DE102011054436A1 - Tracing device for ground detection from the interior of a vehicle and method for detecting ground - Google Patents

Abstract

A tracing device (9) for ground detection from the interior of a vehicle having a sensing head (30) which can be brought into contact with the ground (8), which is alignable by operating an alignment device (10) in a sensing area above the ground (8), one between the alignment device (10) and the sensing head (30) arranged height adjustment device (20) for adjusting the height (H) of the sensing head (30) above the ground (8) and corresponding method for ground sensing with such a sensing device (9).

Description

The invention relates to a tracing device for floor tracing from the interior of a vehicle having a sensing head which can be brought into contact with the ground, which can be aligned by actuating an alignment device in a tracing area above the ground. Another object of the invention is a vehicle. Also described is a method of sensing ground from within a vehicle having a sensing device that includes a ground engaging feeler head that is aligned by operating an alignment device in a sensing area above the ground.

Tracing devices for ground detections are used in particular military vehicles, for example, to detect harmful substances and warfare agents in the ground and thus in the environment of the vehicle can. Such vehicles are often designed as detection vehicles or detection armor.

A well-known tracking vehicle with a tracing device describes the DE 10 2009 015 828 A1 , The sensing device has a sensing head, which is arranged at the free end of a guided through the vehicle floor, pivotable tube. About the sensing head harmful and warfare agents can be evaporated from the ground and / or the ambient air and passed to an analysis device inside the vehicle. Further, an alignment device is provided in the manner of a linkage with a handle. The tracker operating the detection device can align the detection head by actuating the handle in a detection area above the ground. Furthermore, by means of the alignment device, the tracker can lower the sensing head under leverage into a sensing position in which the sensing head is in contact with the ground, and then apply a contact pressure to the sensing head in the sensing position.

With this tracer good tracing results can be achieved. With regard to the lowering and raising of the sensing head, however, it has been found that the maximum stroke of the sensing head is limited by the alignment device. The sensing head can thus be raised from the ground detection position only in a small height above the ground in the rest position. Thus, even in the rest position, in which the sensing head has a maximum distance from the ground, the ground clearance of the vehicle may be limited by the sensing device.

The invention has as its object to enable an improved ground clearance of the vehicle.

In a tracing device of the type mentioned, the object is achieved by a arranged between the alignment and the sensing head height adjustment device for adjusting the height of the sensing head above the ground.

The height adjustment device may be disposed between the alignment device and the sensing head such that it is connected to the alignment device and to the sensing head. By the height adjustment device, an additional stroke of the sensing head can be made possible. Thus, the ground clearance can be increased by the height adjustment.

By height adjustment of the sensing head from the rest position in which the sensing head in a protected area above the ground, z. B. the vehicle interior or a shaft below the vehicle interior, is lowered into the sensing position. Furthermore, the height adjustment device can be used to raise the sensing head from the detection position to the rest position.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the height adjustment device can be actuated independently of the alignment device. The sensing head can be aligned via the alignment device. The lowering and / or raising of the probe can be done via the height adjustment device, wherein the alignment can be in any position. Thus, the height of the sensing head can be adjusted separately by the height adjustment.

Preferably, the height adjustment device is manually operable, so that the lowering of the sensing head can be done via the movements of the sensing device serving tracker. The sensing device may include an actuating mechanism for actuating the height adjustment device, which is operable by the tracker. Alternatively, the height adjustment device can be actuated by a motor. A motorized operation of the height adjustment device has the advantage that the force required by the tracker when lowering and / or pressing the sensing head is reduced. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the height adjustment device can be actuated both manually and by motor, so that the height adjustment device can be adjusted either manually or via a drive.

In a motor-operated height adjustment device, a linear drive is preferably provided, so that the sensing head is translationally movable. The linear drive can be electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic.

In connection with a manual height adjustment device, it has proved to be advantageous if the height adjustment device can be operated via a crank. Via a crank, a torque for lowering and / or for pressing the sensing head can be provided.

Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous if the height adjustment device has a threaded spindle. About a threaded spindle, a rotational movement, such as a crank or a drive, are converted into a translational movement of the sensing head.

Preferably, the height adjustment device, in particular the threaded spindle, formed lockable. By a lockable height adjustment of the sensing head can be set at a predetermined height above the ground in an air sensing position in which harmful and warfare agents can be absorbed from the air. Particularly preferably, the height adjustment device has a self-locking threaded spindle. By a self-locking threaded spindle, the locking of the sensing head can be made possible without additional locking devices.

With regard to the alignment of the sensing head, it has also proven to be advantageous if the sensing head, in particular by the alignment, about a hinge point is pivotally, wherein the hinge point is lowered by the height adjustment device. The pivot point can be lowered in the direction of the vehicle floor. Since the maximum possible pivoting angle of the sensing head increases with the lowering of the pivot point in the direction of the opening in the vehicle floor, when the pivot point is lowered, a larger detection area can be scanned with the sensing head.

The hinge point is preferably designed as a ball joint, so that the sensing head is pivotable by the alignment device on a spherical surface about the hinge point. With appropriate alignment by the alignment and lowering by the height adjustment device of the sensing head can thus be aligned in a substantially elliptical detection area on the floor below the vehicle.

According to a structural embodiment, the height adjustment device is rigidly connected to the alignment device. The height adjustment device can be moved to align the sensing head with the alignment device. Alternatively it can be provided that the height adjustment device is pivotally coupled to the alignment device.

With regard to the alignment, it has also proven to be advantageous if this is formed rocker-shaped. About a rocker-shaped alignment, the alignment and / or lowering of the sensing head can be done under leverage.

With regard to the ergonomics of the alignment device, it is preferred if the alignment device has an adjustment device for adapting the alignment device to the size of the tracker. The adaptation device can be adjustable in such a way that detectors of different body size and / or arm length can operate the alignment device.

The alignment device may include a handle for aligning the sensing head. The handle can be rotatably supported by a rotary bearing about an axis of rotation. In order to adapt the handle to the body size of the tracker, an angular position of the handle on the adjustment device can be adjustable. Preferably, angular positions of 0 °, 20 ° and 40 ° are adjustable. Alternatively, the angle which the sections include may be arbitrary.

Another object of the invention is a vehicle, in particular a tracking vehicle. In such a vehicle, the object is achieved in that a tracing device described above is provided.

By arranged between the alignment and the sensing head height adjustment device, an additional stroke of the sensing head can be made possible. The sensing head can be lowered and raised regardless of the respective ground clearance of the vehicle by the height adjustment device. Thus, the ground clearance of the vehicle can be increased by the height adjustment.

Hereinafter, a method will be described, which is suitable as well as the inventive tracing device and the vehicle to solve the above problem. It is provided in a method of the type mentioned above to solve the problem that the sensing head is lowered via a arranged between the alignment and the sensing head height adjustment.

The detection head can first be aligned with the alignment device above the floor and then lowered by means of the height adjustment device in the direction of the floor. Thus, an additional stroke of the sensing head can be made possible by the arranged between the alignment and the sensing head height adjustment device and the ground clearance of the vehicle can be improved overall.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, a contact pressure for pressing the sensing head is exerted on the ground by the height adjustment device. The sensing head can be brought into contact with the ground via the height adjustment device and then pressed against the ground via the height adjustment device in such a way that the contact pressure required for receiving soil samples is set.

In the method described above, furthermore, the advantageous embodiments described in connection with the sensing device and the vehicle may also be used.

Further advantages and details of the above-described detection device, the vehicle and the method will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an embodiment. Show:

1 a vehicle with a tracing device in the rest position in longitudinal cross-section;

2 the vehicle from the 1 in a plan view;

3 - 4 the vehicle according to 1 wherein the sensing head of the sensing device is in two different sensing positions;

5 the detection device according to 1 in the rest position in a side view;

6 the detection device according to 1 in the air sensing position in a side view;

7 an enlarged view of the handle to illustrate the variability of the angular position.

The illustrations in 1 and 2 show a military vehicle 1 , which is designed as a tracking vehicle. In the ballistically protected interior 7 of the vehicle 1 is a seat 3 provided, from which one below as Spürer 2 designated person a tracer 9 of the vehicle 1 can serve. The representation in 2 shows the interior 7 of the vehicle 1 in a top view. The tracer 9 is so beside the seat 3 arranged, as it is known from parking brakes in passenger vehicles.

The tracer 9 has an alignment device 10 on which in the interior 7 the vehicle is arranged and via which a sensing head 30 the tracer 9 can be aligned above the ground, cf. 3 and 4 , Again 3 and 4 also to be taken is the sensing head 30 at the bottom of a pipe 31 arranged, which through a shaft 5 in the vehicle floor plate 4 is guided. The spotting head 30 has an evaporator through which air or soil samples are transferred to a vaporous state. The evaporator is designed in the manner of a heating element.

The pipe 31 serves to through the sensing head 30 vaporized air and / or soil samples into the interior of the vehicle 1 to guide and supply to an analysis device, not shown. To protect the pipe 31 is a the pipe 31 surrounding bellows 32 intended. To avoid contaminated by pollutants or agents ambient air into the vehicle interior 7 can reach, is the shaft 5 for the passage of the pipe 31 through the vehicle floor 4 sealed so flexible that alignment and lowering movements of the tube 31 and the spotting head 30 be enabled. For storage of the pipe 31 in the vehicle floor 4 can be a ball bearing not shown in the figures in the vehicle floor 4 or in the shaft 5 be provided.

To the ground clearance of the vehicle 1 increase is at the tracer 9 a height adjustment device 20 provided, which between the alignment device 10 and the sensing head 30 is arranged. By the height adjustment device 20 may be the stroke of the sensing head 30 increase. The spotting head 30 can through the height adjustment device 10 lowered from the rest position to the detection position and raised from the detection position to the rest position. It is therefore not necessary to lower the sensing head 30 through the alignment device 10 to effect.

The operation of the sensing device according to the invention 9 and the tracking vehicle 1 will be explained below on the basis of the detailed representations in the 5 and 6 be explained in more detail.

The 5 shows the tracer 9 in a rest position, in which the feeler head 30 in a protected from environmental influences position within the shaft 5 located. To the feeler 30 while driving with the vehicle 1 from unwanted contact with from the ground 8th To protect outstanding objects are the flaps 6 which the shaft 5 close to the bottom, closed in the rest position.

For aligning the sensing head 30 is at the tracer 9 an alignment device 10 provided, which via a handle 11 is operable. The handle 11 is designed in the manner of a substantially elongated rocker, which is a pivot bearing 13 can be pivoted in a substantially horizontal direction. The handle 11 is together with the pivot bearing 13 over a second pivot bearing 14 pivotable in a substantially horizontal plane. The axes of rotation of the pivot bearings 13 and 14 are oriented perpendicular to each other. In addition, the alignment device 10 a linear guide 15 on, over which the handle 11 and the pivot bearings 13 and 14 in the direction of a vehicle longitudinal axis L can be moved.

To the feeler 30 the tracer 9 from in the 5 illustrated rest position in the in 6 shown air sensing position to transfer, in which the sensing head 30 at a height H above the ground 8th is lowered, is at the tracer 9 and another between the alignment device 10 and the sensing head 30 arranged height adjustment device 20 intended. By the height adjustment device 20 is the height H of the sensing head 30 freely selectable, so that any height H between the rest position and a ground sensing position, in which the sensing head 30 in contact with the ground 8th stands, can be adjusted.

The height adjustment device 20 is rigid with the alignment device 10 connected and via a ball joint 33 trained hinge point with the pipe 31 coupled. Due to the connection of the height adjustment device 20 between the alignment device 10 and the tube 31 , can movements of the alignment device 10 on pipe 31 be transmitted. While the height H of the sensing head on the height adjustment device 20 is adjusted, thus, the orientation of the sensing head 30 through the alignment device 10 respectively. Will the alignment device 10 for example, as in the 3 represented along the linear guide 15 towards the front end of the vehicle interior 7 moved, so is the sensing head 30 in the sensing area above the ground 8th oriented in an opposite direction. Shifts the tracker 2 the alignment device 10 in the direction of its trunk, so an orientation of the sensing head takes place 30 in the direction of the front edge of the detection area in the direction of travel, cf. 4 ,

Under the vehicle, a camera, not shown in the figures may be arranged, by means of which the alignment, the lowering and the actual sensing via a monitor, also not shown in the interior 7 of the vehicle 1 is observable.

As further of the representation in the 5 can be seen, the height adjustment device 20 a threaded spindle 21 on which a spindle nut 26 is included. To protect the threaded spindle 21 is a bellows 22 provided that the threaded spindle 21 surrounds, cf. 5 , The spindle nut 26 is about a trained in the manner of a link link 24 with the ball joint 33 connected. For stability reasons is also a linear guide 23 for guiding the link 24 in the direction of the threaded spindle 21 provided, which parallel to the threaded spindle 21 is aligned. The connecting link 24 has a guide element for this purpose 27 which is on the linear guide 23 to be led. The connecting link 24 is over the ball joint 33 swiveling with the tube 31 connected.

The operation of the threaded spindle 21 via a on the rocker-shaped handle 11 the alignment device 10 arranged crank 25 which is independent of the alignment device 10 is operable. About the crank 25 can change the position of the spindle nut 26 on the threaded spindle 21 be easily changed by hand and thus the height H of the sensing head 30 be set. In addition, the threaded spindle 21 self-locking, so that the spindle nut 26 in any position on the threaded spindle 21 can be stopped without changing your position by itself. Due to the self-locking threaded spindle 21 can the spotting head 30 in an air sensing position at any height H above the ground 8th be arrested.

Instead of a crank 25 can be on the height adjustment device 20 a drive for actuating the threaded spindle 21 be provided, so that there is a linear drive in the manner of a spindle drive. Furthermore, it is also conceivable, other linear actuators, for. B. a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or an electromechanical linear drive for adjusting the height H of the height adjustment 20 to arrange.

In order to effect a locking of the alignment, the alignment device in the pivot bearings 13 and 14 as well as in the linear guide 15 in each case a brake, which via a brake lever 12 are operable. Like the detailed representation of the handle 11 in the 7 is the brake lever 12 hinged to the handle 11 Tailed and over a spring 16 against the handle 11 biased.

The handle 11 also has a handle 17 on, in which the hand of the spurner 2 when operating the handle 11 can be included. Um for Spürer 2 different size optimal working conditions to feel, is the angular position of the handle 11 adjustable trained. The handle 11 has a section 11.1 on which one over a joint 18 pivotable with a second section 11.2 connected is. By semicircular openings in the overlapping areas of the sections 11.1 and 11.2 are several screws 19 for locking the angular position of the sections 11.1 and 11.2 led to each other. In the embodiment according to 7 are three different angular positions of the section 11.1 opposite the section 11.2 adjustable. The section 11.1 can be opposite the section 11.2 be pivoted by 0 °, 20 ° and 40 °. Alternatively, the adjustment could be the two sections 11.1 and 11.2 be designed such that an arbitrary pivot angle is adjustable.

The sensing device described above 9 may be in the process of ground sensing from the inside 7 of a vehicle 1 come into use. According to the method, the sensing head becomes 30 the tracer 9 through the height adjustment device 20 in the direction of the ground 8th lowered and through the alignment device 10 aligned in the detection area. The alignment and lowering can be done manually by the tracker 2 respectively.

Once the spotting head 30 with the ground 8th Can be connected via the height adjustment device 20 a possibly required contact pressure on the sensing head 30 be exercised by the crank 25 through the tracker 2 is turned. The contact pressure can via the height adjustment 10 be answered until a trace result is achieved. During the sensing process, a soil sample is taken through the evaporator of the sensing head 30 evaporated and through the pipe 31 to the analyzer inside 7 of the vehicle 1 sucked.

Optionally, the tracer 9 have a sensor, not shown, which detects the beginning and end of the sensing process. Beginning and end of the detection process can be reported to the tracker. In addition, the vehicle may have a control device, by means of which a drive blocking can be made possible, which prevents starting when the detection device is in the ground detection position.

In a modification of the embodiment of the sensing head 30 with the pipe 31 be connected via an articulated joint, so that the sensing head 30 is alignable to unevenness of the soil. The articulated joint can be designed spring-loaded.

The speed when lowering the sensing head 30 as well as the contact pressure can be on the choice of the translation of the crank 25 on the threaded spindle 21 be set.

After the ground tracking has been performed, the spurner 2 the sensing head by the height adjustment device 20 Lift and transfer to the rest position.

Due to the invention between the alignment 10 and the sensing head 30 arranged height adjustment device 20 allow the described tracer 9 , the vehicle 1 and the process a larger stroke of the sensing head 30 and thus an increased ground clearance.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

person

3

Seat

4

Vehicle floor board

5

shaft

6

flap

7

inner space

8th

ground

9

sensing device

10

alignment

11

handle

12

brake lever

13

pivot bearing

14

pivot bearing

15

linear guide

16

feather

17

grip

18

joint

19

screw

20

height adjustment

21

spindle

22

bellow

23

guide

24

link

25

crank

26

spindle nut

27

guide element

30

leak detector

31

pipe

32

bellow

33

ball joint

H

height

L

vehicle longitudinal axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009015828 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Tracing device for ground detection from the interior of a vehicle ( 1 ) with one with the ground ( 8th ) can be brought into contact 30 ) operated by an alignment device ( 10 ) in a detection area above the ground ( 8th ), characterized by a between the alignment device ( 10 ) and the sensing head ( 30 ) arranged height adjustment device ( 20 ) for adjusting the height (H) of the sensing head ( 30 ) above the ground ( 8th ). Tracing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the height adjustment device ( 20 ) independent of the alignment device ( 10 ) is operable. Tracing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height adjustment device ( 20 ) is manually and / or motor actuated. Tracing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the height adjustment device ( 20 ) has a linear drive. Tracing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height adjustment device ( 20 ) via a crank ( 25 ) is operable. Tracing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height adjustment device ( 20 ) a threaded spindle ( 21 ) having. Tracing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the threaded spindle ( 21 ) is self-locking. Tracing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensing head ( 30 ) is pivotable about a hinge point, wherein the hinge point by the height adjustment device ( 20 ) is lowered. Detecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the pivot point as a ball joint ( 33 ) is trained. Tracing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height adjustment device ( 20 ) rigid with the alignment device ( 10 ) connected is. Tracing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alignment device ( 10 ) is formed rocker-shaped. Vehicle characterized by a tracing device ( 9 ) according to any one of the preceding claims. Method for detecting ground from inside a vehicle ( 1 ) with a tracing device ( 9 ), one with the ground ( 8th ) can be brought into contact 30 ) which is actuated by actuation of an alignment device ( 10 ) in a detection area above the ground ( 8th ), characterized in that the sensing head ( 30 ) via one between the alignment device ( 10 ) and the sensing head ( 30 ) arranged height adjustment device ( 20 ) is lowered. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the detection device is designed according to one of claims 1 to 11. Method according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that by the height adjustment device ( 20 ) a contact pressure for pressing the sensing head ( 30 ) on the ground ( 8th ) is exercised.

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