Vehicle with a support system comprising multiple vehicle supports

Abstract

Vehicle (10) with a support system comprising a plurality of vehicle supports (20), wherein at least one vehicle support (20) has a cantilever beam (30) arranged on the vehicle (10) and a working cylinder (40) pivotably arranged at the free end of the cantilever beam (30), characterized in that the cantilever beam (30) is pivotably arranged on the vehicle (10), wherein the pivot axis of the cantilever beam (30) is inclined about an axis to the outside of the vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with a support system comprising a plurality of vehicle supports, wherein at least one vehicle support comprises a cantilever beam arranged on the vehicle and a working cylinder pivotably arranged at the free end of the cantilever beam.

[0002] Such a vehicle is known in particular from DE 88 01 689 U1, with further support systems being known from DE 10 2017 122 343 A1 and DE 20 2014 000 335 U1.

[0003] Support systems for vehicles are known from prior public use. These are found on all vehicles and vehicle components, such as vehicle trailers, which must be moved from a first position designed for transporting the vehicle, in which the vehicle is moved, to a stable second position. This second position can either simply support the vehicle or vehicle component stably or stabilize the vehicle in a working position.

[0004] A stable working position is particularly important for vehicles that carry a crane or winch. This applies, for example, to towing and recovery vehicles.

[0005] Particularly stringent requirements apply to military vehicles, where additional superstructures tend to have a detrimental effect on rough terrain due to their contours and weight. Nevertheless, even military vehicles require vehicle supports, provided they are necessary for the vehicle to function while stationary, do not significantly increase the vehicle's weight, and do not impede its travel over rough terrain.

[0006] But even for civilian vehicles, a space- and weight-saving, yet powerful support system can be advantageous when moving heavy loads.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to create a vehicle, whether a civilian vehicle or a vehicle designed for military purposes, with a powerful support system that is designed to save space and weight.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by the vehicle having the features of claim 1. The subclaims represent advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to provide a support system for supporting a vehicle, in particular a vehicle carrying a crane, which is specifically designed to save space and weight.

[0010] According to the invention, a vehicle with a support system comprising a plurality of vehicle supports is proposed, in which at least one vehicle support has a cantilever beam arranged on the vehicle and a working cylinder pivotably arranged at the free end of the cantilever beam, wherein the cantilever beam is pivotably mounted on the vehicle and the pivot axis of the cantilever beam is inclined about an axis towards the outside of the vehicle. By pivoting the working cylinder, on the one hand, the effective end of the working cylinder can be lowered to a low working height. This eliminates the need to use large-sized working cylinders, which are not very space- or weight-saving. On the other hand, pivoting the working cylinder on the cantilever beam achieves a space-saving arrangement in which the outer contours of the vehicle supports do not negatively impact the operation of the vehicle.

[0011] In addition, this design makes it possible, particularly in military vehicles such as tracked or wheeled armored vehicles, to arrange the support system above the tracked or wheeled drive, i.e. with a large clearance from the ground, while still ensuring high stability of the vehicle in a working position.

[0012] In particular, according to a particularly space-saving design, the cantilever beam has a receptacle for the working cylinder in a position configured for transporting the vehicle support. This can be achieved specifically by designing the cantilever beam as a hollow body partially open on one of its longitudinal sides, so that the working cylinder can be pivoted into the body of the cantilever beam and at least partially accommodated by it.

[0013] Furthermore, locking means are preferably provided, which can be connected to both the cantilever beam and the working cylinder in both the working and transport positions of the vehicle support. Thus, both the cantilever beam and the working cylinder can have bolt receptacles arranged at a suitable location, into which a bolt can be inserted in the respective pivot position of the working cylinder, so that the working cylinder cannot be rotated beyond the predetermined positions.

[0014] The working cylinder is preferably designed as a hydraulic cylinder, which – as previously described – is rotatably mounted on the cantilever beam and can be locked thereto. In addition to the bolt lock, a further lock is preferably provided for the working position of the working cylinder. This lock consists of a rod that rigidly connects the cantilever arm or the working cylinder and the vehicle, in particular its chassis, in the working position. For this purpose, the elements are manually connected using the locking rod upon reaching the working position.

[0015] Due to the cantilever beam being pivotably mounted on the vehicle according to the invention, it is possible to fold the cantilever beam and thus the entire vehicle support onto the vehicle, thus allowing the vehicle support to be carried in a space-saving manner and at the same time providing a large standing area when the cantilever beam is unfolded.

[0016] The invention further provides that the pivot axis of the cantilever beam is inclined about an axis toward the outside of the vehicle. This measure makes it possible to pivot the cantilever beam toward the ground on which the vehicle rests, thereby minimizing the dimensions of the working cylinder mounted on the cantilever beam.

[0017] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the cantilever beam can be designed with a cranked configuration. The cranked configuration of the cantilever beam, which results in the beam not being guided orthogonally away from the vehicle but rather toward the ground on which the vehicle rests, also allows for minimal dimensioning of the working cylinder carried on the cantilever beam.

[0018] Finally, the pivot axis of the cantilever beam can also be tilted around another axis. This may be particularly necessary if a specific geometry must be maintained for optimal load handling or for pivoting and setting up a transport position.

[0019] In particular, it is provided that the vehicle has a receptacle that accommodates the cantilever beam in a position configured for transporting the vehicle support. This receptacle is specifically designed so that the cantilever arm, accommodated in the vehicle receptacle in the position configured for transporting the vehicle support, is aligned with the surface of the vehicle. Designed in this way, the vehicle support has no obstructive outer contours when the vehicle is moving, which could come into contact with the ground during travel—particularly when the vehicle is configured as a special-purpose vehicle.

[0020] In any case, according to a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the cantilever beam is designed to pivot through an angle >90°, in particular through an angle α of 90° < α ≤ 120°. This embodiment enables, for example, a structure with only three supports, which can be arranged, in particular, at an angle of 120° to each other. This embodiment not only provides good stability but also reduces the overall vehicle weight.

[0021] The invention is particularly suitable for a crane vehicle equipped with a crane. This can be a military vehicle, especially a military recovery and / or towing vehicle. Most preferably, the vehicle can be a wheeled armored vehicle.

[0022] The advantage of implementing the present invention in the military field is particularly evident when used in modular vehicles. The vehicle can have a mission module connected to the vehicle, with the vehicle support being connected to the mission module. Since the mission module, as in the wheeled armored vehicle known as the "Boxer", is mounted very high on the vehicle and has only a low overall height, the aforementioned features, such as the pivoting mounting of the cantilever arm and / or the offset of the cantilever arm, are extremely advantageous in this design. Furthermore, when the vehicle supports are connected to the module, the vehicle only carries the vehicle supports in case they are actually necessary.In the event that the mission module is equipped as a towing and / or recovery module, in particular with a crane, the vehicle supports are advantageously located on the mission module carried by the vehicle.

[0023] In particular, it is provided that a particularly preferably configured vehicle has two vehicle supports arranged on the sides of the vehicle and a support shield arranged at the rear of the vehicle. The support shield is specifically a shield extending approximately across the entire width of the vehicle, which can be lowered to the ground by means of at least one working cylinder and offers a wide standing surface. Furthermore, the working cylinders of the vehicle supports can also have support feet that can be attached to the working cylinders, by means of which the standing surface is widened.

[0024] Finally, according to a preferred embodiment, the support system is configured to lift the vehicle. Particularly if the vehicle is equipped with a crane, the vehicle's own weight can be used as a counterweight to the crane when the vehicle is lifted by means of the support system.

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a particularly preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a particularly preferred vehicle according to the invention from the rear; and Fig. 2 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 vehicle shown from the front.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention from the rear. In particular, Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 10 designed as a military vehicle and representing a "Boxer" type wheeled armored vehicle. The vehicle 10 has a mission module 100 detachably connected to the vehicle 10, which, in the present context, forms an integral part of the vehicle 10, regardless of its modular nature.

[0027] The vehicle 10 or its mission module 100 has a towing and recovery function. In particular, a crane 80 is provided for this purpose, which requires a support system required to perform the recovery function. The support system is arranged on the mission module 100, so that the vehicle 10 is completed in terms of its intended use by the support system arranged on the mission module 100 in addition to the crane 80.

[0028] The support system comprises two vehicle supports 20 arranged on the sides of the vehicle 10, which consist of a cantilever beam 30 pivotably mounted on the vehicle 10 and a working cylinder 40 pivotably mounted at the free end of the cantilever beam 30. The vehicle supports 20 and the cantilever beam 30 are pivoted out of the vehicle 10 by an angle of >90°, so that a uniform support system is formed with respect to a circular area.

[0029] The cantilever beam 30 is mounted on the vehicle 10 so that it can pivot about a pivot axis that is inclined about two axes toward the outside of the vehicle 10. Together with the offset design of the cantilever beam 30, this design, in this working position, results in a significant lowering of the free end of the cantilever beam 30 from above the wheels of the vehicle 10 to a level near the ground. This allows for minimal dimensioning of the working cylinders 40, which are designed as hydraulic cylinders.

[0030] If the working cylinder 40 is pivoted so that it is largely accommodated by the cantilever beam 30, the cantilever beam 30 can be pivoted into the receptacle 50 provided on the vehicle 10. In this position (not shown), the vehicle support 20 is located entirely within the outer contour of the vehicle 10 and is therefore also housed in a particularly aerodynamic manner. In particular, the vehicle support 20 is aligned flush with the outer wall of the vehicle 10 in the position accommodated by the receptacle 50.

[0031] A support plate 70 is provided in the rear area of ​​the vehicle 10. This plate extends almost across the entire width of the vehicle 10 and can be lowered to the ground by means of two additional working cylinders, providing a wide base. Furthermore, in the example shown, the working cylinders 40 of the vehicle supports 20 are also equipped with support feet that widen the base of the working cylinders 40.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the Fig. 1, in which the crane 80 is arranged in the transport position with the support system still activated. In particular, this view shows the locking mechanism of the vehicle support 20 formed by the rod 60. In the example shown, the manually installed locking rod 60 connects the outer wall of the vehicle 10 to the cantilever beam 30 and prevents the cantilever beam 30 from pivoting.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (10) with a support system comprising a plurality of vehicle supports (20), wherein at least one vehicle support (20) has a cantilever beam (30) arranged on the vehicle (10) and a working cylinder (40) pivotably arranged at the free end of the cantilever beam (30), characterized by that the cantilever beam (30) is pivotably mounted on the vehicle (10), wherein the pivot axis of the cantilever beam (30) is inclined about an axis to the outside of the vehicle (10). [2] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the cantilever beam (30) has a receptacle for the working cylinder (40) in a position arranged for transporting the vehicle support (20). [3] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pivot axis of the cantilever beam (30) is inclined about another axis. [4] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cantilever beam can be pivoted through an angle >90°. [5] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cantilever beam (30) is cranked. [6] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a receptacle (50) receiving the cantilever beam (30) in a position arranged for transporting the vehicle support (20). [7] Vehicle (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the cantilever arm (30) received in the receptacle (50) of the vehicle (10) in the position arranged for transporting the vehicle support (20) is flush with the surface of the vehicle (10). [8] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the working cylinder (40) is a hydraulic cylinder. [9] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle (10) is a crane vehicle equipped with a crane (80). [10] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle (10) is a military vehicle. [11] Vehicle (10) according to claim 10, characterized by that the vehicle (10) has a mission module (100) connected to the vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle support (20) is connected to the mission module (100). [12] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by two vehicle supports (20) arranged to the side of the vehicle (10) and a support plate (70) arranged at the rear of the vehicle (10). [13] Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support system is designed to lift the vehicle (10).

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