WO2013043112A1

WO2013043112A1 - Vehicle arranged for increased mine protection

Info

Publication number: WO2013043112A1
Application number: PCT/SE2012/050997
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan MÖLLER; Göran WESTMAN; Bengt WIKMAN
Original assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2011-09-23
Filing date: 2012-09-20
Publication date: 2013-03-28
Also published as: SE536016C2; SE1150872A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (I; II; III; IV; V; VI) arranged for increased mine protection, which vehicle comprises a chassis configuration (10) comprising ground engaging members (11, 12) for driving of the vehicle (I; II; III; IV; V; VI) together with a bottom structure (14), and an upper structure (30) arranged to be supported by means of the chassis configuration (10), wherein the vehicle comprises raising members (60) arranged to provide an increased distance (D1, D2) between said upper structure (30) and said bottom structure (14) in mine protection purpose.

Description

VEHICLE ARRANGED FOR INCREASED MINE PROTECTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a vehicle arranged for increased mine protection according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND ART

In vehicles such as military vehicles driving on potentially mined areas it is desired, among others in order to increase safety for persons travelling in the vehicle that the vehicle is provided with some kind of mine protection.

It is known to provide vehicles with mine protection in the form of reinforcements. WO4004038320 shows a vehicle with mine protection modules mounted under the vehicle. US201179134 shows a vehicle with mine protection with exchangeable components mounted under a vehicle. US2008034953 shows a vehicle with mine protection which may be mounted afterwards under a vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle which in an efficient way facilitates to provide increased mine protection thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects, apparent from the following description, are achieved by a vehicle for increased mine protection which is of the type

RECORD COPY-TRANSLATION

(Rule 12.4) stated by way of introduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in the characterising clause of appended claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the vehicle are defined in appended dependent claims 2-14.

According to the invention the objects are achieved by a vehicle arranged for increased mine protection, which vehicle comprises a chassis configuration comprising ground engaging members for driving of the vehicle together with a bottom structure, and an upper structure arranged to be supported by means of the chassis configuration, wherein the vehicle comprises raising members arranged to provide an increased distance between said upper structure and said bottom structure in mine protection purpose. Hereby is facilitated in an efficient way to improve of the vehicle by detonation of mine under the vehicle. By increasing the distance the effect of a detonated/exploded mine towards said upper structure is reduced substantially, the pressure decreasing with roughly the cubic of the distance. Due to the increased distance the bottom structure may be deformed without the risk of the deformation being transferred to upper structure/ floor of upper structure damaging feet of passengers/driver and/or accelerating loose objects.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members are fixed for provision of a determined increased distance. Hereby a stable construction is obtained by said raising of the upper structure, the determined distance being adapted for good mine protection at the same time as the driving of the vehicle is not jeopardized

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members offer energy absorbing deformation possibilities. Hereby the protection ability of the vehicle is improved by mine detonation or other detonating loading action under the vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members are arranged for raising and lowering of said upper structure relative to said bottom structure. Hereby provision of said increased mine protection is facilitated. Further insertion of material with energy absorbing properties for further increased mine protection is facilitated. Further insertion of displacement increasing means is facilitated for improving the buoyancy of the vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members comprises bellow devices. By arranging bellow devices between upper structure and bottom structure a mine protection increasing effect is facilitated through the increased distance between upper structure and bottom structure in that the distance between the bottom structure and the underside of the upper structure increases wherein efficiency of detonated mine is reduced to a greater extent which reduces damages on upper structure and consequently driver/crew in upper structure. The bellow devices per se further have energy absorbing properties such that they contribute to further increasing the mine protection. Further good buoyancy of the vehicle is facilitated by inflation of the bellow configuration at the same time as the distance during inflation of the bellow configuration increases the distance between upper structure and bottom structure such that the space there between increases for insertion of further displacement increasing means. According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members comprise scissor table devices. Hereby efficient raising/lowering of the upper structure relative to said bottom structure is facilitated. Further the scissor table devices have energy absorbing properties such that they contribute to further increasing the mine protection. According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members comprises damping devices. Hereby efficient raising/lowering is facilitated at the same time as damping of the raising members reduces the damage effect on the vehicle by mine detonation or other detonating action loading in connection to the raising members. Said damping devices are according to a variant constituted by spring legs/damper elements. According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members comprise a telescopic function. Hereby efficient raising and lowering of the upper structure relative to the bottom structure is facilitated. Further raising members with telescopic function has a damping and thus energy absorbing effect by mine detonation or other detonating action loading in connection to the raising members

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said raising members are arranged to form a space for mine protecting means. Hereby improved mine protection against mine detonation or other detonating action loading under the vehicle is facilitated.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said mine protecting means comprises an energy absorbing protection material. Hereby mine protection properties of the vehicle are improved. According to a variant the displacement increasing material comprises mine protecting properties and thus also constitutes an energy absorbing protection material.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said mine protecting means comprises protection structure elements, e.g. panels of metal and/or fibre composites and/or ceramic. Hereby mine protection properties of the vehicle are improved. According to an embodiment of the vehicle displacement increasing means are disposed between said bottom structure and said upper structure. Hereby provision of efficient buoyancy of the vehicle is facilitated. By utilizing an existing and/or created space between a bottom structure and an upper structure for displacement increasing means improved displacement ability of the vehicle is thus facilitated.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle said displacement increasing means comprises fixedly arranged floating elements, e.g. floating blocks. Hereby efficient buoyancy of the vehicle is obtained. According to an embodiment the vehicle is constituted by a so called amphibian vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon the reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a view from behind of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a view from behind of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a view from behind of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a view from behind of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a view from behind of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a view from behind of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a raising member for raising and lowering of the vehicle according to fig. 1-6.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a raising member for raising and lowering of the vehicle according to fig. 1-6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1-6 schematically illustrate a vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI according to embodiment of the present invention. The exemplified vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI is according to an embodiment constituted by a motor vehicle. The exemplified vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI is according to an embodiment constituted by a heavy vehicle in the shape of a military vehicle. The vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI may be constituted by any suitable vehicle where increased mine protection is desired. Said vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI is constituted by an amphibian vehicle. Said vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI is according to a variant constituted by a modular built vehicle.

The vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI comprise a chassis configuration 10 comprising ground engaging members 11 , 12 for driving the vehicle. The ground engaging members 11 , 12 according to a variant comprise wheels. The ground engaging members 11 , 12 according to a variant comprise tracks. According to a variant the vehicle is a motor vehicle comprising driving ground engaging members comprising driving wheels and/or driving tracks.

The vehicle I; II; III; IV; V; VI according to an embodiment comprises a driveline 20 for driving of ground engaging members of the vehicle. The vehicle is according to a variant driven by means of a combustion engine. The vehicle is according to a variant hybrid driven, i.e. by means of electric motor and combustion engine. The vehicle is according to a variant electrically driven.

The chassis configuration 10 further comprises a bottom structure 14. The bottom structure comprises a structure element 14a, dashed and dotted in fig. 1-6, arranged to run in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along a substantial part of the vehicle with a profile which according to this embodiment follows the ground engaging members 11 , 12 in such a way that they run above the ground engaging members in connection to them and in a lower plane between opposing ground engaging members 1 , 12. The bottom structure 14 further comprises protection structure elements 14b, e.g. sheet metal elements for improved mine protection. The protection structure element 14b is arranged to essentially follow the structure element 14a and is according to these embodiments arranged on top of the structure element 14a. According to a variant the protection structure element 14b constitutes a module of the vehicle. According to a not shown alternative variant the vehicle either comprises the structure element or the protection structure element. The chassis configuration 10 comprises an enforcement element 16 arranged to support the driveline. The vehicle further comprises an upper structure 30 arranged to be supported by means of said chassis configuration. Said upper structure 30 is arranged to house driver and/or crew.

The vehicle comprises raising members 60 arranged to form an increased distance between said upper structure 30 and said bottom structure 14 in mine protection purpose.

Said raising members 60 are according to an embodiment arranged for forming space for mine protection means. Said mine protection means comprises an energy absorbing material 50, the material according to a variant being cellular plastic. Said raising members 60 are according to an embodiment arranged for raising and lowering of said upper structure 30 relative to said bottom structure 14. Said raising members 60 are arranged to form an increased distance between said upper structure 30 and said bottom structure 14 in mine protection purpose. According to an alternative embodiment said raising members 60 are fixed for provision of a determined increased distance.

The vehicle comprises displacement increasing means presently arranged between said bottom structure 14 and said upper structure 30. By raising of the upper structure 30 relative to the bottom structure 14 such that the distance between them increases insertion of floating elements/floating blocks or corresponding displacement increasing means is facilitated in the space formed thereby. Said raising members 60 are consequently arranged to form a space for displacement increasing means.

The upper structure 30 may according to an embodiment be raised and lowered between a first position shown in fig. 6, a second position shown in fig. 1 and where applicable a third position shown in fig. 2. In the first position the upper structure 30 is lowered such that the distance between the bottom structure 14 and the upper structure 30 is small such that the centre of gravity of the vehicle becomes relatively low which improves the driveability and the manoeuvrability of the vehicle. In the second position the upper structure 30 is raised to a position higher than the first position such that the distance D1 between the bottom structure 14 and the upper structure 30 is greater such that space is formed for insertion of displacement increasing means such as e.g. floating elements/floating blocks. Hereby mine protection by detonation of mine under the vehicle is also improved, thanks to the distance between upper structure 30 and bottom structure 14. In the third position the upper structure 30 is raised to a position higher than the second position such that the distance D2 between the bottom structure 14 and the upper structure 30 is greater such that space is formed for insertion of displacement increasing means such as e.g. floating elements/floating blocks. Hereby mine protection is further increased in comparison to raising to the second position by detonation of mine under the vehicle, due to the distance between upper structure 30 and bottom structure 14.

Said raising member 60 is connected to said upper structure 30 and said bottom structure 14. Said raising member 60 is according to an embodiment fixedly arranged to said upper structure 30 at an upper part of the raising member 60 and fixedly arranged to said bottom structure 14 at a lower part of the raising member 60, wherein the upper and lower part of the raising member 60 are movable relative to each other for raising and lowering of the upper structure 30 relative to the bottom structure 14.

Said raising member 60 is according to a variant lockable at different positions of the upper structure 30 relative to the bottom structure 14. According to an embodiment of the vehicle III; V illustrated in fig. 3 and 5 said displacement increasing means are fixedly arranged floating elements 40. Said floating elements are consequently arranged between said bottom structure 14 and said upper structure 30. According to an embodiment said floating elements are constituted by floating blocks. Said floating elements 40 may be constituted by any suitable material for improved buoyancy such as e.g. cellular plastic, Styrofoam, PVC or the like. Said floating element 40 may be constituted by one or several floating blocks.

According to an embodiment said energy absorbing material 50 comprises displacement increasing properties for improved buoyancy, wherein said energy absorbing protection material thus constitutes a displacement increasing material. Said displacement increasing material 50 is consequently arranged between said bottom structure 14 and said upper structure 30.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle IV illustrated in fig. 4 said displacement increasing means comprises bellow devices 62. According to an embodiment said raising member 60 comprises said bellow devices 62. Said bellow devices 62 are arranged between said upper structure 30 and said bottom structure 14. Said bellow devices 62 are arranged to raise the upper structure relative to the bottom structure 14 by means of supply of compressed air from a compressed-air source 100 of the vehicle. Said bellow devices 62 comprises one or more bellows.

Said raising member 60 according to an embodiment offers energy absorbing deformation possibilities for absorption of energy by detonation/explosion of mines in connection to the vehicle/ under the vehicle. Said raising member 60 according to an embodiment comprises damping devices, said damping devices comprising energy absorbing deformation possibilities. Said damping devices according to a variant comprises spring leg / bumper element.

According to an embodiment of the vehicle III illustrated in fig. 3 said raising member 60 comprises scissor table devices 70. Said scissor table devices 70 are arranged to raise and lower said upper structure 30 relative to said bottom structure 14. Said scissor table devices 70 comprise an upper part 71 preferably fixedly connected to the upper structure 30 and a lower part 72 preferably fixedly connected to the bottom structure 14. Said scissor table device 70 further comprises legs 74, 75 connected to the upper part 71 and the lower part 72 and crossed and piovatably arranged about an axle 73. In fig. 3 the legs 74, 75 of said scissor table device 70 are arranged to run between the upper part 71 and the lower part 72 essentially transversal to the longitudinal extension of the vehicle II. According to an alternative variant the legs of said scissor table devices arranged to run between the upper part and the lower part essentially in the longitudinal extension of the vehicle. Hereby is according to a variant at least one scissor table device arranged on each side of the vehicle. According to a variant said scissor table devices 70 has a damping function, wherein said scissor table devices 70 constitute a damping device.

Said raising member 60, according to a variant shown in fig. 1 , fig. 2, fig. 5 and fig. 6, according to a variant comprises a telescopic function. In fig. 7 a raising member 60 in the shape of a telescopic raising member 80 with a telescopic function is shown. The raising member comprises an upper part 81 and a lower part 82, the upper and the lower part being movable relative to each other for facilitating raising and lowering of upper structure 30 relative to bottom structure 14. The telescopic raising member 80 with telescopic function comprises according to a variant more than two parts, e.g. three, four, five of more parts movable relative to each other raising and lowering of upper structure relative to bottom structure, with an upper and a lower part and intermediate parts. The upper part 81 is preferably fixedly connected to the upper structure 30 and the lower part 82 is preferably fixedly connected to the bottom structure 14. The telescopic raising member 80 is consequently mechanically attached in the upper structure 30 and the bottom structure 14. According to a variant said telescopic raising member has a damping function, wherein the telescopic raising member 80 constitutes a damping device.

According to a variant said raising member 60 comprises a hydraulic function, wherein the raising member 60 is constituted by a piston 90 with a piston rod 91 and a cylinder 92, wherein the piston rod 91 can be raised and lowered relative to the cylinder 92 for raising and lowering of the upper structure 30 relative to the bottom structure 14. The hydraulic function is according to a variant provided by utilising oil from the oil system of the vehicle, where this is possible/applicable. According to a variant said piston 90 has a damping function, wherein the piston 90 constitutes a damping device. According to a variant said piston has a hydro pneumatic configuration.

According to yet another variant said raising member 60 has an electric function, wherein the raising member 60 is arranged to be raised and lowered by means of electric power from the electric system of the vehicle, where this is possible/applicable. Said electric function is according to a variant arranged to provide raising and lowering of said scissor table device.

The vehicle described above comprising displacement increasing means arranged between said bottom structure 14 and said upper structure 30 is constituted by a motor vehicle. According to a variant the vehicle comprising displacement increasing means arranged between said bottom structure 14 and said upper structure 30 is constituted by a trailer to a motor vehicle, e.g. a motor vehicle described above. Above different embodiments of vehicles I; II; III; IV; V; VI with displacement increasing means arranged between upper structure and bottom structure and variants of raising members have been described. Different displacement increasing means and/or raising members described in the embodiments may be combined with each other. E.g. bellow devices may be combined with floating elements and/or displacement increasing material. Scissor table device may according to a variant be combined with floating elements and/or displacement increasing material. Different raising members may be combined for redundancy, wherein according to a variant raising members according to fig. 1 and 2 such as raising members with telescopic function/hydraulic function may be combined with bellow devices and/or scissor table devices. Any suitable combination of displacement increasing means and mine protection means are further conceivable. Hereby the vehicle according to a variant has floating elements arranged between upper structure and bottom structure in combination with mine protection material and/or members with energy absorbing function such as damping members.

Above an amphibian vehicle has been described comprising protection structure elements, e.g. panels of metal and/or fibre composites and/or ceramic based panels for protection against mine detonation or other or other detonating loading action. According to an embodiment the vehicle does not have any protection structure element with mine protection properties.

Above an energy absorbing protection material 50 in mine protection purpose has been described, where it according to an embodiment also has displacement increasing properties and constitutes a displacement increasing material.

According to an embodiment the vehicle comprises an energy absorbing protection material 50 in mine protection purpose and/or a separate displacement increasing material for improved buoyancy of the vehicle. Said displacement increasing means arranged between upper structure and bottom structure of the vehicle is adapted such that the vehicle floats stable, wherein the displacement ability along the sides between upper structure and bottom structure is greater than the displacement ability centrally along the vehicle between upper structure and bottom structure.

Above a vehicle with a certain design illustrated in fig. 1-6 has been described. The vehicle may however have any suitable design with an upper structure and a bottom structure, said displacement means being arranged between upper structure and bottom structure.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A vehicle (I; II; III; IV; V; VI) arranged for increased mine protection, which vehicle comprises a chassis configuration (10) comprising ground engaging members (11 , 12) for driving of the vehicle (I; II; III; IV; V; VI) together with a bottom structure (14), and an upper structure (30) arranged to be supported by means of the chassis configuration (10), characterized by raising members (60) arranged to provide an increased distance (D1 , D2) between said upper structure (30) and said bottom structure (14) in mine protection purpose.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said raising members (60) are fixed for provision of a determined increased distance (D1 , D2).

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said raising members (60) offer energy absorbing deformation possibilities.

4. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said raising members (60) are arranged for raising and lowering of said upper structure (30) relative to said bottom structure (14).

5. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-4, wherein said raising members (60) comprises bellow devices (62).

6. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-5, wherein said raising members (60) comprise scissor table devices (70).

7. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-6, wherein said raising members (60) comprises damping devices.

8. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said raising members (60) comprise a telescopic function (80).

9. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-8, wherein said raising members (60) are arranged to form a space for mine protecting means (14b, 50, 60, 70, 90).

10. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said mine protecting means comprises an energy absorbing protection material (50).

11. A vehicle according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein said mine protecting means comprises protection structure elements (14b), e.g. panels of metal and/or fibre composites and/or ceramic.

12. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-11 , wherein displacement increasing means (40; 50; 62) are disposed between said bottom structure and said upper structure.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said displacement increasing means comprises fixedly arranged floating elements (40), e.g. floating blocks.

14. A vehicle according to any of claims 1-13, wherein said vehicle (I; II; III; IV; V; VI) is constituted by a so called amphibian vehicle.