U.S. patent application number 16/161368 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-10 for ammunition supply system.
This patent application is currently assigned to HANWHA LAND SYSTEMS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HANWHA DEFENSE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Joo Wan HWANG, Kang Il LEE, Bong Kyung SUK.
Application Number | 20190310038 16/161368 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67909013 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-10 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190310038 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUK; Bong Kyung ; et
al. |
October 10, 2019 |
AMMUNITION SUPPLY SYSTEM
Abstract
An ammunition supply system includes a weapon mounted on an
exterior of a fighting vehicle; a magazine loading unit mounted on
the exterior of the fighting vehicle and configured to load a
magazine for the weapon; a hatch unit configured to form an
entrance to allow a combatant to enter and exit the fighting
vehicle; and a hatch lifting unit configured to supply power to the
hatch unit to move in a vertical direction with respect to the
fighting vehicle. The hatch unit includes: a hatch door unit
through which the combatant enters and exits the fighting vehicle,
and a hatch passage part forming a passage for connecting the hatch
door unit and an interior of the fighting vehicle. The hatch
passage part includes a first opening facing the magazine loading
unit so that the magazine is transferred from the interior of the
fighting vehicle to the magazine loading unit without the combatant
being exposed to the exterior of the fighting vehicle.
Inventors: |
SUK; Bong Kyung;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; LEE; Kang Il; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; HWANG; Joo Wan; (Changwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HANWHA DEFENSE CO., LTD. |
Changwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
HANWHA LAND SYSTEMS CO.,
LTD.
Changwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
67909013 |
Appl. No.: |
16/161368 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/34 20130101; F41A
9/29 20130101; F41H 7/02 20130101; F41H 7/04 20130101; F41A 27/18
20130101; F41H 5/20 20130101; F41H 5/06 20130101; F41A 23/24
20130101; F41H 5/223 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/34 20060101
F41A009/34; F41A 23/24 20060101 F41A023/24; F41A 27/18 20060101
F41A027/18; F41H 5/20 20060101 F41H005/20; F41H 7/02 20060101
F41H007/02; F41H 5/22 20060101 F41H005/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 5, 2018 |
KR |
10-2018-0039482 |
Claims
1. An ammunition supply system comprising: a weapon mounted on an
exterior of a fighting vehicle; a magazine loading unit mounted on
the exterior of the fighting vehicle and configured to load a
magazine for the weapon; a hatch unit configured to form an
entrance to allow a combatant to enter and exit the fighting
vehicle; and a hatch lifting unit configured to supply power to the
hatch unit to move in a vertical direction with respect to the
fighting vehicle, wherein the hatch unit includes: a hatch door
unit through which the combatant enters and exits the fighting
vehicle, and a hatch passage part forming a passage for connecting
the hatch door unit and an interior of the fighting vehicle, and
wherein the hatch passage part includes a first opening facing the
magazine loading unit so that the magazine is transferred from the
interior of the fighting vehicle to the magazine loading unit
without the combatant being exposed to the exterior of the fighting
vehicle.
2. The ammunition supply system of claim 1, wherein the hatch
passage part includes at least one outer wall which surrounds the
passage, and a height of the at least one outer wall protruding to
the exterior of the fighting vehicle changes as the hatch unit
moves vertically.
3. The ammunition supply system of claim 2, wherein: the at least
one outer wall includes a plurality of outer walls, a diameter of
one of the plurality of outer walls is different from a diameter of
an adjacent outer wall, and at least two outer walls of the
plurality of outer walls overlap each other in response the hatch
unit being lowered.
4. The ammunition supply system of claim 1, wherein the first
opening is exposed to the exterior of the fighting vehicle when the
hatch unit rises.
5. The ammunition supply system of claim 1, wherein the hatch
lifting unit includes at least one actuator configured to generate
the power for the hatch unit to move vertically.
6. The ammunition supply system of claim 5, wherein the at least
one actuator comprises a linear actuator configured to transmit the
power to the hatch unit.
7. The ammunition supply system of claim 6, wherein a first end of
the linear actuator is mounted on the fighting vehicle, and a
second end opposite to the first end of the linear actuator is
mounted to the hatch passage part.
8. The ammunition supply system of claim 5, wherein the hatch
lifting unit further includes a power transmission unit configured
to transmit the power generated by the at least one actuator to the
hatch unit.
9. The ammunition supply system of claim 8, wherein: the at least
one actuator comprises a circular actuator configured to generate a
rotational power, and the power transmission unit includes: a first
gear configured to be rotated by the generated rotational power,
and a second gear configured to convert a rotation of the first
gear into a linear power and configured to transmit the linear
power to the hatch unit.
10. The ammunition supply system of claim 9, wherein: the first
gear is mounted on the fighting vehicle, and the second gear is
mounted on the hatch passage part.
11. The ammunition supply system of claim 1, further comprising: an
ammunition measuring unit configured to measure a number of
remaining ammunition loaded in the magazine loading unit; and a
magazine replacement reporting unit configured to output a magazine
replacement alarm for reporting replacement timing of the magazine
when a number of the measured remaining ammunition is equal to or
less than a reference value.
12. The ammunition supply system of claim 11, wherein the magazine
replacement alarm is output through at least one of a warning lamp,
a display panel, or a speaker mounted inside the fighting
vehicle.
13. The ammunition supply system of claim 1, wherein the magazine
loading unit comprises a second opening facing the first opening so
that the magazine is loaded from the first opening.
14. The ammunition supply system of claim 13, wherein the hatch
unit further comprises a first cover mounted at the first opening
to open or close the first opening.
15. The ammunition supply system of claim 14, wherein: the first
cover is provided with a hinge provided at a lower end of the first
cover, and is opened by rotating toward the outside of the fighting
vehicle, and the first cover includes a stopper configured to
restrict a rotation angle of the first cover so that an upper end
of the first cover is located near a lower end of the second
opening in an open state of the first opening.
16. The ammunition supply system of claim 15, wherein the first
cover comprises a guide rail provided on the first cover and
configured to to guide the magazine sliding and moving from the
interior of the fighting vehicle to the magazine loading unit.
17. The ammunition supply system of claim 14, wherein: the first
cover comprises a first hinge provided at a side end of the first
cover, and is opened by rotating toward the outside of the fighting
vehicle, and the first cover comprises: an auxiliary cover opened
and closed by a second hinge located at a lower end of the first
cover; and a stopper configured to restrict a rotation angle of the
auxiliary cover such that one end of the auxiliary cover is located
near a lower end of the second opening in a state in which the
first cover and the auxiliary cover are opened.
18. The ammunition supply system of claim 13, wherein the magazine
loading unit further comprises a second cover mounted a the second
opening.
19. The ammunition supply system of claim 1, wherein the hatch unit
further comprises a third opening opened toward the weapon so as to
allow the combatant to access the weapon.
20. The ammunition supply system of claim 19, wherein the third
opening is exposed to the exterior of the fighting vehicle when the
hatch unit moves upward.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2018-0039482 filed on Apr. 5, 2018 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] Apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to
a system for supplying ammunition to a weapon, and more
particularly, to a system for supplying ammunition to a weapon
mounted on the exterior of a fighting vehicle, using a hatch that
moves vertically.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] For the safety of combatants, weapons mounted on the
exterior of the fighting vehicles may be remotely controlled by a
combatant inside the fighting vehicle. Because the combatant is
spatially separated from the weapon, fighting vehicles needs to be
equipped with an ammunition supply system that may continually
supply the ammunition to the weapon.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an ammunition supply system of the
related art. Referring to FIG. 1, an ammunition supply system of
the related art includes a weapon 1, and an ammunition supply
device 2 mounted inside a fighting vehicle 3. In the ammunition
supply system of the related art, ammunition is supplied to the
weapon 1 outside the fighting vehicle 3 by the ammunition supply
device 2 mounted inside the fighting vehicle 3.
[0005] Incidentally, a space is required for mounting the
ammunition supply device 2 inside the fighting vehicle 3. A spatial
restriction may occur, such as a restriction on the number of
combatants that may get on the fighting vehicle 3, due to the space
consumed for mounting the ammunition supply device 2 inside the
fighting vehicle 3.
[0006] Also, due to a case where a failure occurs in a system that
remotely controls the weapon, a situation may arise in which the
combatant needs to manually operate the weapon mounted on the
exterior of the fighting vehicle. In the related art, it was
necessary for combatant to get out of the vehicle through the hatch
to operate the weapon in such a situation.
[0007] Therefore, this disclosure describes a system which is
capable of supplying the necessary ammunition and controlling the
weapon, while also capable of securing the necessary internal space
of the fighting vehicle and the safety of the combatants.
SUMMARY
[0008] One of more examplary embodiments provide an ammunition
supply system capable of providing additional space inside a
fighting vehicle.
[0009] One of more examplary embodiments also provide an ammunition
supply system capable of protecting combatants even when the weapon
is manually and directly operated.
[0010] Aspects of the disclosure are not restricted to the
above-mentioned aspects, and another aspect which is not mentioned
may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the
description below.
[0011] According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is
provided an ammunition supply system according to an exemplary
embodiment including a weapon mounted outside a fighting vehicle; a
magazine loading unit which is mounted outside the fighting vehicle
and loads a magazine supplied to the weapon; a hatch unit which is
located near the weapon and forms an entrance to allow a combatant
to enter and exit the fighting vehicle; and a hatch lifting unit
which provides power to the hatch unit to rise and fall in a
vertical direction of the fighting vehicle, wherein the hatch unit
includes: a hatch door unit which forms a gate through which the
combatant enters and exits, and a hatch passage part which forms a
passage for connecting the hatch door unit and the inside of the
fighting vehicle, and, a first opening opened toward the magazine
loading unit is formed in the hatch passage part so that the loaded
magazine can be provided from the inside of the fighting
vehicle.
[0012] The hatch passage part may include at least one outer wall
which surrounds the passage, and a length of the at least one outer
wall protruding to the outside of the vehicle may change as the
hatch unit rises and falls.
[0013] The at least one outer wall may include a plurality of outer
walls, a diameter of one of the plurality of outer walls is
different from a diameter of the other outer wall, and the at least
two covers may overlap each other when the hatch unit falls.
[0014] A second opening opened toward the first opening may be
formed in the magazine loading unit so that the magazine may be
carried in and out.
[0015] The hatch lifting unit may include at least one actuator for
generating the power.
[0016] The at least one actuator may be made up of a linear
actuator which directly transmits the power to the hatch unit.
[0017] The hatch lifting unit may further include a power
transmission unit which transmits the power generated by the at
least one actuator to the hatch unit.
[0018] A third opening opened toward the weapon may be formed in
the hatch unit so that a combatant inside the fighting vehicle may
access the weapon.
[0019] The ammunition supply system may further include an
ammunition measuring unit which measures the number of remaining
ammunition loaded on the magazine loading unit; and a magazine
replacement reporting unit which outputs a magazine replacement
alarm for reporting the replacement timing of the magazine when the
number of the measured remaining ammunition is equal to or less
than a reference value.
[0020] Other specific matters of the present disclosure are
included in the detailed description and the drawings.
[0021] According to the exemplary embodiment, at least the
following effects are obtained.
[0022] According to the exemplary embodiment, because the magazine
loading unit for loading the magazine to be supplied to the weapon
is mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, it is possible to secure
additional space inside the fighting vehicle.
[0023] Further, according to the exemplary embodiment, in order to
supply the magazine to the magazine loading unit, because the
combatant may raise and lower the hatch, without the need for going
out of the vehicle, the magazine may be stably supplied to the
magazine loading unit in a state in which the combatant is not
exposed to the outside.
[0024] Further, according to the exemplary embodiment, in order for
a combatant to directly operate a weapon manually, because the
combatant may raise and lower the hatch without going out of the
vehicle, the combatants are not exposed to the outside and the
weapon can be stably and manually controlled.
[0025] The effects of the inventive concept are not restricted by
the contents exemplified above, and various effects are further
included in the present specification.
[0026] According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment,
there is provided an ammunition supply system including: a weapon
mounted on an exterior of a fighting vehicle; a magazine loading
unit mounted on the exterior of the fighting vehicle and configured
to load a magazine for the weapon; a hatch unit configured to form
an entrance to allow a combatant to enter and exit the fighting
vehicle; and a hatch lifting unit configured to supply power to the
hatch unit to move in a vertical direction with respect to the
fighting vehicle. The hatch unit may include: a hatch door unit
through which the combatant enters and exits the fighting vehicle,
and a hatch passage part forming a passage for connecting the hatch
door unit and an interior of the fighting vehicle. The hatch
passage part may include a first opening facing the magazine
loading unit so that the magazine is transferred from the interior
of the fighting vehicle to the magazine loading unit without the
combatant being exposed to the exterior of the fighting
vehicle.
[0027] The hatch passage part may include at least one outer wall
which surrounds the passage, and a height of the at least one outer
wall protruding to the exterior of the fighting vehicle changes as
the hatch unit moves vertically.
[0028] The at least one outer wall may include a plurality of outer
walls. A diameter of one of the plurality of outer walls may be
different from a diameter of an adjacent outer wall. At least two
outer walls of the plurality of outer walls overlap each other in
response the hatch unit being lowered.
[0029] The first opening may be exposed to the exterior of the
fighting vehicle when the hatch unit rises.
[0030] The hatch lifting unit may include at least one actuator
configured to generate the power for the hatch unit to move
vertically.
[0031] The at least one actuator may include a linear actuator
configured to transmit the power to the hatch unit.
[0032] A first end of the linear actuator may be mounted on the
fighting vehicle, and a second end opposite to the first end of the
linear actuator may be mounted to the hatch passage part.
[0033] The hatch lifting unit may further include a power
transmission unit configured to transmit the power generated by the
at least one actuator to the hatch unit.
[0034] The at least one actuator may include a circular actuator
configured to generate a rotational power. The power transmission
unit may include: a first gear configured to be rotated by the
generated rotational power, and a second gear configured to convert
the rotation of the first gear into a linear power and configured
to transmit the linear power to the hatch unit.
[0035] The first gear may be mounted on the fighting vehicle, and
the second gear may be mounted on the hatch passage part.
[0036] The ammunition supply system may further include: an
ammunition measuring unit configured to measure a number of
remaining ammunition loaded in the magazine loading unit; and a
magazine replacement reporting unit configured to output a magazine
replacement alarm for reporting replacement timing of the magazine
when a number of the measured remaining ammunition is equal to or
less than a reference value.
[0037] The magazine replacement alarm may be output through at
least one of a warning lamp, a display panel, or a speaker mounted
inside the fighting vehicle.
[0038] The magazine loading unit may include a second opening
facing the first opening so that the magazine is loaded from the
first opening.
[0039] The hatch unit may further include a first cover mounted at
the first opening to open or close the first opening.
[0040] The first cover may be provided with a hinge provided at a
lower end of the first cover, and is opened by rotating toward the
outside of the fighting vehicle, and the first cover includes a
stopper configured to restrict a rotation angle of the first cover
so that an upper end of the first cover is located near a lower end
of the second opening in an open state of the first opening.
[0041] The first cover may include a guide rail provided on the
first cover and configured to to guide the magazine sliding and
moving from the interior of the fighting vehicle to the magazine
loading unit.
[0042] The first cover comprises a first hinge provided at a side
end of the first cover, and is opened by rotating toward the
outside of the fighting vehicle, and the first cover may include:
an auxiliary cover opened and closed by a second hinge located at a
lower end of the first cover; and a stopper configured to restrict
a rotation angle of the auxiliary cover such that one end of the
auxiliary cover is located near a lower end of the second opening
in a state in which the first cover and the auxiliary cover are
opened.
[0043] The magazine loading unit may further include a second cover
mounted a the second opening.
[0044] The hatch unit may further include a third opening opened
toward the weapon so as to allow the combatant to access the
weapon.
[0045] The third opening may be exposed to the exterior of the
fighting vehicle when the hatch unit moves upward.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] The above and/or other aspects and features of the
disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail
exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawings, in which:
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates an ammunition supply system of the
related art;
[0048] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 illustrate an ammunition supply system
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates a second opening formed in a magazine
loading unit of the ammunition supply system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates a hatch unit that is raised and lowered
in the ammunition supply system according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates another method of constructing a hatch
passage part in the ammunition supply system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0052] FIG. 7 illustrates a first opening formed in the hatch
passage part of the ammunition supply system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0053] FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate another embodiment of the cover
mounted to the first opening;
[0054] FIG. 9 illustrates a third opening formed in a hatch door
fixing unit of the ammunition supply system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0055] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of
providing power to a hatch unit to rise and fall by a hatch lifting
unit;
[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of
providing power to the hatch unit to rise and fall by the hatch
lifting unit;
[0057] FIG. 12 illustrates a method of supplying the ammunition,
using the ammunition supply system according to the exemplary
embodiment; and
[0058] FIG. 13 illustrates a method of controlling a weapon, using
the ammunition supply system according to the exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0059] Advantages and features of the inventive concept and methods
of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of preferred
exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The inventive
concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as being restricted to the exemplary
embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments
are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete
and will fully convey the concept of the inventive concept to those
skilled in the art, and the inventive concept will only be defined
by the appended claims. Same reference numerals refer to same
elements throughout the specification.
[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used in this specification may be used in the
meaning that can be understood in common by those having ordinary
skill in the technical field to which the inventive concept
belongs. Also, the terms commonly used and predefined are not
interpreted ideally or unduly unless expressly defined
otherwise.
[0061] The terms used in the present specification are for the
purpose of describing the examples and do not restrict the
inventive concept. In the specification, the singular form also
includes the plural forms unless specifically stated in a phrase.
The terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" used in the specification
do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other
constituent elements, in addition to the referenced constituent
elements.
[0062] Hereinafter, preferred exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
attached drawings.
[0063] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 illustrate an ammunition supply system
100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The ammunition supply
system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a weapon
110, a magazine loading unit 120, an ammunition measuring unit 210,
a magazine replacement reporting unit 220, a hatch unit 130, and a
hatch lifting unit 140 (FIG. 10). FIG. 2B illustrates a block
diagram representing the ammunition supply system 100 according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0064] The weapon 110 may be loaded on a weapon mount 11 provided
on an upper side of the fighting vehicle 10. The weapon 110 which
is a subject of this disclosure may be, but is not limited to, a
machine gun capable of continuously shooting at the targets.
[0065] The weapon mount 11 is provided with a first rotating unit
11a which rotates in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction,
and a second rotating unit 11b which rotates the weapon 110 in a
vertical direction. The weapon 110 is rotated by the first rotating
unit 11a and the second rotating unit 11b, and may be aimed in the
vertical direction and the left-right (clockwise and
counter-clockwise) direction.
[0066] An imaging device 12 capable of capturing an image of a
target of the weapon 110, and a distance measuring sensor 13
capable of measuring the distance between the target and the weapon
110 may be mounted on one side of the weapon mount 11. The imaging
device 12 may consist of different types of cameras such as a zoom
type camera, a dome type camera, a PTZ camera and an IR camera, but
is not limited thereto. The distance measuring sensor 13 may
consist of a laser rangefinder (LRF). When using the LRF, it is
possible to measure the velocity of a moving target, using Doppler
effect together with the distance measurement.
[0067] A magazine 21 (FIG. 4) to be supplied to the weapon 110 may
be loaded on the magazine loading unit 120. The ammunition may be
supplied to the weapon 110 from the magazine loaded in the magazine
loading unit 120. For example, because one end of the ammunition
belt 20 provided to the weapon 110 is linked with the other end of
the ammunition belt 20 loaded on the magazine 21, the ammunition
loaded on the magazine 21 may be continuously provided to the
weapon 110 from the ammunition belt 20 provided to the weapon
110.
[0068] The magazine loading unit 120 will be described in more
detail referring to FIG. 4 along with FIGS. 2 and 3. An opening 121
may be formed in the magazine loading unit 120 through which the
magazine 21 can be loaded and unloaded. The opening 121 may be
formed to open toward the hatch unit 130 so that the magazine 21
can easily be loaded/unloaded from the hatch unit 130. A cover 122
is mounted on the opening 121, and the magazine 21 mounted on the
magazine loading unit 120 can be protected by the cover 122 from
the outside.
[0069] The ammunition measuring unit 210 may measure the number of
ammunition remaining in the magazine loading unit 120. To this end,
the ammunition measuring unit 210 calculates the number of
ammunition carried into in the magazine loading unit 120 from the
number of ammunition loaded on the magazine loading unit 120 and
the number of ammunition included in the magazine, and calculates
the number of ammunition carried out of the magazine loading unit
120 from the number of ammunition which are shot from the weapon,
and then subtracts the number of carried-out ammunition from the
number of carried-in ammunition, thereby measuring the number of
ammunition remaining in the magazine loading unit 120.
[0070] The magazine replacement reporting unit 220 may output a
magazine replacement alarm which reports the replacement timing of
the magazine loaded on the magazine loading unit. The magazine
replacement reporting unit 220 may output the magazine replacement
alarm, when the number of remaining ammunition measured in the
ammunition measuring unit 210 is equal to or less than a
reference/threshold value. The magazine replacement reporting unit
220 may output the magazine replacement alarm to a fighting vehicle
operation display mounted inside the fighting vehicle, thereby
reporting to the combatant who gets on the fighting vehicle of the
magazine replacement timing. For example, the magazine replacement
alarm may be output in various ways, such as turning-on of the
alarm lamp, playback of warning sound, and warning message
displayed on the display panel.
[0071] The ammunition measuring unit 210 and the magazine
replacement reporting unit 220 may be implemented as variety
numbers hardware and/or software configurations executing certain
functions. For example, the controller 500 may denote a data
processing device built in hardware, and includes a physically
structured circuit for executing functions expressed as codes or
commands included in a program.
[0072] More specifically, at least one of the components, elements,
modules or units of the ammunition measuring unit 210 and the
magazine replacement reporting unit 220 in FIG. 2B may be embodied
as various numbers of hardware, software and/or firmware structures
that execute respective functions described above, according to an
exemplary embodiment. For example, at least one of these
components, elements, modules or units may use a direct circuit
structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a
look-up table, etc. that may execute the respective functions
through controls of one or more microprocessors or other control
apparatuses. The ammunition measuring unit 210 and the magazine
replacement reporting unit 220 need to be able to perform a basic
logical operation, it is possible to use, but is not limited to, a
semiconductor element capable of performing the logical operation,
such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit
(MCU), a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA),
and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
[0073] Also, at least one of these components, elements, modules or
units may be specifically embodied by a module, a program, or a
part of code, which contains one or more executable instructions
for performing specified logic functions, and executed by one or
more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Also, at least
one of these components, elements, modules or units may further
include or may be implemented by a processor such as a central
processing unit (CPU) that performs the respective functions, a
microprocessor, or the like. Two or more of these components,
elements, modules or units may be combined into one single
component, element, module or unit which performs all operations or
functions of the combined two or more components, elements, modules
or units. Also, at least part of functions of at least one of these
components, elements, modules or units may be performed by another
of these components, elements, modules or units. Further, although
a bus is not illustrated in the above block diagrams, communication
between the components, elements, modules or units may be performed
through the bus. Functional aspects of the above exemplary
embodiments may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or
more processors. Furthermore, the components, elements, modules or
units represented by a block or processing steps may employ any
number of related art techniques for electronics configuration,
signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like.
[0074] Next, the hatch unit 130 will be described referring to FIG.
5 along with FIGS. 2 and 3. A diagram on a left side of FIG. 5
illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a state in which the hatch
unit 130 is lowered, and a diagram on a right side of FIG. 5
illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a state in which the hatch
unit 130 is raised.
[0075] The hatch unit 130 may form an entrance through which
combatants may enter and exit the fighting vehicle 10. The hatch
unit 130 includes a hatch door unit 131 forming a gate, a hatch
door fixing unit 132, and a hatch passage part 133 which forms a
passage for entering the fighting vehicle 10 from the hatch door
unit 131.
[0076] The hatch passage part 133 may be constituted as one outer
wall which forms a passage. In the one outer wall, a length (or a
height) exposed to the outside of the fighting vehicle 10 may
change as the hatch unit 130 rises and falls (i.e., moves
vertically up and down).
[0077] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the hatch passage
part 133 may be made up of a plurality of outer walls to form a
passage. A diagram on a left side of FIG. 6 illustrates an
exemplary embodiment in a state in which the hatch unit 130 is
lowered, and a diagram on a right side of FIG. 6 illustrates an
exemplary embodiment in a state in which the hatch unit 130 is
raised. The plurality of outer walls is configured to have
different diameters, and may be overlapped with one another when
the hatch unit 130 is in the lowered state.
[0078] In the exemplary embodiment, explanation will be made
assuming that the hatch passage part 133 is configured as
illustrated in FIG. 5. This is only for convenience of explanation
and does not exclude the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0079] The hatch passage part 133 will be described in more detail
referring to FIG. 7 along with FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. An opening 134 may
be formed in the hatch passage part 133 so that the magazine 21 may
be carried in and out of the hatch passage part 133. In order to
avoid confusing terms, the opening 134 formed in the hatch passage
part 133 is referred to as a first opening 134, and the opening 121
illustrated in FIG. 4 is referred to as a second opening 121.
[0080] The first opening 134 may be formed to open toward the
second opening 121 so that the magazine 21 may be easily provided
to the magazine loading unit 120 from the hatch passage part 133.
The cover 135 may be mounted on the first opening 134 to be able to
protect combatants inside the fighting vehicle 10.
[0081] Each of the covers 135, 122 mounted on the hatch passage
part 133 to cover the first opening 134 and the second opening 121
is opened outward, and may perform a function of a shield which
blocks an external attack even in an opened state.
[0082] The cover 135 may be mounted on the hatch passage part 133
to cover the first opening 134 in a structure different from that
illustrated in FIG. 7. FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the cover 135 mounted on the hatch passage part 133
to cover the first opening 134.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 8A, a hinge 151 is mounted on a lower end
of the cover 135, and the cover 135 may be opened to the outside of
the fighting vehicle 10. At this time, because the cover 135 and
the hatch passage part 133 are connected to each other via the link
member 152, a rotation angle of the cover 135 may be restricted.
That is, the link member 152 may perform a function of a stopper
for restricting the rotation angle of the cover 135.
[0084] The cover 135 may be fixed at a specific angle due to the
link member 152 as illustrated in FIG. 8A during rotation. More
specifically, the upper end of the cover 135 may be fixed so as to
be located near the lower end of the second opening 121 of the
magazine loading unit 120. With such a configuration, because the
cover 135 is placed like a bridge between the first opening 134 of
the hatch unit 130 and the second opening 121 of the magazine
loading unit 120, the combatants inside the fighting vehicle 10 may
be able to place the magazine 21 on the cover 135, and may push and
move the magazine 21 to the magazine loading unit 120 without being
exposed to attacks. At this time, because a guide rail 153 is
formed on an inner side surface 1351 of the cover 135, the magazine
21 may be guided so as to move in a correct direction.
[0085] Or, the cover 135 may be configured as illustrated in FIG.
8B. Referring to FIG. 8B, the cover 135 may be formed with a bent
part 1352 in which an upper end is bent toward the outside of the
fighting vehicle 10.
[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 8B, when the cover 135 is opened, the
bent part 1352 abuts against a top surface of the fighting vehicle
10, and the cover 135 may be fixed, at a specific angle after
rotation to be opened. Likewise, with this configuration, because
the cover 135 is placed like a bridge between the first opening 134
and the second opening 121, the magazine 21 placed on the cover 135
may slide along the guide rail 154 and may be moved to the magazine
loading unit 120 through the second opening 121.
[0087] Or, the cover 135 may be configured as illustrated in FIG.
8C. Referring to FIG. 8C, the cover 135 may be opened outward by a
side hinge (not shown; provide behind the cover 135 in FIG. 8).
[0088] An auxiliary cover 155 may be provided on an inner side
surface 1351 of the cover 135. The auxiliary cover 155 may be
rotated and opened by the hinge 156 at the lower end of the cover
135.
[0089] The rotation angle of the auxiliary cover 155 may be
restricted by a protrusion 157 formed on the hinge 156. More
specifically, because the protrusion 157 protruding from the
auxiliary cover 155 and is configured to be caught by the cover 135
at a certain rotation angle of the auxiliary cover 155, the
rotation angle of the auxiliary cover 155 may be restricted by the
protrusion 157 contacting the cover 135. That is, the protrusion
157 may perform the function of a stopper that restricts the
rotation angle of the auxiliary cover 155. The auxiliary cover 155
may be fixed so as to be located near the lower end of the second
opening 121 of the magazine loading unit 120 in a state of the
protrusion 157 abutting the cover 135.
[0090] Likewise, with this configuration, because the auxiliary
cover 155 is placed like a bridge between the first opening 134 of
the hatch unit 130 and the second opening 121 of the magazine
loading unit 120, the magazine 21 may be placed on the auxiliary
cover 155 and may be pushed to move to the magazine loading unit
120. Even in this case, because a guide rail 158 is formed on the
inner surface of the auxiliary cover 155, the magazine 21 may be
guided to move in the correct direction.
[0091] As described above referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, because the
cover 135 or the auxiliary cover 155 is placed like a bridge
between the first opening 134 and the second opening 121, the
combatant may place the magazine 21 on the cover 135 or the
auxiliary cover 155 and push and move the magazine 21 to the
magazine loading unit 120, without the need for picking and moving
the magazine 21 to the magazine loading unit 120. Therefore, even
in a tense situation such as a war situation, the combatant may
more safely and easily supply the magazine 21 to the magazine
loading unit 120 from the hatch unit 130.
[0092] Next, the hatch door fixing unit 132 will be described in
more detail referring to FIG. 9. The hatch door fixing unit 132 may
be formed with a third opening 136 opened toward the weapon 110.
The hatch unit 130 rises to a specific position such that the third
opening 136 of the hatch door fixing unit 132 is located adjacent
to the weapon 110, and the combatant inside the fighting vehicle 10
may easily access the weapon 110 through the third opening 136.
[0093] Next, a method of providing power to the hatch unit 130 to
be raised or lowered (to move vertically up and down) by the hatch
lifting unit 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and
11.
[0094] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of
providing power to the hatch unit 130 to be raised or lowered by
the hatch lifting unit 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the hatch
lifting unit 140 may include an actuator 140 that directly provides
the power so that the hatch unit 130 may move vertically up and
down.
[0095] More specifically, the hatch lifting unit 140 may include a
linear actuator 140, where one end of the linear actuator 140 may
be fixed to the inside of the fighting vehicle 10, and the other
end (opposite to the one end) thereof may be connected to the hatch
passage part 133. In this exemplary embodiment, the linear actuator
140 may include a cylinder 142 and a plunger 141. At this time, the
linear actuator 140 may be a hydraulic actuator or an electric
actuator. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited
thereto.
[0096] When the plunger 141 is pulled out of the cylinder 142, as
illustrated on the left side of FIG. 10, the hatch unit 130 falls
(or is lowered), and in contrast, when the plunger 141 is inserted
into the cylinder 142, the hatch unit 130 may rise (or is raised)
as illustrated on the right side of FIG. 10.
[0097] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of
providing the power to the hatch unit 130 to move vertically up and
down by the hatch lifting unit 140. The hatching lifting unit 140
may include an actuator (not illustrated) for providing the power
to allow the hatch lifting unit hatch unit 130 to move vertically
up and down, and a power transmission unit 143 for transmitting the
power generated by the actuator to the hatch unit 130.
[0098] More specifically, the actuator is made up of a circular
actuator which generates a rotational power, and the power
transmission unit 143 may include a first gear 143a rotating by
receiving power from the motor, and a second gear 143b that
converts rotational power transmitted from the first gear 143a into
a linear power and transmits the linear power to the hatch unit
130. For example, the circular actuator may be a motor, the first
gear may be a pinion gear, and the second gear may be a rack
gear.
[0099] With rotation of the first gear 143a by the circular
actuator, the second gear 143b may move in the vertical direction
with respect to the fighting vehicle 10. The second gear 143b is
mounted to the hatch passage part 133, and the hatch unit 130 may
rise with the movement of the second gear 143b in the vertical
direction.
[0100] On the basis of the above explanation, a method of supplying
ammunition using the ammunition supply system 100 according to the
exemplary embodiment, and a method of controlling a weapon 110 by
combatant will be described.
[0101] FIG. 12 illustrates a method of supplying ammunition, using
the ammunition supply system according to the exemplary embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 12, the hatch unit 130 may be in a state where
the hatch unit 130 is in a lowered position at the beginning (S1).
The ammunition measuring unit 210 may measure the number of
remaining ammunition loaded on the magazine loading unit 120. If
the number of measured remaining ammunition is less than the
reference value, the magazine replacement reporting unit 220 may
output a magazine replacement alarm to the inside of the fighting
vehicle 10. The magazine replacement alarm may be output in various
ways, such as turning-on of a warning lamp, generation of a warning
sound and a display of warning display on the display panel. In
response to the the magazine replacement alarm being output, the
hatch unit 130 in the lowered state may be changed to a state where
the hatch unit 130 raised (S2). When the hatch unit 130 rises, the
first opening 134 is opened and a magazine 21 may be carried out
(S3). Further, the second opening 121 is opened, and the magazine
21 carried out via the first opening 134 may be loaded on the
magazine loading unit 120 (S4).
[0102] FIG. 13 illustrates a method of controlling a weapon 110 by
applying the ammunition supply system according to the exemplary
embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, the hatch unit 130 may be in a
lowered state at the beginning (S1). If there is a situation in
which a combatant who gets on the fighting vehicle needs to
directly operate the weapon 110 due to a failure of a system that
automatically controls the weapon 110, the hatch unit 130 in the
lowered state may be changed to a rising state (S2). The combatant,
then, may manually operate the weapon through the third opening 136
opened toward the weapon 110 (S3).
[0103] Those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which
the disclosure belongs will appreciate that the inventive concept
of the disclosure may be implemented in other specific forms
without changing its technical idea or essential features. It is
therefore to be understood that the above-described exemplary
embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. It
is to be understood that the scope of the exemplary embodiments is
defined by the appended claims rather than the above detailed
description, and all changes or modifications that are derived from
the meaning and range of the following claims and their equivalents
should be interpreted as being within the scope of the inventive
concept.
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