Anti-mine floor arrangement of a military vehicle

Abstract

Anti-mine floor arrangement of a military vehicle, containing double floor connected to a fixed part of the vehicle, characterised by containing a pan (4.3), in which an anti-mine insert is arranged, containing at least two layers (A, B, C), wherein the pan (4.3) is flexibly attached to a fixed part (4.1) of the vehicle.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an anti-mine floor arrangement of a military vehicle, containing double floor connected to a fixed part of the vehicle.State of the art

[0002] One known solution of anti-mine floor consisted of double aluminium or steel floor, which had large air gap and it was furnished with anti-skid surface. This floor was connected in fixed points to the frame of the vehicle cabin and thus fixedly linked to the vehicle. Flexibility was obtained by large area of the double floor, which provided for the flexing of solid material, e.g. steel plate. This solution did not sufficiently fulfil the ballistic protection of occupants' feet, because this floor was not able to perfectly suppress the shock wave after explosion and thus protect the legs of the occupants, especially heels.

[0003] In general, it could be stated that double floor here means a solution with second protective layer for the vehicle occupants. The first layer (floor) is considered to be the vehicle frame. This first layer is largely deformed by the explosion and does not provide any protection against the direct shock wave created by the flexion of the metal sheets, respective frame of the vehicle. The object of the double floor is to maximally suppress this shock wave and prevent high-frequency vibrations.

[0004] The closest known state of the art considered is EP3012571. This document discloses another double floor of the vehicle cabin, with top pan and bottom pan, connected to the top pan using attenuation means. The bottom pan has an auxiliary protective module with protective layer sandwiched together with auxiliary armour.

[0005] The composition of such sandwich layers is known e.g. from DE19734950.

[0006] The document US2017321995 also discloses a composition of an armoured bottom of the cabin, in which the explosive energy is absorbed by a porous metal material.

[0007] The document WO2020106249 discloses a floor plate of an armoured vehicle that comprises an attenuation insert, which mitigates the effect of an explosion that could lead to an injury of the occupants' legs.

[0008] The document US2013205982 discloses sandwich structure of a walk-on floor of an armoured vehicle, but not the complete concept of a double floor. The solution according to US2013205982 is aimed mainly at the honeycomb structure with the main element from firm materials, i.e. glass fibres, aluminium and steel materials. This honeycomb structure is encased into various types of porous materials. US2013205982 thus isn't aimed, respective does not solve the total concept in the vehicle.Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the invention is to remove the disadvantages of the present state of the art and to provide an anti-mine floor arrangement for a military vehicle. The objective of the floor with an anti-mine insert is to fulfil the maximum protection of occupants' legs during an explosion in seating position and also providing walk-on comfort. But the objective of the anti-mine insert is not to contain all the energy of the explosion and thus provide the safety of a standing occupant, as the double floor is constructed to attenuate a weight equivalent of legs and not the complete weight of the occupants.

[0010] This object is solved by an anti-mine floor arrangement for a military vehicle containing a double floor connected to the fixed part of the vehicle, characteristic by containing a pan, in which an anti-mine insert containing at least two layers is arranged, wherein the pan is flexibly connected to the fixed part of the vehicle.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment consists in having the first layer created as a covering top layer with the thickness of 1-5 mm and contains a rubber with the hardness of 50-90 ShA and ductility of 170-230 % or consists of it.

[0012] Another advantageous embodiment consists in having the second layer created as a middle strengthening layer with the thickness of 5-30 mm, wherein it contains expanded polyethylene with the hardness of 15-45 ShA and ductility around 120-180 % or consists of it.

[0013] Another advantageous embodiment consists in having the third layer created as a bottom damping layer with the thickness of 10-60 mm to provide the main absorbing of the explosion energy, wherein it contains expanded neoprene rubber with the hardness of 10-30 ShC and ductility around 120-150 % or consists of it.

[0014] Another advantageous embodiment consists in having the pan connected to the vehicle frame through silentblocks.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment consists in having in the first version the insert containing in the form of a horizontal sandwich with the slope of maximum 10° the first to the third layer in the given order, in the second version containing, in the form of a sandwich slanted under the angle of 10-50, only the first layer and third layer.

[0016] During an explosion, the insert is not broken, because the materials used don't undergo plastic deformation when loaded, and thus the insert could be used repeatedly.

[0017] The replacement of a functional insert after possible denigration or degradation is easy.

[0018] The walk-on layer could be made with anti-skid surface and easy maintenance.

[0019] Solution according to the invention is generally very simple, consists of two to three materials and does not undergo plastic deformation after an explosion, which is not true for e.g. US2013205982 because e.g. glass fibres could be deformed. The embodiment according to the invention also places the sandwich structure directly into the pan, which isn't specified at all in the solution according to US2013205982 and thus not possible. As another member of the protection of the double floor in comparison to the US2013205982, it is necessary to point out the silentblocks, which hold the whole concept of the pan with sandwich structure and thus provide for comfort and sufficient safety, wherein the US2013205982 does not have this, as it doesn't solve the whole concept through the attachment to the vehicle.

[0020] Also, the aluminium / steel pan, into which the sandwich structure is placed, in the solution according to the invention, prevents the intrusion of fragments (parts of mines, stones or for example sand). These could get through the cracks in the vehicle frame to the occupants of the vehicle. Also, parts inside the cabin, such as screws and small parts, could break loose by a large shock wave and become "projectiles". But this pan greatly dampens these dangerous parts and it could thus significantly further protect the occupants.Short description of the drawings

[0021] The invention will be further explained in more detail using specific example embodiments presented in the drawings, wherein fig. 1variants of the inserts, together with examples of their usage, fig. 2horizontal sandwich of variant 1 of the insert, fig. 3slanted sandwich of variant 2 of the insert, fig. 4way of attaching the variant 1 of the insert in a vehicle. Example embodiments of the invention

[0022] The floor of a military vehicle comprises an anti-mine insert, which is classified into two types according to its use and construction. These are herein described and depicted in two versions 1, 2 (see fig. 1-3).

[0023] The insert is in the first variant 1 constructed for standing persons to provide dampening and comfort function in the normal operation. This will be used mostly for example when operating the weapons system by standing people, and also for the movement of people inside the vehicle. But the insert in the first variant 1 is not constructed for standing people in combat zone, because it does not provide protection during an explosion.

[0024] Anti-mine insert in the first variant 1 (see fig. 2) has sandwich structure suitable for horizontal use with gentle slant up to 10°. Here the sandwich is composed of three types of materials (see fig. 2). For this first variant 1, an aluminium pan 4.3 is provided, attached using silentblocks 4.2 to a vertical fixed part 4.1 of a vehicle, e.g. to its frame (see fig. 4). Into this pan 4.3 a sandwich insert from layers A-C is inserted. Dampening anti-mine insert of the first variant 1 is attached to the pan 4.3.

[0025] Specific materials used for the pan 4.3 is based, among others on its area. Also, on the loading and assessment of usage in the given part of the vehicle, suitable steel could be for example chosen as its material instead of aluminium.

[0026] Insert in the second variant 2 (see fig. 3) is designed for the use as footrest slanted by an angle 10-50°. It consists of two types of materials (see fig. 3). Insert in the variant 2 is fixedly attached through an aluminium sheet to the pan 4.3 itself, designed for the first variant 1 of the insert. Insert in the second variant 2 is glued to an aluminium or steel sheet, whose function is to hold the proper shape of the sandwich structure. This metal sheet is fixedly screwed together through sockets to the main pan 4.3 holding the insert in the first variant 1. Insert of the second variant 2 is placed according to human ergonomics to make the position of a sitting person's feet the most natural possible.

[0027] Both variants 1, 2 of the insert were tested on certified cabins with very positive results.

[0028] Zhe inserts are primarily designed to minimise the acceleration of pressure to the feet, respective heels, during an explosion, and thus prevented possible leg injury.

[0029] First layer A (see fig. 2, 3) of inserts in both variants 1, 2 serves as a covering one. it is thus designed for easy maintenance and high mechanical endurance. It also serves as the anti-skid protection. This first layer A with thickness 1-5 mm is manufactured from middle to higher strength rubber. The rubber used has the strength 50-90 ShA and ductility around 170-230 %.

[0030] Second layer B (see fig. 2) is a strengthening, respective reinforcing, layer protecting the third layer C (see fig. 2, 3) and fulfils the function of high load, e.g. when stepped on by people with higher weight equivalents and placement of cargo without subsequent plastic deformation. This second layer B with the thickness of 5-30 mm is manufactured from expanded polyethylene and does not undergo permanent deformation. The expanded polyethylene used has hardness of 15-45 ShA and ductility around 120-180 %. As is clear also from fig. 2, the second layer B is arranged only in the insert of the first variant 1.

[0031] Third layer C (see fig. 2, 3) of the inserts of both variants 1, 2, is, as the main dampening layer, responsible for preventing the "peak" of acceleration during the explosion, i.e. provides for the main containing of the explosion energy. This third layer C with thickness of 10-60 mm is manufactured from expanded neoprene and thus has similar physical characteristics to the micro-porous SBR (butadien-styrene rubber). Third layer C dose not undergo permanent deformation. The neoprene material used has the hardness of 10-30 ShC and ductility around 120-150 %.

[0032] For the numeric values of ranges, terms like around, maybe, etc. present the broadening of the given range by 10 %.

[0033] First layer A and second layer B do not prevent the third layer C to fulfil its function, because the "peak" acceleration during an explosion has sufficient energy to compress the first layer A and second layer B and at the same time does not endanger the occupants' legs.

[0034] Regarding the simplicity of the floor arrangement, the advantages of present solutions also comprise easy repairs, respective exchange of inserts of both variants 1, 2.List of reference characters

[0035] 1first variant first layer A 2second variants Bsecond layer Cthird layer 4.1fixed part 4.2silentblock 4.3pan

Claims

1. Anti-mine floor arrangement of a military vehicle, containing double floor connected to a fixed part of the vehicle, characterised by containing a pan (4.3), in which an anti-mine insert is arranged, containing at least two layers (A, B, C), wherein the pan (4.3) is flexibly attached to a fixed part (4.1) of the vehicle.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised by the first layer (A) being created as a covering top layer with the thickness of 1-5 mm and containing rubber with the hardness of 50-90 ShA and ductility 170-230 % or consisting of it.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised by the second layers (B) being created as a strengthening middle layer with the thickness of 5-30 mm, wherein it contains expanded polyethylene with the hardness of 15-45 ShA and ductility around 120-180 % or consisting of it.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised by third layer (C) being created as bottom dampening layer with the thickness of 10-60 mm for providing the main absorbing of the explosion energy, wherein it contains expanded neoprene, with the hardness of 10-30 ShC and ductility 120-150 % or consists of it.

5. Arrangement according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterised by the pan (4.3) fixed through silentblocks (4.2) to the vehicle frame.

6. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterised by in the first variant (1) the insert contains, in the form of a horizontal sandwich, with maximum slant angle 10° the first to third layer (A, B, C) in the given order, in second variant (2) it contains in the form of a sandwich, slanted by the angle of 10-50° only the first layer (A) and third layer (C).

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