DESC:4. DESCRIPTION
Technical Field of the Invention

[001] The present disclosure broadly relates to a defense training system. More particularly relates to a system for providing multiple movements of a target for gunnery practice.

Background of the Invention

[002] Military education and training is a process which intends to establish and improve the capabilities of military personnel in their respective roles. Before any person gets authorization to operate technical equipment or be on the battlefield, they must undergo basic training and advanced training. In the advanced training, military technology and equipment is taught. Also, there are various equipment and field training provided during the advanced training. In the field training, one of the training includes a target shooting training. The target shooting training includes real-time shooting or firing activities on targets. The shooting or firing activities are carried-out in various ways on target systems. The target systems are used for training of trainee or shooters and there exists various target systems, of which, few are as provided below.

[003] There are stationary target systems, in which an image of a target is raised in front of the trainee for practice. The target being stationary, it would be visible to the trainee all the times. This target system does not provide any real-time, decisional requirement as to the threat status of the target to the trainee during training.

[004] There are moveable target systems provided by placing a target image on a hanger and moved using a driver such as cable. Thus, the feature of movable target from one place to another place is introduced. The movement is carried-out in directions towards and away from the trainee. Though the advantage of mobility at various positions, (towards and away from the trainee) is provided; this target system still has a disadvantage of any real-time, decisional requirement as to threat status of the target to the trainee during training.

[005] In another target system, the target image is rotated towards or away from trainee. Initially the target image is hidden from view of the target (0 degrees of rotation) and thereafter the target image is rotated to face the trainee (90 degrees from initial position). Even though this target system provides some kind of simulation other than the stationary or moving targets, the target in this system is rotated in only fixed direction and angle. Thus, the trainees anticipate the rotation and wait for rotation to happen and can easily focus on the target and therefore, the target system does not provide any decisional requirement as to the threat status of the target.

[006] Another kind of target system includes complex frames to provide stability to the target system during usage. The frames usually require assembling and disassembling before and after use respectively. Also, the system needs regular adjustments depending on the surface on which they are placed. Thus, these types of target system are difficult to transport and deploy in the field for training. Thus, the target system would have limitations by way of specific locations and environments in which they are installed, and the possible arrangements of targets available.

[007] Another kind of target system includes dynamic moving target to simulate lifelike movements and give the trainee simulation of real close quarter's firearms engagement. However, the target system does not provide a target system in which the target can be simulated in plurality of possible directions/orientations.

[008] Thus, the existing gunnery training or target training systems provides different modes of target movements by changing the clamp position and clamp components, but they suffer from one or more disadvantages include less portability, relative complexity, larger in size and weight, also, they are limited in terms of the types of locations and environments they can provide for shooters/trainees and possible arrangements of targets. In addition, for providing different movements of the targets by changing various target clamping components, the target is placed and fixed using different target holding brackets for each movement or positions.

[009] It is therefore desirable to have a system that would overcome the shortcomings or at least substantially ameliorate the shortcomings and disadvantages of the conventional target training systems.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[010] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi function target system for gunnery training.

[012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a less weight and low noise multi function target system for gunnery training.

[013] The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[014] According to an aspect of the present invention, a multi function target system used in conjunction with gunnery training is disclosed. The system comprises of a chassis configured to accommodate a drive mechanism.

[015] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the system comprises of a target assembly configured to hold a target held at its one end. The system is characterized to have a driving mechanism for holding the said target assembly.

[016] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the said drive mechanism is configured to rally (back and forth) a teethed rack, wherein a pinion at a distal end of the shaft is configured to pair with the said teethed rack with help of a gear system.

[017] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, a servo motor is configured to achieve rotary motion of the said target assembly in y-axis, wherein the said multi function target system is configured such that the linear movement of the actuator in x-axis rotates the said gear, rack and said pinion.

[018] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the said pinion of the said multi function target system rotates the target assembly in z-axis.

[019] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the motor rotates the said target assembly on y-axis and the said drive mechanism in 90 & 180 degrees.

[020] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, wherein the said target system is configured to perform a functional requirement of 5 Degrees of Freedom (DoF), like pop-up 90 deg & -90 deg (z-axis), rotate -90 deg (y-axis), slicing 90 deg (z-axis), slicing -180 deg (z-axis), and rotate -180 deg (y-axis).

[021] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, wherein the said drive mechanism is run by a linear actuator.

[023] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, wherein the said drive mechanism and the said motors are independently controlled for required degrees of freedom.

[024] In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, wherein the system is used in coordination with a dry firing practice simulator, a gunnery training simulator, a target practicing simulator, or a gaming system.

[025] Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[026] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[027] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multi function target system used in conjunction with a gunnery training system with its components in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[028] FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the driving mechanism in said multi-function target system used in conjunction with a gunnery training device in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[029] FIG. 3 discloses 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D illustrates configuration views that performs functional requirements of 5 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) of the present invention;

[030] It is appreciated that not all aspects and structures of the present invention are visible in a single drawing, and as such multiple views of the invention are presented so as to clearly show the structures of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[031] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[032] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a multi-function target system used in conjunction with gunnery training devices is disclosed.

[034] Referring to Fig’s, Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multi-function target system (1) and its driving mechanism used in conjunction with a gunnery training system with its components in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function target system (1) comprises of a tubular enclosure (11), a drive mechanism (12), and a target sheet assembly (10). The said drive mechanism (12) includes a stepper motor (3), a gear module (4). a linear actuator (5), a rack (7), a pinion (8), and a shaft (6). The said target sheet assembly (10) includes a rotary box (13) attached to a servo motor (9) through a lead screw (14) holds a target sheet (15).

[035] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the said tubular enclosure (11) acts as base of the system (1) accommodates a chassis (2) that hosts the said drive mechanism (12). The said linear actuator (5) accompanied with the said stepper motor (3) is fixed to said chassis (2) at one end. The said rack (7) engaged with the said pinion (8) is attached at another end of the said linear actuator (5) and the said system (1) performs a functional requirement of 5 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) with the said drive mechanism (12) associated with the said target sheet assembly (10).

[036] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the said drive mechanism (12) is configured to rally (back and forth) on the teethed rack (7), wherein the said pinion (8) at a distal end of the shaft (6) is configured to pair with the said teethed rack (7) with help of the said gear module (4). Wherein the said linear movement of the actuator (5) in x-axis rotates the said gear module (4) and the said pinion (8).

[037] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the said servomotor (9) rotates the target sheet assembly (10) on y-axis, and the drive mechanism (12) in 90 & 180 degrees and the said servo motor (9) is directly attached to the chassis (2) and imparts rotary motion to the said system (1) in y-axis.

[038] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3A-3D, illustrates configuration views of the multi-function target system (1) that performs functional requirements of 5 Degrees of Freedom (DoF). The 5 DoF’s includes pop-up 90 deg & -90 deg (z-axis), rotate -90 deg (y-axis); slicing 90 deg (z-axis), slicing -180 deg (z-axis); and rotate -180 deg (y-axis).

[039] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the said linear movement of the actuator (5) in x-axis rotates the said gear module (4) and the said pinion (8). The rotation of pinion (8) moves the rotary box to eventually rotate the target assembly (10) to pop-up in z-axis. The said actuator (5) moves in negative x-axis to pop-up the said target sheet assembly (10) in counterclockwise direction (-90deg). Inside the said system (1) wherein the said linear actuator (5) and the said servomotor (9) are independently controlled to achieve the required degrees of freedom.

[040] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the said drive mechanism (12) consists of linear actuator (5) and the said motor (9) is a stepper or a servo motor.

[041] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the said drive mechanism (3) and the said motor (9) are independently controlled, for required degrees of freedom.

[042] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the system (1) is used in coordination with a dry firing practice simulator, a gunnery training simulator, a target practicing simulators.

[043] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention limit switches may be employed on either dead end of the rack (7). If the said rack (7) moves above the permissible limit, its motion can be halted by cutting off power. This mitigates any chances of unwanted damage to the components.

[044] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention the enclosure has been modeled such that if the rack (7) moves beyond the intended dead end, it will be stopped by the enclosure on one side and the actuator (5) on the other side.

[045] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention the said teethed rack (7) at the end of the required length have been merged so as to create interference, creating a mechanical lock and hence preventing them from moving any further than intended.

Forces and torques acting on the Target assembly:
Target assembly properties:
Projected width (b) = 300mm = 0.3m
Height (h) = 1000mm = 1m
Mass (m) = 4 kg
Angular velocity = p/2 rad/sec
Initial torque required to move the plate from horizontal position

t_h=F X r
t_h=mg X r
t_h=4 X 9.8 X 0.5
t_h=19.6 Nm
Torque due to self-weight at any given instance:

t_mg=F ¯ X r ¯
t_mg=mg h/2 cos??
Force generated due to wind load in vertical position under strong uniform wind with va = 15 m/s and air density ? = 1.2 kg/m3
F_v=1/2 ?Av^2
F_v=1/2 ?(b X h) v^2
F_v=1/2 X 1.2 X 1 X 0.3 X ?15?^2
F_v=40.5 N

This force can be considered as a concentrated load at CG as it is a uniformly distributed load. Minimum torque required to move the plate against this wind load is

t_v=F_w X r
t_v=40.5 X 0.5
t_v=20.25 Nm
Force generated due to wind loads at any given instance
F_w=1/2 ?A_projected ?v_a?^2
F_w=1/2 ?(b X h sin?? ) ?v_a?^2

Toque generated due to this force
t_w=F ¯ X r ¯
t_w=1/2 ?(b X h sin?? ) ?v_a?^2 X (h sin??)/2
t_w=1/2 ?bh^2 ?v_a?^2 ?sin?^2 ?
Therefore the total torque that has to be overcome at any given angle is given by
t=t_mg ?+ t?_w
t=mg h/2 cos??+1/2 ?bh^2 ?v_a?^2 ?sin?^2 ?
Finding the maxima of the function by differentiating it with respect to ?, the maximum was found to be at 0.254rad.
Therefore the maximum torque that might be need to rotate the target assembly while considering the combined effect of self weight and wind loads is given by
[t]_max=19.6 cos??+20.25 ?sin?^2 ?
t_max=20.26 Nm
As long as the driver provides enough power to generate 20.26 Nm of torque at the C-bracket shaft, the target assembly can be moved as required.

Provided Motor specifications:
Power wattage (P) = 250 Watts
Speed (?) = 375 RPM
= 375 X 2p/60 = 39.27 rad/sec
=375/60 = 6.25 rev/sec
Torque (t) = P/ ? = 6.37 N-m

Provided linear actuator specifications:
Lead screw diameter = 12mm
Lead screw pitch (p) = 6mm
Linear speed (v) = 6mm/rev X 6.25 rev/sec = 37.5 mm/sec
The force exerted by the linear actuator can be calculated by the formula
t=F_l [(p+µpd)/(pd-µp)] X d/2
Substituting the values the force exerted by the linear actuator is
Force (Fl) = 3316.73 N

Pinion specifications:
Pitch circle diameter = 60mm
Module = 1
No. of teeth = 60 X 1 = 60

Considering a pinion with a diameter of 60mm, the torque experienced by the target assembly is given by,
Torque on target (T) = Fl X r = 3316.73 X 30/1000
= 99.5 N-m
To overcome the forces like self weight, wind loads, etc. that act on the target assembly, the required torque was found to be at most 25N-m and hence the linear actuator selected meets the required specification.
Minimum rack length required for 900 rotations:
r?=l
60/2 X p/2=l
l=47.12 mm
Time period for 900 rotations:
Rack length=velocity X time
? l=t X v
t=47.123/37.5
t=1.25 seconds
Therefore, the target assembly takes 1.25 seconds for pop up action.
Similarly, if a time period of 1.15 seconds is needed, a pinion of 55mm diameter is required.

[046] Thus, there is disclosed the multi function target system (1) used in conjunction with gunnery training devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications which can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications.

[047] The features and functions described above, as well as alternatives, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

[048] The described exemplary embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Variations in the arrangement of the structure are possible falling within the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A multi-function target system (1) for gunnery training, wherein the system (1) comprises of:
a tubular enclosure (11), a drive mechanism (12), and a target sheet assembly (10);
the said drive mechanism (12) includes a stepper motor (3), a gear module (4). a linear actuator (5), a rack (7), a pinion (8), and a shaft (6);
the said target sheet assembly (10) includes a rotary box (13) attached to a servo motor (9) through a lead screw (14) holds a target sheet (15);
Characterized in that,
the said tubular enclosure (11) acts as base of the system (1) accommodates a chassis (2) that hosts the said drive mechanism (12);
the said linear actuator (5) accompanied with the said stepper motor (3) is fixed to said chassis (2) at one end;
the said rack (7) engaged with the said pinion (8) is attached at another end of the said linear actuator (5); and
the said system (1) performs a functional requirement of 5 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) with the said drive mechanism (12) associated with the said target sheet assembly (10).

2. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said drive mechanism (12) is configured to rally (back and forth) on the teethed rack (7), wherein the said pinion (8) at a distal end of the shaft (6) is configured to pair with the said teethed rack (7) with help of the said gear module (4).

3. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said servomotor (9) rotates the target sheet assembly (10) on y-axis, and the drive mechanism (12) in 90 & 180 degrees.

4. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said servo motor (9) is directly attached to the chassis (2) and imparts rotary motion to the said system (1) in y-axis.

5. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said linear movement of the actuator (5) in x-axis rotates the said gear module (4) and the said pinion (8).

6. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation of pinion (8) moves the rotary box to eventually rotate the target assembly (10) to pop-up in z-axis.

7. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator moves in negative x-axis to pop-up the said target sheet assembly (10) in counter clockwise direction (-90deg).

8. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said linear actuator (5) and the said servomotor (9) are independently controlled to achieve the required degrees of freedom.

9. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said target sheet assembly (10) of the said system (1) is configured to perform a functional requirement of 5 Degrees of Freedom (DoF), like
a. pop-up 90 deg & -90 deg (z-axis); 30
b. rotate -90 deg (y-axis);
c. slicing 90 deg (z-axis);
d. slicing -180 deg (z-axis); and
e. rotate -180 deg (y-axis).

10. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (1) is adapted as multi-function target system for dry firing practice simulators, gunnery training simulators, and target practicing simulators.