WO2013127932A1

WO2013127932A1 - Light mine-clearing vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2013127932A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/054054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Paumier
Original assignee: Dcns
Priority date: 2012-03-01
Filing date: 2013-02-28
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: FR2987674B1; FR2987674A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a light mine-clearing vehicle (10) including a chassis (12) provided with a rolling means (14) for supporting said chassis (12) and for moving the vehicle (10) over an area to be cleared of mines. The rolling means (14) comprises at least one rolling assembly (22), including a hollow mounting (24) having a generally cylindrical shape extending about a central axis and defining a hollow inner space into which an arm (18, 20) of the chassis (12) extends, the mounting (24) being connected to said arm (18, 20) via resilient suspension means (28). A mine-clearing roller (32) surrounds the mounting (24), and is connected to said mounting (24) via a means for rotatably guiding the roller (32) about the central axis (Y).

Description

Light demining vehicle

The present invention relates to an improved demining vehicle.

The "clearance of an area" is the action of removing explosive devices (or mines) located in this area. For this purpose, for example, a demining vehicle is used to circulate on the area to be cleared to detonate the mines by applying a pressure force or impact. Such a vehicle is used by humanitarian organizations to secure areas frequented by civilians.

Two types of mines likely to be located in a mined area will be considered: anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines.

Anti-personnel mines are particularly stealthy, and are likely to be triggered under the effect of an effort corresponding to a mass generally between a few tens of grams and a few kilograms.

Anti-tank mines are significantly less sensitive to crushing, since they are likely to be triggered only under the effect of a force corresponding to a mass generally greater than 200 kg. Such mines, however, are far more destructive than anti-personnel mines, since they are intended to destroy heavy vehicles.

A demining vehicle must be able to withstand the blast of an anti-personnel mine explosion. To this end, it is already known in the state of the art, demining vehicles reinforced to resist such explosions. However, such a reinforced demining vehicle is generally difficult to transport, and particularly expensive, which limits the large-scale use of demining vehicles by humanitarian organizations. In addition, the dimensions and mass of a reinforced demining vehicle are such that this vehicle may trigger an anti-tank mine passing over it, which can cause damage to the vehicle.

The invention aims in particular to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing a demining vehicle economical and easy to transport, while remaining able to withstand blast explosions anti-personnel mines.

For this purpose, the invention particularly relates to a demining vehicle comprising a chassis provided with rolling means carrying the frame for moving the vehicle over an area to be cleared, characterized in that the rolling means comprise at least one assembly. rolling, comprising:

a hollow support, of generally cylindrical shape around a central axis, delimiting a hollow interior space through which an arm of the frame passes, the support being connected to this arm by means of elastic suspension means, a demining roll, surrounding the support and connected to this support by means of means for rotating the roller around the central axis.

When this demining vehicle passes on an anti-personnel mine, the blast of the explosion mainly generates a force applied on the bearing assembly. This effort is then largely absorbed by the elastic suspension means, so that this effort is generally not destructive for the demining vehicle.

The demining vehicle therefore does not need to be reinforced to withstand the blast of anti-personnel mines, which limits its size and cost. In addition, such a vehicle may have dimensions and a mass sufficiently limited not to risk triggering anti-tank mines.

Optionally, the demining vehicle has one or more of the following features, taken alone or in any technically possible combination.

- The bearing assembly comprises drive means for rotating the roller about the central axis, comprising a pinion carried by the support, and a complementary toothing arranged on the roller, the teeth engraining with the pinion;

- The rotary drive means comprise a geared motor, preferably specific to the bearing assembly, comprising a drive shaft connected in rotation to the pinion, preferably via a universal joint;

the demining roller has a tread bearing demining teeth protruding from this tread;

each demineral tooth has a triangular section shape, the base of which is integral with the tread of the roller;

- The roll is formed by two lateral hoops, connected together by rods, so that the roll has a form of squirrel cage;

- The teeth engraining with the pinion is formed on one of the side hoops;

at least one of the demining teeth is formed on one of the rods;

the rotation guiding means comprise at least one bearing carried by the support cooperating with at least one complementary surface formed on the roll,

the hollow support is at least partially filled with foam;

the chassis comprises a central beam, extending along a longitudinal axis, and comprising two front arms arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, and two rear arms arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, each arm front and rear bearing a respective bearing assembly; the central beam, and / or each front and rear arm, has a U-shaped cross section;

- The vehicle comprises remote control means mounted on the frame by means of deformable connecting elements, preferably elastomer; and the mass of the chassis is greater than that of the rolling means.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a demining vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the vehicle of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a side view of a bearing assembly fitted to the vehicle of Figure 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a demining roll fitted to the rolling assembly of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a demining vehicle 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The demining vehicle 10 comprises a frame 12 provided with rolling means 14 carrying the frame 12 for moving the vehicle 10 over an area to be cleared.

Advantageously, the frame 12 comprises a central beam 16, extending along a longitudinal axis X. The frame 12 also comprises two front arms 18, arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X, and two rear arms 20 arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

According to the embodiment described, the arms 18, 20 are integral with the central beam 16. However, the arms 18, 20 could alternatively be articulated on the central beam 16 to facilitate the maneuvers of the vehicle 10.

Preferably, the central beam 16 has a U-shaped cross-section. The U-shape defines a groove in which various components can be accommodated, as will be described later. Furthermore, each front and rear arm 18 also preferably has a U-shaped cross section.

Note that the dimensions of such a frame 12 are optimal for limiting the mass of the demining vehicle 10. Such a reduced mass is important to prevent the vehicle triggers anti-tank mines passing over. The rolling means 14 comprise at least one bearing assembly 22, carried by a front arm 18 or rear 20 of the frame 12. In the embodiment described, each front arm 18 or rear 20 carries a bearing assembly 22.

FIG. 3 shows the bearing assembly 22 carried by one of the front arms 18. The other bearing assemblies 22 of the vehicle 10 are identical to this one.

The bearing assembly 22 comprises a hollow support 24, having an outer surface 24A of general shape of revolution about a central axis Y.

This hollow support 24 delimits an interior space 26 in which the corresponding arm 18 of the frame 12 passes. This support 24 is connected to this arm 18 by means of elastic suspension means 28, preferably with a large clearance.

The suspension means 28 comprise for example two springs 30, arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane P. Preferably, the springs 30 each extend in a respective direction inclined relative to the vertical plane P.

Each of the springs 30 extends between a first seat 30A formed on the arm 28 and a second seat 30B formed on the hollow support 24, in the interior space 26.

Thus, a force applied to the bearing assembly 22, for example by the blast of an anti-personnel mine explosion, is at least partially absorbed by the suspension means 28, and is thus only slightly reflected on the chassis 12 and the components it carries.

Optionally, the hollow support 24 is at least partly filled with foam. In the example shown in Figure 3, the support 24 has a lower portion 31 filled with foam. This foam makes it possible to form a floating volume of the support, allowing the vehicle to move without getting bogged down, especially on a rice field or a marsh.

The bearing assembly 22 furthermore comprises a demining roll 32, surrounding the support 24, and connected to this support 24 via means 33 for guiding the roll 32 in rotation about the central axis Y. The means for guiding in rotation 33 comprise for example at least one bearing 33A, formed on the outer surface 24A of the support 24, cooperating with at least one complementary inner surface 33B formed on the roller 32.

The roller 32, shown in more detail in FIG. 4, is for example formed of two lateral hoops 34 interconnected by rods 36 so as to represent a form of squirrel cage. Such a form of squirrel cage makes it possible to limit the force applied by the blast of an anti-personnel mine explosion on the bearing assemblies 22. The outer surface of the rods 36 and hoops 34 forms a tread that rests on the ground when the vehicle 10 moves over the area to be cleared. This tread carries clearance teeth 38 protruding from this tread. For example, at least one of the clearance teeth 38 is formed on one of the rods 36.

The number of shanks 36 and tooth lines 38 is defined so as to leave a space between the teeth smaller than the average size of the anti-personnel mines. According to the example shown, four sets of demining teeth 38 are distributed over the tread of the roller 32.

Preferably, each demineral tooth 38 has a triangular section shape, the base of which is integral with the tread of the roller 32, in particular of a rod 36. For example, teeth similar to those of shovel buckets will be chosen. classical mechanics.

When the roller 32 is rotated about the central axis Y for the movement of the demining vehicle 10, the teeth 38 each act as a plow in order to raise the anti-personnel mines to the surface or to cause their explosion by crushing. On the other hand, the risk of activating an anti-tank mine is low because the ground pressure is much lower than that of a conventional demining vehicle.

In order to drive the rollers 32 in rotation around the central axis Y, each bearing assembly 22 is connected to means 40 for rotating the roller 32 around the central axis Y.

Preferably, each bearing assembly 22 is connected to respective drive means 40. Thus, the bearing assemblies 22 can be controlled independently of each other, in order to facilitate the maneuvers of the vehicle 10.

For each bearing assembly 22, the drive means 40 comprise in particular a pinion 42, carried by the support 24, and a toothing 44 formed on the roll 32, meshing with the pinion 42. The toothing 44 is for example arranged on the one of the side hoops 34 of the roll 32, in particular on an inner surface of this hoop 34, turned towards the central axis Y.

The drive means 40 also comprise a geared motor 46, carried by the frame. For example, the geared motor 46 is housed in the groove defined by the arm 18 with a U-shaped section. Each geared motor 46 is mounted on the frame 12 via deformable connecting elements, preferably made of elastomer, in order to limit shock waves transmitted to this geared motor 46 during the explosion of an anti-personnel mine. Each geared motor comprises a drive shaft 47 rotatably connected to the pinion 42, preferably via a universal joint to take into account the relative movements between the support 24, carrying the pinion 42, and the frame 12 , carrying the gearmotor 46.

Each geared motor 46 is supplied with electric current by batteries 48 housed on the frame 12. For example, the batteries 48 are housed in the groove defined by the central beam 16 with a U-shaped section. These batteries 48 are mounted on the frame 12 by via deformable connecting elements, preferably elastomer, to limit the shock waves transmitted to these batteries 48 during the explosion of an anti-personnel mine.

Preferably, the batteries 48 are conventional farm machinery batteries. Such batteries 48 are robust and economical.

Alternatively or in addition to the batteries, the demining vehicle 10 may include a generator 50 hooked to the central beam 16 of the frame 12 in a shielded box. This generator set 50 is also preferably mounted on the frame 12 via deformable connecting elements.

Furthermore, the demining vehicle 10 comprises means (not shown) remote control, for remote control of each of the bearing assemblies 22, to allow the maneuver of the demining vehicle 10. These remote control means are housed in the groove defined by the central beam 16 to U-section, and are preferably mounted on the central beam 16 by means of deformable connecting elements, preferably elastomer, to limit the shock waves transmitted to these means of control during the explosion of an antipersonnel mine.

It should be noted that the dimensions of the demining vehicle 10 are chosen to optimize the resistance of the vehicle to anti-personnel mine explosions while ensuring that these vehicles do not lock anti-tank mines.

In particular, the mass of the chassis 12 is greater than the mass of the rolling means 14. Thus, only the bearing assemblies 22 are generally driven by the blast of the explosion of an anti-personnel mine.

Furthermore, the bearing assemblies 22 located on the front arms 18 are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to one third of the width of the vehicle 10. Similarly, the rear bearing assemblies are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to one third of the width of the vehicle.

Preferably, the total width of the vehicle is less than 2.5 m in order to allow easy transport of this vehicle by an all-terrain truck equipped with a crane. The length the vehicle is preferably less than 3 m, to allow the stacking of four vehicles in an ISO container of 8 x 20 feet.

Note that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and could have various variants without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Demining vehicle (10), comprising a chassis (12) provided with rolling means (14) carrying this chassis (12) for the displacement of the vehicle (10) on an area to be demined, characterized in that the rolling means ( 14) comprise at least one bearing assembly (22), comprising:

a hollow support (24), generally cylindrical in shape around a central axis (Y), delimiting a hollow interior space (26) through which an arm (18, 20) of the frame (12) passes, the support (24) ) being connected to this arm (18, 20) via resilient suspension means (28),

a demining roll (32), surrounding the support (24) and connected to this support (24) via means (33) for guiding the roll (32) around the central axis (Y) in rotation .

The demining vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing assembly (22) includes means (40) for rotating the roller (32) about the central axis (Y), comprising a pinion (42) carried by the support (24), and a complementary toothing (44) formed on the roller (32), the toothing (44) engraining with the pinion (42).

The demining vehicle (10) according to claim 2, wherein the rotational drive means (40) comprises a geared motor (46), preferably specific to the bearing assembly (22), comprising a gear shaft. drive (47) rotatably connected to the pinion (42), preferably via a universal joint.

A demining vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deminer roll (32) has a tread bearing clearance teeth (38) protruding therefrom.

A demining vehicle (10) according to claim 4, wherein each demineral tooth (36) has a triangular section shape, the base of which is integral with the tread of the roller (32).

A demining vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller (32) is formed by two side hoops (34) interconnected by rods (36) so that the roller ( 32) has a form of squirrel cage.

The demining vehicle (10) according to claim 6 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein the toothing (44) engraining with the pinion (42) is formed on one of the side hoops (34).

8. demining vehicle (10) according to claim 6 or 7 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein at least one of the clearance teeth (38) is formed on one of the rods (36).

9. demining vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotational guiding means (33) comprise at least one bearing (33A) carried by the support (24) cooperating with at least one complementary surface (33B) formed on the roll (32).

10. demining vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow support (24) is at least partly filled with foam.

1 1. A mine clearance vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (12) comprises a central beam (16) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), and comprising two front arms ( 18) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (X), and two rear arms (20) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (X), each front (18) and rear (20) arms carrying a set of bearing (22) respectively.

12. demining vehicle (10) according to claim 1 1, wherein the central beam (16), and / or each front arm (18) and rear (20), has a U-shaped cross section.

13. demining vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising remote control means mounted on the frame (12) via deformable connecting elements, preferably elastomer.

14. Demining vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mass of the chassis is greater than that of the rolling means.