EP0364670B1 - Grenade - Google Patents

Abstract

A grenade projectile has a projectile housing having a fragmentation length portion; an explosive charge accommodated in the projectile housing and being surrounded by the fragmentation length portion; a forwardly acting shaped charge liner bounding the explosive charge at a front end thereof, as viewed in the flight direction of the projectile; and a percussion fuse assembly accommodated in the projectile housing behind the explosive charge as viewed in the flight direction. The percussion fuse assembly includes a percussion member, a flight acceleration-responsive first safety arrangement and a centrifugal force-responsive second safety arrangement for arming the percussion member when the projectile reaches a predetermined acceleration and a predetermined spin.

Description

The invention relates to a grenade projectile with an impact detonator designed as a base igniter according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Such a grenade projectile is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 3,855,933. The impact detonator essentially consists of an axially displaceable ignition needle and a detonator carrier which can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the projectile and which can be locked in its starting position by a rod-shaped security element. To stabilize the flight, the projectile has wing-like structures which open after the projectiles have been ejected from the respective launcher. When one of the wings is opened, the rod-shaped security element is removed, so that the detonator carrier can be moved by means of a spring until the detonator is located below the ignition needle. When the target hits, the firing needle then moves against the force of a spring towards the detonator charge and punctures it.

These known grenade projectiles have the disadvantage, among other things, that they require stabilizing wings which make a complex opening mechanism necessary. Further is a use of the described security elements of the detonator carrier with spin-stabilized projectiles problematic, because in these projectiles the wings for pulling out the rod-shaped security element are missing. In addition, a relatively large amount of space is required for the displaceable detonator carrier. Finally, the known projectiles lack a self-dismantling device which ensures that the explosive is also ignited when the projectile hits softly (for example on sand).

From DE-AS 19 07 315 an explosive projectile (bomblet) with shaped charge insert and splinter housing is known, in which the ignition device is arranged telescopically in front of the shaped charge insert in a complicated configuration and must be penetrated by the shaped charge beam.

Since the detonation waves first form the shaped charge jet before they reach the front hood and blast off, the formation and effect of the shaped charge jet are impaired considerably. In addition, the bullet is immediately in focus after ejection from the carrier floor without special safety devices after a front impact ignition finger has been pushed out.

From DE 33 26 683 A1 and DE 34 41 556 A1 a grenade projectile with explosive charge and impact detonator for firing from portable weapons with a drawn tube is known. The grenade projectile has a central, large-volume impact detonator which is arranged in the projectile body and which only comprises a pyrotechnic front pipe protection. Safety devices that are independent of one another are not provided.

From DE 31 19 369 A1 a swirl projectile with impact detonator and self-dismantling device is known. The firing needle is arranged in a likewise axially displaceable firing pin holder, which is locked by several bullets pressed out after the projectile has been fired. As soon as the projectile hits a target, the firing pin holder presses the balls toward the firing pin over correspondingly beveled surfaces, so that the lock is released and the spring-loaded firing pin sticks the detonator. The projectile is self-dismantled by the fact that, at a certain value of the projectile twist, the tensioned ignition needle spring overcomes the locking device of the bullets and then also punctures the detonator.

A disadvantage of these detonators is above all that the locking by the balls must be released both during impact ignition and during self-dismantling. The resulting structural design, in particular of the firing pin holder, is relatively complex. In addition, this document contains no information on the structure of the detonator carrier and its required locking elements and the arrangement of the detonator on the floor.

Finally, a securing device for detonators of swirl projectiles is known from FR 2 500 617 A1, in which the detonator carrier is eccentrically mounted by means of a bolt and is designed to be pivotable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the projectile by centrifugal force. As a safety element there is a backfire bolt system in the detonator carrier with two backfire bolts and a locking ball. This publication does not go into more detail on the position of the detonator on the floor and on the arrangement of the safety elements of the ignition needle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a grenade projectile which is improved compared to known projectiles and which is spin-stabilized, takes up only relatively little space for the necessary security elements and ensures the required functional efficiency even at relatively low speeds (approximately 3000 rpm).

This object is achieved with the technical teaching indicated by the features of claim 1. The features contained in the further claims indicate advantageous design options of the invention.

The invention is particularly tailored to and intended for a grenade projectile to be fired in single shot from a portable weapon with a drawn barrel in a single shot.

Figur 1

ein 40 mm-Granatengeschoß gemäß der Erfindung in Seitenansicht mit längsgeschnittener Patronenhülse.

Figur 1a

einen erfindungsgemäßen Treiber aus der Patronenhülse im Längsschnitt gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 1b

eine erfindungsgemäße Lochscheibe als vordere Abdeckscheibe des Treibers im Längsschnitt,

Figur 1c

die Lochscheibe in Draufsicht,

Figur 2

das 40 mm-Granatengeschoß mit oberem Wirkteil und unterer Zünd- und Sicherheitseinrichtung in demontiertem Zustand im Längsschnitt,

Figur 3

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Zünd- und Sicherungseinrichtung im Längsschnitt,

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht von oben auf die Zünd- und Sicherungseinrichtung gemäß Figur 3 (ohne Platine und Distanzscheibe),

Figur 4a

ausschnittsweise das Rückschießbolzen-System im schwenkbaren Detonatorträger,

Figur 5

im Längsschnitt eine Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Zünd- und Sicherungseinrichtung nach Abschuß in Scharfstellung,

Figur 6

im Längsschnitt den Zündabstand bei Zielaufprall und

Figur 7

im Längsschnitt den Zündzustand bei Selbstzerlegung nach Drallabbau.

Show it:

Figure 1

a 40 mm shell projectile according to the invention in side view with a longitudinally cut cartridge case.

Figure 1a

2 shows a driver according to the invention from the cartridge case in longitudinal section according to FIG. 1,

Figure 1b

a perforated disc according to the invention as a front cover plate of the driver in longitudinal section,

Figure 1c

the perforated disc in top view,

Figure 2

the 40 mm shell shell with the upper active part and the lower ignition and safety device in a disassembled state in longitudinal section,

Figure 3

2 shows an enlarged illustration of the ignition and safety device according to the invention in longitudinal section,

Figure 4

3 shows a top view of the ignition and securing device according to FIG. 3 (without a circuit board and spacer),

Figure 4a

sections of the recoil pin system in the swiveling detonator carrier,

Figure 5

a longitudinal section of the ignition and safety device according to the invention after firing in focus,

Figure 6

in longitudinal section the ignition distance on target impact and

Figure 7

in longitudinal section the ignition state when self-dismantling after swirl reduction.

In Figure 1, a grenade projectile according to the invention z. B. in 40 mm caliber, which is attached to the rear in a cartridge case 12 made of plastic. The grenade 10 is constructed in three parts and has a specially designed stand-off hood 44 z. B. made of aluminum, in the central region a cylindrical floor wall 16 z. B. from pre-fragmented rolled steel sheet and a cup-shaped projectile housing 18 z. B. also made of aluminum or steel, which includes the ignition and safety device according to the invention.

To accelerate the grenade projectile 10, a driver 20 is provided centrally in the base of the cartridge case 12. The driver 20 has an outer circumferential annular groove 22 approximately in its central region, into which a radial inwardly projecting bead 24 or ring projection of the cartridge case 12 made of plastic for simple mutual but non-detachable fixing of the parts is engaged as a snap connection.

The internal structure of the driver 20 can be seen from FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c. A primer 26 is provided on the rear side, the propellant charge 28 is contained in a central recess, towards the front, toward the interior of the cartridge case 12 a perforated disk 32 provided with bores as gas passages 30 is inserted and fixed. The gas passages 30, preferably six in number, are directed obliquely forwards and outwards for better and more uniform introduction of the propellant charge gases into a gas pressure chamber 34 provided in the cartridge case 12. As a result, a uniform build-up of pressure can develop and the grenade projectile 10 achieves a greater flight distance or range. This also contributes to the simple and convenient connection between the grenade projectile 10 and the cartridge case 12, the lifting of which requires a substantial gas pressure to form in the gas pressure chamber 34 before the projectile 10 is then accelerated with a uniform, reproducible and increased initial speed. The connection between the grenade projectile 10 and the cartridge case 12 is realized in that the projectile housing 16, 18 has an outer circumferential annular groove 36 approximately in its central region, into which a radially inwardly projecting bead 38 of the cartridge case made of plastic is arranged on the cartridge case 12 at the front 12 is latched in the manner of a snap connection for mutual non-detachable fixation.

FIG. 2 shows the front projectile part as an active part with a pre-fragmented projectile housing 16, an explosive charge 40, a shaped charge insert 42 and a front hood 44. To increase the effect on the target, the Hollow charge insert 42 has a special shape; it is advantageously designed in the shape of a trumpet, ie in the region of the central cone tip 46 the opening angle of the conical shaped charge insert 42 is relatively small, and from the outset the opening angle is then continuously increased. To ensure on the one hand a minimum ignition distance (stand off) of the shaped charge insert 42 from a target-side armor plate and on the other hand a secure support of the shaped charge insert 42 and the explosive charge 40 - even in the case of the hardest target impact - the hood 44 also has a special stepped shape, at least on the inside. As a result, deformation of the hood 44 can only occur in the front spherical part, so that the dimensionally stable rear, essentially cylindrical part of the hood 44 always gives the minimum ignition distance 48 for optimum steel formation of the insert 42.

The ignition and safety device according to the invention, which is described and explained in detail with reference to the following figures, is accommodated in the rear floor housing 18.

It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the supporting element of the ignition and securing device is formed by an intermediate housing 50 (igniter housing) arranged inside the rear floor housing 18. The intermediate housing 50 is fixed in the projectile housing 18 by means of a circuit board 52 and a spacer 54. A central bore is provided in the circuit board 52 and the spacer 54, in which a booster or transfer charge 56 is arranged for the ignition connection between the detonator charge (squib) and the projectile explosive charge 40. In the intermediate housing 50, a detonator carrier 60 which is pivotable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the projectile is arranged in a recess 58 on the front side.

The detonator carrier 60 has a bore 62 in which the tip 64 of the ignition needle 66 is embedded in the securing position. Furthermore, the detonator carrier has a pitch circle segment gear 68 as part of a mechanical inhibitor mechanism, and an unbalanced mass part 70 made of heavy metal, for example, for reducing the size or increasing the centrifugal force. B. lead, tungsten or corresponding material.

Laterally next to the detonator carrier 60, a spring-loaded locking element 72 in the form of a cylinder with a tip is provided as a twist-dependent securing element, which engages behind a projection 74 of the detonator carrier and blocks it, the blocking function of which can be canceled by centrifugal force by moving it outward against the spring force. The locking member 72 or the cylinder is slidably mounted in a sleeve 76 fastened to the intermediate housing 50 with a compression spring 78.

The rear of the intermediate housing 50 also has a recess 80 (FIGS. 5 and 6) in which an ignition needle carrier 82 is axially displaceably mounted. The ignition needle carrier 82 likewise has an acceleration and swirl-dependent locking element in the form of a plurality of, preferably eight, balls 84 that act sequentially in time. The retaining balls 84 are evenly distributed in radial blind holes 86 in the circumference of the ignition needle carrier 82. In the starting position (safety position), the balls 84 are held in their respective bores 86 by the lower cylindrical collar of the intermediate housing 50.
A concentric annular groove 88 is provided from the rear circular surface of the ignition needle carrier 82 and opens into the radial bores 86.
The annular groove 88 is exactly opposite an annular projection 19 is arranged on the inner bottom of the rear floor housing 18, the axial displacement of the Ignition needle carrier is designed to engage in the annular groove 88 and thereby represents a deflection point for the balls 84 as a compulsory guide measure to prevent the balls from bouncing or jumping back. This positive control of the retaining balls 84 ensures a high level of functional reliability.

The ignition needle carrier 82 has a central bore 92, into which a cylindrical, sleeve-like projection 94 engages and thus serves as a guide element for the axial displacement of the ignition needle carrier 82.

The spring-supported ignition needle 66 is embedded centrally within the bore 92 or within the sleeve projection 94. The firing needle 66 is arranged axially displaceably within a firing needle sleeve 98 against the force of a firing needle spring 96. The ignition needle sleeve 98 is fastened on the front side in the ignition needle carrier 82. This special, separate mounting of the firing needle results in high ignition sensitivity.

Within the sleeve projection 94 and the firing needle sleeve 98 closely surrounding another compression spring 100 is provided, which is supported on the back against the inner floor and on the front against the firing pin holder 82 and presses it forward in the starting position against the intermediate housing 50.

FIG. 4 shows the eccentric arrangement of the pivotable detonator carrier 60 in the starting position, which is mounted on the circuit board 52 about a pivot pin 102. In the starting position, the bore 62 for receiving and securing the firing needle tip 64 is located exactly at the location of the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The unbalanced mass part 70 made of heavy metal is fastened or tapped on one side of the detonator carrier 60. Are next to it the two recoil bolts 104 and 106 are arranged. These engage with their upper bolt heads in correspondingly provided bores 108, 110 in the circuit board 52 and, as an acceleration-dependent securing element, lock the detonator carrier 60 in the starting position.

When the launch is accelerated, bolt 104 is first pressed downward against the spring force acting on it (see FIG. 4a). Thereafter, a locking ball 112 can move laterally in the direction of the bolt 104 and releases its locking function with respect to the second bolt 110, so that this bolt can also move downward and the detonator carrier is locked against the circuit board 52.

Under the effect of centrifugal force due to the swirl, the blocking member 72, which acts as a swirl-dependent securing element, also gives up its blocking function and, due to its center of gravity arrangement in the area of the unbalanced mass part 70, the detonator carrier 60 tries to pivot around the bolt 102 with the detonator charge 116 arranged opposite the unbalanced mass part such that detonator charge 116 reaches the central position of the longitudinal axis of the projectile in line with firing needle 66. However, the pivoting movement is delayed by a mechanical safety device. The inhibitor mechanism consists of a partial circle segment gearwheel 68 connected to the detonator carrier 60, a gearwheel 118 which engages therewith and is fastened to the intermediate housing 50 and an armature or double lever 120 which is also fastened to the intermediate housing 50 and engages with the gearwheel 118. The escapement lock is used to protect the pipe and downpipe of the shell.

In the starting position, the detonator carrier 60 is supported on a stop bolt 122 fastened in the circuit board 52, in the armed position after pivoting and positioning the detonator charge 116 under the ignition needle tip 64, the detonator carrier 60 is also supported again with another point of its rear wall on the stop bolt 122 and is in this position z. B. securely fixed by snapping a spring plate behind a projection of the detonator.

The various functional states are shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Figure 5 shows the focus after firing from a 40 mm grenade gun.

As a result of the launch acceleration, the firing needle carrier 82 is displaced towards the floor of the floor against the force of the compression spring 100; Due to the centrifugal force effect which begins at the same time, the balls 84 move out of the bores 86 and hold the firing pin holder against an inclined surface 51 on the rear edge of the intermediate housing 50 in a focused position. The balls 84 are forcibly guided outwards over the edge of the engaging ring projection 90 and prevented from bouncing or jumping back, because this focusing process must have taken place until the pipe mouth is reached, otherwise the spring 100 presses the ignition needle carrier 82 forward again and the igniter remains out of focus.

After releasing the securing elements (recoil pin system) 104, 106, 112 and locking member 72, the detonator carrier is pivoted and the detonator charge 116 is in the ignition line with the ignition needle 66, the transfer charge 56 and the explosive charge 40.

FIG. 16 shows the usual case of ignition in the event of a hard target impact. By the impact energy of the In the event of an impact, the cylindrical firing needle 66 is thrown forward against the force of the firing needle spring 96 into the detonator charge 116.

In the event of a missed target or a soft impact, e.g. B. in snow or mud, the self-dismantling device of the shell grenade comes into effect. Due to the occurring swirl reduction and the loss of the centrifugal force effect, the firing needle carrier 82 together with the firing needle 66 is thrown forward by the force of the strong compression spring 100 and the firing needle tip 64 triggers the ignition of the detonator charge 116. This takes place according to FIG. 7 after the retaining balls 84 have been pressed radially inward into their starting positions by the spring force on the oblique rear edge 51 of the intermediate housing 50 and the ignition needle carrier 82 can snap forward from its rear focus position.

With the grenade projectile according to the invention, high performance is achieved in the target by an undisturbed shaped charge jet and optimal splintering effect, since the detonator is laid in the floor of the storey and no longer impairs the formation of the stinger. The ground igniter with two separate, independent safety elements and a self-dismantling device is designed to save space and ensures that it is fully functional even at relatively low speeds.

Reference symbol list

Claims (10)

1. Shell projectile with an impact detonator constructed as a base detonator which has an axially displaceable firing pin (66) and a detonator carrier (60) with at least one safety device, the firing pin (66) penetrating the detonator charge (116) in opposition to the force of a spring (96) when impact occurs on the target, characterised by the following features:

   (a) the shell projectile (10) is a spin-stabilised projectile;

   (b) the detonator carrier (60) is eccentrically mounted by means of a bolt (102) and is constructed so as to be pivotable transversally to the longitudinal axis of the projectile by centrifugal action;

   (c) the firing pin (66) is mounted in a similarly axially displaceable firing pin carrier (82) in such a way that on impact on the target and independently of the firing pin carrier (82) it penetrates the detonator charge (116) in the detonator carrier (60) which has been pivoted inwards;

   (d) the firing pin carrier (82) has an acceleration and spin-governed locking element operating at different instants.
2. Shell projectile in accordance with Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the safety device of the detonator carrier (60) is dependent on the acceleration and consist of a counter firing pin system with at least two counter firing pins (104,106) and a locking ball (112).
3. Shell projectile in accordance with Claim 2, characterised by the fact that the detonator carrier (60) contains, in addition to the acceleration-governed safety device, a spin-stabilised safety device consisting of a spring-loaded locking element (72) of which the locking function can be nullified by centrifugal force.
4. Shell projectile in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that the pivotable detonator carrier (60) has a time-governed blocking safety device for the pivoting operation.
5. Shell projectile in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised by the fact that the detonator carrier (60) has an unbalanced mass part (70) of heavy metal.
6. Shell projectile in accordance with Claim 4 or 5, characterised by the fact that the time-governed mechanical blocking safety device comprises a partially circular segmental gear (68) connected with the detonator carrier (60), a pinion (118) engaged with the said gear and secured to an intermediate housing (50) and an anchor or double lever (120) likewise secured to the intermediate housing (50) and in engagement with the pinion (118).
7. Shell projectile in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 6 characterised by the fact that the firing pin carrier (82) which is axially displaceable in opposition to the force of a spring (100) can be supported against the intermediate housing (50) when in the rest position and supported against the rear inner projectile housing (18) when in the locked armed position.
8. Shell projectile in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised by the fact that the firing pin carrier (82), is provided, as a locking element, with a number of balls (84) by means of which the firing pin carrier (82), after the firing and axial displacement and by a spin effect, can be locked in the armed position against the intermediate housing (50).
9. Shell projectile in accordance with Claim 8, characterised by the fact that the inner base of the projectile housing is provided with an annular projection (90) constructed, for the automatic guiding of the balls (84), so as to be capable of engaging an annular recess (88) in the firing pin carrier (82).
10. Shell projectile in accordance with Claim 8 or 9, characterised by the fact that the locking balls (84), after the elimination of the centrifugal action through a sloping surface (51) on the rear intermediate housing (50), are restorable to their initial position so that the firing pin carrier (82) is rendered axially displaceable for detonation purposes into the detonator charge (116) in the inwardly pivoted detonator carrier (60) by the force of the spring (100) together with the firing pin (66).

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