Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP1821061B1/en
Timestamp: 2020-01-24 15:24:33
Document Index: 252093813

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10']

EP1821061B1 - Floor protection device for a vehicle - Google Patents
Floor protection device for a vehicle Download PDF
EP1821061B1
EP1821061B1 EP07290177A EP07290177A EP1821061B1 EP 1821061 B1 EP1821061 B1 EP 1821061B1 EP 07290177 A EP07290177 A EP 07290177A EP 07290177 A EP07290177 A EP 07290177A EP 1821061 B1 EP1821061 B1 EP 1821061B1
EP07290177A
EP1821061A1 (en
2007-08-22 Publication of EP1821061A1 publication Critical patent/EP1821061A1/en
2011-11-23 Publication of EP1821061B1 publication Critical patent/EP1821061B1/en
230000004224 protection Effects 0 claims title 8
238000005474 detonation Methods 0 claims 1
The technical field of the invention is that of devices for protecting a floor of a land vehicle against mines.
In order to protect the floor of a land vehicle, it is known to arrange a shielding therein for absorbing and / or deflecting the breath produced by the mine. Known shields comprise one or more metal or composite layers and possibly deflector means.
The DE10144208 thus describes a shield comprising a convex box covering the floor of the vehicle. The shape of the box ensures a diversion of a part of the breath of a mine.
These shields or known protection devices usually have a constant thickness over the entire width to be protected and defined according to the maximum stresses generated by the mine. This results in a large mass for the armor which penalizes the mobility of the vehicle. This also results in reduced ground clearance.
We know by the patent WO 03/102489 a floor protection device comprising various elements fastened by bolting (two longitudinal beams, transverse beams, lateral oblique beams, armor plates). In such a device there are several shielding plates attached to the beams and which cover small areas well localized. The architecture is not optimized from the point of view of the transmission of efforts.
The patent is also known WO 2007/020531 which was published on 22/02/2007 and describes a device for protecting the floor of a vehicle. This device consists of a box whose side walls are resistant to the bottom wall so as to cause the deformation of the side walls to gradually flatten the box.
It is the object of the invention to provide a protective device for ensuring, with a relatively small total mass, effective protection of the floors or the lower parts of the vehicles against the effects of mines and in particular effect mines of breath.
Thus, the subject of the invention is a device for protecting a floor of a land vehicle against mines, a device comprising at least one box having a convex external surface oriented towards the ground, the box comprising a massive middle part arranged between two side walls and extending over the entire length of the box, the combination of the side walls and the median part giving the overall convex shape of the box, shape to deflect part of the breath during the detonation of a mine, the medial part having a thickness (E) greater than that (e) of the side walls and being designed so as to transmit, during the detonation of the mine, the forces towards the side walls so as to cause deformation of the walls; lateral leading to a progressive flattening of the box towards the floor, characterized in that the middle part is formed by a distinct central piece which is secured to the side walls by fastening means, the middle piece being in contact with the side walls by bearing surfaces.
The median part may comprise at least one internal cavity.
According to another embodiment, the middle portion and the side walls may constitute a one-piece assembly.
In all embodiments, the box may have at least one internal partition.
The box may also contain at least one block of damping material.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the box may constitute an element attached to a vehicle.
According to another embodiment, the box may itself be part of the structure of a lower part of a vehicle.
The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of various embodiments, a description given with reference to the appended drawings and in which:
the figure 1a schematically represents a vehicle passing over a mine, vehicle equipped with a floor protection device according to the invention,
the figure 1b is a detail view of an embodiment of the bearing surfaces,
the figure 2 represents in top view (view along the arrow F spotted figure 1a ) a first embodiment of a protection device according to the invention,
the Figures 3 and 4 show, also in plan view, two other embodiments of the device according to the invention,
the Figures 5a and 5b show another embodiment of the invention, the figure 5b being a view from above and the figure 5a a cross-sectional view, section taken along the plane AA whose trace is visible at the figure 5a .
The figure 1a shows a vehicle 1 which has a cabin 2 carried by wheels 3 which are connected to the cab by axle arms 4. It is shown on the figure 1a a blast mine 5 placed on the ground 6. This mine generates during its initiation a strong pressure (shown by the arrows p) towards a floor 7 of the vehicle 1.
According to the invention, there is provided a device 8 for providing protection of the floor 7 (or a lower part of the vehicle).
The device is shown here in the form of a separate box which is attached to the lower part of the vehicle 1.
It is of course possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to define a vehicle whose structure itself incorporates the design device 8 incorporated in the cabin 2. The box 8 may thus be incorporated in the floor itself.
By box 8 in the sense of the invention will therefore be understood a structure delimited by walls and which itself delimits an internal volume 9. This structure can be reported to an existing vehicle to achieve an over protection. It may also be defined, from the design of the vehicle, as a constituent part of a cabin or floor of the vehicle.
According to the invention, the box 8 has an external surface which is convex and oriented towards the ground 6.
This box further comprises a median portion 10 which is disposed between two side walls 11a, 11b.
This middle portion has a thickness E which is greater than the thicknesses e of the side walls 11a and 11b.
The side walls 11a and 11b are thus constituted by sheets (for example of steel) while the median part is formed here by a piece 10 (for example of steel), obtained by machining or foundry, and which is made integral with the walls. lateral 11a 11b by fastening means, for example by welding.
As this is particularly visible on the figure 2 , which is a view from above of the box according to the spotted arrow F figure 1a , the piece 10 extends over the entire length L of the box 8.
Furthermore, the box 8 is delimited at its front and rear faces by closure plates 12a and 12b made of steel, welded to the walls 11a and 11b. It is of course possible to lighten the device not to provide closure plates 12a, 12b (especially when the box is an over-protection reported).
The part 10 is connected to the walls 11a, 11b by bearing surfaces 13 which will be inclined relative to the vertical (see Figure la).
The box 8 will be given a length L equal to that of the part of the vehicle that is primarily to be protected. It will be possible eventually to have a well 8 whose total length will be equal to the length of the vehicle 1.
By proposing to give the box 8 a thickness in the middle part E which is greater than that of the side walls 11a, 11b improves the strength of the box while reducing it. Indeed the side walls are further from the ground than the middle part and they are inclined. It is therefore possible to lighten them compared to the middle part.
The box according to the invention has a behavior during the detonation of a mine which is totally different from that of the known convex boxes.
The known caissons partly deflect the breath of the mine thanks to their convexity but they must be sufficiently resistant mechanically to avoid any tearing of the sheets of the box. This results in thick and heavy boxes.
The box according to the invention comprises a median solid part 10 which resists tearing and which transmits to the side walls part of the shock received. This transmission is via the bearing surfaces 13 connecting the side walls to the part 10.
If a part of the breath is deflected by the convex shape, the main force, received vertically at the portion 10, is transmitted to the walls 11a, 11b and it causes a deformation of the latter and a progressive flattening of the box 8 in the direction of the floor 7.
This mechanical deformation has a slower kinematics than that of constant thickness boxes. It allows to consume the energy communicated by the mine and thus ensures the protection of the floor.
The side walls 11a and 11b may be thinner because they are located at a distance from the middle part which is the one most solicited by the effects of a mine.
The bearing surfaces 13 represented on the figure 1a are flat surfaces substantially perpendicular to the side walls 11a and 11b.
It is of course possible to give the bearing surfaces another shape or orientation facilitating the attachment by welding of the part 10 and the transmission of forces.
The figure 1b shows thus substantially horizontal bearing surfaces 13 which are formed by grooves 14 provided on each side of the part 10 and on which beveled ends of the side walls 11a, 11b.
The skilled person will size the side walls 11a, 11b and the piece 10 according to the characteristics of the mine threat against which he wants to protect the vehicle and according to the characteristics of the vehicle itself.
It is thus possible to make boxes 8 whose height H is smaller than that of the boxes of breath diversion known. The ground clearance of the vehicle is therefore improved.
With equivalent protection capacity, the surface density of the box according to the invention can be reduced compared to that of known boxes having a constant thickness. This results in a reduced overall mass for protection.
There is described a box 8 associating steel side walls 11a, 11b and a central piece 10 also made of steel. It is of course possible to implement different materials. We can for example make a box 8 of non-magnetic materials such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium. It would also be possible to make the casing 8 partially made of composite materials. These solutions would lighten the box even further and reduce its magnetic signature.
The internal volume 9 of the box 8 may allow to house the mechanical parts of the vehicle, for example a transmission shaft.
The outer shape of the piece 10 may also be different from a triangular shape. We can adopt a part 10 whose outer profile is rounded for example cylindrical or hyperbolic.
It is also possible to make a monobloc housing whose middle portion 10 will be made in one piece with the side walls 11a, 11b. The casing 8 will then be monobloc and obtained for example by casting or machining.
The figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the casing 8 has internal partitions 15 which allow to stiffen it. These partitions have a profile similar to that of the closure plates 12a, 12b and they bear on both the side walls 11a, 11b and on the part 10.
The partitions 15 will for example be made in the form of sheets welded to the walls 11a, 11b. Such an embodiment makes it possible to define between each pair of partitions, different zones of deformation for the structure of the box.
In order to further increase the level of protection, it is possible, as shown in figure 4 , to have between two partitions 15 one or more blocks 16 of a compressible material. For example, the blocks may be made of a cellular material (such as a honeycomb). The blocks may be made of metallic material or of organic or composite material.
It is of course possible to provide one or more blocks 16 in a box without walls 15 (box as shown in FIG. figure 2 ). In this case the block or blocks 16 will be fixed to the box 8, for example by gluing on the side walls 11a, 11b.
The figure 4 shows two blocks 16 disposed at a front portion of the box 8. The two housing delimited by partitions 15 at the rear of the box 8 are free of blocks. It is thus possible to provide damping blocks 16 only at a zone of the box 8 that is particularly sought to strengthen.
The Figures 5a and 5b show another embodiment of the invention in which the casing 8 comprises a median part 10 which is lightened. This part 10 thus has cavities 17 regularly distributed over its length.
These cavities make it possible to reduce the mass of the part 10 without reducing its rigidity.
The skilled person will easily size the number, shape, dimensions and distribution of the cavities 17 on the part 10 according to the desired stiffness characteristics.
It is of course possible to combine the various embodiments described above according to the operational requirements.
We can define a box according to Figures 5a, 5b also comprising partitions 15 and / or blocks 16.
In any case, it will be possible to choose forms of bearing surfaces 13 of the type shown in FIG. figure 1b .
Finally, it will be possible to provide, in the volume 9 of the box 8, longitudinal partitions perpendicular to the transverse partitions 15. Thus, an internal lattice will be made inside which blocks of damping material may be arranged.
A protection device for the floor (7) of a land vehicle (1) against mines (5), device comprising at least one caisson (8) with a convex external surface oriented towards the ground (6), the caisson (8) incorporating a median part (10) arranged between two lateral walls (11a, 11b) and extending over the full length of the caisson (8), the combination of the lateral walls (11a, 11b) and of the median part (10) giving the global convex form of the caisson, form providing the deviation of part of the blast produced by the detonation of the mine, the median part (10) being of a thickness (E) greater than that (e) of the lateral walls (11a, 11b) and being designed so as to transmit the stress, when a mine detonates, towards the lateral walls (11a, 11b) causing them to deform and causing the caisson to gradually flatten towards the floor, characterised in that the median part is formed by a separate median part (10) which is made integral with the lateral walls (11a, 11b) by fastening means, the median part (10) is in contact with the lateral walls (11a, 11b) by bearing surfaces (13).
A floor protection device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the median part (10) incorporates at least one internal cavity (17).
A floor protection device according to Claim 1, wherein the median part (10) and the lateral walls (11a, 11b) constitute a single-piece assembly.
A floor protection device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the caisson (8) has at least one internal partition (15).
A floor protection device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the caisson (8) encloses at least one block (16) of shock-absorbing material.
A floor protection device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the caisson (8) constitutes an element added onto a vehicle (1).
A floor protection device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the caisson (8) constitutes part of the very structure of a lower part of a vehicle (1).
EP07290177A 2006-02-17 2007-02-13 Floor protection device for a vehicle Active EP1821061B1 (en)
PL07290177T PL1821061T3 (en) 2006-02-17 2007-02-13 Floor protection device for a vehicle
EP1821061A1 EP1821061A1 (en) 2007-08-22
EP1821061B1 true EP1821061B1 (en) 2011-11-23
EP07290177A Active EP1821061B1 (en) 2006-02-17 2007-02-13 Floor protection device for a vehicle
WO2007020531A1 (en) * 2005-08-18 2007-02-22 Mowag Gmbh Armored vehicle
WO2003102489A1 (en) * 2002-05-31 2003-12-11 Alvis South Africa (Pte) Limited Mine protection apparatus for a vehicle
JPWO2014061109A1 (en) 2016-09-05 Battery mounting structure for vehicles
US20110138994A1 (en) 2011-06-16 Mine Resistant Armored Vehicle
US20130026786A1 (en) 2013-01-31 Battery protection structure for automobile
CN101868399A (en) 2010-10-20 Structure for side portion of vehicle
CN101300166B (en) 2011-02-09 Bottom structure of vehicle body
CA2726643C (en) 2017-02-21 Floor protection device for the cabin of a motor vehicle
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