NO324859B1

NO324859B1 - Device for increasing the safety of machine guns

Info

Publication number: NO324859B1
Application number: NO20026235A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Hans Mall; Gerhard Brettmeister
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-02-02
Filing date: 2002-12-27
Publication date: 2007-12-17
Also published as: NO20026235L; DE10204292A1; DE50206801D1; EP1333238B1; NO20026235D0; ATE326675T1; EP1333238A3; EP1333238A2

Abstract

The device has a second emergency switch (3) connected in series with an existing emergency off switch (19), the contact (2a) of a firing relay (2) and a firing magnet (4) and controlled by a firing module switching unit (1) that also performs the function of monitoring several contacts and other monitoring and control.

Description

Anordning for å øke sikkerheten ved maskinvåpen Device to increase the safety of machine guns

Oppfinnelsen gjelder en anordning som angitt i innledningen til patentkrav 1, for å øke sikkerheten ved maskinvåpen. The invention relates to a device as stated in the introduction to patent claim 1, to increase the safety of machine guns.

Bakgrunn Background

Utgangspunktet for oppfinnelsen er et pansret og bevæpnet kjøretøy som er sammensatt av de vanlige delene, såsom drivmotor, gear, hjul eller beltedrev, et besetningsrom og et hus, som opptar alle utstyrsdelene i seg eller på seg, og et våpenanlegg, idet MK- og MG-våpenanlegg i prinsipp har elektromekaniske avfyringskretser. Oppfinnelsen kan også brukes ved våpenanlegg på fartøy, såvel som ved MKW på helikopter, fly og faststående våpen. The starting point for the invention is an armored and armed vehicle which is composed of the usual parts, such as a drive motor, gear, wheel or belt drive, a crew compartment and a house, which accommodates all the equipment parts in or on it, and a weapons system, as MK- and MG weapon systems in principle have electromechanical firing circuits. The invention can also be used for weapons installations on vessels, as well as for MKW on helicopters, aircraft and fixed weapons.

Ved utformingen av bevæpningen er våpenanleggets sikkerhet med hensyn til avfyring en grunnleggende viktig funksjon. Ved feil i sikkerhets- koblingskretsene eller i de tilhørende byggeelementene, må uønsket utløsing av et skudd unngås så langt det er mulig. Dette gjelder for alle arter av bevæpning med maskinvåpning, såsom for maskinkanoner (MK) eller maskingevær (MG). When designing the armament, the safety of the weapon system with regard to firing is a fundamentally important function. In the event of a fault in the safety switching circuits or in the associated building elements, the unwanted triggering of a shot must be avoided as far as possible. This applies to all types of armament with machine guns, such as machine guns (MK) or machine guns (MG).

Avfyringen av MK eller MG skjer ved et kjent kjøretøy over en relestyrt avfyringskrets. Denne avfyringskretsen inneholder signalene fra "sluttbryter for avfyringssperre, fra "spennsylinder foran" "MK eller MG valgt", "MK eller MG sikker", "ammunisjon til stede", samt "beredskapsinnstilling for skyting". Ved maskinkanoner vil et signal om "kobling av ammunisjonstilføreren" også innvirke på avfyringskretsen. The MK or MG is fired by a known vehicle via a relay-controlled firing circuit. This firing circuit contains the signals from "firing lock limit switch, from "front cocking cylinder" "MK or MG selected", "MK or MG safe", "ammunition present", as well as "readiness setting for firing". In the case of machine guns, a signal of "coupling of the ammunition feeder" also affect the firing circuit.

For den elektriske avfyringen av maskinkanoner eller maskingevær må alle involverte endebrytere og/eller rele være lukket. Ved defekt i et relé er den tilsvarende sikkerhetskretsen delvis eller til og med fullstendig uten virkning. Denne feilen kan føre til en betydelig risiko for utløsing av et utilsiktet skudd. For the electrical firing of machine guns or machine guns, all involved limit switches and/or relays must be closed. In the event of a defect in a relay, the corresponding safety circuit is partially or even completely ineffective. This failure can lead to a significant risk of triggering an accidental shot.

Ulempen ved den foreliggende løsningen ligger framfor alt i, at styringen av avfyringsmagnetene til maskinvåpenet skjer over et høystrømrelé, det såkalte "avfyringsreleet". Til tross for bruken av høykvalitets bygge-elementer med økt pålitelighet, kan det ved en defekt i avfyringsreleet eller den forutgående sikkerhetskretsen skje en uønsket utløsing av skudd. Eksempler på kjente feil er klebing av relekontaktene eller fasthenging av avfyringstasten. The disadvantage of the present solution lies above all in the fact that the control of the firing magnets of the machine gun takes place via a high-current relay, the so-called "firing relay". Despite the use of high-quality construction elements with increased reliability, in the event of a defect in the firing relay or the preceding safety circuit, an unwanted firing of shots may occur. Examples of known faults are sticking of the relay contacts or sticking of the firing button.

Formål Purpose

Oppfinnelsens hovedformål er å øke sikkerheten til elektriske avfyringsanordninger ved maskinvåpen, ved å innføye et ytterligere koblingselement i avfyringskretsen, samt ved å bygge opp en andre, uavhengig og programstyrt sikkerhetskrets parallelt til den separat koblete sikkerhetskretsen til den foreliggende avfyringsanordningen. Den eksisterende anordningen og teknikken blir herunder fortrinnsvis ikke erstattet, men utvidet med en dobbelt sikkerhetskrets. The main purpose of the invention is to increase the safety of electric firing devices for machine guns, by inserting a further connecting element in the firing circuit, as well as by building up a second, independent and program-controlled safety circuit in parallel to the separately connected safety circuit of the present firing device. The existing device and technique are preferably not replaced, but expanded with a double safety circuit.

Denne oppgaven blir i samsvar med oppfinnelsen løst gjennom de trekk som er angitt i den karakteriserende delen av patentkrav 1. Ytterligere trekk framgår av underkravene. In accordance with the invention, this task is solved through the features specified in the characterizing part of patent claim 1. Further features appear in the subclaims.

I samsvar med oppfinnelsen blir et andre koblingselement satt inn direkte i avfyringsmagnetens gren, hvilket blir styrt og koblet av en andre, uavhengig styrings- og overvåkingslogikk parallelt til den foreliggende, relestyrte avfyringskretsen. Dermed vil en defekt i en krets eller i et avfyringsrele ikke lenger føre til uønsket skuddavløsning. I stedet for et avfyringsrele som andre koblingselement, kan det også brukes en halvlederbryter. Fordelene ved oppfinnelsen ligger i, at svikt i et avfyringsrele som byggedel ikke lenger fører til direkte til en uønsket skuddavgivelse. Fordi en andre overvåkingskrets, som fører til dobbel sikkerhet, er innebygd, fører feil i en av de to foreliggende veiene ikke lenger til en sikkerhetskritisk våpentilstand. I detalj gir oppfinnelsen følgende fordelaktige egenskaper: In accordance with the invention, a second connecting element is inserted directly into the branch of the firing magnet, which is controlled and connected by a second, independent control and monitoring logic in parallel to the present, relay-controlled firing circuit. Thus, a defect in a circuit or in a firing relay will no longer lead to unwanted firing. Instead of a firing relay as the second switching element, a semiconductor switch can also be used. The advantages of the invention lie in the fact that failure of a firing relay as a component no longer leads directly to an unwanted shot being fired. Because a second monitoring circuit, leading to dual safety, is built in, failure in either of the two available paths no longer results in a safety-critical weapon condition. In detail, the invention provides the following advantageous properties:

- Begge sikkerhetskretsene kan sperre hverandre innbyrdes. - Both safety circuits can mutually block each other.

- En halvlederbryter (3) overtar den aktive koblingen av den elektriske strømmen gjennom avfyringsmagneten (4). Avfyringsreleet (2) må ikke lenger koble strømmen, uten ved en defekt i halvlederbryteren, men bare føre den, slik at releets kontaktlevetid blir vesentlig forlenget. - A semiconductor switch (3) takes over the active connection of the electric current through the firing magnet (4). The firing relay (2) must no longer connect the current, except in the event of a defect in the semiconductor switch, but only conduct it, so that the relay's contact life is significantly extended.

- Avfyringsmodulen (1) kan bare frigi eller blokkere avfyringen, men ikke utløse den alene. - The firing module (1) can only release or block the firing, but not trigger it alone.

- På effektbryteren (3) ligger bare driftsspenningen når avfyringsreleet (2) er gjennomkoblet. En innkobling av halvlederbryteren (3) er dermed mulig bare ved tiltrukket avfyringsrele, slik at det blir skapt en ytterligere vernefunksjon, -En defekt i avfyringsreleet (2) blir automatisk påvist, vist for operatøren og avfyringen blir sperret over halvlederbryteren (3). - Ved tilsvarende anordning kan halvlederbryteren ved hjelp av teststrøm og integrert overvåkingsfunksjon overvåke den totale avfyringen. En intern overvåkingsanordning (5) sørger i avfyringsmodulen for en økt sikkerhet for koblingen. Ved siden av overvåkingen av sikkerhetssignalene til relekretsen (6) kan det også foretas en sansynlighetskontroll gjennom avfyringsmodulen. Dermed kan det overvåkes, om avfyringsreleet er koblet, selv om avfyringstasten (9) ikke er trykt, noe som umiddelbart blir oppdaget som feil. - På grunn av den foreliggende programmerbarheten (7) kan avfyringsmodulen tilpasses andre våpensystemer, - The circuit breaker (3) only has the operating voltage when the firing relay (2) is connected through. A connection of the semiconductor switch (3) is thus only possible when the firing relay is engaged, so that an additional protection function is created, -A defect in the firing relay (2) is automatically detected, shown to the operator and the firing is blocked via the semiconductor switch (3). - With a corresponding device, the semiconductor switch can monitor the total firing by means of a test current and an integrated monitoring function. An internal monitoring device (5) in the firing module ensures increased safety for the connection. In addition to the monitoring of the safety signals of the relay circuit (6), a plausibility check can also be carried out through the firing module. Thus, it can be monitored whether the firing relay is connected, even if the firing button (9) is not pressed, which is immediately detected as a fault. - Due to the present programmability (7), the firing module can be adapted to other weapon systems,

- En datatilkobling (8) muliggjør tilknytning til overordnete styringer. - A data connection (8) enables connection to superior controls.

- Ved takting av halvlederbryteren (3) kan middels strømgjennomgang gjennom avfyringsmagneten (4) innstilles, - Ved hjelp av avfyringsmodulen (1) kan avfyringsmodi, såsom f.eks. "enkeltavfyring" eller "serieavfyring" innstilles inntil variabel avfyringshastighet. - By timing the semiconductor switch (3), medium current flow through the firing magnet (4) can be set, - Using the firing module (1), firing modes, such as e.g. "single firing" or "series firing" is set up to variable firing rate.

Utføringseksempler av oppfinnelsen er vist skjematisk i tegningen som viser et blokkskjema for en avfyringsanordning utformet i samsvar med oppfinnelsen. Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawing which shows a block diagram of a firing device designed in accordance with the invention.

Utførelsesformen i fig. 1 omfatter en avfyringsmodul 1 med følgende blokker: halvlederbryter 3, spenningsovervåking 5, spenningsomformer 10, programstyrt logikk- og kontrollkrets 11, styrekrets 12, anviser 13, inngangsmodul 14 og en såkalt "busdriver" 15. Kretsen blir ved en tilkobling 16 forsynt med nettspenning fra kjøretøyet. Ved hjelp av et program-koblingspunkt 7 kan den programerbare koblingen 11 lades med programmer og vedlikeholdes. Over koblingspunktet 8 kan ytterligere overordnete styringer og datamaskiner tilkobles. I tillegg er den eksisterende sikkerhetskretsen 6 vist med diverse kontakter 17, hvilke f.eks. representerer signalene våpen på" og "våpenusikret." og ytterligere, samt avfyringstasten 9 og avfyringsreleet 2. En avfyring ved hjelp av avfyringstasten 9 og med virkning på avfyringsmagneten 4 er bare mulig, når alle kontaktene 17 er lukket, en "nød-av-bryter" 19 ikke er utløst, releet 2 er tiltrukket og kontaktene 2a og halvlederbryteme 3 er utstyrt. Signalene fra sluttbryteren 17 som fører til utkobling av de aktuelle sikkemetsanordninger, virker ikke bare på en vanlige rele-sikkerhetskretsen 6 og dermed på avfyringsreleet 2, men blir også tilkoblet de opto-kolbete. inngangene 18 til avfyringsmodulen 1. En programstyrt logikk-krets 11 i avfyringsmodulen 1 bearbeider og sammenkobler sikkerhetssignalene fra bryteren 17, 18 uavhengig av den foreliggende relekretsen 6 og styrer over en styrekrets 12 en effekt- halvlederbryter 3, som kobler minuspolen til avfyringsmagneten 4 mot masse. Pluss-tilkoblingen til avfyringsmagneten 4 blir koblet av avfyringsrele 2, 2a og "nød-av-bryter" 19. The embodiment in fig. 1 comprises a firing module 1 with the following blocks: semiconductor switch 3, voltage monitoring 5, voltage converter 10, program-controlled logic and control circuit 11, control circuit 12, indicator 13, input module 14 and a so-called "bus driver" 15. The circuit is supplied with mains voltage via a connection 16 from the vehicle. By means of a program connection point 7, the programmable connection 11 can be loaded with programs and maintained. Additional superior controls and computers can be connected via connection point 8. In addition, the existing safety circuit 6 is shown with various contacts 17, which e.g. represent the signals "weapon on" and "weapon unsecured." and further, as well as the firing key 9 and the firing relay 2. A firing by means of the firing key 9 and acting on the firing magnet 4 is only possible, when all the contacts 17 are closed, an "emergency off- switch" 19 is not tripped, the relay 2 is attracted and the contacts 2a and the semiconductor switch 3 are equipped. The signals from the limit switch 17 which lead to the disconnection of the relevant safety devices do not only act on a normal relay safety circuit 6 and thus on the firing relay 2, but are also connected to the opto-coil inputs 18 of the firing module 1. A program-controlled logic circuit 11 in the firing module 1 processes and connects the safety signals from the switch 17, 18 independently of the present relay circuit 6 and controls via a control circuit 12 a power semiconductor switch 3, which connects the minus pole of the firing magnet 4 to ground.The plus connection of the firing magnet 4 is connected by the firing relay 2, 2a and "emergency-off switch" 19.

Først når avfyringsmagneten 4 blir forsynt med positiv spenning for avfyringsreleet 2, får også styrekretsen 12 til effekt bryte ren 3 positiv matespenning og kan bli innkoblet av den programstyrte logikk-kretsen 11.1 tillegg må logikk-kretsen 11 frigi styrekretsen 12 ved hjelp av et signal og også eksplisivt ved hjelp av et andre signal styre den. For å forhindre en utilsiktet styring ved hjelp av to gjennomkoblete styringssignal, må de to styringssignalene til logikk-kretsen 11 også ha forskjellig logikknivå. Som ytterligere sikkerhet kan avfyringsmodulen 1 også koble et ytterligere rele 20 i den foreliggende relekretsen 6, for likeens å sperre eller frigi avfyringsreleet 2 til den foreliggende sikkerhetskretsen 6. Eksistensen av matespenningen på avfyringsmagneten 4 henholdsvis halvlederbryteren 3 blir overvåket av avfyringsmodulen 1, for å påvise feil i den elektriske avfyringsanordningen. For halvlederbryteren 3 blir det fortrinnsvis brukt en utførelsesform med intern overvåking. For tilpasning til det omgivende utstyret og for å gi feilmelding eller melding om driftsberedskap, inneholder avfyringsmodulen 1 koblingen 7 for programmering og koblingen 8 for tilkobling til ytre system, f.eks. et CAN-bus-koblingspunkt. Only when the firing magnet 4 is supplied with positive voltage for the firing relay 2 does the control circuit 12 also receive positive supply voltage for effect breaker 3 and can be switched on by the program-controlled logic circuit 11. In addition, the logic circuit 11 must release the control circuit 12 by means of a signal and also explicitly by means of a second signal control it. In order to prevent unintended control by means of two connected control signals, the two control signals of the logic circuit 11 must also have different logic levels. As additional safety, the firing module 1 can also connect an additional relay 20 in the present relay circuit 6, in order to similarly block or release the firing relay 2 to the present safety circuit 6. The existence of the supply voltage on the firing magnet 4 or the semiconductor switch 3 is monitored by the firing module 1, in order to detect fault in the electric firing device. An embodiment with internal monitoring is preferably used for the semiconductor switch 3. For adaptation to the surrounding equipment and to give an error message or a message about operational readiness, the firing module 1 contains the connector 7 for programming and the connector 8 for connection to an external system, e.g. a CAN bus connection point.

Claims

1. Device for increasing safety during the operation and firing of a machine gun in a weapons installation, in particular on a military vehicle with a wheel or belt-borne drive mechanism and a drive system for the movement, as well as with a vehicle structure for recording and incorporating all the components for the operation of the vehicle, including space for a vehicle crew and including a firing device for the weapon system, with a safety circuit (6) for the firing, consisting of a firing button (9), a safety and locking switch (17), a firing relay (2) with contact (2a) and a switch (19) for emergency disconnection, as well as a firing magnet (4), characterized in that a second coupling element (3) is connected in series with the switch (19) for emergency disconnection and with the contact (2a) of the firing relay (2) ) and the firing magnet (4), and that this coupling element (3) is controlled by a coupling unit/firing module (1), which also takes care of the functions for monitoring several contacts (17) and for further monitoring and control ring.

2. Device in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the second connecting element (3) is designed as a semiconductor switch.

3. Device in accordance with patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the firing module (1) contains circuits with the following functions: switching element (3), voltage monitoring and control (5), power supply and voltage converter (10), programmable logic and control circuit (11) ), control circuit and galvanic isolation (12), indicator (13), input module and galvanic isolation (14), as well as drivers (15) for data connection.

4. Device in accordance with patent claims 1-3, characterized in that the firing module (1) contains a connection point (7) for programming and maintenance, a connection point (8) for control and information transmission for connection, e.g. to an overall control system, as well as a connection point (16) for the supply of electricity.

5. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-4, characterized in that the safety switches (17) of the relay-controlled firing circuit (6) are connected by means of a connection point (18) to the input module, and with galvanic isolation (14) to the firing module ( 1) and is monitored for error-free function.

6. Device in accordance with one of patent claims 1-5, characterized in that a release of the relay-controlled firing circuit (6) takes place by means of the switch (20), which is controlled by the programmable logic circuit 11.

7. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-6, characterized in that the electrical voltage on the firing magnet (4) is connected using the connection points (4a, 4b) on the firing module (1) and is monitored using internal connections and functions in this.

8. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-7, characterized in that the relay-controlled firing circuit (6) and the firing circuit which is composed of the firing module (1), the switch (20) and the second coupling element (3) can block each other, so that no activation of the firing magnet (4) occurs.

9. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-8, characterized in that the firing module (1) cannot trigger shots over the firing magnet (4) alone, but only release or block it.

10. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-9, characterized in that a fault in the firing relay (2) is determined with the help of monitoring in the firing module (1), is indicated to the operator and the firing is blocked by means of the second switching unit ( 3).

11. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-10, characterized in that the second switching unit (3) as a semiconductor switch using a test current and a component-integrated monitoring is drawn in as a corresponding precaution in the monitoring.

12. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-11, characterized in that the firing module (1) additionally monitors whether e.g. the firing relay (2) has connected, even if the firing button (10) has not been pressed or if a mandatory operating sequence is observed, e.g. "engage ammunition supply" and then "release safety arm", to avoid an unwanted firing.

13. Device in accordance with one of patent claims 1-12, characterized in that the firing module (1) contains a programmable unit, which enables and simplifies adaptation to different weapon systems.

14. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-13, characterized in that the second coupling unit (3) can be operated synchronously, in order to be able to set the average current flow through the firing magnet (4).

15. Device in accordance with one of the patent claims 1-14, characterized in that the firing module (1) is designed to be able to carry out firing modes, such as "single shot" and "limited series firing".