U.S. patent application number 12/737102 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-21 for armoured vehicle cab.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEXTER SYSTEMS. Invention is credited to Benoit Bettencourt, Jacky Jacquemont, Christian Noel.
Application Number | 20110088544 12/737102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40451155 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110088544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bettencourt; Benoit ; et
al. |
April 21, 2011 |
ARMOURED VEHICLE CAB
Abstract
The invention relates to an armoured cab (2) for a vehicle, such
cab incorporating at least one floor (8) onto which at least one
side wall (2a, 2b, 14a, 14b) is attached. This cab (2) is
characterised in that floor (8) and/or at least one side wall is
constituted by an armoured plate having at least one curved zone
(13a, 13b) that at least partially covers the mechanical organ (12)
or the mobility means (4).
Inventors: |
Bettencourt; Benoit;
(Chaville, FR) ; Jacquemont; Jacky; (Igny, FR)
; Noel; Christian; (Asnierew sur Seine, FR) |
Assignee: |
NEXTER SYSTEMS
RAONNE
FR
|
Family ID: |
40451155 |
Appl. No.: |
12/737102 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
June 10, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2009/000685 |
371 Date: |
December 8, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.08 ;
89/903; 89/929 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 7/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.08 ;
89/903; 89/929 |
International
Class: |
F41H 7/04 20060101
F41H007/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 2008 |
FR |
08.03309 |
Claims
1. An armoured cab (2) for a vehicle, such cab incorporating at
least one floor (8) onto which at least one side wall (2a, 2b, 14a,
14b) is attached, such floor or wall being positioned above at
least one mechanical organ (12) or mobility means (4), such cab
wherein the floor (8) and/or at least one side wall (14a, 14b) is
constituted by an armoured plate having at least one curved zone
(13a, 13b) that at least partially covers the mechanical organ (12)
or the mobility means (4).
2. An armoured cab according to claim 1, wherein the floor (8)
incorporates at least one curved zone covering an axle.
3. An armoured cab according to claim 1, wherein the curved zone or
zones (13a, 13b) of the floor (8) extend over substantially the
full length of the cab, the floor (8) thus incorporating at least
two substantially plane parts (8a, 8b) that are parallel to one
another and that are separated by the curved zone or zones (13a,
13b).
4. An armoured cab according to claim 1, wherein the floor (8) or a
side wall (14a, 14b) incorporates at least one curved zone covering
at least one part of the mobility means (4), such as wheels or
tracks.
5. An armoured cab according to claim 4, wherein the curved zone
forms at least one lateral concave chute (14a, 14b).
6. An armoured cab according to claim 5, wherein it incorporates on
either side a lateral chute (14a, 14b) extending over substantially
the full length of the cab (2).
7. An armoured cab according to claim 1, wherein the armour plate
(8, 14a, 14b) is a plate of folded aluminium.
8. An armoured cab according to claim 7, wherein the armour plate
has a thickness of at least 20 mm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The technical scope of the invention is that of armoured
cabs for vehicles and in particular devices that ensure the
protection of the floors of such cabs.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to position add-on protection under the floors
of vehicles and in particular add-on armour that is placed at a
distance from the floor.
[0003] However, the floors are generally made by assembling and
welding different metal plates together. Such an assembly is all
the more necessary in that different organs must be housed under
the floor. The latter must therefore be adapted to the volumes of
these organs and, in practical terms, it is necessary to make
mechano-welded cases, integral with the floor and enclosing said
organs.
[0004] The welding zones of such plates thus constitute
embrittlement zones where the floor risks fracturing when subjected
to impacts and to the blast from the explosion of a mine or else
the explosion of an improvised explosive device.
[0005] The provision of add-on armour, even if it enables the
effects of impact and blast to be mitigated to some extent, does
not reliably prevent the fracture of the floor at the zone thus
embrittled.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The aim of the invention is to propose an armoured cab that
is able to overcome such drawbacks.
[0007] Thus, the invention relates to an armoured cab for a
vehicle, such cab incorporating at least one floor onto which at
least one side wall is attached, such floor or wall being
positioned above at least one mechanical organ or mobility means,
such cab wherein the floor and/or at least one side wall is
constituted by an armoured plate having at least one curved zone
that at least partially covers the mechanical organ or the mobility
means.
[0008] The floor may incorporate at least one curved zone covering
an axle.
[0009] Advantageously, the curved zone or zones of the floor extend
over substantially the full length of the cab, the floor thus
incorporating at least two substantially plane parts that are
parallel to one another and that are separated by the curved zone
or zones.
[0010] According to another embodiment, the floor or a side wall
incorporates at least one curved zone covering at least one part of
the mobility means, such as wheels or tracks.
[0011] The curved zone may thus form at least one lateral concave
chute.
[0012] The armoured cab may thus incorporate on either side, a
lateral chute extending over substantially the full length of the
cab.
[0013] The armour plate may be a plate made of folded aluminium.
The thickness of this armour plate will be at least 20 mm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention will become more apparent from the following
description of different embodiments, such description made with
reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a partial longitudinal section of a vehicle
equipped with a cab according to a first embodiment of the
invention,
[0016] FIG. 2 shows this same vehicle from a top view sectioned
along the plane referenced AA in FIG. 1,
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of a vehicle equipped
with a cab according to a second embodiment of the invention, such
section made along the plane reference BB in FIG. 4, and
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a side view of this same vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a light armoured vehicle 1 that comprises a cab
2 attached to a chassis 3 equipped with wheels 4. The inside of the
cab is accessible by a door 5 and encloses seats 6 that are
suspended from the ceiling of the cab 2 by a support frame 7. Such
an arrangement is classical and enables the seats 6 to be isolated
from the floor 8 of the cab, thereby protecting the crew from
deformations of the floor 8 caused by the explosion of a mine.
[0020] The floor 8 is integral with the side walls 2a, 2b of the
cab 2.
[0021] Furthermore, an armouring device for the floor is provided.
It comprises an armour plate 10 (for example, made of steel) that
is positioned at a distance from the floor 8 of the cab and is
linked to the latter by fastening means 11.
[0022] A mechanical organ 12, for example a gear box, is arranged
between the chassis 3 and the floor 8.
[0023] In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the
floor 8 is above the mechanical organ 12 and incorporates at least
one curved zone covering the mechanical organ 12 at least
partially.
[0024] In practical terms, there are two curved zones 13a, 13b here
which have curving that is inverted and tangent with respect to one
another. These two are in the form of cylindrical portions.
[0025] As may be seen more particularly in FIG. 2, all the floor 8
(and in particular the curved zones 13a, 13b) extend over
substantially the full length of the cab 2, from a side wall 2a to
the other side wall 2b.
[0026] The floor 8 thus incorporates two substantially plane parts
8a and 8b, parallel to one another, and separated by curved zones
13a, 13b.
[0027] The floor 8 is thus constituted by a thick armour plate
which is a plate of folded aluminium. This plate is at least 20 mm
thick. Such thick metallic plates are folded industrially using
tooling that associates tooling to hold the plate in position, and
shape tooling that enables the required curvature to be given and
onto which the plate is applied by means of a press that is
dimensioned according to the properties of the material forming the
plate.
[0028] This shaping of thick metal plates is known, for example, in
the domain of tank or vat manufacture. It has, up to date, never
been used before to produce a floor or walls for armoured
vehicles.
[0029] Such curved shapes made for the floor 8 avoid the
implementation of several plates welded together. The brittle zones
that give way under the effect of a mine blast are thus also
avoided, the thickness of the plate ensuring the protection of the
crew occupying the cab.
[0030] The vehicle cab's 2 resistance is thus considerably
reinforced although the mass of the floor 8 is reduced and the
assembly process is simplified.
[0031] Naturally, FIGS. 1 and 2 are only schematic illustrations of
a particular embodiment. The floor plate 8 may incorporate several
curved zones 13 of different shapes. Thus, two curved zones 13 may
be provided delimiting three plane surfaces, for example each
curved zone covering one of the vehicles axles.
[0032] FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of cab 2 according to
the invention.
[0033] According to this embodiment, the cab 2 incorporates two
lower side walls 14a and 14b that are arranged under side walls 2a,
2b.
[0034] These lower side walls are integral firstly with the floor 8
and secondly with an armour plate 10. The side walls 14a, 14b are
made in the form of concave chutes whose curvature at least
partially covers the mobility means, which here are wheels 4.
[0035] As may be seen more particularly in FIG. 4, the lateral
concave chutes 14a, 14b extend over substantially the full length
of the cab 2. Each chute 14 thus covers all the wheels 4 positioned
on the same side of the cab 2.
[0036] The chutes 14a, 14b are made in the form of thick aluminium
plates that are folded into the required shape (thickness of around
20 mm).
[0037] Because of the curvature of the chutes 14a, 14b, there is no
risk of any welds fracturing during the explosion of a mine or
improvised explosive device.
[0038] Furthermore, the curvature of the chutes 14a, 14b also
ensures a deviation of the blast from the explosion thereby further
improving the protection provided by these wall elements.
[0039] It is naturally possible for the chutes 14a, 14b to be used
to cover mobility means of a different type, for example
tracks.
[0040] Depending on the total length of the vehicle, it will be
possible for each side wall 14a or 14b to be made, not in the form
of a single chute, but by assembling several chutes arranged
longitudinally one behind another.
[0041] Each chute will, in this case, be advantageously fastened to
a frame integral with the cab.
[0042] It is lastly possible to combine the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Thus, a particular
shape may be given to the thick floor covering the mechanical
organs (for example the axles) associated with thick lateral chutes
deviating the blast effect of the explosive devices.
[0043] It is thus possible to produce a light vehicle, with
relatively reduced ground clearance, but with a cab that offers
excellent protection with respect to mines and improvised explosive
devices.
* * * * *