator being integrated into the abovementioned computer means.

The invention also extends to a method for producing a light shooting weapon simulator characterized in that a real weapon is used of origin in which simulated shooting means of production are arranged, of the type with laser, non-mechanical means for detecting at least one starting position of blow of the triggering organ of said original weapon, and means of control said firing production means slaved to said detection means.

Advantageously and according to the invention, means of reproduction of recoil such as a piston arranged in the barrel of the original weapon, are also mounted on said weapon.

The invention also relates to a weapon simulator and a simulation system characterized in combination by all or some of the features mentioned above and below.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un système de simulation selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de profil d'un simulateur de fusil à rechargement manuel du type FR-F1 selon l'invention;
• la figure 3a est une coupe longitudinale verticale d'une partie du simulateur représenté sur la figure 2 lorsque l'organe déclencheur est en position de départ de coup,
• la figure 3b est une coupe longitudinale verticale d'une partie du simulateur représenté sur la figure 2 lorsque l'organe déclencheur est en position armée,
• la figure 4 est une vue de profil d'un simulateur de fusil automatique du type FA-MAS selon l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une coupe longitudinale verticale d'une partie du simulateur représenté sur la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée et dépliée du marteau, des moyens de blocage et de la pièce portant le capteur, du simulateur représenté sur les figures 4 et 5.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description which refers to the appended figures representing preferred embodiments of the invention given solely by way of nonlimiting examples, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a simulation system according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of a FR-F1 type manual reloading rifle simulator according to the invention;
• FIG. 3a is a vertical longitudinal section of part of the simulator shown in FIG. 2 when the triggering member is in the stroke start position,
• FIG. 3b is a vertical longitudinal section of part of the simulator shown in FIG. 2 when the triggering member is in the armed position,
• FIG. 4 is a side view of an automatic rifle simulator of the FA-MAS type according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of part of the simulator shown in FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is an exploded and unfolded perspective view of the hammer, the locking means and the part carrying the sensor, of the simulator shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Figure 1 illustrates a simulation system comprising a weapon simulator 201 according to the invention, a screen 202 on which are projected training scenario videos, computer resources 203, and a air compressor 209. Said computer means 203 comprise a projector 207 for projecting target images onto the screen 202, a camera 208 for detecting the impacts on the screen 202 of the laser emissions from the simulator 201, a control screen 206 for viewing operating modes of the simulation system, visualization of the shooter's results, etc., a keyboard 205 for entering various data (choice of weapon, scenario, etc.), and a central computer unit 204 for managing the various above-mentioned peripherals (including simulator laser and air compressor 209), the execution of various programs, including the calculation of the position of the simulated shot from the impact of the laser beam on the screen 202, the size of the target, the position of the simulator and technical characteristics of the simulated weapon. It should be noted that the weapon simulator contains an electronic box to which all the sensors and other detectors of the simulator and which includes a memory (of the type "EEPROM" for example) on which the characteristics are recorded simulated weapon techniques. The electronic unit performs a first treatment electrical signals that it receives and transmits the resulting digital data to the computer central unit 204 via a transmission cable 210. The data is then analyzed by the central unit which controls, if necessary, the laser of the simulator 201 and a solenoid valve supplied by compressor 209. This solenoid valve is connected to the simulator 201 by a supply pipe 211 to allow, for each simulated shot, to supply compressed air to a chamber fitted in the simulator barrel at the front of a weighted piston, to simulate the recoil force appearing during a live fire. Note that cable 211 and hose 210 can be assembled in a single umbilical cord connecting the simulator to the means computer and solenoid valve.

The weapon simulator shown in Figures 2, 3a and 3b is a FR-F1 type manual cocking precision rifle simulator. This simulator is made from a real original weapon, some elements of which only are modified as indicated below. The kick start of such weapon is given by the percussion of a cartridge by a striker 10 housed in a 5. said striker comprises a central body of generally shaped cylindrical, a percussion head-tip of the cartridge at its front end (in the case of the real weapon), and, at its rear end, a heel 11 extending perpendicular to the axis of the striker and projecting from the body central. It should be noted that, according to the invention, the front end of the striker of the weapon was cut to "demilitarize" the simulator, that is to say for the neutralize and prevent any real fire with this simulator. Compression spring 24 housed in cylinder head 5, called percussion spring, supported at one end on a plug 8 of the cylinder head 5 and at the other end on the striker 10, exerts a significant force on striker 10 in the longitudinal direction thereof, towards forward. The cylinder head has a light 9 at its rear end into which comes insert the heel 11 of the striker. When we look at the armed rifle simulator, said light 9 is located in the lower part of the cylinder head 5. It is in particular delimited by a lower longitudinal edge and by a helical edge which extends from a lower front extreme point to a lateral rear extreme point. The light 9 is extended at the rear by a lower guide rail for the heel of the striker, formed in the thickness of the cylinder head 5 to allow insertion of the striker 10 in said cylinder head.

When the rifle simulator is cocked, the striker 10 is located in a rear position, in which the heel 11 is directed substantially towards the bottom and appears near the lower rear end of the light 9. Subjected to the force of the forward percussion spring, it is held in this position by a trigger 17 controlled by the action of a compression spring so that its upper end normally protrudes inside the lumen 9 of the bolt, immediately in front of the heel 11 of the striker (see Figure 3b). The trigger 17 cooperates with the trigger 6 so as to allow its withdrawal down when the trigger 6 is pressed. The displacement of the trigger 6 causes therefore the release of the heel 11 of the striker which, under the action of the spring of percussion, is then projected forward, guided laterally by the longitudinal edge of light 9. In the case of the original real weapon, the striker thus projected towards the front strikes the cartridge and thus triggers the explosion responsible for the expulsion of the projectile. The rearming of the rifle (and of the simulator) is carried out by subjecting the cylinder head 5 (by means of handle 4) a series of pivotings and translations of so as to reposition the striker 10 in its rear position, heel resting against the trigger 17, said heel being guided during these movements by the song helical light 9.

The object of the invention is to allow precise detection the moment when the striker 10 (of the original real weapon) comes into contact with the cartridge to optimize the simulation. At this precise moment, the striker is in a front position in which its heel 11 is located at the lower front end light 9 (see Figure 3a). According to the invention, said striker 10 is provided with a magnet 13 housed on the end of the heel 11. The striker being made of steel extremely hard tempered sensitive to magnetic flux, a cover 14 for receiving the magnet 13, made of non-magnetic material, is previously embedded in the heel 11 in order to isolate said magnet. The magnet and the sensor are arranged so as to be distant each other of less than 1.5 mm (which corresponds substantially to the existing clearance between the outer face of the heel 11 and the face of the cylinder head box 3 facing).

Machining the striker to accommodate the magnet 13 and the cover 14 is a delicate point. Indeed, this piece, brought (in the real weapon) to withstand substantial stresses (shocks), is made of hardened steel extremely hard. In addition the shape and dimensions of the striker and its heel 11, as well as the required precision, necessitate particularly machining neat (it is indeed a question of drilling a cylindrical housing of 4 mm in diameter with a tolerance of + 0.1 / -0 mm in the heel of the striker). The machining is fully digital for maximum accuracy. Note also that a bore 12 is formed in the body of the striker 10, opposite the heel 11, facing the magnet 13 and its non-magnetic cover 14, with a view to allow access to the magnet-cover assembly and eject it from the heel during a possible maintenance operation.

The magnet detection sensor 15 is embedded in the cylinder head box 3 (in which the cylinder head 5 is inserted), in the lower part, exactly opposite the magnet 13 when the striker is in the front position, i.e. at the start of the move. The position of the sensor 15 can be defined precisely since the position of the striker 10 at the start of the blow is also very precisely defined: the front face of the heel 11 of the striker is then pressing against the front edge of the light 9. Said front position of the striker is also immutable, the striker 10, and the bolt 5 in a to a lesser extent, being manufactured in very hard steels (extra hard for the striker) and therefore almost indestructible. Furthermore, the position of the cylinder head 5 by compared to the cylinder head box 3 is also precise and immutable: when cocking of the rifle, the breech 5 is introduced into the breech box 3 and then locked in its firing position inside said box by system of stops, without it no longitudinal play persists between the cylinder head and the cylinder head box.

At the start of the blow, the magnet 13 is found in gaze of the Hall effect sensor 15. The magnetic field of the magnet 13, then induces instant conduction of the sensor 15. The resulting electrical signal allows trigger both the emission of the laser beam, in order to simulate the shot, and the injection compressed air in a chamber 19 of the barrel 2 delimited by a piston 18, in order to simulate the recoil of the weapon. To this end, the sensor 15 is connected by conductive wires electrical, to an electronic control unit 22 located in the barrel 1 of the weapon. This electronic unit 22 performs a first signal processing and transmits this the latter to the computer resources of the central simulation system. Said means computer control the laser located at the front of the weapon instead of the flame arrester 7 of the original weapon, as well as a solenoid valve supplied by a compressor and connected to the simulator by a supply pipe 21 leading to the chamber 19. The electrical supply of the electronic unit 22 and its connection with the computer resources of the central simulation system are performed by a series of cables 23. When the start of the blow is detected, the compressed air (pressure variable depending on the weapon -the electronic box has a memory for the storage of information relating to the simulated weapon intended to be transmitted to the central system, of the order of 8 bars for a rifle of the FRF1 type) is immediately sent to chamber 19, and piston 18 is violently thrown rearward. This strikes the cylinder head 5, the front end of which has been bite. To make this shock comparable to the recoil force generated by the explosion of the cartridge in the corresponding real weapon, the piston is advantageously ballasted, the mass of the piston 18 being however adapted to respect the weight and balance of the original weapon. At the end of the shot, the piston 18 is brought back forward by a return spring 20. It should be noted that the closure of the end front of the original breech 5 also contributes to the demilitarization of the weapon.

The weapon simulator shown in Figures 5 and 6 is a FA-MAS type automatic rifle simulator. This simulator is made from of a real original weapon of which only certain elements are modified (such as indicated below). It includes in particular a removable mechanism housing 104, mounted in the lower part of the breech box 103 of the weapon, and which comprises a hammer 107 rotatably mounted inside the housing around a transverse axis and projecting into the upper part of said housing 104. A compression spring (not represented) said percussion spring exerts on the hammer 107 a significant force facing forward (one end of the spring is fixed on a stop located in part middle of the housing 104 and the other end is fixed to a rod mounted by a pivot link 120 on the hammer, above its fixing head 108). The hammer, and more precisely its fixing head 108 (see FIG. 6), cooperates with a trigger controlled 116, to compensate for the force exerted by the percussion spring on hammer 107 when the rifle simulator is cocked. To this end, the head of the hammer has a generally cylindrical shape with a locking ratchet 114 fitting into a conjugate groove 115 of the trigger when the simulator is armed. The trigger triggered also cooperates with a trigger 119 adjacent, having an anterior control lever 118 and a finger 120 side drive adapted to drive a higher range 117 of the trigger when the shot is fired.

When the simulator is armed, the hammer 107 is therefore subjected to the force of the impact spring and held in a rear position by the trigger 116. When the trigger 105 is pressed, the pivoting of the trigger towards the rear causes the forward movement of a rod 106 extending between the upper part of trigger 105 (which pivots forward under actuation of the trigger) and the butt 128, and passing opposite the trigger trigger 116. Said rod 106 is provided with a transverse lug at the level of said trigger, arranged so as to be able to cooperate with the front control lever 118 of the coach trigger. The pressure of the trigger causes the forward pivoting of the trigger driver 119, by action of the lug on said control lever 118, and the subsequent rotary drive (forward) of the trigger 116 by via the training finger 120. The pivoting of the trigger releases the ratchet 114 and therefore the hammer, which, in the case of the original real weapon, comes violently strike a striker housed in the breech. It should be noted that, in the case of the simulator according to the invention, said striker has been eliminated and the surface of percussion 107a of the original hammer was modified in order to demilitarize the weapon original.

The object of the invention is to accurately detect the position hammer. To do this, in a first embodiment not shown, a magnet is housed in an insert made integral with the hammer, by welding, for example, of said piece on a lateral face of the hammer. In the mode of illustrated embodiment, the position of the hammer is detected by a magnet 109 directly housed in said hammer 107 (this embodiment is particularly advantageous, the drilling of a magnet receiving hole in the hammer can be made with a tolerance of + 0.1 / -0 mm), and by a Hall 111 sensor conjugate embedded in an attached fixed part 113. The magnet 109 and the sensor 111 are arranged so that they are exactly opposite one another when the hammer 107 is at the end of its stroke and strikes the striker (in the case of the weapon real), that is to say at the start of the move. Advantageously and according to the invention, the automatic trigger of the original weapon, adjacent to the coach of trigger 119 on the side opposite to the controlled trigger 116, is deposited, and a part 113 of similar size is machined to carry the sensor 111 on its face vertical rear. The magnet 109 is embedded in the head 108 of the hammer, near from the lateral end thereof situated on the side of this insert 113.

The remarks made in the case of the rifle simulator manual reloading shown in Figures 2, 3a and 3b, concerning characteristics of the magnet and its manufacturing and installation process in the striker (induced magnetic field, afterglow, covering by a cover non-magnetic, machining precision (digital), etc.) remain valid for the present simulator. It should be noted that the composition of the magnet is imposed by the desired magnetic properties, and in particular by magnetic induction necessary. The small dimensions of the head 108 of the hammer (and therefore of the magnet and cover) and the technical characteristics necessary to allow detection of magnet 109 (including the magnetic induction of the magnet) led to the design and use of special magnets. For example, a magnet 4 mm in diameter, 2 mm deep, composed of an organic matrix comprising Neodymium, Iron and Boron and generating a magnetic induction residual of 0.5 Tesla (5000 Gauss) meets the requirements of the invention. It a magnet 109 is produced which is relatively brittle and whose crumbling must be prevented (or at least limited) by an adapted form of the non-magnetic cover 110 at the level of the outer surface of the magnet. For this purpose, the peripheral walls of the cover non-magnetic 110 have a return covering a peripheral fraction of the outer face of the magnet 109, thus protecting this face from shocks occurring when the hammer swings forward during the shot. The non-magnetic hood 110 advantageously has a thickness of 0.5 mm.

Sensor 111 is similarly protected by a case 112 U-shaped, the outside of the sensor appearing slightly behind of said case 112. The distance between the sensor and the magnet when the shot starts (when facing each other) is preferably between 1.2 and 1.5 mm. A slight rotation of the hammer backwards from this position is resulting in an increase in the distance between the magnet and the sensor. When this distance exceeds 1.5 mm, the magnet 109 is no longer detected by the sensor 111. A very small angle of rotation of the hammer is enough to reach this limit distance, so that the presence of the magnet is only detected by the sensor when these two elements are almost strictly opposite one another, in planes parallel.

As in the case of the reloading rifle simulator previously described manual, the polarization of the surface of the sensor 111, intervening exactly when the magnet 109 is found opposite said sensor, causes the triggering of a laser emission and a compressed air injection in a chamber 124 of the simulator canon 102, located at the front of a weighted piston 123. For this purpose, the electrical signal generated by the sensor 111 at the time of departure suddenly is transmitted to an electronic control unit 126 installed in the barrel 101 of the weapon, via conductive wires and connectors allowing ensuring the connection between the wires present in the removable mechanism housing 104 (in which the hammer 107 and the sensor 111 are located) and those running in the breech box 103 and the barrel 101 of the weapon between the surface of said removable case 104 and the electronic control unit 126. A sheath 127 carries a cable power supply to the housing 126 as well as communication cables between said housing 126 and the computer means of the fire simulation system.

The injection of compressed air into the front chamber 124, at level of the air inlet mouth 125, causes the rearward displacement of the piston 123. The piston 123 violently strikes the movable yoke 121, located in a forward position following the shot, and push the latter backwards. The cumulative displacements of cylinder head 121 and piston 123, the mass of which is calculated to allow the desired amount of movement to be imparted to said piston, reproduce the recoil force experienced by the original real weapon during a live fire. The violent recoil of the breech also allows the rearming of the simulator: when displacement, the breech 121 pushes back the hammer 107 including the ratchet 114 comes to be embedded in the groove 115 conjugated with the trigger 116. The simulator is reset. The piston is returned to the initial position by a powerful return spring 122 extending in the upper part of the barrel 102 and the breech box 103 adjacent. The bolt remains positioned above the hammer so that the striker (in the real weapon) is located immediately in front of the hammer.

Instant start detection the injection of compressed air into the chamber 124 and the recoil of the cylinder head 121, it is essential that this detection be carried out with the greatest precision. In Indeed, an early detection of the kick start would cause a premature decline in the breech 121, when the hammer 107 would tilt forward. These two elements being subjected to considerable forces, their shock would cause irreversible damage. It is therefore imperative that the injection of compressed air intervenes at the precise moment when the hammer 107 has just finished its race towards the front (and has zero momentum). Too late detection would harm not elsewhere to the reliability of the simulation (the laser emission would intervene too belatedly compared to the start of a real hit, and would not make it possible to determine the precise position of the impact of the corresponding real shot). It should be noted that such precision was not "mechanically" necessary in prior devices, one at least of the two elements concerned (hammer or breech) having been deleted in previous simulators.

Unlike previous devices of the first type not using fake cartridges, whatever the simulated weapon and in the case advantage of a simulator made from a real weapon, the kick start detected on the simulator corresponds exactly to the starting shot of the real weapon corresponding (and not only to that of the original real weapon taken from its new condition). The simulation takes into account not only the different games functional influencing the start of the move, but also the evolution of said games in time following for example the wear of certain parts of the weapon. The simulation therefore remains realistic, and the precision of the firing trigger follows the evolution over time (wear) of the weapon.

Furthermore, unlike all the devices previous, the simulator of the invention allows the simulation of burst shots. A FA-MAS type automatic rifle fires 8-10 rounds per second, and its striker and its breech 121 move at sonic speeds. The use of a compressed air device (not a hydraulic cylinder for example) allows to obtain a displacement speed of the piston 123 as close as possible to the actual speed of movement of the cylinder head 121. Furthermore, the precision of the kick start detection, obtained thanks to the invention, makes simulation possible from 8 to 10 shots (emission of the laser, injection of compressed air, rearming of the weapon, return of piston and cylinder head) per second.

It goes without saying that the invention can be the subject of numerous variants compared to the embodiments previously described and represented in the figures.

Claims (23)

Light weapon simulator including: means (7) for producing a simulated shot, a movable trigger member (10), a mechanical energy source (24) capable of moving the triggering member from an armed position to a firing position, means (17) for locking the triggering member in the armed position, means (6) for firing control by a user, connected to means (17) for blocking by means of transmission of the firing command adapted for, following the actuation of the means (6) for firing control, acting on the blocking means (17) so as to release the triggering member, characterized in that it comprises non-mechanical means (13, 15) for detecting at least one position of the triggering member (10), called the stroke start position, and means (22) for controlling the means (7) for producing a shot controlled by said detection means (13, 15) so as to be able to trigger a simulated shot when the triggering member (10) arrives in the starting position of the shot as detected by the means (13, 15 ) detection. Simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection means have a response time of less than 100 nanoseconds. Simulator according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the detection means consist of transmitter and electromagnetic sensor means. Simulator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (6) of fire control, the triggering member (10), the source of mechanical energy (24), the means (17) of blocking and the fire control transmission means are those of a real original weapon. Simulator according to claim 4, characterized in that the start position of the trigger member (10) in the simulator corresponds to the position of said member in the original real weapon at the time of the start of a shot. real shot. Simulator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means (7) for producing a shot comprises a laser for simulating a shot on a display screen. Simulator according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the detection means comprise a movable part (13) secured to the triggering member (10) and a fixed part (15) secured to a frame of the simulator, adapted to cooperate remotely. Simulator according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a part (13) of the detection means is embedded in the triggering member (10). Simulator according to claim 8, characterized in that the detection means comprise a magnet (13, 109) housed in a non-magnetic cover (14, 110) embedded in a reservation made in the triggering member (10, 107), and a electromagnetic sensor (15, 111) -notably Hall effect- carried by a fixed part (3, 113) at the time of firing, said sensor (15, 111) and magnet (13, 109) being arranged so as to be exactly in look at each other when the triggering member (10, 107) is in the start position. Simulator according to claim 9, in which the triggering member is a hammer (107) pivotally mounted on a fixed housing (104) by a generally cylindrical fixing head (108), characterized in that the magnet (109) and the non-magnetic cover (110) are embedded in the fixing head (108) of the hammer and in that the sensor (111) is fixed on said housing (104) opposite said fixing head. Simulator according to claim 9, in which the triggering member is a striker (10) caused to move in translation in a breech (5) inserted in a breech box (3), and guided for this purpose by a heel (11 ) rear end projecting into a slot (9) formed in said cylinder head (5), characterized in that the magnet (13) and the non-magnetic cover (14) are embedded in the heel (11) of the striker and in that the sensor (15) is embedded in the cylinder head box (3) opposite said light (9). Simulator according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the magnet (13, 109) comprises an organic matrix containing neodymium, iron and boron, and generates a magnetic induction of the order of 0.5 T. Simulator according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the external face of the magnet (13, 109) and that of the sensor (15, 111) are 1 to 1.5 mm apart when the triggering member (10, 107) is in the kick start position. Simulator according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the non-magnetic cover (110, 14) has peripheral walls projecting from the external face of the magnet. Simulator according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the sensor (111) is housed in a receiving case (112) having two opposite branches projecting from the external face of the sensor. Simulator according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises means (18, 123) for reproducing the recoil of the simulated weapon and means (22, 126) for controlling said recoil reproduction means slaved to the detection means (13, 15, 109, 111) so as to be able to generate a recoil force when the triggering member (10, 107) arrives in the firing position. Simulator according to claim 16, characterized in that the recoil reproduction means comprise a piston (18, 123) arranged in a barrel (2, 102) of the weapon simulator, and a device for supplying compressed air with a chamber (19, 124) arranged in said barrel at the front of said piston. Simulator according to claim 17, characterized in that the piston (18, 123) has a mass adapted so that the amount of movement of the piston and, in the case of a breech gun simulator (121) mobile during firing , the momentum of the breech movement, acquired at the start of the shot by supplying the chamber (19, 124) with compressed air, makes it possible to reproduce the real recoil force of the simulated weapon. Simulator according to one of Claims 1 to 18, in which the fire control means comprise a trigger (6, 105) which can be blocked by a safety device (25, 129), characterized in that it comprises detection means the position of the trigger in order to assess the pressure of the user on the trigger (6, 105) throughout the shot, and / or means for detecting the position of the safety (25, 129) in with a view to checking a state that has been activated or withdrawn from said security. Simulator according to one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises sensors, of the strain gauge type, of the pressure exerted on the rear face of the stock (128) of the simulator. Simulator according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting a rotation of the simulator about its longitudinal axis with respect to a nominal firing position. Simulator according to one of Claims 1 to 21, characterized in that it comprises breech position sensors (5, 121) in order to determine the loaded or unloaded state of the weapon simulator. Simulation system comprising at least one screen (202) for viewing target images associated with means (207) for diffusing said images, at least one weapon simulator comprising a laser simulating shooting on the screen (s) display, and computer means (203) connected to the broadcasting means (207) and to the simulator (s), and adapted to control the diffusion of the target images, trigger laser emissions from the simulator (s) , detecting the impact of said laser emissions on the screen (s), and calculating the position on the target images of the corresponding simulated shots, characterized in that it comprises at least one weapon simulator (201) in accordance with one of claims 1 to 22.

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