EP0411480B1 - Test carrier - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a test vehicle with a chassis and an opening in the chassis dimensioned for a tower or the like, which can be exchangeably received in an opening dimensioned for a tower or the like in the chassis of a combat vehicle.

• Baugruppen-Versuchsträger dienen der Prüfung und Optimierung von einzelnen Baugruppen, wie der Waffenrichtanlage, Aufklärungsbaugruppen und Feuerleitsensoren;
• Verfahrens-Versuchsträger dienen der Entwicklung konzept-spezifischer Verfahren wie Schießverfahren und Feuerleitfunktionen aber auch der Überprüfung logistischer und taktischer Aspekte;
• Konfigurations-Versuchsträger dienen zur Ermittlung der optimalen Konfiguration einschließlich der geometrischen Aspekte der Baugruppen und Verfahren.

When designing new types of combat vehicles, the design and development are checked through investigations with test vehicles, which can be divided into three groups according to their main uses:

• Sub-assemblies are used to test and optimize individual assemblies, such as the weapon leveling system, reconnaissance assemblies and fire control sensors;
• Process test vehicles serve to develop concept-specific processes such as shooting processes and fire control functions, but also to check logistical and tactical aspects;
• Configuration test vehicles are used to determine the optimal configuration, including the geometric aspects of the assemblies and processes.

Processes, systems and assemblies are improved in iterative optimization, whereby an interaction between the optimization cycles for coordinating the assemblies, systems and processes has to be established.

At the beginning of such an optimization process there are requirements that can no longer be met with existing systems. To meet such demands, ideas for a new concept are developed, which are integrated into the three classes "process", "assemblies" and "configurations" can be divided. The new concept will first be examined for assemblies and processes by carrying out interactive test and optimization cycles. As soon as a satisfactory degree of optimization has been achieved, the configuration, including the construction of a configuration test vehicle, can be started. However, a dilemma looms on this point: Given realistic test conditions, the configuration test vehicle must be as similar as possible to the final desired system, ie it must be close to a prototype. On the other hand, such a prototype cannot be easily modified inexpensively. If negative results appear during the course of the trial, a fundamental remedy must be returned to the stage of brainstorming. With the conventional approach to development, there is therefore the difficulty that, as the concept becomes more precise, concept modification becomes more and more difficult and complex.

The invention has for its object to provide a test vehicle of the type mentioned, which is easily adaptable to different configuration methods and enables interactive module optimization with little effort.

To achieve this object, a test vehicle according to claim 1 is provided according to the invention.

• unter den dynamischen Bedingungen von Feld- und Gefechtsversuchen,
• unter Einbeziehung der Mannschaft als integralem Teil des Systems,
• parallel zur Konfigurations- und Baugruppenoptimierung und
• nicht erst nach vollständiger technischer Reife konzeptspezifischer Baugruppen,
  ohne daß bei jeder Veränderung einzelner, sensibler Systemparameter, Baugruppen und/oder Geräte ein neuer Versuchsträger erstellt werden muß.

With the test vehicle according to the invention it is achieved that a "concept rigidity" is avoided in the advanced stage of a system development. The test vehicle according to the invention allows the optimization of configurations and assemblies

• under the dynamic conditions of field and combat tests,
• involving the team as an integral part of the system,
• parallel to configuration and module optimization and
• not only after complete technical maturity of concept-specific assemblies,
  without having to create a new test vehicle every time individual, sensitive system parameters, assemblies and / or devices are changed.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are protected in the subclaims.

• Fig. 1 die perspektivische Ansicht eines Beispiels für einen Versuchsträger nach der Erfindung;
• Fig. 2 in auseinandergezogener Darstellung die einzelnen Bestandteile eines auswechselbaren Kampfraumcontainers, der in den Versuchsträger nach Fig. 1 eingebaut ist, wobei teilweise zu Fig. 1 unterschiedliche Geräte am Kampfraumcontainer angeordnet sind, und
• Fig. 3 einen Teilschnitt durch einen Kampfraumcontainer nach der Erfindung in zusammengebautem Zustand.

The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings of an embodiment with further details. Show it:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a test vehicle according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 in an exploded view of the individual components of an interchangeable combat area container, which is installed in the test vehicle according to Fig. 1, partially different from Fig. 1 Devices are arranged on the combat area container, and
• Fig. 3 is a partial section through a combat container according to the invention in the assembled state.

In the figures, parts that are the same or have the same effect are designated with the same reference numbers.

Fig. 1 shows a test vehicle according to the invention. A chassis 20 has a chain drive 2 and contains a drive and a driver's seat (not shown). An opening is provided in the chassis 20 which receives a combat area container 4. From this combat area container 4, only a roof 50 can be seen in the illustration according to FIG. 1, which carries various devices. These devices include a simulated weapon system, for example in the form of a laser shot simulator 56, a sighting device 54, an observation device 52 and a stabilized viewing device 58 (DE-PS 33 28 031).

2, the combat area container 4 comprises a basket 10 which can be inserted into the opening of the tub 20 and releasably connected thereto, as explained in detail with reference to FIG. 3. The basket 10 contains battlegrounds 12 (in the embodiment shown a total of 4 battlegrounds), each of which includes a directional grip 14 and a monitor 16. Furthermore, central electronics 18 are accommodated in the basket 10. The basket 10 itself has a base 11 which is supported by vertical struts 13 via shock absorbers 30 on a support ring 32 belonging to the basket 10. In the embodiment shown, three struts 13, each with a shock absorber 30 in the form of a rubber element, are offset by 90 ° to one another. Also belongs to the basket a stabilized azimuth drive 24, via which the basket can be driven in rotation in the opening of the chassis 20. The devices 52 to 58 are easily replaceable in the roof 50. All of the components 12 to 18 and 52 to 58 arranged in the combat area container 4 are effectively protected against shocks due to the shock-absorbing suspension, which are communicated to the chassis when the test vehicle is traveling over uneven ground.

Fig. 3 shows the construction of the combat area container 4 in detail. The inner edge of the opening in the chassis 20 is surrounded by an annular flange 21 which carries a fixed bearing ring 23 in its upper part and a fixed rotating ring 22 with ring gear teeth 25 in its lower part. A wire bearing 34 is arranged between the fixed bearing ring 23 and an inner bearing ring 27. With the inner bearing ring 27, a support ring 32 is connected, each carrying brackets 33 offset by 90 °. The three struts 13 of the basket 10 are supported on the brackets 33 by rubber elements 30.

Gear wheels (not shown) of the stabilized azimuth drive 24, which are braced against one another, interact with the ring gear teeth 25 of the rotating ring 22. The structure and mode of operation of this azimuth drive are known (DE-PS 27 27 582) and are therefore not described in detail.

A support structure with an upper ring 17 and a lower ring 19 is connected to the upper end of the struts 13.

With the upper support ring 17, the roof 50 is detachably connected via screws 51. The interior of the basket 10 is sealed from the external environment by means of a sealing ring 31 which is formed in a support ring 32 Groove is received and is pressed with its top to the bottom of the lower ring 19 of the support structure 17, 19 of the basket 10.

It can be seen that the roof 50 and thus the assemblies and / or devices carried by the roof 50 are easily removed and serviced after loosening the screws 51 from the basket 10 mounted in the opening or by a roof equipped with other assemblies and / or devices can be exchanged. This shortens the testing of new assemblies and / or components in field trials.

Claims (7)

1. A test carrier comprising a chassis with an opening formed therein of dimensions adapted to a tower or the like, an insert (4) being interchangeably disposed in the opening and comprising different assemblies or items of equipment, characterised in that the insert is a combat zone container (4) carrying the assemblies and equipment for testing (12 to 18; 52 to 56), in that the combat zone container comprises a cage (10) releasably connected to the chassis (20) and covered by a roof (50) releasably connected thereto, in that the cage (10) contains substantially invariant assemblies (12) and items of equipment (18), namely cockpits (12) for operators including the associated instrumentation (14, 16) and a central electronics unit (18), and in that the roof (50) carries assemblies and/or items of equipment (52, 54, 56) which are more frequently variable.
2. A test carrier according to claim 1, characterised in that the roof (50) carries at least one weapon simulator (56), reconnaissance and sighting equipment (52, 54) and a display unit (58) and in that the cage (10) is mounted in the opening in the chassis (20) so as to be rotatable with azimuthal stabilisation.
3. A test carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the chassis (20) comprises a fixed ring mount (22) and in that the cage (10) is adapted to be driven in rotation via an azimuth drive disposed on the cage (10) and co-operating with the ring mount (22).
4. A test carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the cage (10) is suspended in the chassis (20) by means of shock absorbers (30).
5. A test carrier according to claim 4, characterised in that the cage (10) has base (11) to receive the cockpits (12) and struts (13) which, by way of shock absorbers (30) disposed at their top ends, are vertically supported on a rotatable support ring (32) which is in turn supported for rotation in azimuth by way of a bearing (34) on the chassis (20).
6. A test carrier according to claim 5, characterised in that three struts (13) engage the periphery of the support ring (32) by way of three shock absorbers each offset 90°.
7. A test carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the roof (50) is connected to a support part (17) of the cage (10) by means of screws (51).

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