EP2581698B1 - Sampling device for sampling soil from the inside of a vehicle and method for sampling - Google Patents

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 probe holder for a vehicle is from the EP2221572 A2 known. 5

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 the object of enabling 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 the invention, the height adjustment device is operable 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 also 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 device can the sensing head are set at a predetermined height above the ground in an air sensing position in which pollutants and warfare agents can be taken 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 by providing a tracing device as described above.

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.

Fig. 1

ein Fahrzeug mit einer Spürvorrichtung in der Ruhestellung im Längsquerschnitt;

Fig. 2

das Fahrzeug aus der Fig.1 in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 3-4

das Fahrzeug gemäß Fig.1, wobei sich der Spürkopf der Spürvorrichtung in zwei unterschiedlichen Spürstellungen befindet;

Fig. 5

die Spürvorrichtung gemäß Fig.1 in der Ruhestellung in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 6

die Spürvorrichtung gemäß Fig.1 in der Luftspürstellung in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 7

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Handhabe zur Veranschaulichung der Veränderlichkeit der Winkelstellung.

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:

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

the vehicle from the Fig.1 in a plan view;

Fig. 3-4

the vehicle according to Fig.1 wherein the sensing head of the sensing device is in two different sensing positions;

Fig. 5

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

Fig. 6

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

Fig. 7

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

The illustrations in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a military vehicle 1, which is designed as a tracking vehicle. In the ballistically protected interior 7 of the vehicle 1, a seat 3 is provided, from which a person referred to below as a tracker 2 can operate a tracing device 9 of the vehicle 1. The representation in Fig. 2 shows the interior 7 of the vehicle 1 in a plan view. The sensing device 9 is arranged next to the seat 3, as it is known from parking brakes in passenger vehicles.

The detection device 9 has an alignment device 10, which is arranged in the interior 7 of the vehicle and via which a sensing head 30 of the detection device 9 can be aligned above the ground, cf. Fig. 3 and FIG. 4 , Again FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 can also be seen, the sensing head 30 at the lower end of a tube 31 is arranged, which is guided through a shaft 5 in the vehicle floor panel 4. The sensing 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 tube 31 serves to guide through the sensing head 30 vaporized air and / or soil samples in the interior of the vehicle 1 and supply an analysis device, not shown. To protect the tube 31, a tube 31 surrounding the bellows 32 is provided. In order to avoid contaminated by pollutants or contaminants ambient air can get into the vehicle interior 7, the shaft 5 is sealed for the passage of the tube 31 through the vehicle floor 4 so flexible that alignment and lowering movements of the tube 31 and the sensing head 30 are possible , For storage of the tube 31 in the vehicle floor 4, a ball bearing, not shown in the figures, may be provided in the vehicle floor 4 or in the shaft 5.

In order to increase the ground clearance of the vehicle 1, a height adjustment device 20 is provided on the sensing device 9, which is arranged between the alignment device 10 and the sensing head 30. By the height adjustment device 20, the stroke of the sensing head 30 can be increased. The sensing head 30 can be lowered by the height adjustment device 10 from the rest position to the detection position and raised by the detection position in the rest position. It is therefore not necessary to effect the lowering of the sensing head 30 by the alignment device 10.

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

The Fig. 5 shows the sensing device 9 in a rest position in which the sensing head 30 is located in a protected from environmental influences position within the shaft 5. In order to protect the sensing head 30 while driving with the vehicle 1 against unwanted contact with protruding from the ground 8 objects, the flaps 6, which close the shaft 5 downwards, closed in the rest position.

For aligning the sensing head 30, an alignment device 10 is provided on the sensing device 9, which is operable via a handle 11. The handle 11 is formed in the manner of a substantially elongated rocker, which can be pivoted about a pivot bearing 13 in a substantially horizontal direction. The handle 11 is pivotable together with the pivot bearing 13 via a second pivot bearing 14 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 has a linear guide 15, via which the handle 11 and the pivot bearings 13 and 14 can be moved in the direction of a vehicle longitudinal axis L.

To the sensing head 30 of the sensing device 9 of the in Fig. 5 illustrated rest position in the in Fig. 6 illustrated air sensing position, in which the sensing head 30 is lowered to a height H above the ground 8, a arranged between the alignment device 10 and the sensing head 30 height adjustment device 20 is further provided on the sensing device 9. By the height adjustment device 20, the height H of the sensing head 30 is arbitrary, so that any height H between the rest position and a Ground detection position in which the sensing head 30 is in contact with the bottom 8, can be adjusted.

The height adjustment device 20 is rigidly connected to the alignment device 10 and coupled via a designed as a ball joint 33 pivot point with the tube 31. Due to the connection of the height adjustment device 20 between the alignment device 10 and the tube 31, movements of the alignment device 10 can be transmitted to the tube 31. While the height H of the sensing head is adjusted via the height adjustment device 20, the alignment of the sensing head 30 by the alignment device 10 can thus take place. If the alignment device 10, for example, as in the Fig. 3 shown displaced along the linear guide 15 in the direction of the front end of the vehicle interior 7, the sensing head 30 is aligned in the sensing area above the bottom 8 in an opposite direction. Moves the tracker 2, the alignment device 10 in the direction of its trunk, so alignment of the sensing head 30 in the direction of the front in the direction of travel of the detection area, see. Fig. 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 Fig. 5 can be seen, the height adjustment device 20, a threaded spindle 21, on which a spindle nut 26 is received. To protect the threaded spindle 21, a bellows 22 is provided, which surrounds the threaded spindle 21, see. Fig. 5 , The spindle nut 26 is connected via a formed in the manner of a link arm 24 with the ball joint 33. For stability reasons is also a linear guide 23 is provided for guiding the connecting member 24 in the direction of the threaded spindle 21, which is aligned parallel to the threaded spindle 21. For this purpose, the connecting member 24 has a guide element 27, which is guided on the linear guide 23. The connecting member 24 is pivotally connected to the tube 31 via the ball joint 33.

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

Instead of a crank 25, a drive for actuating the threaded spindle 21 may be provided on the height adjustment device 20, 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 actuator for adjusting the height H to be arranged on the height adjustment device 20.

In order to effect a locking of the alignment, the alignment device in the pivot bearings 13 and 14 and in the linear guide 15 each have a brake which can be actuated via a brake lever 12. Like the detailed representation of the handle 11 in the Fig. 7 is the brake lever 12 hingedly connected to the handle 11 and biased by a spring 16 against the handle 11.

The handle 11 also has a handle shell 17, in which the hand of the spur 2 can be received during actuation of the handle 11. In order to create optimal working conditions for tracking 2 of different size, the angular position of the handle 11 is adjustable. The handle 11 has a portion 11.1, which is connected via a hinge 18 pivotally connected to a second portion 11.2. By semicircular openings arranged in the overlapping areas of the sections 11.1 and 11.2 more screws 19 for locking the angular position of the sections 11.1 and 11.2 are guided to each other. In the embodiment according to Fig. 7 are three different angular positions of the section 11.1 relative to the section 11.2 adjustable. The section 11.1 can be pivoted relative to the section 11.2 by 0 °, 20 ° and 40 °. Alternatively, the adjustment of the two sections 11.1 and 11.2 could be designed such that an arbitrary pivot angle is adjustable.

The sensing device 9 described above may be used in the method for detecting ground from the interior 7 of a vehicle 1. According to the methods, the sensing head 30 of the sensing device 9 is lowered by the height adjustment device 20 in the direction of the bottom 8 and aligned by the alignment device 10 in the detection area. The alignment and lowering can be done manually by the tracker 2.

As soon as the sensing head 30 is in contact with the ground 8, an optionally required contact pressure on the sensing head 30 can be exerted via the height adjustment device 20 by the crank 25 being rotated by the feeler 2. The contact pressure can be heard via the height adjustment device 10 as long until a trace result is achieved. During the sensing process, a soil sample is vaporized by the evaporator of the sensing head 30 and sucked through the tube 31 to the analysis device in the interior 7 of the vehicle 1.

Optionally, the sensing device 9 may comprise 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 may be connected to the pipe 31 via a hinged joint, so that the sensing head 30 is aligned with unevenness of the soil. The articulated joint can be designed spring-loaded.

The speed when lowering the sensing head 30 and the contact pressure can be adjusted by selecting the translation of the crank 25 to the threaded spindle 21.

After the bottom trace has been performed, the tracker 2 can lift the sensing head through the height adjustment device 20 and transfer it to the rest position.

Because of the height adjustment device 20 arranged according to the invention between the alignment device 10 and the sensing head 30, the described tracing device 9, the vehicle 1 and the method enable a larger stroke of the sensing head 30 and thus increased ground clearance.

Reference numerals:

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

Claims (13)

1. Sensing device for sensing the ground from inside a vehicle (1), having a sensing head (30) which can be brought into contact with the ground (8), is intended for vaporizing samples of air and/or ground and can be oriented in a sensing region above the ground (8) by actuation of an orienting device (10),
   characterized by
   a height-adjusting device (20) which is arranged between the orienting device (10) and the sensing head (30), is intended for adjusting the height (H) of the sensing head (30) above the ground (8) and can be actuated independently of the orienting device (10),
   and a point of articulation about which the sensing head (30) can be pivoted, wherein the point of articulation can be lowered by the height-adjusting device (20).
2. Sensing device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the height-adjusting device (20) can be actuated manually and/or by motor.
3. Sensing device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the height-adjusting device (20) has a linear drive.
4. Sensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height-adjusting device (20) can be operated via a crank (25).
5. Sensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height-adjusting device (20) has a threaded spindle (21).
6. Sensing device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the threaded spindle (21) is of self-locking design.
7. Sensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the point of articulation is designed in the form of a ball joint (33).
8. Sensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height-adjusting device (20) is connected rigidly to the orienting device (10).
9. Sensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orienting device (10) is of rocker-like design.
10. Vehicle, characterized by a sensing device (9) according to one of the preceding claims.
11. Method of sensing the ground from inside a vehicle (1), with a sensing device (9) which has a sensing head (30) which can be brought into contact with the ground (8), is intended for vaporizing samples of air and/or ground and is oriented in a sensing region above the ground (8) by actuation of an orienting device (10),
    characterized
    in that the sensing head (30) is lowered via a height-adjusting device (20) which is arranged between the orienting device (10) and the sensing head (30) and which height-adjusting device (20) is actuated independently of the orienting device (10), and
    in that the sensing head (30) is pivoted about a point of articulation, wherein the point of articulation is lowered by the height-adjusting device (20).
12. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the sensing device is designed according to one of Claims 1 to 9.
13. Method according to either of Claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the height-adjusting device (20) exerts a contact pressure for the purpose of pressing the sensing head (30) onto the ground (8).

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