EP4356064A1

EP4356064A1 - Armoured vehicle with an emergency exit hatch arranged in the vehicle floor

Info

Publication number: EP4356064A1
Application number: EP22773210.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Burghard RÖWE; Matthias JUNGE
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
Priority date: 2021-10-08
Filing date: 2022-09-05
Publication date: 2024-04-24
Also published as: DE102021126174A1; WO2023057145A1

Abstract

An armoured vehicle (1) with an emergency exit hatch (10) is proposed. The vehicle (1) has a vehicle floor (20). The emergency exit hatch (10) is arranged in the vehicle (1) in a closed state in an opening in the vehicle floor (20). The vehicle furthermore comprises a lifting device for opening the emergency exit hatch (10). For this purpose, an actuating element is provided by means of which the lifting device can be actuated. A fastening device (40) is arranged on a side of the vehicle floor (20) that is directed towards an interior of the vehicle (1). The lifting device is then connectable by means of the fastening device (40) and can act on the emergency exit hatch (10) by means of the actuating element. In the process, the emergency exit hatch (10) is raised out of the opening and therefore transferred into an open state.

Description

DESCRIPTION

ARMORED VEHICLE WITH EMERGENCY EXIT HATCH LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE FLOOR

The present invention relates to an armored vehicle with an emergency exit hatch. The armored vehicle referred to in this invention is equipped with a vehicle floor, for example with a trough construction. This vehicle floor is to be understood as the outward delimitation of the vehicle and, in normal operation, runs parallel to the floor outside of the vehicle on which the vehicle is driving.

DE 10 2015 114 426 A1 discloses a lifting/pivoting device for a hatch cover of a protected vehicle. The device comprises a flange element which can be firmly connected to a roof or a roof section of the vehicle. A sleeve member is rotatably and axially immovably mounted in the flange member. A column element is slidably and non-rotatably mounted in the sleeve element in a longitudinal direction of the device and can be firmly connected to the hatch cover. An operating element for operating the device and a coupling device for selectively coupling and decoupling with the sleeve element complete the device. Because the operating element can be coupled to and decoupled from the sleeve element, it can fulfill a dual function. When coupled, the hatch cover can be raised and pivoted using the opening control. In the uncoupled state, the hatch cover can be locked using the operating element. An emergency exit hatch is not disclosed.

A hatch as access to a generally sealed environment is known from US 2004/0237764 A1. The main purpose of the hatch is to facilitate the movement of military personnel while providing the same level of protection as the rest of the structure. In this case, the hatch arrangement comprises a base plate which frames an access point on a military vehicle. Access is for the crew to the crew compartment and is located on the vehicle roof. The hatch assembly further includes a Hatch lifting mechanism carried by the base plate and a hatch mounted on the lifting mechanism. The hatch is raised and lowered by means of a lifting tower, here a rotatable telescopic arrangement, whereby the entire hatch can be raised and turned away. An inner hand crank and an outer hand crank located on the outside of the hoist tower are used to operate the hatch assembly. An emergency exit hatch is not disclosed.

Currently known emergency exit hatches in armored wheeled or tracked vehicles allow safe exit in an emergency situation, such as an accident or a major disaster such as a mine detonation.

The emergency exit is often designed as an opening closed by a hatch in the tub floor of the vehicle. The degree of protection of this hatch usually corresponds to that of the tub floor (first vehicle floor) of the vehicle.

This is the reason for their high mass (>150 kg). In the normal case (normal position of the vehicle standing on the ground), this is unlocked if necessary, falls to the ground following gravity and releases an emergency exit opening for the evacuation of the crew.

Such an emergency exit hatch is known, for example, from DE 102018 112671 A1. This document discloses such a floor hatch in an armored vehicle, which can be used as an emergency exit hatch.

External forces (accident, blasting, etc.) may cause the vehicle to come to a standstill in a position where normal access (hatches on the top or side of the vehicle) cannot be opened (e.g. overhead or lateral position). The opening of the emergency exit hatch located in the floor of the vehicle is then also no longer possible with conventional on-board equipment due to its high dead weight. In this case, the emergency exit can only be opened from the outside and requires outside help. This situation can be extremely life threatening for the trapped crew. Scenarios are also possible in which the crew has to be evacuated under enormous time pressure (overhead position in the water or in a combat situation).

The object of the present invention is therefore to design an emergency exit hatch for armored vehicles in such a way that the emergency exit hatch can still be opened even in difficult situations or unusual situations in order to be able to evacuate the crew of the vehicle. The invention should also serve to support the opening of the emergency exit hatch if it cannot be opened by gravity even in the normal position as a result of a deformation caused, for example, by an act of violence.

These objects are solved by the features of the main claim.

The invention therefore relates to a lifting device for lifting an emergency exit hatch, which can be used within the chassis of an armored wheeled or tracked vehicle in the lower area near the trough floor. The lifting device can be stationary in the vehicle or carried along as a mobile accessory.

According to the invention, the emergency exit hatch is arranged in the vehicle floor of the vehicle. For this purpose, the vehicle floor has an opening into which the emergency exit hatch can be inserted. Thus, a closed position of the emergency exit hatch is disclosed, namely when the emergency exit hatch is held in the opening.

For this purpose, the opening has a circumferential shoulder, with the emergency exit hatch having a corresponding counter-shoulder. In the closed position, the opposite shoulder of the emergency exit hatch rests on the shoulder of the opening.

As a result, the opening has at least two different diameters in order to create the shoulder. The larger diameter is directed to the outside of the vehicle and the smaller diameter to the inside of the vehicle.

The lifting device enables the crew of wheeled and tracked vehicles to open the emergency exit hatch in any position. The lifting device can be driven electrically, hydraulically or mechanically.

According to the invention, an actuating element is provided which can be designed as a rotary crank. However, an embodiment as a drive shaft is also conceivable and can therefore be connected to known drives.

The lifting device can be designed as a lifting cylinder, with a hydraulic cylinder preferably being proposed. Likewise, the lifting device can also be made possible as a scissor lift or as a spindle lift.

The opening in which the emergency exit hatch is located in its closed position is provided in the vehicle floor. According to the invention, a fastening device is arranged on the side of the vehicle floor that faces the vehicle interior. This is preferably located on the periphery of the opening of the emergency exit hatch. This fastening device can be designed as at least one rod, which can be guided through a base plate of the lifting device. The base plate can also be fastened to the fastening device using locking bolts. A screw connection is also conceivable.

By attaching the lifting device to the fastening device by means of the base plate, the lifting device can form a point of application for the transmission of force to the emergency exit hatch.

As a second point of attack, the lifting device comes into contact with the emergency exit hatch. For this purpose, the lifting device preferably has a lifting table top, which can be moved in the direction of the emergency exit hatch and back via the lifting device. In a particular embodiment, the emergency exit hatch contains at least one ball track which, in the closed position, points in the direction of the interior of the vehicle. The lifting device can then act on the emergency exit hatch or the ball track via the lifting table top.

With this configuration, the emergency exit hatch can first be moved out of the opening. When the vehicle is lying down, the emergency exit hatch can be raised, for example, and thus moved from its closed position to an open position. For this purpose, the lifting platform has a diameter which is equal to or preferably smaller than the smaller of the two diameters of the opening.

The emergency exit hatch can then slide off the lifting table top via the ball track, thus releasing the opening. As a rule, after leaving the lifting platform, the emergency exit hatch can slide on the outside of the vehicle floor over the ball track.

If required, the lifting device can therefore be attached to the base plate by means of the attachment device. This secures the lifting device to the inside of the vehicle in the area of the emergency exit hatch. Due to the two points of action, the lifting device can now exert a force on the emergency exit hatch when the actuating element is actuated or driven.

The lifting device can be designed as a lifting cylinder, preferably as a hydraulic cylinder. In this case, a pump or a hydraulic drive can serve as the actuating element. By actuating the actuating element, the lifting cylinder can then extend and thus lift the emergency exit hatch out of its opening. When using a lifting cylinder as a lifting device, it is proposed to equip the lifting cylinder with a safety device which prevents rapid downward movements. Such a safety means can prevent the failure of the lifting means and a possible risk of injury. This applies in particular to the use of a hydraulic cylinder.

The lifting device can also be designed as a spindle lift. The base plate then has a thread into which the spindle stroke can engage and be guided. In this case, a crank or a hydraulic or electric drive can serve as the actuating element. By actuating the actuating element, the spindle stroke can then be moved in the direction of the emergency exit hatch and the emergency exit hatch can thus be lifted out of its opening.

The lifting device can also be designed as a scissor lift. The base plate then serves to support the scissor lift. A crank or a hydraulic or electric drive can likewise serve as an actuating element for this purpose. By actuating the actuating element, the scissor lift can act on the emergency exit hatch and the emergency exit hatch can thus be lifted out of its opening.

In a particular embodiment, the emergency exit hatch includes at least one locking means to hold the emergency exit hatch in the closed position. These locking means can be latching connections, snap connections or screw locks.

It is also proposed to provide the emergency exit hatch with the same armor as the armored vehicle. This means that there are no weak points in the vehicle floor.

When the lifting device is not in use, it can be detached from the fastening device and stowed away separately, for example in a paneling on the vehicle floor. Likewise, the lifting device can be hinged to the fastening device and can be pivoted to the side and anchored when not in use. As a third option, the lifting device can be permanently connected to the fastening device in a stationary manner.

Due to the weight of the emergency exit hatch, which exceeds the sliding frictional force of the ball track of the rotary table bearing, the emergency exit hatch rolls off the base plate when it has been raised from its closed position. Thus, the escape route for the vehicle crew is free after the lifting device has been moved away from the opening. Due to the high mass of the emergency exit hatch and the sliding properties between the ball track and the emergency exit hatch, the emergency exit hatch can roll off the ball track. The direction of the rolling movement depends on the position of the vehicle involved in the accident. Since the ball track is arranged on the emergency exit hatch, the emergency exit hatch can then slide on the outside of the vehicle floor.

Further features result from the figures. Show it:

1 : View of a vehicle according to the invention with an emergency exit hatch in a lying position;

2: side view of an emergency exit hatch according to the invention in the closed position;

3: side view of an emergency exit hatch according to the invention in the open position;

4: side view of an emergency exit hatch according to the invention in the open position and moved away from the opening;

5: side view of a lifting device according to the invention designed as a lifting cylinder;

6: side view of a lifting device according to the invention designed as a spindle lift;

Fig. 7: Side view of a lifting device according to the invention designed as a scissor lift.

The figures show a stationary or mobile lifting device for lifting an emergency exit hatch 10 within the chassis of an armored wheeled or tracked vehicle 1 in the lower area near the vehicle floor 20 can be used.

The lifting device enables the crew of wheeled and tracked vehicles 1 to open the emergency exit hatch 10 in any vehicle position. The device can be driven hydraulically, electrically or mechanically.

FIG. 1 firstly shows an armored vehicle 1 according to the invention, which has a vehicle floor 20 which is preferably designed as a trough construction. An emergency exit hatch 10 is provided in the vehicle floor, which is located in an opening in the vehicle floor 20 in the closed state.

FIG. 2 shows an emergency exit hatch 10 according to the invention, which is in a closed position. This means that the emergency exit hatch 10 is located in an opening in the vehicle floor 20 .

The opening has two different diameters, so that the opening forms a shoulder. The emergency exit hatch 10 in turn also has two different diameters, which form a counter-shoulder and correspond to the diameters of the opening.

Designed in this way, the emergency exit hatch 10 can be supported on the shoulder with the opposite shoulder.

The vehicle floor 20 has at least one fastening device 40 on its side facing the inside of the vehicle. This is arranged in the vicinity of the opening and can be embodied by rigid rods, locking means or screwing. For this purpose, the fastening device can be arranged at least at one point in the vicinity of the opening on the vehicle floor 20 or also completely around the opening.

FIG. 3 shows the emergency exit hatch 10 from FIG. 1, but now in the raised position, in which the emergency exit hatch 10 is no longer in the closed position. The fastening device can also be seen here.

The emergency exit hatch 10 is normally raised by the force of gravity acting on the emergency exit hatch 10 . For this purpose, locking means (not shown) are proposed in order to keep the emergency exit hatch 10 in the closed position. In the event of a deformation of the vehicle floor 20 or a position of the vehicle that does not correspond to the normal driving situation, lifting is ensured by the lifting device according to the invention.

After the emergency exit hatch 10 has been raised, it can be removed from the opening according to FIG. 4 in a movement parallel to the vehicle floor. Depending on the position of the vehicle, this can be done by gravity or preferably via at least one roller track, which contains the emergency exit hatch 10. The emergency exit hatch 10 can then slide over the outside of the vehicle wall via the ball track. FIG. 5 shows the interaction of the emergency exit hatch 10 described above with the lifting device according to the invention.

The lifting device consists of a base plate 60 via which the lifting device can be detachably attached to the fastening device 40 . The lifting device also includes a lifting tool that can be accommodated in the base plate 60 . The lifting device also includes a flat lifting table top 50, which can come into contact with the emergency exit hatch 10 or, in the case of an existing ball track, with this.

If necessary, the lifting device is firmly connected to the base plate 60 with the fastening device 40 of the vehicle floor 20, for example by means of snap bolts or rods or tubes.

In FIG. 5, the emergency exit hatch 10 is connected to a ball track 30, which enables direction-independent movement parallel to the vehicle floor 20. After the emergency exit hatch has been raised, this takes place first on the lifting table top 50 and is continued outside the opening directly on the vehicle floor 20 . The kinetic force parallel to the vehicle floor 20 is generated either by the weight of the emergency exit hatch 10 (oblique position of the vehicle) or, if necessary, by a tool (rod, pipe, etc.) guided by a crew member.

The lifting device in FIG. 5 is designed as a lifting cylinder, preferably as a hydraulic cylinder 70 . The hydraulic cylinder also has an actuating element, via which the lifting cylinder can be actuated, so that the lifting cylinder is moved with the lifting platform 50 in the direction of the emergency exit hatch 10 . The actuating element, shown here as a lever, can be actuated manually or by a drive.

The lifting cylinder 70 is supported on or on the base plate 60 .

If the lifting cylinder is extended so far that it comes into contact with the lifting table top with the emergency exit hatch 10 or the ball track 30, there are two points of application of force, namely on the one hand through the attachment of the lifting device by means of the base plate 60 to the fastening device 40 and on the other hand through the contact on the emergency exit hatch 10 or the ball track 30. The emergency exit hatch 10 can be lifted out of the opening through these points of attack when the lifting cylinder is extended further. The lifting device in FIG. 6 is designed as a spindle lift 71 . The spindle lift 71 also has an actuating element, via which the spindle lift 71 can be actuated, so that the lifting platform 50 is extended in the direction of the emergency exit hatch 10 . The actuating element, shown here as a crank, can be actuated manually or by a drive.

The spindle hub 71 engages in a corresponding thread or guide in the base plate 60 .

If the spindle lift 71 is extended so far that it comes into contact with the lifting table top with the emergency exit hatch 10 or the ball track 30, there are two points of application of force, namely on the one hand by the attachment of the lifting device by means of the base plate 60 to the attachment device 40 and on the other hand by the Contact at the emergency exit hatch 10 or the ball track 30. Through these points of contact, the emergency exit hatch 10 can be lifted out of the opening when the spindle stroke 71 is extended further.

The lifting device in FIG. 7 is designed as a scissor lift 72 . The scissor lift 72 also has an actuating element, via which the scissor lift 72 can be actuated, so that the lifting platform 50 is extended in the direction of the emergency exit hatch 10 . The actuating element, shown here as an axis of rotation, can be actuated manually or by a drive.

The scissors lift 72 is supported on the base plate 60 .

If the scissor lift 72 is extended so far that it comes into contact with the lifting table top with the emergency exit hatch 10 or the ball track 30, there are two points of application of force, namely on the one hand by the attachment of the lifting device by means of the base plate 60 to the attachment device 40 and on the other hand by the Contact at the emergency exit hatch 10 or the ball track 30. Through these points of contact, the emergency exit hatch 10 can be lifted out of the opening when the scissor lift 72 is extended further.

According to the invention, the use of a roller conveyor with a rotary table bearing to perform a rotary movement is possible. There is no illustration for this. The roller track is understood as a ball track 30 according to the invention. In this case, instead of the conventional ball track, at least one roller track is arranged on a rotary table. This rotary table is then rotatably connected to the emergency exit hatch 10 via a bearing such that the rotary table is directed toward the interior of the vehicle when the emergency exit hatch 10 is in the closed position. After the emergency exit hatch 10 has been raised, it can then be rotated via the bearing or rotate due to gravity. The emergency exit hatch then slides over the roller track and releases the opening. For this it is advantageous if the rotary table is mounted off-centre.

The connection between the lifting device and lifting table top 50 can contain a tilting joint if this becomes necessary. Such a tilting joint can promote the sliding of the emergency exit hatch 10 .

If the crew needs to be evacuated in an unfavorable vehicle position, the emergency exit hatch 10 can first be unlocked by at least one locking element. This is followed by the installation of the lifting device and thus the attachment of the lifting device to the mounting device 40 by means of the base plate 60.

The emergency exit hatch 10 is first moved out of the opening in the vehicle floor 20 by the lifting device and then shifted parallel to the vehicle floor 20 . After the subsequent removal of the lifting device, the crew can exit.

The present invention is not limited to the aforesaid features. Rather, other versions are conceivable. The lifting cylinder can be designed as an electric or pneumatic lifting cylinder. Rods and levers can also be provided, which can eliminate the movement of a jammed emergency exit hatch as a result of deformation. Furthermore, a pyrotechnic lifting device can also be used, in which case this force then acts on the emergency exit hatch through pyrotechnic force generation.

REFERENCE NUMBERS LIST Vehicle 0 Emergency exit hatch 0 Vehicle floor 0 Ball track 0 Fastening device 0 Lift table top 0 Base plate 0 Hydraulic cylinder 1 Spindle lift 2 Scissor lift

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS Armored vehicle (1) with an emergency exit hatch (10), wherein the vehicle (1) has a vehicle floor (20) and that the emergency exit hatch (10) is in a closed position in an opening in the vehicle floor (20) in the vehicle (1st ) is arranged, characterized in that the vehicle (1) includes a lifting device for opening the emergency exit hatch (10), that an actuating element is provided, that a fastening device (40) is arranged on one side of the vehicle floor (20) which leads to a interior of the vehicle (1), that the lifting device can be connected by means of the fastening device (40) and that the lifting device can act on the emergency exit hatch (10) by means of the actuating element in such a way that the emergency exit hatch (10) is moved out of the opening and can thus be converted into an open position. Armored vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element is designed as a crank. Armored vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element can be operated hydraulically, electrically or mechanically. Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lifting device is designed as a hydraulic cylinder (70). Armored vehicle according to Claim 4, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (70) comprises a safety means to prevent rapid lowering movements of the hydraulic cylinder (70). Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lifting device is designed as a spindle lift (71). Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the lifting device is designed as a scissor lift (72). Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lifting device contains a base plate (60) by means of which the lifting device can be connected to the fastening device (40). Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lifting device contains a lifting table top (50) which can come into contact with the emergency exit hatch (10). Armored vehicle according to Claim 9, characterized in that the emergency exit hatch (10) contains at least one ball track (30) via which the lifting table top (50) can come into contact with the emergency exit hatch (10). Armored vehicle according to Claim 9, characterized in that the lifting table top (50) is rotatably mounted on the lifting device and the emergency exit hatch (10) contains at least one roller conveyor, via which the lifting table top (50) can come into contact with the emergency exit hatch (10). Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the fastening device (40) and the roller track or ball track (30) form points of application for the power transmission of the lifting device. Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the emergency exit hatch (10) has locking means in order to be able to lock the emergency exit hatch (10) in the closed position. Armored vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the emergency exit hatch (10) is armored.