Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This is a national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/FR2009/052438, filed Dec. 8, 2009, which claims the benefit of French application Ser. No. 08/06922 filed Dec. 10, 2008, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF ART 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a mechanical connection device adapted to be arranged between a motorized vehicle and a working equipment or system mounted on rolling members, as well as a motorized assembly comprising the vehicle and the equipment connected to each other via said connection device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    More particularly, although not exclusively, the mechanical connection device is intended for equipping military vehicles or devices such as those pushing a mine-clearing driving equipment for detecting and detonating improvised explosive devices buried into the ground or laid thereon, but, of course, it could be mounted on any other type of vehicles for other purposes. 
         [0004]    As known, known mine-clearing equipment for fighting against improvised explosive devices comprise a supporting structure bearing on which there are mounted, more particularly, at some safety distance from the motorized vehicle, triggering decoys for explosive devices. Such a structure relies on rolling members, such as wheels, and is made integral with the front of the motorized vehicle. 
         [0005]    The connection between the supporting structure of the equipment and the front of the vehicle is implemented from a large number of components, such as joints, small rods, supports, etc. to be adapted and mounted directly on the front of the vehicle through numerous and difficult assembling, drilling, welding, etc. operations. Taking into account the various shapes and dimensions of the equipment to be pushed and of the motorized vehicles, each connection is often specific and structurally and functionally different, and requires a particular study for the adaptation of a given pushed equipment to such a motorized vehicle, so multiplying the type of components to be provided, increasing the costs and thus requiring a consistent supply. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present method, system and device aim at solving such drawbacks and relate to a mechanical connection device, the design of which makes it possible to adapt it to most motorized vehicles, including of the military type, and to be able to directly mount on the latter the pushed equipment without implementing long and tiresome operations on the motorized vehicle. 
         [0007]    Moreover, as known, most military vehicles are provided, at the front, with towing rings, for usual towing and slinging purposes. Such towing rings provided on such vehicles are dimensioned so as to be submitted to very high stresses, significantly higher than those required for the application of the present method, system and device and have identical general dimensions, even rather close from one vehicle to the other. They are moreover arranged in the lower front part of vehicles generally on a bumper or a weathering being a strong area of the vehicle, this being particularly suited for anchoring the equipment. 
         [0008]    Thus, taking all this into account, the mechanical connection device being the object of the present method, system and device and intended for connecting a motorized vehicle provided, on a transverse surface thereof, with two parallel towing rings, the eyelets of which are aligned, to a working equipment with rolling members moved by said vehicle, is remarkable, according to the present method, system and device in that it comprises: 
         [0009]    a rigid plate able to receive said equipment and to reach a position substantially between said two towing rings and in two lateral sides of which holes are arranged, being able to come opposite said ring eyelets; 
         [0010]    axes being respectively housed in said aligned holes and eyelets so as to carry said plate; and 
         [0011]    abutment skids arranged between said transverse surface of the vehicle and said plate, and associated with the latter, movably, by a controllable adjustment means, so as to space apart from said plate and apply against said transverse surface of said vehicle. 
         [0012]    Thus, advantageously, the existing towing rings of vehicles are used for simply adapting the mechanical connection device of the present method, system and device then acting as a standard interface between most vehicles and rolling materials. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, as the rigid plate is retained through axes inserted in the eyelets of the rings integrally formed with the vehicle, the abutment skids can apply strongly against the transverse surface of the vehicle through the action of said securing means, until the abutment effort of the skids on said surface results in the connection device being unable to move whatever the intensity of the external mechanical actions so as to get a buttressing phenomenon. 
         [0014]    It is also noticed, that there is no need to implement assembling, drilling, welding operations or other in the structure of the vehicle for securing the connection device and that the assembling and, accordingly, the dismantling of the latter, and therefore the removability of the device, are particularly easy without affecting the structure of the vehicle, which is particularly valuable. The connection device, if it has not been damaged by an explosive device, could therefore be used again on another vehicle or remain permanently on the latter. 
         [0015]    Preferably, each axis is mounted in said respective lateral hole of the rigid plate so as to make up with the latter a linear actuator being controllable for moving said axis between an extended position associating said plate with said towing ring and a retracted position separating said plate from said ring, and reciprocally. Thus, the axes act as locks, allowing, more particularly, the mechanical connection device of said towing rings to be easily assembled and dismantled. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, controlling each of the axes occurs from a power source. 
         [0017]    In particular, each axis could then be submitted, on the one hand, to the action of an elastic member arranged in said lateral hole of the plate and sliding said axis for the engagement in said corresponding eyelet and, on the other hand, to the action of said power source acting to meet said elastic member so as to retract said axis in its lateral hole. Indeed, as assembling the axes does require any significant effort, a single spring is sufficient for having the axis slide in the corresponding eyelet. On the other hand, dismantling, more particularly when the working equipment has been damaged, resulting in deformations on the connection device, could require a more significant energy for retracting the axes, delivered by the action of the power source. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, said power source is of the fluidic type and is defined by an accumulator able to be loaded from a pump or a pressurized fluid circuit of said vehicle. 
         [0019]    Said power source could also be of the electrical type. 
         [0020]    According to another feature of the mechanical connection device, said means for controlling said abutment skids is of the screwing type and is defined by at least one threaded rod, being integral with each skid and crossing, through its free end, said plate maintained in position by said axes, and by a nut cooperating with the free end of said rod. Thus, abutments of the axes in the eyelets are used for buttressing against the front transverse surface of the vehicle by means of the abutment skids, imparting a particularly strong connection of the device to the vehicle. 
         [0021]    For example, each abutment skid could comprise a small plate and a liner arranged on said small plate and cooperating with said transverse surface of the vehicle. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, said abutment plate comprises a joint intended for allowing anchoring said working equipment. In a preferred embodiment, said joint comprises at least two bearings being integral with said plate on the side opposite that provided with said abutment skids, and aligned in parallel to the mounting axes of said plate on said rings, said bearings being able to receive axes associating or releasing said working equipment from said plate. 
         [0023]    Controlling the axes associating the working equipment with the plate of the connection device could occur advantageously identical to that of said axes associating the vehicle with the plate of such a connection device. 
         [0024]    Thus, the working equipment could be separated from the connection device while maintaining the latter associated with the vehicle. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, in another embodiment, the device could comprise controllable pyrotechnic loads associated with the axes connecting said plate to the towing rings of the vehicle and to the working equipment. Thus, the action of such loads at the level of the axes results in the device being separated from said working equipment and/or from said vehicle. 
         [0026]    The present method, system and device also relate to a motorized assembly of the type comprising an engine vehicle before which a working equipment is mounted with rolling members. Advantageously, the assembly is remarkable in that it comprises a mechanical connection device such as defined herein above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0027]    The FIGS. of the appended drawing will better explain how the present method, system and device can be implemented. In these FIGS., like reference numerals relate to like components. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view showing a motorized assembly comprising, for connecting the working equipment to the engine vehicle, a mechanical connection device according to the present method, system and device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of said connection device mounted at the front of the vehicle. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows, in a longitudinal section, an adjustment means for securing a skid to the vehicle by means of the rigid plate of the connection device. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are longitudinal sections, according to an embodiment, of one of the supporting axes of the plate to the corresponding towing ring, before and after being introduced in the eyelet thereof. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of said rigid plate of the connection device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    The motorized assembly  1  shown on  FIG. 1  comprises, in this example, a military vehicle or device  2  of the armoured type and a rolling working equipment  3  arranged before the military vehicle  2  by means of a mechanical connection device  4  according to the present method, system and device and intended, in this present preferred embodiment, for detecting and triggering not shown improvised explosive devices, partially or completely buried in the ground. 
         [0034]    Briefly, the equipment  3 , pushed by the vehicle  2 , comprises:
       a front structure  5  with a transverse beam  6  at least as wide as the vehicle  2 ;   a rear longitudinal structure  7 , hinged on the one side to the connection device  4  and bearing, on the other side, the transverse beam  6  of the front structure, so as to position the latter at an appropriate distance from the vehicle  2  for protection and safety purposes;   rolling members  9 , such as aligned twin wheels, carried by means of arms  10  hinged to the beam  6  and having a position stabilisation, mobility and decoying function of mechanical sensors for triggering improvised explosive devices;   claws  11  issued from the beam  6  and catching, via their free ends, wires and filaments lying on the ground;   a transverse sling  12  connecting the claws  11  so as to intercept antennas;   a pole  14  intercepting air wires and fastened to the beam;   a platen  15  mounted on the beam and bearing for example an infrared decoy  16 ; and   an interface member  8  arranged on the front structure  5  for carrying a not shown detecting, decoying or jamming system.       
 
         [0043]    Of course, the pushed equipment  3  for detecting and triggering improvised explosive devices could have a different structure and be provided with other equipment. 
         [0044]    As shown on  FIG. 2 , the connection device  4  of the present method, system and device could be advantageously mounted between the two identical towing rings  20  usually arranged at the front of military motorized vehicles and previously described. In particular, such rings  20  are issued from the tilted transverse surface  21  of the weathering or bumpers  22  (for some vehicles) of the vehicle  2  and are each defined by a body or fitting  23  being integral with and perpendicularly projecting with respect to the front transverse surface  21 , and provided with a circular eyelet  24  for anchoring a towing device. The eyelets  24  of those rings  20  are perpendicularly aligned to the vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle, i.e parallel to the transverse surface  21 . 
         [0045]    Thus, the connection device  4  comprises a rigid plate  25  having a substantially rectangular shape in this embodiment, the length of the large sides  26  of which corresponds to the spacing between the two rings  20  so as to be able to be mounted therebetween. To this end, the plate  25  has on its two lateral sides or small sides  27 , substantially in the centre thereof, holes  28  ( FIGS. 2 ,  4 A,  4 B and  5 ) arranged in respective cylindrical bosses  29  of said sides  27 , the diameter of which could correspond to that of the eyelets. And axes  30  are respectively inserted in the aligned eyelet  24 —hole  28  assemblies for supporting the rigid plate  25  with respect to the rings  20 . Thus, the rigid plate has one  31  of its main sides facing the tilted transverse surface  21  of the vehicle  2  and the other side  32  facing outwards and receiving, as will be set forth later, the longitudinal structure  7  of the working equipment to be pushed  3 . 
         [0046]    The connection device  4  further comprises abutment skids  33  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 ) being movably connected with respect to the rigid plate  25  and to be used for applying against the tilted transverse surface  21  of the front of the vehicle  2 . They are thus arranged between such a transverse surface  21  and the inner side  31  of the plate  25 , facing the vehicle, and parallel to such a side. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, the skids  33  are identical, have a rectangular shape and are three in number while being arranged vertically in the higher part of said rigid plate  25  with respect to the assembly axes  30  thereof in the rings, the one in the middle and the two others near lateral sides  27 . 
         [0048]    Each abutment skid  33  comprises a small rigid plate  34  on which there is secured, by any appropriate means, a liner  35  made in an appropriate material, coming in contact with the front transverse surface  21  of the vehicle. 
         [0049]    In order to prevent the small rigid plate from oscillating with respect to the rings and to firmly apply the mechanical connection device against the front of the vehicle via its skids, the device  4  comprises a controlling means  36  associating each skid  33  with the plate  25 , and more particularly in the illustrated example, two identical controlling means for each skid. 
         [0050]    In the embodiment shown on  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the controlling means  36  comprises a threaded rod  37  being integral perpendicularly, through welding or other, with the external side  32  of the small plate of each skid and crossing, via its free end  39 , a passage  40  arranged in the rigid plate  25 , and a clamping nut  41  mounted on the threaded end  39  of the rod. 
         [0051]    Mounting the mechanical connection device  4  at the front of the vehicle  2  does not involve any difficulties. The skids  33  are first associated with the rigid plate  25  while introducing the threaded rods  37  of each of them in the respective passages  40  of the plate, then mounting the nuts  41  with their washers  42  on the free ends  39  of the rods. The skids  39  are afterwards adjusted to the closest to the side  31  of the plate. The latter is presented between the two rings  20  so as to have the eyelets  24  coincide with the lateral blind holes  28  of the plate. The axes  30  are engaged into the respective holes  28  and eyelets  24  with a preferably gliding adjustment. Then, the skids are brought, via their liners  35 , against the front transverse surface  21  of the vehicle  2  and, as the plate  25  is maintained fixedly in position by the axes  30 , the action of the nuts  41  on the threaded rods tends to space apart the plate of the transverse surface  21  being thereby in constraint against the axes  30  with an higher effort than the running efforts necessary to moving the motorized assembly  1 . 
         [0052]    Thus, the eyelets of the rings, via the axes, act as an abutment for the plate so as to drive the buttressing of the skids against the front transverse surface of the vehicle, thus imparting to the mechanical connection device  4  a total and reliable securing position, without either impairing or modifying the structure of vehicle  2 . Thus, it can be particularly easily and rapidly mounted, and dismantled. 
         [0053]    Furthermore, it can be seen on  FIG. 2 , that the rigid plate  25  comprises, on the external side thereof  32 , two identical jointing bearings  45  for mounting the working equipment  3  and arranged according to an axis perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal symmetry plane of the vehicle. Those two bearings  45  are located in the upper part of the plate  25 , near its lateral sides, and are provided with aligned passing holes  46  parallel to the mounting axes  30  of the plate on the rings. Thus, in these passing holes  46 , not shown jointing axes are mounted for associating, appropriately, as shown on  FIG. 1 , the rear of the longitudinal structure  7  of the working equipment  3  at the front of the engine vehicle  2  via the mechanical connection device  4  acting as an interface. 
         [0054]    In another embodiment, sliding the jointing axes  30  of the rings  20  to the rigid plate  25  could be controlled, similarly to an electric or fluidic (hydraulic or pneumatic) type jack actuator  47 . In this case, each axis  30  corresponds to a piston rod  48  of the actuator  47 , the body or cylinder  49  could be the boss  29  of the plate or could be arranged fixedly on the latter, replacing the boss. And the hole  28  is replaced by the two chambers  53 ,  54  bounded by the piston rod  48  in the body  49  of the actuator  47 . 
         [0055]    Thus, it can be seen on  FIG. 4A , one of said axes  30  forming the rod  48  of the actuator  47  and occupying a retracted position in the body  49  of the actuator, said axis  30  facing the eyelet  24  of the corresponding towing ring  20 . 
         [0056]    In this example, each axis  30  occupies a retracted position under the fluidic action of a power source such as a membrane accumulator  51  loaded, at the start of the mission, with the motorized assembly  1 , for example, from a not shown simple lever pump. The accumulator could also be loaded  51  from the pressure build-up of the hydraulic or pneumatic circuit of the vehicle  2  by a flexible connection, but the autonomous character of the accumulators is preferred in order to avoid tapping power from the vehicle. 
         [0057]    In order to reach the retracted position, said axis  30  or rod  48  has an external annular shoulder  52  separating the body tightly into the first  53  and second  54  chambers and submitted, on the side of the first chamber  53 , to the pressurized fluid issued from the accumulator  51  by a flexible connection  55  and, on the side of the second chamber  54 , to a elastic member such as a compression spring  56  arranged between the bottom  57  of the body  49  of the actuator  47  and the annular shoulder  52 . Thus, when the fluid pressure in the first chamber  53  applies on the external annular shoulder  52 , it overcomes the action of the spring  56  which becomes compressed under the sliding axis  30  then occupying the retracted position illustrated on  FIG. 4A . 
         [0058]    On the other hand, when the mechanical connection device  4  is to be assembled to the weathering or the bumper  22  of the vehicle, upon a mission, and the axes  30  are opposite the respective eyelets  24 , the accumulators  51  are isolated from the chamber  52  being then brought to the atmospheric pressure (for example, by means of a not shown three way valve), dropping the pressure in the first chambers  53 . Thereby, under the action of compression springs  56  that could have a low power, the axes  30  switch from the retracted position.  FIG. 4A , to the extended position.  FIG. 4B , slidably engaging, as a lock, in the eyelets  24  of the towing rings  20 . 
         [0059]    The external annular shoulder  52  of each axis comes then in abutment against a front internal annular shoulder  58  of the body. 
         [0060]    Thus, using accumulators  51  is particularly advantageous when it is desired “to release” or to break away from the motorized vehicle  2 , the working equipment  3 , as well as the associated connection device  4 , as a result of an improvised device explosion, leading to it being damaged, as said accumulators  51  are able to restore a high fluid energy for retracting the axes  30  and thereby overcome the buttressing and jamming that could be caused by the pushed equipment being damaged. Releasing occurs, for example, by inverting the position of the three way valve. 
         [0061]    In another not shown embodiment, releasing the axes  30  could be achieved by pyrotechnic loads surrounding, for example, the axes or inserted therein, and able to be fired from the interior of the motorized vehicle. 
         [0062]    Instead of acting on the axes  30  associating the connection device  4  with the towing rings  20  for releasing the working equipment  4 , the jointing axes provided between the longitudinal structure  7  of the working equipment and the bearings  45  of the rigid plate of said device could obviously be used, and could be there too assimilated to actuator rods. 
         [0063]    On these axes, there could also be arranged pyrotechnic loads  59  shown on  FIG. 4B  and known as such (fuse or other) for leading the working equipment  3  to separate from the mechanical connection device  4 . 
         [0064]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the rigid plate  25  comprises an extension part  60 , bendingly extending the initial plate for being able to apply, via the skids  33  as well, against the bottom  61  of the structure of the motorized vehicle  2 , extending the front tilted transverse surface  21  of the weathering.

Technology Category: 2