Description
The invention relates to an energy absorption device for protecting a vehicle element, in particular a vehicle element of a military vehicle, from a detonation impact, comprising a first securing element which can be con-
nected to a vehicle chassis or a vehicle cradle, and a second securing ele- ment which can be connected to the vehicle element to be protected, wherein at least two connecting pieces are arranged between the first and the second securing element.
Furthermore, the application relates to a vehicle having such an energy absorption device.
DE 10 2010 052 151 A1 discloses a cabin for a construction vehi- cle which has at least one hydraulically damped rubber bearing means and at least one roll stabilizing means in the rear region of the cabin.
This achieves improved spring comfort of the cabin during faster transport trips.
In principle,
however, suspensions of construction machinery cabins pursue completely different objectives - they do not offer protection against detonations - than suspensions of military vehicles, so they are not comparable.
DE 10 2007 002 576 A1 discloses a decoupled pedal unit with a foot plate of a military vehicle.
Suspensions of vehicle elements of military vehicles are known, for example, from DE 10 2008 053 152 A1 and WO 2014/048420 A1. These documents each show deformation means which bear a vehicle element.
The deformation means are designed to be deformed in the event of a mine blast and absorb energy so that the mine blast cannot be transmitted directly to the vehicle element.
Both the fastening means and the connecting pieces are not provided in a common plane, but should move past one another during de- formation.
The deformation apparatuses disclosed in these publications from DE 10 2008 053 152 A1 and WO 2014/048420 A1 are relatively large and do not adequately resolve the conflict of objectives between elastic support and energy absorption in the event of plastic deformation.
FR 2 901 750 already describes a device for protecting a vehicle seat against detonations according to the preamble.
Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object of creat- ing an energy absorption device for a vehicle, in particular a military vehicle,
which is small-scale and solves this conflict of objectives.
This object is achieved by the energy absorption device of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims.
According to the invention, an energy absorption device for pro-
—tecting a vehicle element, in particular a military vehicle, from a detonation impact is provided.
The energy absorption device comprises a first securing element which can be connected to a vehicle chassis or a vehicle cradle and a second securing element which can be connected to the vehicle element to be protected.
At least two connecting pieces are arranged between the first and the second securing element.
The at least two connecting pieces are arranged such that they lie one above the other in a common plane.
Furthermore, according to the invention, a vehicle, in particular a military vehicle, is provided that comprises such an energy absorption device or as described below and a vehicle element, wherein the vehicle element is connected to the vehicle via the energy absorption device.
The vehicle can be a wheeled or tracked vehicle, for example.
The tracked vehicle can, for example, be an armored recovery vehicle, an ar- mored engineer vehicle, a mine-clearing vehicle, an infantry fighting vehicle or a battle tank.
The wheeled vehicle can be, for example, a heavy truck, a
— semitrailer, a crane, or a wheel armored vehicle.
The energy absorption device according to the invention creates a small-scale energy absorption device which, on the one hand, provides an elas- tic mounting of the vehicle element connectable thereto and, at the same time,
can absorb much energy in the form of shape changing work in the event of a detonation.
The vehicle element which is connected to the energy absorption device can be, for example, a cab or a protective room of a vehicle.
In partic-
ular, the cab can be a protected cab.
Likewise, the vehicle element can be a structure, a foot plate, a floor, a vibration floor, an intermediate floor, a base plate or a component of one of the aforementioned elements.
Furthermore, the vehicle element can be a foot plate, a seat appa- ratus, a weapon installation, an appliance holder, a shelf, or can be a com-
ponent of one of the aforementioned elements.
The energy absorption device according to the invention protects the vehicle element from a detonation impact, as can be caused, for exam- ple, by a mine or an explosive trap.
The energy absorption device according to the invention makes it possible for it to deform plastically in a controlled manner in the event of a deto- nation, and the vehicle element that can be connected thereto is not damaged.
It can preferably be provided that the connecting pieces have at least one deformation zone.
The at least one deformation zone is a zone in which the connect-
ing pieces plastically deform when they are deflected to a corresponding ex- tent.
This is accomplished by the design of the energy absorption device which causes the connecting pieces to deform first in the deformation zones.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the connecting pieces are weakened in the deformation zones by material selection or geometry in such away that they first deform in the deformation zones.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the first securing element, the second securing element, the at least two connecting pieces, and the at least one deformation zone are arranged such that they lie one above the other in the plane which is perpendicular to the first and the second securing element.
In this case, the securing elements and the connecting pieces of the energy absorption device are arranged in an accordion-like manner in a common plane, so that a small-scale energy absorption device is created.
In a development of the energy absorption device, it can be pro- vided that the connecting pieces are designed to be flexurally elastic so that the energy absorption device resiliently bears the vehicle element.
This ensures that the energy absorption device allows an elastic bearing of the vehicle element, provided that the deflection is not too great.
This means that support of the vehicle element can occur in normal driving situations, while energy is absorbed by plastic deformation to protect against a detonation impact.
According to one embodiment, it is provided that flexurally rigid transition zones are formed between the fastening devices and the adjacent connecting pieces.
Forming the flexurally rigid, in particular substantially flexurally rig- id, transition zones, it is achieved that the connecting pieces of the energy absorption device do not simply bend or break off, but that a defined defor-
mation is achieved in the region of the transition deformation zones of the connecting pieces.
Furthermore, it can be provided in one development that transition deformation zones are adjacent to the flexurally rigid transition zones.
Furthermore, according to one embodiment, it is provided that
— flexurally rigid, in particular substantially flexurally rigid, corners are formed between the connecting pieces.
As a result, the connecting pieces and not the corners undergo de- formation in a targeted manner.
Furthermore, it is achieved that the energy absorption device does not simply buckle or collapse in the corners, and the connecting pieces are prevented from lying on a block.
The connecting piec- es can therefore undergo a specific bending load.
In addition, it is thereby ensured that a plastic deformation of a deformation zone of the connecting
5 piece is possible, which is downstream in the spring deflection from an elastic deformation of a connecting piece.
It is thus ensured that both sufficient elas- tic suspension and plastic deformation are possible.
In one embodiment, it can also be provided that the deformation zones are formed adjacent to the flexurally rigid corners.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the deformation zones are designed to be at least partially more difficult to deform from the second se- curing element to the first securing element than the preceding deformation zones so that the energy absorption device has a progressive deformation characteristic curve.
As a result, the deformation sequence is influenced in a targeted manner so that the deformation zones are deformed in a defined sequence.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the thickness of the connecting pieces becomes larger from the second securing element to the first securing element so that the energy absorption device has a progressive spring charac-
teristic curve.
It is thereby achieved that the elastic deformability of the connect- ing pieces is designed differently, and the spring characteristic curve of the energy absorption device can be influenced in a targeted manner.
Alternatively, the spring characteristic curve can be degressive.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the connecting pieces are ar- ranged in a zigzag manner in an alternating direction.
A particularly space-saving energy absorption device is thereby created.
In an embodiment of the energy absorption device, it can be pro- vided that inner radii between the connecting pieces are formed in flexurally rigid corners and/or inner radii in the transition zones. By forming inner radii, notch stresses are specifically induced in the deformation zones. Due to the size of the radius of the inner radii, the occurring notch stress can be influenced so that the size of the notch stress- es and also the limit at which the deformation occurs can be set by the radi-
us. According to the invention, the inner radii between the connecting pieces in flexurally rigid corners and/or the inner radii in the transition defor- mation zones are greater from the second securing element to the first secur- ing element. As a result, the deformation sequence is set in a targeted manner so that a deformation from the second securing element to the first securing element occurs gradually. As a result, the notch stresses within the deformation zones are the greatest directly at the first securing element, and the deformation also occurs first in the vicinity of the chassis. As an alternative to the above-mentioned sequence, however, it is also possible for the inner radii between the connecting pieces in flexurally rigid corners and/or the inner radii in the transition zones to become larger from the first securing element to the second securing element. As a result, the notch stresses within the deformation zones are greatest directly at the second securing element and the deformation occurs first in the vicinity of the vehicle element. The invention will be explained below using exemplary embodi- ments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first vehicle accord- ing to the invention with at least one deformation device according to the in- vention;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second vehicle ac- cording to the invention with at least one deformation device according to the invention;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a third vehicle accord- ing to the invention with at least one deformation device according to the in- vention;
Fig. 4a shows a schematic representation of an energy absorption device according to the invention in an initial position;
Fig. 4b shows a schematic representation of the energy absorption device according to the invention in an initial position with identification of the plane E;
Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the energy absorption device according to the invention in an intermediate position; and
Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the energy absorption device according to the invention in a deformed position.
Fig. 1 shows a first vehicle 1 according to the invention with a ve- hicle chassis 2. A vehicle element 10 is formed on the vehicle chassis 2. The vehicle 1 is preferably a military vehicle. The vehicle element 10 can be, for example, a cabin, a driver's cab, a platform, a structure or the like. At least one energy absorption device 100, which bears the vehicle element 10 on the vehicle 1, is arranged between the vehicle element 10 and the vehicle chassis 2. The energy absorption device 100 serves to protect the vehicle el- ement 10 from a detonation impact, and is shown in more detail in Fig. 4a to
6. The energy absorption device 100 according to Fig. 4a to 6 is found in all vehicles according to Fig. 1 to 3.
Fig. 2 shows a second vehicle 1’ according to the invention which substantially corresponds to the first vehicle 1, with the difference that the — vehicle element 10' is a floor or intermediate floor. The vehicle element 10' is mounted on the vehicle chassis 2 of the vehicle 1 by means of at least one energy absorption device 100. The vehicle element 10' is arranged within a cabin or a driver's cab.
Fig. 3 shows a third vehicle 1” according to the invention with a — vehicle cradle 2”. A vehicle element 10” is mounted within the vehicle cradle 2 by means of at least one energy absorption device 100. The vehicle ele- ment 10” can be, for example, a vehicle interior or a protective room. Deviat- ing from Fig. 3, the vehicle element 10” can also be a floor or intermediate floor. According to Fig. 3, the vehicle element 10” is connected to the vehicle cradle 2 by a plurality of energy absorption devices 100 and is mounted within it.
Fig. 4a shows a schematic representation of an energy absorption device 100 according to the invention in an initial position, i.e. a position in — which the energy absorption device 100 is not deformed. The energy absorption device 100 comprises a first securing ele- ment 110 which can be connected to the vehicle chassis 2 or the vehicle cra- dle 2’ of the vehicle 1. The first securing element 110 is designed as a plate or metal sheet and, in the installed state, is connected to the vehicle chassis 2 or to the vehicle cradle 2'. Furthermore, the energy absorption device 100 comprises a sec- ond securing element 120 which can be connected to the vehicle element 10 to be protected. The second securing element 110 is preferably also de-
signed as a plate or metal sheet and is connected to the vehicle element 10 in the installed state. The wall thickness and the dimensions of the first securing ele- ment 110 and of the second securing element 120 can be adapted differently from one another to the geometry of the energy absorption device 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the first securing element 110 can have a smaller wall thick- ness and be wider than the second securing element 120. At least two connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 are arranged between the first and the second securing element 110, 120. In one embodi- ment, there can be four connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 as shown in
Fig. 4a. As can be seen in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, the first securing element 110, the second securing element 120, the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 and the deformation zones 172, 174, 182, 184, 192, 194 are arranged such that they are arranged one above the other in a common plane E, wherein the common plane E lies perpendicular to the two securing elements 110, 120. The connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 are arranged alternately in a zigzag manner in different directions one above the other. In other words, the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 are arranged one above the other in an accordion-like manner. In order to achieve a resilient mounting of the vehicle element 10 by the energy absorption device 100, the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 are each designed to be flexurally elastic. The length of the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 can devi- ate from one another so that, for example, a first connecting piece 130 and a fourth connecting piece 160, which are connected to the securing elements 110, 120, are shorter than a second connecting piece 140 and third connect- ing piece 150.
Due to the different length of the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160, it is ensured that they can elastically deflect to different degrees, and a defined bending shape of the energy absorption device 100 results in the event of an elastic deformation. Such a bending shape as a result of an elas- tic deformation is shown, for example, in Fig. 5. In each case, flexurally rigid corners 170, 180, 190 are formed be- tween the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160. The flexurally rigid corners 170, 180, 190 are designed such that they do not substantially bend and en- sure that, when the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 are elastically de- formed, the flexurally rigid corners 170, 180, 190 ensure that the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 are not folded together by deformation of the cor- ners 170, 180, 190. As a result, a plastic deformation of the deformation zones 172,174, 182, 184, 192, 194 can take place in addition to an elastic defor- mation in the event of a stronger deflection. As shown in Fig. 4a, the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 each have at least one deformation zone 172, 174, 182, 184, 192, 194. The deformation zones 172, 174, 182, 184, 192, 194 are each formed adjacent to the flexurally rigid corners 170, 180, 190. Flexurally rigid transition zones 112, 122 are formed between the securing apparatuses 110, 120 and the adjacent connecting pieces 130, 160. These have a comparable effect as the flexurally rigid corners 170, 180, 190. The transition deformation zones 115, 125 are formed adjacent to the flexurally rigid transition zones 112, 122. As shown in Fig. 4a, inner radii R2, R3, R4 are formed between the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 in the deformation zones 172, 174, 182, 184, 192, 194, and/or inner radii R1, R5 are formed in the transition zones 112,
122. According to Fig. 4a, the inner radii R2, R3, R4, which are formed between the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 in the flexurally rigid cor-
ners 170, 180, 190, become larger from the second securing element 120 to the first securing element 110. In one embodiment, a fourth radius R4 is greatest between the third connecting piece 150 and the fourth connecting piece 160. A third radi- us R3 between the second connecting piece 140 and the third connecting piece 150 is smaller than the fourth radius (R3<R4). A second radius R2 be- tween the first connecting piece 130 and the second connecting piece 140 is smaller than the third radius R3. The following mathematical relationship ap- plies for the radii R2 to R4: R2<R3<R4. According to Fig. 4a, the inner radii R1, RS in the transition zones 112, 122 are preferably the same size. As can be seen from Fig. 4a, the radii R1 and R5 are both smaller than the radius R2. The following mathematical relationship applies to the radii R1 to R5: R1=R5<R2<R3<R4. The thickness t1, t2, t3, td of the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 can be designed to be larger from the second securing element 120 to the first securing element 110 so that the energy absorption device 100 has a progressive spring characteristic curve. The following mathematical relation- ship applies to the thicknesses t1 to t4: t1<t2<t3<td.
Fig. 4b again clearly shows the position of the plane E, wherein plane Eis marked with hatching. As can be seen from Fig. 4b, the plane E lies per- pendicular to the first and the second securing element 110, 120. The first se- curing element 110, the second securing element 120, the at least two connect- ing pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 and the at least one deformation zone 172, 174, 182, 184, 192, 194 are arranged such that they lie one above the other in the plane E.
Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the energy absorption device 100 according to the invention in an intermediate position in which the energy absorption device 100 is elastically deformed. The flexurally rigid cor- ners 170, 180, 190 are substantially undeformed in this intermediate position, and the connecting pieces 130, 140, 150, 160 are elastically deformed. Fig. 5 therefore shows the energy absorption device 100 in an elastically deflected state.
Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the energy absorption device 100 according to the invention in a deformed position in which the en- ergy absorption device 100 is plastically deformed. The deformation zones 172, 174, 182, 184, 192, 194 are designed to be at least partially more difficult to deform from the second securing ele- ment 120 to the first securing element 110 than the preceding deformation zones 172, 174, 182, 184, 192, 194 so that the energy absorption device 100 has a progressive deformation characteristic curve. In addition, a deformation sequence of the deformation zones of the energy absorption device 100 is predefined by the deformation of different strength. Insofar as the above disclosure relates to an energy absorption device 100 as such, it is also simultaneously deemed to be disclosed for a vehicle with such an energy absorption device 100.
List of reference signs 1 first vehicle 1 second vehicle 1" third vehicle 2 vehicle chassis 2 vehicle cradle vehicle element 10' vehicle element 10" vehicle element 10 100 energy absorption device 110 first securing element 112 first transition zone 115 first transition deformation zone 120 second securing element 122 second transition zone 125 second transition deformation zone 130 first connecting piece 140 second connecting piece 150 third connecting piece 160 fourth connecting piece 170 first deformation zone
180 second deformation zone 190 third deformation zone R1 first radius R2 second radius RS third radius R4 fourth radius R5 fifth radius E plane t1 thickness of the first connecting piece t2 thickness of the second connecting piece t3 thickness of the third connecting piece t4 thickness of the fourth connecting piece