US20210278162A1

US20210278162A1 - Modular vehicle system

Info

Publication number: US20210278162A1
Application number: US17/115,345
Authority: US
Inventors: Andreas Baumeier
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
Priority date: 2018-06-08
Filing date: 2020-12-08
Publication date: 2021-09-09
Also published as: WO2019233797A1; AU2019281911A1; CA3102052A1; KR102493742B1; EP3803258A1; EP3803258B1; NZ771752A; KR20210044202A; DE202018103225U1; AU2019281911B2

Abstract

A vehicle system having a driving module, at least one mission module and at least one container. The driving module has a receptacle which can receive at least one aforementioned mission module. As a result of the receiving possibility, various mission modules can be received, depending on requirement. Thus, the mission is built up modularly in the same driving module. The container is configured to be box-shaped and closed on all sides by walls, with the exception of the top. Furthermore, the mission module is configured to be open on all sides, with the exception of the top, and the top of the mission module is designed to be closed by a wall. As a result, a modular mission module is produced, which can optionally be received in a container or in the receptacle in the driving module.

Description

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2019/063609, which was filed on May 27, 2019, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2018 103 225.9, which was filed in Germany on Jun. 8, 2018, and which are both herein incorporated by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle system having a driving module and a mission module. Such modularly built-up vehicle systems are then used when different vehicles having different equipment are built up on the same vehicle chassis. In this case, a corresponding mission-specific mission module is placed on a driving module in order to complete the vehicle.
By virtue of this modular design, there is no need for the vehicle to be specially built up from the bottom up, but a common driving module and various mission modules can be produced. The vehicle is then completed only by placing the mission module on the driving module.

Description of the Background Art

Corresponding vehicle systems are used for example in military vehicles or security vehicles. Consequently, such vehicle systems are used by the military, the police and/or other security forces.
In this respect, DE 101 44 371 A1 shows an open mission module for armored transport vehicles. Here, use is made of a driving module which is completed by an open mission module.
Also known from DE 10 2009 024 854 A1 is a mobile first-aid room which is arranged on a loading surface of military transport vehicles.
A further disclosure is WO 2013/064258 A1. A chassis for receiving mission modules is disclosed therein.
In these modularly built-up vehicles, the mission module is produced separately from the mission module. It is possible here that the vehicle has different mission modules, depending on the requirement the corresponding mission module is placed on the vehicle, and the previous mission module which had been placed on the vehicle is removed from the driving module.
The problem that results is that unused mission modules are intended to be stored in a protected manner until use. This storage facility is preferably designed such that it is designed to be transportable by known suitable means.
For this purpose, it is proposed to introduce the mission modules into a container. Here, known containers from freight transport can be used. The use of containers has the advantage that the container is designed to be transportable by customary means. This can also occur on land vehicles, watercraft and aircraft.
Corresponding containers, and also possibilities for their transport, are known from DE 10 2006 011 611 B4, for example. A transport container for conveying personnel is disclosed therein.
Also disclosed from DE 201 22 290 U1 is a container adapter for an armored transport vehicle. Here, the vehicle is equipped in such a way that it can transport corresponding containers.
However, the introduction of a mission module into a container represents a certain challenge, since conventional containers are closed, and the introduction of the mission modules into the container is thus not possible without conversion measures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to make possible a vehicle system with interchangeable, mission-specific mission modules in which the unused mission modules can be fitted onto or into a container in a simple manner.
Provided is a vehicle system having a driving module, at least one mission module, and at least one container. Here, the driving module forms the chassis of a vehicle and contains at least one drive for locomotion, and a superstructure for receiving a mission module. Here, the receptacle can also receive a plurality of mission modules. Vehicles which can be used are land vehicles on wheels or rails, track-laying vehicles, but also ships or aircraft.
The mission module is designed in such a way that it can be received in the receptacle of the driving module and contains mission-specific elements. Thus, for example, a mission module for sanitary uses can contain sanitary elements, such as for example medical application devices, beds and/or medicinal products.
Mission modules for engineer operations can contain, for example, hand-operated tools, material-processing elements and/or visual surveillance elements.
Mission modules for personnel transport are also conceivable. The latter could, for example, contain seats for personnel. The above list is only by way of example. Further mission modules for correspondingly specific task areas in which the mission module is used are conceivable.
The vehicle system also contains a container onto or into which there can be fitted mission modules which are not required and are thus not connected to the driving module. Such a container is cuboidal in design and, according to the invention, closed on all sides, with the exception of the top, by means of walls; however, the latter can also be designed to be optionally movable or foldable. Also conceivable are special equipment such as windows, load-through possibilities, etc., in the walls. This means that the six sides of the cuboidal container are closed by flat walls, with the exception of one side, namely the top. The top thus contains an opening through which elements can be introduced into the container.
If the driving module has an interface for operating the driving module and/or for data exchange, the container preferably likewise has the same interface.
The mission module according to the invention is designed to be open on all sides, with the exception of the top. By contrast, the top is configured to be closed by means of a wall. The open design means that the mission module is designed to be open on all sides corresponding to the container walls, with the result that the mission module is not limited at these sides. Only one side, namely the top, is configured to be closed, to be precise by means of a flat wall. This wall is of similar configuration to the walls of the container.
However, the mission module can also contain superstructures which at least partially project out of the wall of the top. Such superstructures can consist, for example, of viewing devices, but also of a crane, cable winches or weapons systems. In this case, the top of the mission module is closed to the top by the flat wall, with only the superstructures or parts of the superstructures projecting out of the flat wall. The top is thus formed by the flat wall of the top and the projecting parts of the superstructures. For this purpose, the wall of the top must have cutouts corresponding to the superstructures or be configured in one piece together with the superstructures which project out of the wall of the top.
If the mission module is then introduced into the container, this occurs by way of the open top of the container. Here, the mission module is introduced into the container through the open top of the container, to be precise in such a way that, after insertion has occurred, the top of the mission module simultaneously constitutes the top of the container and thus also closes off the container toward the top. After the mission module has been introduced, the container is thus closed on all sides, including the top.
This configuration allows the mission module to be optionally introduced into the container or be received by the driving module in the receptacles. Depending on the vehicle or driving module, it is possible here for different numbers of mission modules to be received in the driving module.
In an example, the open design of the mission module is brought about by the fact that the mission module is mounted in a carrier frame or a carrier rack. Here, the carrier frame or the carrier rack forms the basic framework of the mission module, and the mission-specific elements of the mission module are mechanically mounted on the carrier frame or the carrier rack. The use of such a carrier frame or carrier rack ensures the open design of the mission module.
The container can be designed in such a way that it has at least one access possibility. This access possibility makes it possible to access the container and thus also, with the mission module introduced into the container, to reach said module.
To introduce the mission module into the container or fit it onto the driving module, the mission module is preferably provided with a transporter. This transporter ensures a simple mounting path between receptacle in the driving module and container. A corresponding transporter can be cutouts in which there can engage transport devices, such as transport belts or forklifts. However, metal rings can also be provided in order to locate the mission module by means of a crane.
The container is likewise preferably also provided with a corresponding transporter in order also to ensure the transport or the location of the containers. Here, the containers can be known standard containers, which affords the advantage that they are designed to be stackable. It is thus possible for a plurality of containers, and hence also a plurality of mission modules, to be loaded or located in a space-saving manner. Should superstructures be present, they can be correspondingly folded down, lowered or demounted prior to stacking such that stacking is possible.
Furthermore, container heights which fall below the standard loading dimension are conceivable. Here, spacer frames can be placed on the container such that they achieve the standard loading dimension again overall. With this possibility, the mission modules can have attachment parts which in the functional position are attached to the mission module and thus project out of the standard loading dimensions. For the transport position, these attachment parts can then be demounted and stored in the container in order again to achieve the standard loading dimension for locating.
In an example, the container has connections for energy supply, and also connections for data transmission. With corresponding counterparts on the mission module it is also possible for the mission modules, even upon introduction into a container, to be supplied with energy and for data to be transmitted. This embodiment makes it possible for the mission module to be operated even within the container.
The various mission modules have their connections at defined locations and thus a uniform connection possibility on the driving module, but also in the container.
The container can contain an energy supply and/or an external connection for an energy supply.
This example contains a further advantage since the introduction of the mission module into the container allows a greater action space to be created. On the one hand, the spaces in the container can be used for the mission module and, on the other hand, facilities of the mission module can be expanded by facilities in the container.
The container can also comprise mission-specific devices. Thus, upon introducing the mission module into the container, the equipment of the mission module can be expanded by the mission-specific devices present in the container. For example, for a mission module in the medical field, an X-ray device could be provided in the container. The introduction of the mission module into the container then expands the equipment of the mission module through the combination of the mission-specific devices in the mission module with the devices in the container.
Furthermore, it is proposed to design the mission modules in such a way that they can functionally interact as a mission assembly. This can occur, for example, by means of the aforementioned embodiment with the connections for energy supply and for data transmission. For this purpose, a plurality of mission modules are coupled to one another or connected to one another.
It is equally also conceivable to produce such a functional assembly via internal electrical or hydraulic connections. For the case that a plurality of mission modules are mounted on a driving module, this results in a far greater range of functions than with the use of an individual mission module acting on its own account.
Just like the aforementioned mission assembly, the containers can also be designed in such a way that they functionally interact in a container assembly. For this purpose, it is proposed to correspondingly design the containers in order to be able to exchange data but also to be able to functionally interact. As for the mission modules, this can occur via electrical and/or hydraulic connections.
The present invention is intended in particular for land vehicles. For this purpose, the driving modules have a drive and a wheeled or track-laying running gear unit. However, the present invention is not limited to these vehicles. Also conceivable is the introduction of the mission modules on a watercraft, an amphibious vehicle and/or an aircraft.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle system according to the invention having a container and a mission module introduced into the container. The mission module further has a spacer frame.

FIG. 2 shows a vehicle system according to the invention having a container and a mission module introduced into the container. Here, the mission module is for a large part configured as an attachment part.

FIG. 3 shows a vehicle system according to the invention having a container and a mission module introduced into the container. The mission module in its functional position consists here of a functional turret.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle system according to the invention, wherein a mission module 1 is provided which can be introduced into a functional position either into a vehicle provided therefor or into a container 3. Here, the mission module 1 can be received in the container 3 or can be placed on the container 3. Also possible is a partial reception in the container 3 in which the mission module 1 projects out of the container 3 at least in certain regions.
The present mission module 1 has a top 2 which, upon introduction into the container 3, likewise forms the top of the container 3. The container 3 without mission module 1 has no top and is thus designed to be open in the direction of the top. In FIG. 1, the introduced mission module 1 in its functional position projects out of the container 3. The container 3 is otherwise closed by means of walls 5. However, these walls 5 can also have load-through means or windows.
The container 3 has a carrier frame 4 in order to stabilize the container for transport. The carrier frame 4 ensures increased stability for the container 3 also in the functional position. The container 3 can also have at least one access possibility 6. For simplified transport, the container 3 can comprise a transporter.
To ensure that a functional assembly of a plurality of containers 3 can take place or the containers can be stacked for transport, there is provided a spacer frame 8 which increases the height of the container 3 beyond the dimensions of the container 3 with mission module 1.
FIG. 2 shows a container 3 with introduced mission module 1, wherein this mission module likewise projects in its height out of the dimensions of the container 3. However, no spacer frame is shown in this figure. The mission module 1 is configured as an attachment part and is shown in its attachment position. The mission module 1 is thus shown as if it had been transferred precisely into its functional position. In its shown position, the mission module 1 therefore also projects laterally out of the dimensions of the container 3. However, in the functional position, the mission module 1 is arranged in such a way that it can be fitted into the lateral dimensions of the container 3.
The mission module of FIG. 2 is provided with superstructures 9 which, in the functional position, are arranged on the mission module and, in the transport position, are removed. These superstructures 9 can then be arranged in the container.
In FIG. 3 there can be seen a turret as a further mission module 1 which is mounted so as to be rotatable in its functional position and thus projects on all sides of the container 3 beyond the dimensions thereof. The turret can therefore also be designed as a superstructure 9 which is at least partially demounted upon transfer from the functional position into its transport position.
In all figures, the mission module 1 can also, instead of being transferred into its functional position in the container 3, be transferred into a functional position in the vehicle.
The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned features. Rather, further embodiments are conceivable. Thus, the containers according to the invention can have a plurality of access possibilities in order, in the assembly of the containers, to allow access to all the containers situated in the assembly. Furthermore, the shape of the mission module is not fixed. For introduction into the cuboidal container, the mission module is preferably likewise designed to be cuboidal. However, rounded-off or round shapes are also possible. However, the top of the mission module should always be rectangular such that it can close off the opening in the container. Finally, it is also possible to equip the containers with a corresponding transport vehicle in order to locate the containers.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle system comprising:

a driving module;

at least one mission module; and

at least one container,

wherein the driving module has a receptacle adapted to receive at least one mission module,

wherein the container is cuboidal in design and is closed on all sides, with the exception of the top, by walls,

wherein the mission module is configured to be open on all sides with the exception of the top, and

wherein the mission module is adapted to be optionally received in the container or in the receptacle in the driving module.

2. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top of the mission module is configured to be closed by a wall.

3. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein superstructures are assigned to the mission module, and wherein the top of the mission module is configured to be closed by a wall and the superstructures.

4. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mission module is mounted in a carrier frame or a carrier rack.

5. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container has at least one access possibility.

6. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, with the mission module received in a container, the top of the mission module forms the top of the container.

7. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mission module is provided with a transporter.

8. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is provided with a transporter.

9. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container has connections for energy supply and for data transmission.

10. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mission module has connections for energy supply and for data transmission.

11. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises mission-specific devices.

12. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of mission modules functionally interact to form a mission assembly.

13. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of containers can functionally interact to form a container assembly.

14. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of containers are designed to be stackable.

15. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height of the container is adapted to be increased via a spacer frame.