EP3803258B1 - Modular vehicle system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle system with a driving module and a mission module. Such modular vehicle systems are used when different vehicles with different equipment are built on the same vehicle chassis. In this case, a corresponding mission-specific mission module is attached to a driving module in order to complete the vehicle.

Due to this modular design, the vehicle does not have to be built from scratch, but rather a common driving module and various mission modules can be manufactured. The vehicle is then completed by placing the mission module on the driving module.

Such vehicle systems are used, for example, in military vehicles or security vehicles. Such vehicle systems are therefore used by the military, police and/or other security forces.

The DE 101 44 371 A1 an open mission module for armored transport vehicles. A driving module is used, which is completed with an open mission module.

Also known from the EN 10 2009 024 854 A1 a mobile medical room which is arranged on the loading area of military transport vehicles.

Another revelation is the WO 2013/064258 A1 It reveals a chassis for accommodating mission modules.

In these modular vehicles, the mission module is manufactured separately from the mission module. It is possible for the vehicle to have different mission modules, and depending on the requirements, the corresponding mission module can be mounted on the vehicle. and the previous mission module, which was mounted on the vehicle, is removed from the drive module.

This gives rise to the problem that unused mission modules should be stored in a protected manner until they are needed. Preferably, this storage is designed in such a way that it can be transported using known suitable means.

For this purpose, it is proposed to place the mission modules in a container. Well-known containers from freight transport can be used. The use of containers has the advantage that the container can be transported using conventional means. This can also be done on vehicles on land, on water and in the air. Suitable containers, as well as options for their transport, are available, for example, from the EN 10 2006 011 611 B4 It reveals a transport container for passenger transportation.

It is also clear from the DE 201 22 290 U1 a container adapter for an armoured transport vehicle is revealed. The vehicle is equipped in such a way that it can transport corresponding containers.

However, placing a mission module in a container presents a certain challenge, as conventional containers are closed and it is therefore not possible to place the mission modules in the container without modifications.

The EP 2 589 919 A1 also discloses a relevant vehicle system with a driving module, a mission module and a container.

The object of the present invention is therefore to enable a vehicle system with exchangeable, mission-specific mission modules, in which the unused mission modules can be easily attached to or in a container.

This problem is solved with the features of the present main claim.

A vehicle system is therefore proposed, with a driving module, at least one mission module, and at least one container. The driving module forms the chassis of a vehicle and contains at least one drive for propulsion, as well as a structure for accommodating a mission module. The accommodating device can also accommodate several mission modules. The vehicle can be a land vehicle on wheels or rails, tracked vehicles, but also ships or aircraft.

The mission module is designed in such a way that it can be inserted into the drive module's receptacle and contains mission-specific elements. For example, a mission module for sanitary operations can contain sanitary elements such as medical application devices, beds and/or medicines.

Mission modules for engineering operations can, for example, include hand-operated tools, material processing elements and/or optical observation elements.

Mission modules for passenger transport are also conceivable. These could, for example, include seats for people. The previous list is only an example. Other mission modules are conceivable for specific areas of responsibility in which the mission module is used.

The vehicle system also includes a container on or in which mission modules that are not required and therefore not connected to the driving module can be attached. Such a container is cuboid-shaped and, according to the invention, is closed off by walls on all sides except the ceiling, but these can also be designed to be movable or foldable. Special features such as windows, through-loading options, etc. in the walls are also conceivable. This means that the six sides of the cuboid-shaped container are closed off by flat walls, with the exception of one side, namely the ceiling. The ceiling therefore contains an opening through which elements can be brought into the container.

If the driving module has an interface for operating the driving module and/or for data exchange, the container preferably also has the same interface.

The mission module according to the invention is designed to be open on all sides except the ceiling. The ceiling, however, is closed by a wall. The open design means that the mission module is designed to be open on all sides corresponding to the container walls, which means that the mission module is not limited on these sides. Only one side, namely the ceiling, is closed by a flat wall. This wall is designed in a similar way to the walls of the container.

The mission module can, however, contain superstructures that protrude at least partially from the wall of the ceiling. Such superstructures can, for example, consist of viewing devices, but also of a crane, cable winches or weapon systems. In this case, The ceiling of the mission module is closed at the top by the flat wall, with only the superstructures or parts of the superstructures protruding from the flat wall. The ceiling is thus formed by the flat wall of the ceiling and the protruding parts of the superstructures. The wall of the ceiling must have recesses corresponding to the superstructures or be made in one piece together with the superstructures that protrude from the wall of the ceiling.

If the mission module is now inserted into the container, this is done via the open ceiling of the container. The mission module is inserted into the container through the open ceiling of the container in such a way that after insertion, the ceiling of the mission module simultaneously represents the ceiling of the container and thus also closes off the container towards the ceiling. Once the mission module has been inserted, the container is therefore closed on all sides, including the ceiling.

This design allows the mission module to be either placed in the container or accommodated in the drive module's mounts. Depending on the vehicle or drive module, different numbers of mission modules can be accommodated in the drive module.

In a special embodiment, the open design of the mission module is achieved by mounting the mission module in a support frame or support rack. The support frame or support rack forms the basic framework of the mission module and the mission-specific elements of the mission module are mechanically mounted on the support frame or support rack. The use of such a support frame or support rack ensures the open design of the mission module.

Preferably, the container is designed in such a way that it has at least one access option. This access option makes it possible to enter the container and thus reach the mission module even when it is installed in the container.

To place the mission module in the container or onto the driving module, the mission module is preferably provided with transport means. These transport means ensure a simple assembly path between the mount in the driving module and the container. The corresponding transport means can be recesses into which transport equipment can engage, such as transport belts or forklifts. Metal rings can also be provided to position the mission module using a crane.

Likewise, the container is preferably provided with appropriate transport equipment to ensure that the containers can be transported or located. The containers can be well-known standard containers, which has the advantage that they are designed to be stackable. This means that several containers and therefore several mission modules can be loaded or located in a space-saving manner. If superstructures are planned, these can be folded down, lowered or dismantled before stacking so that stacking is possible.

Container heights that fall below the standard loading dimensions are also conceivable. In this case, spacer frames can be placed on the container so that the container as a whole reaches the standard loading dimensions again. With this option, the mission modules can have add-on parts that are attached to the mission module in the functional position and thus protrude beyond the standard loading dimensions. For the transport position, these add-on parts can then be removed and stored in the container in order to reach the standard loading dimensions for location again.

In a preferred embodiment, the container has connections for power supply and connections for data transmission. With corresponding counterparts on the mission module, the mission modules can be supplied with power and data can be transmitted even when they are placed in a container. This embodiment makes it possible to operate the mission module inside the container.

The various mission modules have their connections at defined locations and thus a uniform connection option on the drive module, but also in the container.

In this embodiment, the container contains a power supply and/or an external connection for a power supply.

This embodiment has a further advantage, because by placing the mission module in the container, a larger area of operation can be created. On the one hand, the rooms in the container can be used for the mission module, and on the other hand, the facilities of the mission module can be expanded by facilities in the container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the container also includes mission-specific equipment. Thus, when the mission module is placed in the container, the equipment of the mission module can be expanded by the mission-specific equipment present in the container. For example, for a mission module in the medical sector, a X-ray equipment should be provided in the container. Placing the mission module in the container then expands the equipment of the mission module by combining the mission-specific equipment in the mission module with the equipment in the container.

It is also proposed to design the mission modules in such a way that they can work together functionally as a mission network. This can be done, for example, using the aforementioned embodiment with the connections for power supply and data transmission. For this purpose, several mission modules are connected to one another or linked to one another.

It is also conceivable to create such a functional network using internal electrical or hydraulic connections. If several mission modules are mounted on a drive module, this results in a much greater range of functions than if a single mission module were used that functions on its own.

Just like the aforementioned mission network, the containers can also be designed so that they work together functionally in the container network. To this end, it is proposed that the containers be designed so that they can exchange data, but also work together functionally. As with the mission modules, this can be done via electrical and/or hydraulic connections.

The present invention is intended in particular for land vehicles. The driving modules have a drive and a wheeled or tracked drive. However, the present invention is not limited to these vehicles. It is also conceivable to install the mission modules on a watercraft, an amphibious vehicle and/or an aircraft.

Figur 1:

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Fahrzeugsystem mit einem Container und einem in den Container eingebrachten Missionsmodul. Das Missionsmodul weist weiterhin einen Distanzrahmen auf.

Figur 2:

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Fahrzeugsystem mit einem Container und einem in den Container eingebrachten Missionsmodul. Das Missionsmodul ist hierbei großteilig als Anbauteil ausgeführt.

Figur 3:

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Fahrzeugsystem mit einem Container und einem in den Container eingebrachten Missionsmodul. Das Missionsmodul in seiner Funktionsposition besteht hierbei aus einem funktionsfähigen Turm.

Further features can be seen from the attached drawings. They show

Figure 1:

A vehicle system according to the invention with a container and a mission module placed in the container. The mission module also has a spacer frame.

Figure 2:

A vehicle system according to the invention with a container and a mission module placed in the container. The mission module is largely designed as an add-on part.

Figure 3:

A vehicle system according to the invention with a container and a mission module placed in the container. The mission module in its functional position consists of a functional tower.

Figure 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 for it (not shown) or into a container 3. The mission module 1 can be accommodated in the container 3 or placed on the container 3. Partial accommodation in the container 3 is also possible, in which the mission module 1 protrudes from the container 3 at least in part.

The present mission module 1 has a ceiling 2, which when placed in the container 3 also forms the ceiling of the container 3. The container 3 without the mission module 1 has no ceiling and is therefore open towards the ceiling. In Figure 1 the inserted mission module 1 protrudes from the container 3 in its functional position. The container 3 is otherwise closed by walls 5. However, these walls 5 can also have through-loadings or windows.

The container 3 has a support frame 4 to stabilize the container for transport. The support frame 4 also ensures increased stability of the container 3 in the functional position. The container 3 can also have at least one access option 6. The container 3 can include transport means 7 to simplify transport.

In order to enable a functional combination of several containers 3 or to enable the containers to be stacked for transport, a spacer frame 8 is provided which increases the height of the container 3 beyond the dimensions of the container 3 with mission module 1.

Figure 2 shows a container 3 with the mission module 1 installed, whereby this mission module also protrudes in height from the dimensions of the container 3. However, no spacer frame is shown in this figure. The mission module 1 is designed as an add-on part and is shown in its attached position. The mission module 1 is therefore shown as if it were just being transferred to its functional position. Therefore, in the position shown, the mission module 1 also protrudes laterally from the dimensions of the container 3. In the functional position, however, 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 the Figure 2 is provided with superstructures 9, which are arranged on the mission module in the functional position and removed in the transport position. These superstructures 9 can then be arranged in the container.

In Figure 3 A tower can be seen as an additional mission module 1, which is rotatably mounted in its functional position and thus protrudes beyond the dimensions of the container 3 on all sides. Therefore, the tower can also be designed as a superstructure 9, which is at least partially dismantled when the functional position is transferred to its transport position.

In all figures, the mission module 1 can also be transferred to a functional position in the vehicle instead of being transferred to its functional position in the container 3.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned features. Rather, other embodiments are conceivable. For example, the containers according to the invention can have several access options in order to enable access to all containers in the network when the containers are connected. Furthermore, the shape of the mission module is not specified. Preferably, the mission module for insertion into the cuboid container is also cuboid-shaped. However, rounded or round shapes are also possible. The ceiling of the mission module should always be rectangular, however, so that it can close off the opening in the container. Finally, it is also possible to equip the containers with an appropriate transport vehicle in order to locate the containers.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1

Mission module

2

Ceiling of 1

3

Container

4

Support frame

5

Wall of 3

6

Accessibility

7

Mode of Transport

8th

Distance frame

9

Superstructures

Claims (14)

1. Vehicle system comprising a driving module, at least one mission module (1) and at least one container (3),

   wherein the driving module comprises a receptacle which is capable of receiving at least one mission module (1),

   wherein the container (3) is cuboidal in design and is closed on all sides, with the exception of a top (2), by walls,

   wherein the mission module (1) is selectively received in the container (3) or in the receptacle in the driving module,

   wherein superstructures (9) are assigned to the mission module (1), and the top (2) of the mission module (1) is designed to be closed by means of a wall and the superstructures (9), and the top (2) forms the top of the container (3) when being received in the container (3),

   characterized in that

   the mission module (1) is designed to be open on all sides with the exception of the top (2).
2. Vehicle system according to claim 1, characterized in that the top (2) of the mission module (1) is designed to be closed by means of a wall.
3. Vehicle system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mission module (1) is mounted in a carrier frame (4) or a carrier rack.
4. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the container (3) comprises at least one access point (6).
5. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the mission module (1) is received in a container (3), the top (2) of the mission module (1) forms the top of the container (3).
6. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mission module (1) is provided with transport means.
7. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the container (3) is provided with transport means (7).
8. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the container (3) comprises connections for energy supply and for data transmission.
9. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the mission module (1) comprises connections for energy supply and for data transmission.
10. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container (3) comprises mission-specific devices.
11. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a plurality of mission modules (1) functionally interact to form a mission assembly.
12. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a plurality of containers (3) functionally interact to form a container assembly.
13. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a plurality of containers (3) are configured to be stackable.
14. Vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the height of the container (3) is increasable by means of a spacer frame (8).

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