Combined loading device and combined loading method for shell and charge

Provided are a combined loading device and method. The combined loading device includes a first housing in which a shell is inserted; a second housing in which a charge is inserted, the second housing being connected to the first housing; a first support located in the first housing and configured to allow the shell or the charge to be seated thereon and linearly moved; and a driving unit located inside the first housing, connected to the first support, and configured to move the first support on which the shell is seated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device and a method, and more particularly, to a combined loading device and a combined loading method.

BACKGROUND ART

A firing unit such as a cannon or self-propelled artillery needs to be loaded with a shell and a charge to fire on a target. A shell may be loaded into a gun barrel first, and then a charge may be loaded behind the shell. The shell and charge may be inserted into the gun barrel of a firing unit using a mechanical or human force.

While the shell is usually loaded into the gun barrel using an automatic loading apparatus, the charge is loaded into the gun barrel using a human force since the charge may be damaged when a device for loading a shell is used because the charge is lighter and softer than the shell. In particular, when an excessive force is applied to the charge, the charge may explode and impact the surroundings.

Automatic loading apparatuses are disclosed in detail in KR Patent Publication No. 1999-0003881 (entitled “A Shell Automatic Loading Apparatus of a Small Turret Tank”, Applicant: Hyundai Precision & Industries Corporation) and KR Patent Publication No. 1998-0010997 (entitled “Automatic Loading Apparatus of a Breech-Gun for Tank & Clamp for the Same”).

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Provided are a combined loading device and a combined loading method.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a combined loading device includes a first housing in which a shell is inserted; a second housing in which a charge is inserted, the second housing being connected to the first housing; a first support located in the first housing to allow the shell or the charge to be seated and linearly moved; and a driving unit located inside the first housing and connected to the first support to move the first support on which the shell is seated.

The driving unit may include a first driving unit connected to the first support to linearly move the first support.

The driving unit may further include a second driving unit located between the first housing and the first support and configured to move the first support via an elastic force.

The combined loading device may further include a second support at an outer surface of the first support, wherein a portion of the second driving unit penetrates through the second support.

The combined loading device may further include a first driving unit located between the second support and one surface of the first housing and configured to move the first support.

The driving unit may include a second driving unit located between the second support and the first housing and configured to apply an elastic force to the second support.

The first driving unit may include a first chain connected to the first support; a second chain connected to the first support and located to face the first chain; and a chain driver configured to combine the first chain and the second chain into a zipper chain and apply a force to the first support.

The combined loading device may further include a transfer unit configured to transfer the charge inserted in the second housing to the first housing.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a combined loading method includes inserting a shell into an opening of a first housing and seating the shell on a support; inserting a charge in a second housing connected to the first housing; loading the shell into a gun barrel by linearly moving the support on which the shell has been seated; seating the charge on the support; and loading the charge into the gun barrel by linearly moving the support on which the charge is seated.

A force applied to the support when the charge is loaded is less than a force applied to the support when the shell is loaded.

Advantageous Effects

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a shell and a charge may be automatically loaded into a gun barrel using a single device. In addition, the shell and charge may be loaded using different forces, so that the charge may be loaded into a gun barrel without being damaged.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to be easily realized by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this present disclosure belongs. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a combined loading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An artillery20, a combined loading device10, an automatic shell transfer device30, an automatic shell transfer rail90, and an automatic charge transfer rack80are illustrated inFIG. 1.

The artillery20shoots far a shell60using the explosive force of gunpowder. The artillery20may be a field gun, a mortar, or a self-propelled gun. The artillery20is loaded with the shell60and a charge70and shoots the shell60using the explosive force of the charge70. Loading is completed when the charge70is inserted in the artillery20after the shell60is inserted in the artillery20.

The combined loading device10lifts the shell60and the charge70to a gun barrel21of the artillery20using a driving force and loads the shell60and the charge70into the gun barrel21. The combined loading device10may load the shell60and the charge70in a separate space. The combined loading device10may rotate around a portion coupled to the gun barrel21. The combined loading device10may rotate to be vertical to the ground so that the shell60is inserted in the combined loading device10. After the shell60is inserted, the combined loading device10may rotate to be horizontal to the ground so that the charge70is inserted in the combined loading device10. At least one charge70may be inserted in the combined loading device10. The number of charges70may vary with the flight distance of the shell60. After the shell60and the charge70are inserted in the combined loading device10, the combined loading device10rotates to be aligned with the length direction of the gun barrel21so as to load the shell60and the charge70. In detail, when the gun barrel21makes a certain angle with respect to ground, the combined loading device10also makes the same angle with respect to ground.

A shell rack40moves the shell60to the shell transfer rail90. A plurality of shells60are loaded into the shell rack40. The shell rack40moves the shells60sequentially to the shell transfer rail90so that the automatic shell transfer device30may grab each shell60.

The shell transfer rail90may linearly move the automatic shell transfer device30. The shell transfer rail90may linearly move the automatic shell transfer device30using the torque of a motor, a conveyor belt, a ball screw, and a rack gear.

The automatic shell transfer device30grabs and inserts the shell60in the combined loading device10. The automatic shell transfer device30grabs the shell60out of the shell rack40and moves horizontally along the shell transfer rail90. The automatic shell transfer device30may horizontally move to a position facing the combined loading device10and insert the shell60into a side of the combined loading device10. The automatic shell transfer device30may move the shell60in a direction horizontal to the ground using a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or motor.

The charge70is loaded into the automatic charge transfer rack80. The automatic charge transfer rack80may automatically insert at least one charge70in the rear of the combined loading device10when the combined loading device10becomes horizontal to the ground.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view, taken along line II-II inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a perspective view of a first housing and a second housing shown inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the combined loading device10includes a transfer unit310between a first housing100and a second housing300.

The shell60may be inserted into a side of the first housing100and loaded into the inside of the first housing100. The first housing100provides a path through which the shell60may be linearly moved to the gun barrel21. The first housing100may include a through-hole120in a surface facing the gun barrel21so that the shell60may be passed through the through-hole120. The first housing100may include a driving unit200which may lift the shell60or the charge70. When the shell60is loaded into the gun barrel21, the first housing100is positioned to be in line with the length direction of the gun barrel21so that the shell60may be passed through the through-hole120and loaded into the gun barrel21.

The second housing300is located on one surface of the first housing100. The charge70may be inserted into a side of the second housing300. At least one charge70may be loaded into the second housing300. The transfer unit310is located at an interface between the first housing100and the second housing300. The transfer unit310supports the charge70inserted in the second housing300so that the charge70may be loaded into the second housing300. The transfer unit310may selectively connect the inside of the first housing100to the inside of the second housing300so that the charge70may be moved to the first housing100. In this case, the first housing100faces the ground and the second housing300is located higher than the first housing100.

According to an embodiment, after the shell60is loaded into the first housing100and the charge70is loaded into the second housing300, the combined loading device10is positioned to be aligned with the length direction of the gun barrel21(FIG. 1) so as to load the shell60and the charge70into the gun barrel21.

The transfer unit310supports the charge70so that the charge70is positioned inside the second housing300. The second housing300is located higher than the first housing100, and therefore, when the transfer unit310opens a passage between the first housing100and the second housing300, the charge70may be moved to the first housing100by the gravity. The transfer unit310may open or close the passage through which the charge70may be moved between the first housing100and the second housing300. The transfer unit310may move a plurality of charges70to the second housing300at one time. The transfer unit310includes an opening and closing driver which opens and closes plates. The opening and closing driver may move the plates to the horizontal direction of the interface between the first housing100and the second housing300using a linear motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder so as to form a passageway between the first housing100and the second housing300. Alternatively, the opening and closing driver may rotate the plates toward the first housing100to form a passageway between the first housing100and the second housing300. The opening and closing driver may include any device which moves the transfer unit310.

According to an embodiment, the transfer unit310may move the charge70to the first housing100by opening and closing two plates between the first housing100and the second housing300. The plates may rotate toward the first housing100or linearly move in the length direction of the plates to open the passageway. The plates are long in the length direction of the second housing300. The plates may support a plurality of charges70.

According to another embodiment, the transfer unit310may include two arc plates310aand310b. The curvature of the arc plates310aand310bmay correspond to the curvature of the side surface of each charge70. When the curvature of the arc plates310aand310bcorresponds to the curvature of the side surface of the charge70, the area of portions of the arc plates310aand310bwhich support the charge70may be maximized. The opening and closing driver may rotate the arc plates310aand310btoward the first housing100so as to form a passage through which the charge70may be moved between the first housing100and the second housing300. The transfer unit310may surround the side surface of the charge70to minimize the motion of the charge70when the charge70is moved to the first housing100and guide the charge70be arranged in the center of a first support131of the first housing100.

According to still another embodiment, the transfer unit310may include a single plate, and the opening and closing driver may slide the single plate to move the charge70to the first housing100.

FIG. 4is a front view of the first housing shown inFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first housing100, a first support130, a guide unit140, and the driving unit200.

The first support130is located inside the first housing100. A top surface of the first support131on which the shell60or the charge70is seated is flat. The shell60or the charge70is seated on the top surface. The first support130may be connected to the driving unit200and linearly moved by the driving force of the driving unit200. The top surface of the first support130may have circular or polygonal shape. The top surface of the first support130may have a diameter or a side length greater than the diameter of the shell60or the charge70so that the shell60or the charge70may be stably seated on the top surface. The first support131is installed to be moved up and down in the first housing100, thereby linearly moving the shell60or the charge70, which has been seated thereon, lengthwise. A bottom surface of the first support130may be connected to the driving unit200, and the driving unit200may linearly move the first support130.

According to an embodiment, a hole is formed in a bottom surface101of the first housing100. A frame103housing the driving unit200is located at the bottom surface101of the first housing100. The side length or diameter of the hole is less than that of the first support130. In this case, the first support130may be located across the hole not passing through the hole. The first support130is connected to the driving unit200through the hole.

The driving unit200may be located between the first housing100and the first support130and may provide a driving force to the first support130to linearly move the first support130. The driving unit200may include a first driving unit210having the torque of a motor, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or magnetic force as the driving force.

The guide unit140is located at an inner side of the first housing100and includes two guide plates141and two motion driving portions143. The guide plates141are arc plates having curvature corresponding to the curvature of the side surface of the charge70and the shell60. The motion driving portions143linearly move the guide plates141and may include a hydraulic, pneumatic or linear motor. The guide plates141are located to face each other. The guide plates141may be moved by the motion driving portions143to be close to or far away from each other. The motion driving portions143may respectively move the guide plates141so that the guide plates141respectively have corresponding speeds and corresponding moving distances. In this case, the guide unit140may correct the position of the charge70or the shell60, which has been seated on the first support130, so that the charge70or the shell60is located at the center of the first support130.

According to an embodiment, the first driving unit210may include a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder which moves a piston or a plunger in linear reciprocating motion using hydraulic or pneumatic pressure. The first driving unit210may push the first support130using hydraulic or pneumatic pressure so as to linearly move the first support130. Alternatively, the first driving unit210may linearly move the shell60or the charge70using the torque of the motor. When the first driving unit210includes a driving motor, the first driving unit210may convert rotary motion into linear motion using a power transmission means and transmit a driving force to the shell60or the charge70. The power transmission means may include a chain, a ball screw, a rack gear, a zipper chain, etc. Although the first driving unit210is located at a bottom surface of the first housing100inFIG. 5A, the first driving unit210may be located inside either the first housing100or the second housing300as long as the first driving unit210is able to transmit a driving force enabling the shell60or the charge70to move in linear motion. The first driving unit210may continuously apply a force to the shell60or the charge70so as to move the shell60or the charge70in linear motion and may change the direction of the linear motion by changing the rotation direction of the motor.

The driving unit200may also include a second driving unit220abetween the first housing100and the first support130. The second driving unit220aapplies an elastic force to the first support130. The second driving unit220amay include a spring221which surrounds a portion connecting the first driving unit210to the first support131. The diameter of the spring221of the second driving unit220ais smaller than the diameter or side length of the hole. The spring221of the second driving unit220amay pass through the hole and apply an elastic force to the first support130.

According to an embodiment, the spring221of the second driving unit220amay be separated from the first support130. The spring221of the second driving unit220amay be separated from the first support130after transmitting an elastic force to the first support130so as not to hinder the linear motion of the first support130. After the first support130is separated from the spring221, the first support130may be moved linearly by the driving force of the first driving unit210.

FIG. 5Ais a front view of the first housing shown inFIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5Bis a partially enlarged view of a part of the first housing shown inFIG. 5A.

Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the first driving unit210includes a first chain211, a second chain213, and a chain driver215. A second driving unit220bincludes the spring221. It is assumed hereinafter that a direction in which the shell60is linearly moved for loading is a first direction and an opposite direction to the first direction is a second direction.

A first frame105housing the second driving unit220band a second frame103housing the first driving unit210are located on the bottom surface101of the first housing100. The length of long side of the first frame105is shorter than the length of long side of the second frame103. The second frame103is located to surround the first frame105. The first frame105and the second frame103are coupled to the bottom surface101of the first housing100using a bolt or welding. A through-hole through which the first driving unit210passes is formed in a surface of the first frame105. The diameter of the through-hole is smaller than that of the spring221so that the spring221does not pass through the through-hole.

The first chain211and the second chain213are connected to the first support131. The first chain211and the second chain213are located to face each other. A connection gap, i.e., a groove211bof the first chain211engages with a second protrusion213aof the second chain213, and a first protrusion211aof the first chain211engages with a groove213bof the second chain213. The first chain211and the second chain213may combine to form a zipper chain and stand straight by themselves in a moving direction by counterbalancing and stabilizing the horizontal component of a force. The first chain211and the second chain213form a shape corresponding to a 90-degree rotated “E” in the second frame103. Opposite ends of the first chain211and the second chain213move in different directions such that respective ends of the first and second chains211and213connected to the first support131move in the first direction while the other respective ends of the first and second chains211and213move in the second direction.

According to an embodiment, a first chain through-hole109aand a second chain through-hole109bare formed in the bottom surface101of the first housing100. A portion of the first chain211may pass through the first chain through-hole109a. A portion of the second chain213may pass through the second chain through-hole109b. Even though the length of the first and second chains211and213are greater than the circumference of the second frame103, the first and second chains211and213may linearly move in the first housing100through the first and second chain through-holes109aand109b, respectively. In other words, the length of the first and second chains211and213is not limited by the circumference of the second frame103.

The chain driver215includes a first sprocket212and a second sprocket214, which rotate in opposite directions. The first sprocket212engages with one of the first and second chains211and213and the second sprocket214engages with the other one of the first and second chains211and213. Although not shown, the chain driver215may also include a fixing unit (not shown) such that the first and second chains211and213are fixed by the fixing unit no to move. The chain driver215may allow the first and second chains211and213to engage with each other to be in a rigid state or separate engaged portions of the first and second chains211and213from each other. For example, the chain driver215may engage the first and second chains211and213with each other so that the first and second chains211and213become rigid and may apply a force to the first support131. In this case, the chain driver215may linearly move the first support131in the first direction. The chain driver215may separate the engage portions of the first and second chains211and213from each other and linearly move the first support131in the second direction.

The second driving unit220bis located at the first housing100. The spring221of the second driving unit220bis in contact with a second support133and is bound to the first frame105. The spring221of the second driving unit220bmay be supported by the first frame105and may pass through the hole formed in the bottom surface101of the first housing100. The spring221may be maintained in a compressed state by the first support131.

According to an embodiment, the second driving unit220bmay apply a force to the first support131together with the first driving unit210. A necessary force to load the shell60may be embodied by the resultant force of the first driving unit210and the second driving unit220b. For example, when the shell60is loaded by linearly moving the first support131using the first driving unit210, significantly large torque of a motor or hydraulic or pneumatic pressure may be required. In this case, the size and cost of the motor or hydraulic or pneumatic equipment of the first driving unit210may be greatly increased. Accordingly, when the driving unit200further includes the second driving unit220bincluding an elastic body, a burden to the first driving unit210may be decreased. Meanwhile, the second driving unit220bmay include the spring221. Before the loading of the shell60, the spring221of the second driving unit220bmay be compressed so that the second driving unit220bhas an elastic force by the first driving unit210.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a first support and a second support shown inFIG. 5A.FIG. 6partially shows an interior of the second support.

Referring toFIG. 6, the first support131is inserted in the second support133. Referring to the interior of the second support133, the first support131is bound to the first and second chains211and213. When the first support131is completely inserted in a first recess133aof the second support133, surfaces of the first support131and the second support133, on which the shell60is seated, may be form one plane. In this case, the first support131is supported by the second support133.

The second support133includes a surface on which the shell60or the charge70is seated. An insertion recess, i.e., the first recess133ais formed in the surface133c. The diameter of the insertion recess133ais greater than that of the first support131. The first support131may be inserted in the insertion recess133a. When the first support131is inserted in the insertion recess133a, the insertion recess133asurrounds a lateral surface of the first support131. A bottom surface of the insertion recess133amay support the first support131. A driving through-hole133bis formed in one surface of the insertion recess133a. The diameter of the driving through-hole133bis smaller than that of the first support131so that the first support131does not escape downward from the second support133. The diameter of the driving through-hole133bis greater than that of a chain guide217. A portion of the chain guide217passes through the driving through-hole133band is bound to the first support131. A side length of the surface133cof the second support133is greater than the diameter of the insertion recess133a. The diameter of the spring221(inFIG. 5) is less than the side length of the surface133cbut greater than the diameter of the insertion recess133a. In this case, the spring221(inFIG. 5) is located to border a surface facing the surface133cof the second support13. The spring221(inFIG. 5) may be located close to a lateral side of the insertion recess133aso that the spring221(inFIG. 5) is prevented from bending in a direction different from a direction in which an elastic force is transmitted. In other words, the spring221(inFIG. 5) may transmit the elastic force to the second support133in a more accurate direction when the elastic force is transmitted through the surface facing the surface133cthan when the spring221(inFIG. 5) borders one surface of the insertion recess133a.

The chain guide217prevents upper engaged portions of the first and second chains211and213from moving in a direction vertical to the direction of the linear motion thereof. The chain guide217surrounds a portion at which the first and second chains211and213are bound to the first support131. The chain guide217can hold the engaged portions of the first and second chains211and213so that the direction of the linear motion of the engaged portions is not changed.

FIGS. 7A to 7Bare drawings showing the operation of inserting a shell and a charge using the combined loading device shown inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 7A through 7C, the combined loading device10rotates to be vertical to the ground surface for the insertion of the shell60. The automatic shell transfer device30grabs the shell60and moves along the shell transfer rail90to a position facing the combined loading device10. The automatic shell transfer device30pushes the shell60into the first housing100of the combined loading device10. When the shell60is inserted in the combined loading device10, the combined loading device10rotates to be horizontal to the ground surface. When the combined loading device10is horizontal to the ground surface, the automatic charge transfer rack80pushes the charge70into the combined loading device10. At this time, a plurality of charges70may be inserted in the combined loading device10according to the flight distance of the shell60. When at least one charge70is inserted in the combined loading device10, the combined loading device10rotates to be aligned with the length direction of the gun barrel21.

FIGS. 8A to 8Dare drawings showing the operation of loading a shell using the combined loading device shown inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 8A to 8D, the second support133is fixed by the first support131such that the spring221of the second driving unit220bmaintains an elastic force in a compressed state. The shell60has been inserted into a side of the first housing100and seated on the first support131and the second support133. The shell60is located at the center of the first support131and the second support133by the guide unit140so that the shell60may pass through the through-hole120(seeFIG. 8A).

When the first driving unit210linearly moves the first support131by applying a driving force, the second driving unit220bapplies accumulated energy (e.g., an elastic force) to the second support133. The second support133starts linear motion due to the elastic force of the second driving unit220band, as described with reference toFIG. 6, pushes the first support131. At this time, the driving force of the first driving unit210and the elastic force of the second driving unit220bare applied together to the shell60(seeFIG. 8B).

The second support133is separated from the spring221of the second driving unit220b, and the speed of the linear motion of the second support133in the first direction is decreased. The driving force of the first driving unit210is continuously applied to the first support131. The first support131continuously transmits the driving force to the shell60while guiding the shell60to the gun barrel21. Since the speed of the second support133is decreased while the speed of the first support131is maintained or increased, the first support131is separated from the second support133(seeFIG. 8C).

The first support131pushes the shell60into the gun barrel21. When the shell60is inserted and loaded into the gun barrel21, the first support131stops the linear motion in the first direction. The chain driver215of the first driving unit210reverses the rotation direction thereof so that the engaged portions of the first and second chains211and213are separated from each other. At this time, the first support131linear moves in the second direction and stops at a position where the charge70transferred from the second housing300to the first housing300may be seated (seeFIG. 8D).

According to an embodiment, the first support131is connected to the first driving unit210and linearly moves in subordination to the linear motion of the first driving unit210. The second support133supports the shell60or the charge70while supporting the first support131. When the first support131starts linear motion due to a driving force of the first driving unit210, the spring221of the second driving unit220blinearly moves the second support133by applying an elastic force to the second support133. The second support133transmits the elastic force to the first support131to push out the first support131. At this time, the shell60is linearly moved by the driving force of the first driving unit210and the elastic force of the second driving unit220b. While the first support131continuously receives the driving force of the first driving unit210, the second support133does not receive the elastic force after being separated from the second driving unit220b. The first support131is accelerated by the driving force of the first driving unit210, but the second support133is decelerated. Accordingly, the first support131is separated from the second support133. For example, the first support131may guide the shell60to the through-hole120while transmitting the driving force of the first driving unit210to the shell60.

FIGS. 9A to 9Eare drawings showing the operation of loading a charge using the combined loading device shown inFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 9A to 9E, in a procedure for seating the charge70on the first support131, the arc plates310aand310bof the transfer unit310rotate toward the lateral sides of the first housing100. The charge70loaded into the second housing300is transferred to the first housing100due to the rotation of the transfer unit310. The charge70transferred to the first housing100may be seated on the first support131. The charge70may be located at the center of the first support131by the guide unit140(seeFIG. 9A).

The charge70is seated on the first support131in a state where the spring221of the second driving unit220bis not compressed. Since the hardness and mass of the charge70are lower than those of the shell60, the charge70may be damaged when the forces of the first driving unit210and the second driving unit220bare applied to the charge70as they are applied to the shell60. The charge70needs to be loaded using a force less than the force used when the shell60is loaded. To prevent damage to the charge70, the combined loading device10seats the charge70on the first support131in a state where the spring221of the second driving unit220bis not compressed (seeFIG. 9B).

The first support131starts linear motion in the first direction due to the driving force of the first driving unit210. At this time, the second support133is at a standstill since no driving force or elastic force is applied thereto, and the first support131is separated from the second support133and linear moves the charge70. The first support131continuously applies the driving force of the first driving unit210to the charge70while guiding the charge70to the through-hole120until the charge70enters the gun barrel21(seeFIG. 9C).

The chain driver215of the first driving unit210reverses the rotation direction thereof so as to move linearly the first support131in the second direction. The first support131is surrounded by the second support133and transmits the driving force of the first driving unit210to the second support133so that the first support131and the second support133start linear motion together. The second support133is in contact with the spring221of the second driving unit220b. The second support133compresses the spring221of the second driving unit220busing the driving force received by the first support131(seeFIG. 9D).

The first driving unit210stops the chain driver215when the length of the spring221of the second driving unit220breaches an initial length which the spring221has when the shell60is seated on the first support131. The first support131and the second support133are fixed, so that second driving unit220bis maintained in the compressed state (seeFIG. 9E).

The weight and hardness of the charge70are lower than those of the shell60. When a force applied to the shell60to load the shell60is applied to the charge70, the charge70is in danger of being damaged or exploding. To prevent the charge70from being damaged, the charge70is usually loaded into the gun barrel21(inFIG. 1) using a human force or a separate device for loading the charge70with a right force. According to an embodiment, the combined loading device10includes the first driving unit210and the second driving unit220bso as to use different forces, respectively, when the charge70is loaded and when the shell60is loaded. The mass and hardness of the shell60are higher than those of the charge70. The shell60is loaded using forces of the first and second driving units210,220btogether. The charge70is loaded using a force of one of the first and second driving units210and220. Since the charge70may be loaded using a driving force of a single appropriate driving unit, the charge70is loaded without fear of explosion or damage. For example, when the first driving unit210has a driving force of 50 N and the second driving unit220has an elastic force of 50 N in a case where a force of 80 N is needed to load the shell60and a force of 50 N is needed to safely load the charge70without damage, the combined loading device10may load the charge70using either the driving force of the first driving unit210or the elastic force of the second driving unit220.

According to an embodiment, when the shell60is loaded, the charge70in a second housing may be quickly transferred to a first housing. To complete loading, the charge70needs to be completely loaded. The charge70is located at a first support of the first housing and is loaded into the gun barrel21(inFIG. 1) by the driving force of the first driving unit210. Since the charge70may also be loaded using one combined loading device, firing may be quickly prepared. In addition, the combined loading device can load the charge70while maintaining the arrangement with the gun barrel21(inFIG. 1) in which the combined loading device has loaded the shell60. For example, after the shell60is loaded, the charge70is usually loaded using a separate automatic loading device for the charge70or a human force. In this case, a device used to load the shell60is removed and the separate device is coupled to the gun barrel21(inFIG. 1) or a human force is used to insert the charge70in the gun barrel21(inFIG. 1). When the separate device is used to load the charge70, the separate device needs to be located such that the separate device is in line with the length direction of the gun barrel21(inFIG. 1) and a through-hole is in contact with a hole of the gun barrel21(inFIG. 1). Since the combined loading device can load the charge70without changing the position at which the combined loading device has been when loading the shell60, the charge70may be quickly loaded.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bare drawings showing the operation of loading a charge using the combined loading device shown inFIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 10A, the first support131supports a plurality of charges70. A length d3of the spring221of the second driving unit220bis less than a length d2of the spring221of the second driving unit220binFIG. 9B. When the number of charges70to be loaded exceeds a predetermined value, the driving force of the first driving unit210only may not be enough to appropriately load the charges70. In this case, the first driving unit210linearly moves the first and second supports131and133in the second direction to a certain position so that the spring221of the second driving unit220bis compressed to have a predetermined elastic force. The charges70can receive the driving force of the first driving unit210and the predetermined elastic force of the second driving unit220b.

According to an embodiment, the combined loading device10may control the compression of the spring221of the second driving unit220baccording to the number of charges70seated on the first support131, thereby adjusting a force applied to the charges70. The charges70are gunpowder which provides energy needed to propel the shell60. The number of charges70to be loaded may vary with the flight distance of the shell60. A plurality of charges70may need to be loaded and loading the plurality of charges70may need a greater force than loading a single charge70. In this case, a force applied to the charges70may be adjusted by controlling the elastic force of the second driving unit220b. For example, when the number of charges70to be loaded exceeds a predetermined value, the first support131may press down the spring221of the second driving unit220bto a certain position. However, the length d3of the spring221of the second driving unit220bis greater than a length d1of the spring221of the second driving unit220b, the spring221of the second driving unit220bhaving the length d1when the shell60is loaded.

Referring toFIG. 10B, when the first driving unit210linearly moves the first support131by applying a driving force to the first support131, the second driving unit220bapplies accumulated energy (e.g., an elastic force) to the second support133. The second support133starts to be linearly moved by the elastic force of the second driving unit220band pushes the first support131. At this time, the driving force of the first driving unit210and the elastic force of the second driving unit220bare applied together to the charges70, and the charges70are linearly moved in the same direction as the first and second supports131and133. The driving force of the first driving unit210is continuously applied to the first support131, so that the speed of linear motion of the first support131is maintained or increased. After the second support133is separated from the spring221, the speed of the second support133is decreased, and the second support133is separated from the first support131. The first support131applies the driving force to the charges70and guides the charges70to the through-hole120so as to load the charges70into the gun barrel21.

While this present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The preferred embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is defined not by the detailed description of the present disclosure but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present disclosure.