EP3781893B1 - Vehicle comprising an auto-loader - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an automatic loading device (auto loader) for a large caliber weapon. The invention relates in particular to an autoloader which consists of at least one magazine housing and at least one magazine for accommodating ammunition. The car loader is equipped with an (automatic) loading device. The auto loader according to the invention, with a loading device, is intended for a vehicle, in particular an armored vehicle with an armored turret. A gun with a large caliber gun barrel is attached to the tank turret. The autoloader according to the invention is attached to the outside of the tower or outside of the vehicle. The autoloader automatically removes the ammunition or cartridge from the magazine and automatically feeds the ammunition to the gun barrel. In this context, vehicles are also understood to include ships, moving and stationary objects, etc., which can accommodate a mounted weapon

In the future, main weapons will be integrated in an unmanned, remote-controlled turret, also from the point of view of saving on service personnel. To do this, the ammunition for the main weapon, e.g. 120 mm or 130 mm tank gun, must be fed automatically from a magazine or the like.

For example, an armored vehicle with an automatic supply of ammunition to a large-caliber gun is from the EP 0 022 286 A1 known. In this armored vehicle, the gun is located on a tank turret. At least one ammunition magazine as part of a loading machine is arranged in a vehicle behind the tank turret on the vehicle. The ammunition magazine contains at least one ammunition container, each with a drive with a drive shaft and an endless belt chain. A magazine lock and a transfer station are located between the ammunition magazine and the tank turret. The transfer station includes, among other things, two laterally arranged extraction devices for extracting the projectile from the respective ammunition magazine. An ammunition feeding device consists of a lifting device for raising the projectiles to the weapon, a loading shell for receiving the projectiles to be lifted and a rammer for pushing the raised projectiles into the weapon. The space required for this loading machine is very large. Its components are mostly located below and inside the tank turret, with the two magazine housings located behind the tank turret and fixed to the vehicle.

From the DE 26 40 609 A1 discloses an armored vehicle with a large caliber weapon in which the ammunition magazine is pivotally mounted outside the hull so that it can be freely pivoted upwards when driving on uneven ground. However, the loading device for automatically loading the weapon is also relatively complex in this armored vehicle, since the cartridges have to be lifted after they have been removed from the magazine by means of a swiveling device at the level of the weapon barrel and swiveled laterally into the respective position of the weapon barrel. The cartridges are pushed from below into the rear area of the weapon system.

The DE 102 58 263 B4 discloses a shooting module with a fully automatic projectile feed device and a projectile transfer station with a projectile rammer arranged on a loading tray in order to be able to introduce the projectile into the weapon

The DE 199 13 283 C2 proposes a loader for a large caliber weapon with an ammunition magazine arranged behind the weapon in the tank turret or at least fixed to the tank turret. The ammunition magazine is formed by two sub-magazines that are mirror images of each other. A central charging tray for loading the weapon is located between the partial magazines. In the partial magazines, ammunition is arranged horizontally next to one another on several levels and can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the weapon barrel. The feeding takes place via guide rails extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the weapon barrel. Each ammunition is connected to at least two separate guide parts, by means of which they are fed to the weapon barrel along the guide rails. Two-part ammunition can also be fed in with the loading device. EP 0 557 751 A2 shows a self-propelled howitzer with an automatic loading device, which is arranged inside a turret of the self-propelled howitzer and can be loaded with ammunition from the outside.

EP 1 319 916 A2 shows an armored vehicle with a turret with a weapon on which magazine housings are provided on the outside in the form of main magazine housings attached to the turret and additional magazine housings that can be attached and removed.

A combat vehicle and a method for ammunition of combat vehicles are in the EP 2 180 285 A2 treated. An ammunition depot described therein, which is located within the vehicle, is formed by at least one ammunition cassette, which is arranged to be exchangeable laterally via a vehicle opening in order to reload the vehicle with ammunition. The ammunition is in compartments one behind the other in the cartridge. The ammunition is removed from the ammunition cassette in a removal position. Different projectiles can optionally be removed from the compartments. It is also proposed that the ammunition cassette be provided with a load code that can be read out. By reading the load code, the on-board systems receive information about the loading of the ammunition cassette.

With the DE 10 201 1 050 637 A1 a loading device is published that enables automatic loading of a large-calibre weapon. In order to prevent the ammunition body from slipping out, it is provided that a feed slide holding the ammunition body is designed to be movable in a second direction. The loading device has a loading tray, a half-shell-shaped, cylindrical receiving element on which the ammunition body is placed from above and can then be pushed over the feed slide in the direction of the loading space. The charging cradle is connected to a charging cradle flap at its weapon end.

The DE 602 18 61 1 T2 designates a device for feeding large caliber ammunition from a magazine into a loading point of a large caliber weapon. The object here is to provide an arrangement for selecting ammunition units from an ammunition magazine and then transferring them directly to a loading position by means of a simple device which takes up little space in a turret. To this end, it is proposed to mount a transfer mechanism to a loading or ramming position directly behind the large-caliber weapon. The ammunition magazine is installed in the turret. EP 0 557 751 A2 discloses a vehicle with a turret, to which a weapon with a weapon barrel is attached, and with an autoloader, which comprises at least one magazine housing and at least one magazine accommodated therein for accommodating ammunition and a loading device, the at least one magazine being designed as an endless belt magazine and being interchangeable is.

The present invention is based on the object of further improving a vehicle with a turret, to which a weapon with a weapon barrel is attached, and with an autoloader.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1 . Further advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The invention is essentially based on the idea of creating a simple autoloader that consists of at least one magazine housing and at least one magazine, and with a loading device. The magazine serves to hold ammunition. The ammunition is automatically selectable and can be fed automatically to the charge chamber of a weapon. If the weapon and magazine are arranged close together, the loading device itself can be kept small. The loading device can be integrated into the magazine housing. However, the loading device can also be arranged in the magazine and be part of the magazine.

According to the invention, the autoloader is arranged outside the tower on the outside of the tower. By arranging the autoloader outside of the turret and hull of the vehicle, the volume of the vehicle to be protected with appropriate armor can be significantly reduced.

The magazine housing does not need to be suitably armored. This reduces the weight of the vehicle, in particular the armored vehicle, without endangering the safety of the crew. However, the protection must be designed in such a way that it can withstand a bullet, depending on the design. Depending on the version, the magazine should at least be resistant to 14.5mm AP (SK4) and, if desired, also to 30mm APFSDS-T.

The magazine housing itself is designed in such a way that it can be blown out in the event of a hit. This means that in the event of a hit that penetrates the magazine housing with the selected protection class and can lead to a relocation of the ammunition, the pressure is relieved by flaps, cover plates, etc. in such a way that there are no negative repercussions on the turret structure and/or the vehicle flow in.

A modular construction of the tower and the autoloader is also in accordance with the invention. This has the advantage that the autoloader can also be replaced as a whole. In particular in the event of a defect caused by a hit, it is thus possible to be able to replace the entire autoloader

In a further development of the invention, at least one ammunition bulkhead is fitted between the autoloader and the highly protected turret structure, which closes the openings between the autoloader and the turret.

According to the invention, a charging logic control, i.e. the electronics of the car charger, is preferably arranged in the highly protected part of the tower or the vehicle. This logic drives or controls mechanisms in the tower/vehicle.

Information is transferred from the turret to the autoloader for ammunition selection and ammunition conveyance with one or more separable, preferably purely mechanical, interfaces. Such interfaces are known, for example, from tractors. In this case, purely mechanical interfaces are created by a power take-off shaft, for example. Duration of rotation, direction of rotation and speed etc. control the ammunition selection and its conveyance in the intended application.

Such an arrangement of the electronics of the autoloader in the tower or the vehicle, ie, outside of the autoloader or its magazine housing, makes the autoloader a cheap replacement part. In the event of a hit and loss of the autoloader can thus without replacement of the electronics of the car charger. The connection to the expensive electronics is then established, for example, by attaching and fastening a new autoloader, which means that the autoloader is ready for combat in a very short time.

With this autoloader, in addition to a reliable supply of ammunition to the weapon, rapid reloading should also be possible. For this purpose it is provided that the at least one magazine can be exchanged. The at least one magazine is therefore an interchangeable magazine that can be inserted into the magazine housing of the autoloader. The advantage of such an interchangeable magazine is that training magazines and combat magazines can be used as single-use or reusable magazines.

The integration of the loading device in the magazine according to the invention increases the ease of replacement. An adaptation of the magazine to a weapon-side or vehicle-side loading device can be omitted.

According to the invention, the at least one magazine is designed as an endless tape magazine. Different ammunition types can then also be accommodated in the endless belt magazine. The endless belt makes it possible to select the desired type of ammunition, which can then be aligned with the loading device, with the magazine being able to hold several and different types of ammunition and feeding them to the weapon after selection. The magazine is preferably loaded in advance as a battle assembly. This realizes a quick exchange of the entire magazine on the battlefield.

In a magazine to be regarded as an example, the cartridges (ammunition) are preferably arranged horizontally and in corresponding containers or receptacles. An ammunition magazine can hold up to 16 ammunition, for example.

According to one possible embodiment, the ammunition is housed in the container in a holder similar to a charging cradle (charging cradle), i.e. each container contains a charging cradle and ammunition. In this embodiment, the containers are preferably open towards the loading device. The loading device engages the loading cradle to feed the ammunition and can pull the ammunition and loading cradle out of the magazine. The ammunition (cartridge), for example, is held in the charging shells via storage points. The storage points can be, for example, on the base of the case and on the sabot.

Alternatively, only one loading shell can be provided in the magazine as a further embodiment, into which the ammunition can be inserted, similar to that DE 199 13 283 C2 . As a result, the weight of the magazine can be reduced, for example.

In the simplest embodiment, the loading device comprises a mechanically drivable feed element. The feed element can have toothed segments of a toothed rack on the surface, which can be driven by a meshing gear and which brings the charging tray out of the magazine housing in the direction of the weapon's charge chamber. Alternatives for simple loading devices are possible. This feed element interacts functionally with the at least one mechanical interface, with means being provided which can, for example, convert a rotary movement into a linear movement. Such means are well known

In order to transport the ammunition from the magazine into the loading space of the weapon barrel, the armored turret and the magazine housing point on their sides facing one another preferably closable openings which are arranged in extension of the bore axis of the weapon barrel when this is in its index position (0° barrel elevation). The ammunition to be loaded in each case can be inserted from the magazine housing into the loading space of the weapon barrel by means of an axial displacement. The charging cradle is aligned with the axis of the barrel bore, flush with the loading space of the weapon. The loading process itself begins when the weapon has taken its index position (0° barrel elevation). The desired ammunition is selected and placed under or in the area of the loader. The lockable openings of the magazine and the turret are opened. The loading device, which is arranged in the center of the magazine and is aligned with the bore axis, is moved through the at least one mechanical interface with the ammunition to the weapon system. For this purpose, the ammunition is preferably fixed in the loading device. This fixation is canceled before or while the ammunition is fed to the charge chamber of the weapon.

According to the invention, a vehicle is proposed with a turret to which a weapon with a large-caliber weapon barrel and an autoloader are attached. The autoloader, consisting at least of a magazine housing, a magazine and an automatic loading device, is mounted outside, preferably behind the tower. Vehicles include armored vehicles, battle tanks, ships and stationary objects. Towers include armored towers or similar structures, etc.

In order to enable a simpler automatic loading of the weapon barrel with ammunition compared to comparable known vehicles without impairing the survivability of the crew, for example, the invention proposes attaching the autoloader as a separate unit on the outside of the turret so that it can be replaced. For quick use and/or conversion, a magazine located in the autoloader for receiving the ammunition can also be exchangeable in the form of an interchangeable magazine. The use of at least two part magazines, which can also be exchangeable, creates the possibility of also being able to supply two-part ammunition.

Electronics for the autoloader are preferably housed in the vehicle, specifically in the tower. The electronic assemblies required for the function of the autoloader, apart from the mechanical drives, can be integrated on the tower side or on the vehicle side. Ammunition is then selected in the autoloader and the ammunition is conveyed from the autoloader via at least one mechanical interface, e.g. a PTO shaft, between the turret and the autoloader

Combinations of this idea are also possible. Some of the electronics of the autoloader can be housed in the vehicle, specifically in the tower, and some of the electronics can be accommodated in the autoloader itself. This can also be motorized drives, for example. These can be operated via detachable/separable electrical interfaces, which also allow the autocharger to be replaced quickly

The proposed automatic loading (and unloading) of the weapon creates the rapid establishment of readiness to fire/safety or a quick and safe change of ammunition and ammunition types. In addition, by eliminating the magazine and the loading device inside the turret/vehicle, sufficient space is created for accommodating the entire crew of the tank exclusively in the hull of the armored vehicle.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following, with reference to Figures described embodiment.

• Fig.1 einen nur schematisch dargestellten Panzerturm mit Waffe und Munitionsgehäuse eines Autoladers vor seiner Befestigung an dem Panzerturm;
• Fig.2 den in Fig.1 dargestellten Panzerturm nach der Befestigung des Munitionsgehäuses des Autoladers an dem Panzerturm;
• Fig.3, 4 die in Fig.2 dargestellte Anordnung bei geöffnetem Munitionsgehäuse vor und nach dem Nachladen eines Munitionsmagazins, mit integrierter Ladevorrichtung;
• Fig.5 die Vorderansicht eines Ausführungsbeispieles eines Munitionsmagazins mit integrierter Ladevorrichtung;
• Fig.6 die Seitenansicht des in Fig.5 dargestellten Munitionsmagazins und
• Fig.7 eine perspektivische Darstellung des Munitionsmagazins mit der Ladevorrichtung und mit einer durch die Ladevorrichtung gehaltenen Munition,
• Fig. 8 eine Schnittdarstellung der Ladevorrichtung mit der Munition,
• Fig. 9 den automatischen Ladevorgang der Munition. In der Figur ist mit 1 ein drehbarer Turm (z.B. Panzerturm, Aufbauten) eines selbst nicht näher dargestellten Fahrzeuges (z.B. Panzerfahrzeug, Kampfpanzer, Schiff, stationäres Objekt etc.) bezeichnet, an dem eine großkalibrige Waffe 2 mit Waffenrohr 3 befestigbar ist. Der Turm 1 weist bevorzugt heckseitig eine vorzugsweise verschließbare, erste Öffnung (Ladeöffnung) 4, auf, über welche eine Munition 5 in den Ladungsraum 6 (Fig.9) des Waffenrohres 3 zugeführt werden kann.

Show it

• Fig.1 a tank turret, shown only schematically, with a weapon and ammunition housing of an autoloader before it is attached to the tank turret;
• Fig.2 the in Fig.1 illustrated tank turret after attaching the ammunition casing of the autoloader to the tank turret;
• Fig.3, 4 in the Fig.2 Arrangement shown with the ammunition housing open before and after reloading an ammunition magazine, with an integrated loading device;
• Fig.5 the front view of an embodiment of an ammunition magazine with an integrated loading device;
• Fig.6 the side view of the in Fig.5 illustrated ammunition magazine and
• Fig.7 a perspective view of the ammunition magazine with the loading device and with ammunition held by the loading device,
• 8 a sectional view of the loading device with the ammunition,
• 9 the automatic ammunition loading process. In the figure, 1 denotes a rotatable turret (eg tank turret, superstructure) of a vehicle (eg armored vehicle, main battle tank, ship, stationary object, etc.) not shown in detail, to which a large-caliber weapon 2 with a weapon barrel 3 can be attached. The turret 1 preferably has a preferably closable, first opening (loading opening) 4 at the rear, through which ammunition 5 can be introduced into the loading space 6 ( Fig.9 ) of the weapon barrel 3 can be supplied.

On the outside, preferably behind the tower 1, there is an autoloader 50, comprising at least one magazine housing 7, at least one magazine 8 and a loading device 9.

Electronics 24 of autoloader 50 are preferably installed in tower 1 or in the vehicle. A mechanical connection to the magazine 8 is created via at least one mechanical interface 25, for example a power take-off shaft that is not shown in any more detail. The ammunition is selected and the selected ammunition 5 is conveyed from the magazine 8 by means of the at least one interface 25 or the power take-off shaft, e.g.

How from the Fig.3 and 4 can be removed, the magazine 8 can also be exchangeable, ie it can be removed from the magazine housing 7 . For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the upper side of the magazine housing 7 is designed as a hinged cover 10 so that the magazine 8 can be removed and replaced with a corresponding new magazine 8 . Alternatives to a lid 10 for removal are known.

On the side facing the turret 1, the magazine housing 7 has a preferably closable, second opening (removal opening) 11 as a further ammunition bulkhead, which is opposite the loading opening 4 in the turret 1, through which the ammunition 5 to be loaded can be removed from the magazine housing 7 into the Tower 1 is transferred. The loading opening 4 and the removal opening 11 are in the extension of the bore axis 100 of the weapon barrel 3 arranged. In this index position, the ammunition 5 to be loaded can be inserted by the loading device 9 from the magazine housing 7 into the loading chamber 6 of the weapon barrel 3 of the weapon 2 by means of an axial displacement.

The Figures 5 to 8 show a possible structure of a magazine 8 with a loading device 9. This structure is to be regarded as an example and is only shown as a sketch. The at least one magazine 8 is preferably an endless tape magazine ( Fig.5 ), In which each fixed in a charging cradle 12 ammunition 5 are arranged horizontally in Con tainers 13. The arrangement is such that when the magazine housings 7 are fastened to the turret 1 , a projectile part 14 of the respective ammunition 5 essentially faces the turret 1 . The endless belt 15 with the containers 13 each provided with a longitudinal slot 16 can be guided through a frame 17 . At least two partial magazines of this type can also be provided with a common loading position for the weapon (not shown in more detail).

The removal position in the magazine 8 is at the in Fig.5 illustrated embodiment in the middle of the lower belt section of the endless belt 15. There, the frame 17 has a passage 19 on. The loading device 9 is located above the removal position. The loading device 9 also has a type of feed element 9.1 for conveying the ammunition 5 from the ammunition magazine 8 to the loading space 6. The feed element 9.1, together with the at least one mechanical interface 25, takes over the conveying of the container 13 together with the ammunition 5 in the direction of the cargo space 6. At least one switching element (not shown in detail) is provided for this purpose, which can convert a rotary movement into a longitudinal movement.

6 shows the magazine 8 in a slightly perspective view. At least one ammunition 5 is located in each container 13 . Different ammunition or different types of ammunition can be placed in the magazine 5 . The ammunition 5 selected by the weapon system is located below the loading device 9 by turning it.

8 shows a possible fixation 22 of the ammunition 5 within the loading device 9. The storage of the ammunition 5 with projectile part 14, cartridge case 21 and sabot 23 preferably has a bearing point (fixation 22) in the area of the sabot 23 and a further bearing point in the area of the case base 21.1 the cartridge case 21 on.

In the following, using the 9 in more detail the loading process of ammunition 5 to be reloaded. In the present exemplary embodiment, an ammunition 5 with a combustible propellant charge and a sabot projectile, for example with a caliber of 120 mm or 130 mm, is to be loaded as an example. The wall areas of the magazine housing 7 and the tower 1 are not shown for reasons of clarity. First, the weapon barrel 3 is brought into its index position and the desired ammunition is selected. The ammunition 5 to be loaded is then brought into its removal position ( Fig.5 ). The removal opening 1 1 of the magazine housing 7 and the loading opening 4 of the tower 1 are opened.

The ammunition is selected via the at least one mechanical interface 25 by rotating the magazine 8. After the selected or selected cartridge 5 has reached the area of the loading device 9, the cartridge 5 is fed to the weapon barrel. The loading device 9 then pushes the loading shell 12 with the cartridge 5 out of the corresponding one Container 13 to the rear end of the gun barrel 3 (Fig. 9 b).

Then the fixation 22 of the ammunition 5 in the loading tray 12 is released. The fixation 22 can be designed in such a way that when the ammunition 5 is moved by a projectile rammer (not shown in detail), the fixation is pressed outwards. The ammunition 5 is pushed into the charge space 6 of the weapon barrel 3 (FIG. 9c).

After retracting the projectile rammer and the loading tray 12, the weapon 2 is locked, the openings 4 and 11 are closed, the weapon 2 is aimed and the release for firing is confirmed.

It goes without saying that within the scope of the idea according to the invention, namely the exchangeable autoloader 50, the exchangeable magazine 8 or the exchangeable magazines and the attachment of the autoloader 50 outside of the tower or the vehicle, there are many other possibilities. Instead of the at least one mechanical interface 25, at least one electrical interface (not shown in detail) for an electrical actuator, for example a motor, can be provided in the auto charger 50, alternatively or in combination. This electrical interface should also be separable and designed as a coupling, for example, in order to continue to ensure that the car charger can be replaced quickly. The magazine 8 can then also be rotated via the electric actuator and the selected ammunition 5 can be supplied to the charge chamber 6 of the weapon 2 .

The openings 4, 11 can be opened and closed mechanically or electrically.'

Alternatively, the loading device can also be attached to the weapon, which in turn communicates with the autoloader 50 via the at least one mechanical interface 25 . A loading device in the magazine 8 can then be dispensed with.

Claims (10)

1. Vehicle with a turret (1), to which a gun (2) with gun barrel (3) is attached, and with an autoloader (50), which comprises at least one magazine housing (7) and at least one magazine (8) accommodated therein for receiving ammunition (5) and a loading device (9), wherein the at least one magazine (8) is designed as an endless belt magazine and is replaceable, characterized in that the autoloader (50) is attachable to the outside of the turret (1) as a separate, modular, removable unit, wherein the turret (1) and the autoloader (50) comprise openings (4, 11) on their sides facing each other.
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the openings (4, 11) facing each other are arranged in extension of the bore axis (100) of the gun barrel (3).
3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the openings (4, 11) are closable.
4. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that flaps, cover plates are provided in the magazine housing (7).
5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic system (24) of the autoloader (50) is accommodated in the vehicle or in the turret (1).
6. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one mechanical interface (25) is provided between the turret (1) and the autoloader (50).
7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the ammunition selection and the delivery of the ammunition (5) is effected via the at least one mechanical interface (25).
8. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical interface is provided between the turret (1) or the vehicle and the autoloader (50), wherein ammunition (5) selection and delivery can take place via the at least one mechanical interface (25).
9. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two partial magazines are incorporated in the magazine housing (7).
10. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ammunition (5) is arranged horizontally in corresponding containers (13) of the endless belt magazine, that each container (13) comprises a loading tray (12), and that the containers (13) are provided with a longitudinal slot.

Images