WO2021101487A1

WO2021101487A1 - Dual grip gunner control stick

Info

Publication number: WO2021101487A1
Application number: PCT/TR2020/051120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Murat Berk FIRTIN; Can Ekmel AYANOĞLU; Müslüm BOLAT
Original assignee: Fnss Savunma Si̇stemleri̇ A. Ş.
Priority date: 2019-11-18
Filing date: 2020-11-17
Publication date: 2021-05-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gunner control stick with dual grips, which allows for controlling remote-controlled weapon systems of all types of military vehicles. The present invention particularly relates to a gunner control stick with dual grips, wherein it comprises a control stick that provides ease of use and control for weapon systems by means of the ergonomic structure thereof, a gear system which ensures that the movement within the mechanism is performed without any backlash, in a precise and easily controllable manner, at least one shaft on which the control stick is mounted and which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash, a centering spring that allows the control sticks to return to the center point after the activation effected by the user in order to control the sticks.

Description

DUAL GRIP GUNNER CONTROL STICK

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gunner control stick with dual grips, which allows for controlling remote-controlled weapon systems of all types of military vehicles.

The present invention particularly relates to a gunner control stick with dual grips, wherein it comprises a control stick that provides ease of use and control for weapon systems by means of the ergonomic structure thereof, a gear system which ensures that the movement within the mechanism is performed without any backlash, in a precise and easily controllable manner, at least one shaft on which the control stick is mounted and which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash, a centering spring that allows the control sticks to return to the center point after the activation effected by the user in order to control the sticks.

STATE OF THE ART

In parallel with the development of technology, there are also great developments in military systems. The main objects of these developments are the intention to make military vehicles fast, comfortable, functional, and secure. Today, the weapon systems are unmanned and can be controlled with a control stick. Especially in tracked vehicles, it is difficult to handle the control sticks due to vehicle vibration. It is crucial to ensure precise control under harsh conditions and be able to use multiple functions for managing the weapon system without any error. The need for control sticks that provide precise orientation, are easy to control, and can manage multiple functions may arise.

Especially in tracked land vehicles used for defensive purposes, controlling the remote- controlled weapon systems is conducted by means of an apparatus named Dual Grip Stick when the vehicle is on the move. The functions of the weapon system are implemented by means of the buttons placed on such control sticks. The ergonomic structure and mechanism of the control stick are important to ensure that the weapon system is easily controlled by the user while the tracked vehicle is moving. In order to be mounted on different systems, it is necessary for these apparatuses to comprise a compatible electronic circuit board and to diversify the number of switches and buttons.

In the state of the art, controlling the present control sticks involves many difficulties. The number of buttons to control the functions of these control sticks is not adequate. Moreover, these control sticks do not have electrical interfaces.

In the state of the art, there is a known patent application numbered 2016/13258, which discloses control sticks that are used to control and command the remotely controlled weapon systems. Said invention comprises at least one lower body portion that enables fixing the control stick, which allows for commanding and controlling the operation of a weapon system, to a surface, at least one grip body comprising at least one internal portion, which is able to move in the direction of two axis, whose one end is connected to said lower body and other end is free, wherein the free end forms a horizontal plane parallel to said floor, at least two buttons positioned on the grip body, which allows for controlling the weapons comprised in said weapon system, at least one connector that provides connection with the outer environment, at least one bellows positioned between grip body and lower body and connected to the grip body from one of its side in an insulated matter, and which ensures that the weapon system is easily oriented to the target by paying regard to the ergonomic needs of the user, at least one connector ensures that the bellows and lower body is connected in an insulated matter, at least one control unit, which ensures that the functions of said buttons are regulated according to the project in which the control stick is used and which controls the operations of the control stick in accordance with the given commands, at least two switches, at least one individual switch for each button, which provides connection between buttons and control unit, at least one motion measuring element connected to said control unit and which measures said motion of the grip body, and ensures that the positions of the weapons are adjusted by transferring the measured data to the control unit. In consequence thereof, the need for a novel, economic, practical, ergonomic, and more functional gunner control stick with dual grip in order to provide a solution for the aforementioned problems existing in the state of the art and the inadequacy of available solutions necessitated making an improvement in the relevant technical field.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention that aims to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and that is designed in order to introduce further advantages to the state of the art, relates to a gunner control stick with dual grips that enables the control of the remotely controlled weapon systems of all kinds of military vehicles, has a control stick that provides ease of use and control of weapon systems by means of its ergonomic structure, a gear system, which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash, and in a precise and easily controlled manner, at least one shaft on which the control stick is mounted, which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash, and a centering spring, which ensures the control sticks automatically return to the center point after being actuated by the user.

The main object of the present invention is to be able to position multiple different buttons on it and assign different functions.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure that it complies with different electrical interfaces and communication protocols (USB, CANBus, RS422). Electronic Circuit can be able to read up to 32 inputs (Which means able to read 32 different switch) and able to transmit individual messages for connected switches to communication bus. Switches are double poled, therefore switch states can also shared as hardwired signals to the system.

Another object of the invention is to ensure that it can be easily used in vehicles exposed to high vibration by means of its ergonomic structure and ease of use. The present invention is a gunner control stick with dual grips, which is developed for accomplishing all the aforementioned objects that will be understood via the detailed description below, characterized in that, it comprises; a control stick (20), which ensures ease of use and control of weapon systems by means of its ergonomic structure, a gear system (40), which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash, in a precise manner and has an easily controllable structure, at least one shaft (30) on which the control stick (20) is mounted, and which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash, a centering spring (50), which ensures that the control sticks (20) are returned to the center point after the activation made by the user to the control sticks (20).

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all the advantages thereof will be more clearly understood by means of the figures given below and the detailed description written by making references to those figures, therefore the evaluation should be conducted by taking said figures and the detailed description into the consideration.

Detailed Description of the Figures

FIGURE 1 illustrates the drawing of the inventive gunner control stick with dual grips.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the detailed view of the inventive gunner control stick with dual grips.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the front view of the inventive gunner control stick with dual grips.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the top view of the inventive gunner control stick with dual grips. Description of the Reference Numerals

10. Body

20. Control Stick

30. Shaft 40. Gear System

50. Centering Spring 60. Ball Bearing 70. Switch

80. Button 90. Motion Measuring Element

100. Communication Board

110. Filter Board

120. Connector DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the detailed description provided herein, the inventive gunner control stick with dual grips is disclosed only to provide a better understanding of the subject matter and therefore cannot be construed to have any limiting or restrictive effects.

In Figures 1 to 4, the inventive gunner control stick with dual grips, and its details are illustrated. In the present invention, the body (10) is able to contain elements that provide mobility in both axes and can be connected to the platform by means of the mounting interface. The shaft (30), the gear system (40), the centering spring (50), and ball bearings (60) that constitute the movement mechanism mounted inside the body (10) ensure that the movement is performed without any backlash and have an easily-controllable structure. The control sticks (20) automatically return to the center point by means of the centering spring (50) after the user actuates the control sticks (20). The control stick (20), being mounted on the shaft (30) of the mechanism, provides ease of use and control by means of its ergonomic structure. The switch (70) and the buttons (80) placed on the control sticks (20), which can be attached in different variations are connected to the communication board (100), wherein said communication board (100) converts the given commands into electrical messaging interfaces and transmits them to the system it is connected to by means of a connector (120). The orientation movement applied by the user onto the control sticks (20) is transferred to the motion measuring element (90) by means of the shaft (30) and gear system (40), the transferred orientation movement is sent to the communication board (100) by means of the motion measuring element (90). The communication board (100) converts the given commands into electrical messaging interfaces and transmits them to the system it is connected to by means of a connector (120). The inventive control stick with dual grips uses the power it receives from the platform to which it is connected by filtering it by means of a filter board (110). Owing to the filter board (110), when it is attached to different weapon systems, it can operate without being in need of the incoming power to be clean.

Owing to the filter board (110), it is a product that is compatible with the operating voltage range determined in the MIL-STD-1275E standard, voltage spikes and noise values determined in the MIL-STD-461F standard, and able to operate without being affected by other systems located in close proximity.

The protection scope of the present application has been defined in the pending patent claims and it cannot be limited to the specific details described above for illustrative purposes, it is obvious that a person skilled in the art can introduce the novelty disclosed in the present invention by using similar embodiments and/or can apply this embodiment to other fields of similar purposes used in the related art. Therefore, it is obvious that such embodiments will lack the novelty criteria and especially criteria of surpassing the state of the art.

Claims

1- A Gunner control stick with dual grips that allows for controlling remote-controlled weapon systems of all types of military vehicles, characterized in that, it comprises; at least one control stick (20), which ensures ease of use and control of weapon systems by means of the ergonomic structure thereof, at least one gear system (40), which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash and has an easily controllable structure, at least one shaft (30) on which the control stick (20) is mounted, and which ensures that the movement in the mechanism is performed without any backlash, at least one centering spring (50), which ensures that the control sticks (20) are returned to the center point after the user actuates the control sticks (20).

2- A Gunner control stick with dual grips according to the Claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises a switch (70) and/or buttons (80) placed on the control sticks (20), which can be attached in different variations and are connected to the communication board (100), wherein said communication board (100) converts the given commands into electrical messaging interfaces and transmits them to the system it is connected to by means of a connector (120).

3- A Gunner control stick with dual grips according to the Claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises a communication board (100) that converts the given commands into electrical messaging interfaces and transmits them to the system it is connected to by means of a connector (120).

4- A Gunner control stick with dual grips according to the Claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises a filter board (110) that can operate without being in need of the incoming power to be clean when it is attached to different weapon systems. 5- A Gunner control stick with dual grips according to the Claim 1, characterized in that, the control sticks (20) are convenient for ergonomic use, and the switch (70) and/or buttons (80) placed thereon are conveniently accessed by the user.