ADD-ON SYSTEM ARRANGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A vehicle having a chassis and at least one add-on system. The add-on system is arranged on the vehicle. Furthermore, at least one movable wall and/or panel is arranged on the vehicle. In this case the add-on system as well as the movable wall and/or panel can assume an operating position and a rest position, wherein in the rest position the add-on system is completely concealed by the movable wall and/or panel. In the rest position the movable wall and/or panel is inserted into the contour of the vehicle in such a way that a continuously closed contour is present on the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a chassis; at least one add-on system arranged on or at the vehicle; at least one movable wall and/or flap arranged at the vehicle; wherein the add-on system and the movable wall and/or flap takes up a use position and a concealed position, wherein the add-on system in its concealed position is completely covered by the movable wall and/or flap, and wherein, in the concealed position, the vehicle has a continuously closed contour via the movable wall and/or the flap.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system comprises a weapon system.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system comprises a drone.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system comprises a detector.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system comprises a defence system.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein various add-on systems are arranged on the vehicle.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system is arranged releasably at the movable wall and/or flap.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system in its concealed position is arranged in at least one cavity which is located within the vehicle or in the vehicle contour.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system is configured to be movable between the use position and the concealed position.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wall and/or flap have protective elements.

11. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein another cavity not appropriated by an add-on system is available as a storage space.

12. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a turret which is mounted rotatably in relation to the chassis.

13. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system is arranged on or at the chassis.

14. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the add-on system is arranged on or at the turret.

15. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the add-on system is configured to be interchangeable in its concealed position.

16. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a hatch, which serves as a flap, is provided at the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a vehicle with an add-on system in the concealed position.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a vehicle with an add-on system in the use position.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a vehicle with a drone as an add-on system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a vehicle according to the invention having a chassis 1 and an add-on system which is not visible and is arranged on the vehicle. The add-on system is not visible since it is covered by a flap 5 at the vehicle.

[0025] The present vehicle additionally to the chassis 1 includes a turret 3, which is mounted on the vehicle so as to be rotatable in relation to the chassis 1.

[0026] The flap 5 is attached movable to the turret 3 and is shown at this instant in the concealed position. However, the flap 5 can be moved out of the concealed position into a use position by moving and releasing the cavity which is located therebehind and has the add-on system.

[0027] The movement of the flap 5 is a rotational movement. The flap has a rotatable coupling by means of which the flap 5 can be tilted. However, other movements of the flap 5, such as for example a displacement or folding, are also possible. The same is true of a movable wall.

[0028] The vehicle in FIG. 1 is designed as an armoured vehicle and has a hatch 4. The hatch 4 can also serve as a flap 5 and can conceal an add-on system located therebelow.

[0029] The flap 5 is configured in such a manner that it does not change the contour of the turret 3 or of the entire vehicle in the concealed position. In the concealed position, the vehicle thus has a continuously closed contour, and, as a result, the signature of the vehicle is not changed and it is not possible to see from the outside which add-on system is being carried along on the vehicle. Accordingly, it is more difficult for an attacker or for an external action to adapt to the add-on systems of the vehicle.

[0030] Instead of a flap 5, a movable wall 2 can also be used to conceal an add-on system. For example, a further weapon could be concealed under the wall 2 in FIG. 1. The wall 2 and the add-on system located therebelow can then be moved out of the concealed position shown into a use position.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows the perspective illustration of the vehicle from FIG. 1, but with the add-on systems 6 and the flap 5 in the use position.

[0032] A weapon system which is arranged at the flap 5 is shown as the add-on system 6. Flap 5 tilts downward away from its concealed position and thereby releases the add-on system, which is arranged at the flap 5, and the cavity 7, in which the add-on system 6 was arranged for this purpose in the concealed position and which was previously concealed by the flap 5.

[0033] In its use position, the add-on system 6 is fully functional and also visible, in contrast to the concealed position which it has previously taken up.

[0034] The weapon system which is concealed by the wall 2 is still shown in FIG. 2 in the concealed position. It is thus possible to allow different add-on systems 6 to be brought into different positions. Some add-on systems 6 can thus be in the use position while others are still in the concealed position.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a similar vehicle as in the previous drawings, but a drone 8 is now shown as the add-on system. In contrast to the previous figure, the drone 8 is not fastened at a flap 5 but rather is located in the concealed position in the cavity 7. It can be fastened for this purpose, for example, by means of latching. In the use position, i.e. with the flap 5 tilted downward, the cavity 7 is opened outward and the drone 8 can move into its use position. This can be outside the vehicle.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows the cavity 7 which is configured to be larger than the space taken up by the drone 8. The space which is not appropriated in the cavity 7 can therefore be used in both positions as a storage space.

[0037] The vehicles in the aforementioned figures are each equipped with protective elements, in this case armouring. Corresponding protective elements can also be provided for the flap 5 or the walls 2 in order to maintain the level of protection of the vehicle.

[0038] In all of the figures, the cavity 7 is accessible from within the vehicle, and therefore the add-on systems 6 can be maintained and/or can be interchanged for other add-on systems from the interior of the vehicle. For the interchanging of the add-on systems, the latter have to be fastened releasably. A releasable fastening can be brought about, for example, by screwing or latching or clamping connections.

[0039] The present invention is not restricted to the aforementioned features. On the contrary, further refinements are conceivable. The add-on systems could thus be arranged at a ship or aircraft. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use the storage space in the cavities as an ammunition depot.

[0040] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.