EP2157398A2 - Countermeasure launcher - Google Patents

Abstract

The launcher (2) has a sensor unit (5) detecting a missile, and a launching unit (6) for launching the missile detected by the sensor unit. The unit (6) is arranged at a rotating unit (4), such that the unit (6) is rotatable around a horizontally running elevation axis by an electric motor drive (10). The unit (4) is arranged opposite to a mounting unit (3), such that the unit (4) is rotatable around a vertically running azimuth axis by another electric motor drive (20). A decoupling unit decouples the rotating movement of the unit (4) from the rotating movement of the unit (6).

Description

The invention relates to a counter-fire system according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Counter-shot systems are used to protect objects such as vehicles, ships, helicopters or buildings by repelling enemy missiles. In order to detect missiles approaching the object, counter-firing systems have sensor units which detect the opposing missile, for example a rocket, and possibly anticipate its further trajectory via a suitable evaluation unit.

Shortly before the anticipated impact, the missile is fired fully automatically in the vicinity of the object via a launching unit, which is brought into an appropriate alignment with the missile for this purpose. For alignment with the missile, the launching unit is pivotally mounted about two axes, a so-called azimuth and elevation axis, one axis of which is substantially vertical and the other axis is substantially horizontal.

To align a Abschusseinheit is from the DE 10 2006 050 604 B3 a straightening known, in which the launching unit about the azimuth as well as the elevation axis is adjustable via fixed motor. For movement about the azimuth axis, the launching unit is received by a rotating about this axis rotary member. Via a further axis provided on the rotary element, the alignment takes place in the elevation direction. The straightening drive has two drive trains, which are combined via a differential gear. A disadvantage of this type of drive has been found that the movements of the Abschusseinheit about the azimuth axis have influence on those about the elevation axis and vice versa. It is therefore necessary to compensate for the mutual effects by means of sophisticated electronics in order to bring the Abschusseinheit in the desired orientation to the opposing missile.

It is the object of the invention to provide a counter-shot system in which the alignment of the Abschusseinheit done in a simple manner.

To solve this problem, a counter-shot system with the features specified in claim 1 is proposed.

By decoupling the pivoting movements of the rotary member about the azimuth axis from the pivoting movements of the launching unit about the elevation axis, the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of the launching unit can be adjusted independently of each other. The movement of the launching unit about one axis does not affect its angular position with respect to the other axis. It is not necessary to make a compensation for achieving the desired angular position on a complex electronics.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the pivoting movements of the rotary element about the azimuth axis are decoupled from those of the launching unit about the elevation axis via a decoupling element.

A further embodiment provides that a first drive for the pivoting movements about the azimuth axis and a second drive for the pivoting movements about the elevation axis is provided.

Of advantage in this context is an embodiment in which both the first and the second drive are arranged fixed to the object. In particular, it is possible to arrange the two drives on the mounting element. The object-fixed arrangement reduces the number of components to be pivoted of the counter-shot system, whereby the mass of the components to be moved and thus the response time of the counter-shot system, i. the time that elapses before an enemy missile is attacked is also reduced. In addition, this embodiment is also advantageous in terms of the electrical wiring of the drives, since they do not have to follow the pivoting movements of the rotary member.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the first drive connected via the decoupling element with the Abschusseinheit is. The connection via the decoupling element allows a kind of rotary coupling between the first drive and arranged on the rotary element Abschusseinheiten. When energizing the drive, the Abschusseinheiten can be elevated, on the other hand, rotational movements of the rotary member or straightening the Abschusseinheiten in the azimuthal direction without affecting the first drive or the elevation angle of the Abschusseinheiten remains.

In a constructive development, it is proposed that the decoupling element is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner with the rotary element.

According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that the sensor unit is arranged on the rotary element. In this way, the sensor unit occupies the same rotational position as the rotary element or the Abschusseinheit so that it is in a certain pre-alignment to a detected missile. The sensor unit arranged on the rotary element can in particular be a so-called tracking sensor, which senses the trajectory of the missile via a comparatively narrow radar lobe. In addition, additional sensors can be provided on the object, which monitor the airspace over a large area.

In this context, it is proposed that the sensor unit is pivotally coupled to the Abschusseinheit, whereby it always assumes the pivot angle of the Abschusseinheit. If the sensor unit makes up a hostile missile at a certain pivoting angle, the launching unit is also in this pivoting position, as a result of which it is already in a pre-alignment with the enemy missile. This results in a short response time of the counter-shot system.

According to a further development, it is proposed that the azimuth axis intersect the elevation axis, resulting in a symmetrical arrangement with advantageous derivation of the launch reaction forces occurring upon actuation of the launching unit.

A rapid alignment of the counter-shot system, it is beneficial if the azimuth axis passes through the center of gravity of the rotatable about the azimuth axis components, which reduces the mass moment of inertia to be overcome and with this the response time of the system.

To reduce disturbing launch reaction forces on the example, electric drives is proposed that the Abschusseinheit has a launch tube whose tube axis intersects the elevation axis, resulting in a favorable, torque-neutral initiation of the launch reaction forces upon actuation of the Abschusseinheit.

In the case of a launching unit having two discharge tubes, it is advantageous if their tube axes intersect the elevation axis on different sides of the azimuthal axis at the same, small distance therefrom. This also results in a favorable derivation of the launch reaction forces.

Fig. 1:

ein militärisches Fahrzeug mit zwei Gegenschussanlagen in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2:

eine Gegenschussanlage aus Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 3 - 5:

seitliche Ansichten der Gegenschussanlage aus Fig. 2 bei verschiedenen Elevationswinkeln,

Fig. 6:

eine vergrößerte Detaildarstellung gemäß der in Fig. 4 mit VI bezeichneten Einzelheit,

Fig. 7:

eine Gegenschussanlage von der anderen Seite her betrachtet,

Fig. 8:

eine Gegenschussanlage in Frontaldarstellung,

Fig. 9:

eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Gegenschussanlage in seitlicher Darstellung,

Fig. 10:

eine Draufsicht der Gegenschussanlage aus Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 + 12:

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Gegenschussanlage zur Anordnung auf dem Dach eines Fahrzeugs bei verschiedenen Elevationswinkeln,

Fig. 13 + 14:

seitliche Ansichten einer Gegenschussanlage bei verschiedenen Elevationswinkeln,

Fig. 15:

eine weitere Ansicht der Gegenschussanlage gemäß Fig. 13 von der anderen Seite,

Fig. 16:

eine Frontalansicht der Gegenschussanlage und

Fig. 17:

eine Draufsicht der Gegenschussanlage.

Further advantages and details of a counter-weft arrangement according to the invention are explained below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with the aid of the attached drawings. Show:

Fig. 1:

a military vehicle with two counter-shot systems in perspective,

Fig. 2:

a Gegenschussanlage Fig. 1 in perspective view,

Fig. 3 - 5:

lateral views of the counter-shot system Fig. 2 at different elevation angles,

Fig. 6:

an enlarged detail according to the in Fig. 4 detail designated VI,

Fig. 7:

looking at a counter-shot machine from the other side,

Fig. 8:

a Gegenschussanlage in frontal representation,

Fig. 9:

an alternative embodiment of a counter-shot system in a lateral view,

Fig. 10:

a plan view of the counter-shot system Fig. 9 .

Fig. 11 + 12:

Another embodiment of a counter-shot system for mounting on the roof of a vehicle at different elevation angles,

Fig. 13 + 14:

lateral views of a counter-shot system at different elevation angles,

Fig. 15:

another view of the counter-shot system according to Fig. 13 from the other side,

Fig. 16:

a frontal view of the Gegenschussanlage and

Fig. 17:

a plan view of the Gegenschussanlage.

Fig. 1 shows by way of example the use of two inventive counter-shot systems 2 on a military vehicle 1. However, the invention is not limited to an application in military vehicles, but can equally be used for example in buildings, ships, helicopters and so on.

At the in Fig. 1 shown military vehicle 1 is an armored vehicle in the rear area for the purpose of defense against enemy missiles, such as rockets, artillery or Mortar rounds, equipped with two identical counter-shot 2. As a result of the lateral arrangement of two counter-shot systems 2, opposing missiles approaching from both sides of the vehicle can be detected and fired fully automatically in the vicinity of the vehicle. This results in all-round protection for the combat vehicle 1.

Details of the Gegenschussanlage 2 can be the perspective view in Fig. 2 remove. It can be seen that the counter-shot system 2 is composed of a retaining element 3 fixed to the vehicle 1, for example by screwing or welding, and a rotary element 4 rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the retaining element 3. The holding element 3 is designed in the manner of a mounting element for fixing to an outer wall of the vehicle and has a fitting to the vehicle outer contour back plate 3.1, which is provided for reasons of weight and material savings with recesses 3.2. In the region of the upper and the lower end of the back plate 3.1 it is provided with approximately triangular cross sheets 3.3, which are provided with recesses 3.4, a rim 3.6 and a passage opening 3.5 for the introduction of a bearing pin 4.1 of the rotary member 4. The transverse plates 3.3 close with the back plate 3.1 in about a right angle and are firmly connected to this, for example by screwing, riveting or welding.

Between the two transverse plates 3.3, the rotary element 4 pivotable or rotatable relative to the holding element 3 extends, which is held rotatable about the vertical azimuth axis A _A , cf. also Fig. 7 , The rotary member 4 is of a total frame-shaped shape and has longer side walls 4.2 and connecting these transverse walls 4.3. Above the transverse walls 4.3 is a tubular, concentric to the azimuth axis A _A extending bolt 4.1 after Provided type of stub axle, which extends into the opening 3.5 and passes through this.

In the execution according to Fig. 2 On the rotary element 4, two launching units 6, 7 are provided one above the other in the intermediate space between the two side walls 4.2 of the rotary element 4, each having two launch tubes 8 arranged parallel to one another. Above the firing units 6, 7 a radar-based sensor unit 5 is provided. The sensor unit 5 is a tracking sensor. Further sensors 23 are fixed to the vehicle on the roof of the vehicle.

As will be described in detail below, not only the two Abschusseinheiten 6, 7, but also the sensor unit 5 are independent of the rotational movements of the rotary member 4 about substantially horizontally extending elevation axes A _ES and A _EA pivotally, cf. Presentation in Fig. 3 ,

As a common drive for the pivoting movements of the launching units 6, 7 and the sensor unit 5 about the elevation axes A _EA and A _ES , a first electric motor drive 10 is provided. For the movement of the rotary member 4 about the azimuth axis A _A , a second electromotive drive 20 is provided. Both drives 10, 20 are arranged fixed to the object, so that they do not follow the rotational movements of the rotary member 4.

The mechanics for setting different elevation angles on the basis of the representations in the Fig. 3 to 6 explained.

In Fig. 3 The counter-shot system 2 is shown in a position in which the sensor unit 5 and the two launching units 6, 7 take an elevation angle α ₁ of about - 10 ° relative to the horizontal. This is the lower end position in which the Abschusseinheiten 6, 7 are pivoted by 10 ° relative to the horizontal downwards. To set the elevation angle in the case of target detection, the sensor unit 5 and the Abschusseinheiten 6, 7 in the region of one end of their elevation axes A _ES and A _{EA provided} with gears 9, via which the elevation angle of the sensor unit 5 and the launching units 6, 7th can be set. For a rectified setting or angular coupling of the sensor unit 5 with the launching units 6, 7, a common transmission element 11 is provided, which converts the drive movement generated by the drive 10 via the gears 9 in concurrent pivotal movements of the sensor element 5 and the Abschusseinheiten 6, 7.

In the in the Fig. 3 to 5 illustrated transmission element 11 is a rack, which is provided in its the gears 9 opposite longitudinal sections with a toothing, which meshes with the gears 9 over the entire travel of the rack 11. The use of a rack 11 is to achieve a rectified pivotal movement of the sensor unit 5 with the launching units 6, 7 is not mandatory. It is also conceivable to use linkage couplings, toothed belts, transmission via further gear wheels or transmission via an electric or electronic control or else the use of direct drives on the respective axes A _ES or A _EA . Also, it is not necessary that the counter-shot system is provided with two launching units 6, 7. Also conceivable are solutions with more or fewer launching units, even with one or more launching tubes 8.

In Fig. 3 the rack 11 is shown in its upper end position, in which the elevation angle α _{1 is} minimal. In Fig. 4 is the rack 11 in contrast a piece moved down, causing the gears 9 in the view according to Fig. 3 respectively. Fig. 4 be rotated counterclockwise. With the gears 9 and the associated with these launch units 6, 7 and the sensor unit 5 in an elevation angle position α ₂ of about 45 ° are pivoted.

To actuate or for the method of the rack 11 and thus for adjusting the elevation angle of the first drive 10, which is fixed to the vehicle in the region of the mounting member 3 is used. The drive 10 is an electric motor which is connected via a belt 12 to a recirculating ball nut 13 formed on the circumference as a pulley in the lower end region of the rotary element 4. Details can be found in the detailed presentation in Fig. 6 remove. By a rotation of the shaft of the motor 10, the guided over the pulley-like peripheral portion of the ball nut 13 belt 12 is set in motion, whereby the ball nut 13 begins to rotate. The ball nut 13 is arranged such that this rotational movement is not transmitted to the rotary member 4. The ball nut 13 is seated in an opening of the rotary member 4 and is formed such that rotations of the rotary member 4 are not transmitted to the ball screw nut 13 and vice versa.

By the rotational movement of the ball nut 13, a spindle 14 arranged inside the ball nut 13 is moved axially in the vertical direction. The spindle 14 is axially coupled to the transmission element 11 and can only be axially reciprocated. Rotary movements of the spindle 14 are blocked via torque arm, for example, by a provided on the spindle 14 Bolt which is guided in a provided on the holding element 3 slot.

The first drive 10 is connected via the spindle 14 and a decoupling element 15, which is formed in the embodiment of a hollow cylinder, with the rack 11. The decoupling element 15 is designed such that the rack 11 follows the axial movements of the spindle 14, but at the same time rotational movements of the rotary member 4 are not transmitted to the spindle 14. For this purpose, the decoupling element 15 has a circumferential collar 15.1, which is rotatable but axially immovable, in a circumferential groove 14.1 of the spindle 14. In this way, the rotational movement of the drive 10 is transferred via the decoupling element 15 in a translational movement of the rack 11, which is independent of the rotational position of the rotary member 4. This movement is uniformly transmitted to the sensor unit 5, the Abschusseinheit 6 and the Abschusseinheit 7 such that they always have the same elevation angle or are aligned parallel to each other. The movement of the rack 11 is decoupled from the rotational movement of the rotary member 4, so that it does not change its rotational position when the motor 10 is energized.

In Fig. 5 shown is the lower end position of the transmission element 11, in which also the spindle 14 of the ball nut 13 is in its lower end position and the elevation angle α ₃ has reached its maximum. In the exemplary embodiment, the elevation angle α _{3 is} approximately 60 °.

For directing the rotary member 4 and thus the Abschusseinheiten 6, 7 and the sensor unit 5 about the vertical azimuth axis A _A , a separate drive 20 is provided, see. also the representation in Fig. 2 , The drive shaft of the drive 20 is provided with a pinion 17, which meshes with a fixed to the rotary member 4 gear 18 of larger diameter, which is why the motor 20 when energized, the rotary member 4 according to the transmission ratio of the gears 17, 18 about the azimuth axis A _A drives, see. also Fig. 9 , This rotational movement is not transmitted to the spindle 14 and thus not to the drive 10 via the decoupling element 15 arranged on the rotary element 4. The collar 15.1 of the decoupling element 15 rotates within the groove 14.1 of the spindle 14, without this being moved.

In the FIGS. 7 and 8 the counter-shot unit 2 is shown in further views that show the arrangement of the axes and motors of the system. Like the illustration in Fig. 7 shows, the drives 10 and 20 are arranged laterally of the holding element 3 in a vehicle-fixed, not pivotable together with the rotary member 4 position. It can be seen that the vertically extending azimuth axis A _A intersects all of the horizontally extending elevation axes A _ES and A _EA at a right angle.

In the FIGS. 7 and 8 the reference symbol S denotes the center of gravity of the rotary element 4, including the components connected thereto, such as the launching units 6, 7 and the sensor unit 5. It can be seen that the azimuth axis A _A passes through the center of gravity S, which gives a short response time. The counter-shot system can be aligned within a period of about 100ms, so that missiles in the vicinity of the vehicle can be detected and shot within this period, even in the closest vicinity, such as at distances of 10m to 100m to the vehicle. Furthermore, the illustration can be in Fig. 8 can be seen that the cup-like discharge tubes 8 of the launching units 6, 7 are arranged symmetrically to both sides near the azimuth axis A _A , resulting in favorable launching reactions.

The representation in Fig. 9 shows that the tube axes A _{R of} the launch tubes 8 intersect the elevation axes A _EA at right angles. The execution according to Fig. 9 also shows a special feature to the previously based on the representations in the FIGS. 3 to 5 described embodiments. In the execution according to Fig. 9 Namely, not a rotationally symmetrical gear in the end of the axes A _ES or A _EA , but a gear segment 16 is provided, which, however, meshes with the toothed portions over the entire axial travel of the rack 11. The use of toothed segments 16 results in a low mass of the components to be moved.

Deviating from the previously described embodiments, in which the counter-shot system 2 was arranged laterally on the vehicle 1, is in the 11 to 17 a second embodiment of a counter-shot system 2 is shown, which is mounted on the vehicle roof. In this embodiment, the rotary member 4 can perform a full 360 ° rotation about the azimuth axis A _A , which is why in this embodiment, a single counter-shot system 2 is sufficient for all-round protection of the vehicle.

The counter-shot system 2 according to this embodiment is provided on the underside with a turntable 21 which is fixedly connected to the vehicle roof and insofar forms a retaining element 3. The rotary member 4 is formed in this embodiment by a two side walls 4.2, above the plate-shaped support member 3 arranged element between the side walls 4.2, the sensor unit 5 and the two launch elements 6, 7 are pivotally received about their respective elevation axes A _ES and A _EA , To adjust the elevation angle is an electric motor drive 10, which is provided in the region of the rotary member 4 together with this rotating. About the drive 10 is connected via a belt 19th the rotational movement of the drive 10 in a pivoting movement of the lower Abschusseinheit 7 about the elevation axis A _EA transferred. This pivoting movement about the elevation axis A _EA is transmitted by means of a transmission element 22, which is embodied only in a very schematically illustrated manner, which in the case of this embodiment is designed in the manner of a linkage, such that, as shown in FIG FIGS. 13 and 14 let it be seen that the elevation angles of the sensor unit 5 and the two firing units 6, 7 are always the same. Also conceivable are other transmission elements, as have been described in connection with the first embodiment.

The adjustment of the azimuth angle via a vehicle-fixed drive, in the FIGS. 11 to 17 not shown, similar to the embodiment described above. In this embodiment too, the movements of the rotary element 4 about the azimuth axis are decoupled from those of the launching units 6, 7 about the elevation axes A _EA .

As already described in connection with the first embodiments, also takes place in the counter-shot system according to the FIGS. 11 to 17 the drive about the Aximutachse A _A by means of a separate, fixed to the vehicle drive, which is not shown in the figures. In addition, the course or the arrangement of the axes A _ES , A _EA , A _A with each other and with respect to the center of gravity S corresponds to the arrangement described with reference to the first embodiments.

The counter-shot systems described above are characterized in particular by their easy and quick alignability. In lateral arrangement on the vehicle whose width is only slightly increased. In addition, the described counter-shot systems are also suitable as retrofit solutions for vehicles already in use.

Reference numerals:

1

vehicle

2

Gegenschuss conditioning

3

mounting element

3.1

backplate

3.2

recess

3.3

bulkhead

3.4

recess

3.5

opening

3.6

edge

4

rotating member

4.1

bolt

4.2

Side wall

4.3

partition

5

sensor unit

6

firing unit

7

firing unit

8th

launch cup

9

gear

10

drive

11

Transmission element, rack

12

belt

13

Pulley, ball nut

14

spindle

14.1

groove

15

decoupling element

15.1

collar

16

gear segment

17

pinion

18

gear

19

belt

20

drive

21

Retaining element, turntable

22

Transmission element, linkage

23

sensor

24

rotary joint

A ₁

elevation angle

A ₂

elevation angle

A ₃

elevation angle

A _A

axis

A _E

axis

A _R

pipe axis

S

main emphasis

Claims (12)

Counter-shot system for the protection of objects against missiles with a sensor unit (5) for detecting the missiles and a Abschusseinheit (6) for firing by the sensor unit (5) detected missiles, wherein the Abschusseinheit (6) on a rotary member (4) opposite a holding element (3) is arranged rotatably about a substantially vertically extending azimuth axis (A _A ), about a substantially horizontally extending elevation axis (A _EA ) is pivotally mounted,
characterized,
that the pivoting movements of the rotary member (4) about the azimuth axis (A _A) of which the firing unit (6) about the elevation axis (A _EA) are decoupled. A counter-firing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting movements of the rotary element (4) about the azimuth axis (A _A ) are decoupled from those of the Abschusseinheit (6) about the elevation axis (A _E ) via a decoupling element (15). A countertop system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a first drive (10) for the pivoting movements about the elevation axis (A _E ) and a second drive (20) for the pivoting movements about the azimuth axis (A _A ) is provided. A counter-firing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the first (10) and the second (20) drive are arranged fixed to the object, in particular on the mounting element (3). Counter-shot system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first drive (10) via the decoupling element (15) with the Abschusseinheit (6) is operatively connected. Counter-shot system according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the decoupling element (15) is arranged rotationally fixed with the rotary element (4). Counter-shot system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor unit (5) on the rotary member (3) is arranged. Counter-shot system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor unit (5) is pivotally coupled to the Abschusseinheit (6). Countertop system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the azimuth axis (A _A ) intersects the elevation axis (A _EA ). A countertop system according to claim 1, characterized in that the azimuth axis (A _A ) extends through the center of gravity of the about the azimuth axis (A _A ) rotatable components. Counter-shot system according to claim 1, characterized in that the Abschusseinheit (6) has a launch tube (8) whose tube axis (A _R ) intersects the elevation axis (A _EA ). A countertop system according to claim 11, characterized in that the Abschusseinheit (6) has two launch tubes (8) whose tube axes (A _R ) intersect the elevation axis (A _EA ) on different sides of the azimuth axis (A _A ) at the same distance from this.

Images