Search

EP-4490809-B1 - MODULAR SYSTEM FOR THE SHELTER, TRANSPORT, POSITIONING AND ELEVATION OF SENSOR VEHICLES ON THE TERRITORY

EP4490809B1EP 4490809 B1EP4490809 B1EP 4490809B1EP-4490809-B1

Inventors

  • CIOTOLA, Raffaele

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230309

Claims (12)

  1. Modular system for the shelter, transport, positioning and elevation of sensor means characterized by the fact of including a first module (A) and a second module (B) side by side and cooperating with each other, and a third module (C) of interfacing responsible for the constraining switching of functional blocks included in the first and/or second module, the first module (A) operating with a lift system (1) with vertical translation, according to the direction of height (Z), and the second module (B) operating with a rotating structure (2) capable of rotating transversely to the plane (XY), in which the first module (A) includes: i- a platform (3) with vertical translation in the direction of height (Z), between two extreme boundary positions; ii- columns with guide channels ( 7', 7", .... 7 (n ) in the path that the platform (3) is capable of following when actuated to translate vertically in the height direction (Z); iii- sensor means (8) responsible for the detection of environmental physical quantities; iv- blocking means (24) which secure the sensor means (8) integral to the platform (3), both in conditions of sheltering and during the translational movement of the platform upwards or downwards; the second module (B) in turn comprises: a- a rotating structure (2)/arm (4) pivoting bound to a fixed axis (5) around which it can only rotate transversely to the horizontal plane (XY) between two predefined angles, one of OFF corresponding to the rest position and the other of ON being strictly predetermined because the arm (4) goes to place the mast (6) precisely at the center of the vertical translation platform (3) with the integral sensor means (8), colliding the axis of a telescopic tower (mast) (6) with the axis of the sensor means (8); b- a telescopic pole/mast (6) extendable to bring the sensor means (8) to maximum elevation under sensing conditions; c- means of elevating the telescopic tower (mast) (6); d- means of locking and sealing (23) of the sensor means (8) integral with the telescopic tower (6), under the conditions of elevation of the telescopic tower (6) itself; the third module (C) responsible for constraining is suitable for the exchange of the constraints that fix the sensor means (8) to the vertical translation platform (3), transferring the constraining action of fixing to another support integral to the telescopic tower / mast (6) of lifting the sensor means (8), called module (C) dedicated to the switching of constraints, coming to arrange the constraints (23, 24), in the use of the apparatus, or interconnected with the vertical translation platform of base support (3) or with the top flange of the telescopic tower (6) depending on whether the detection apparatus, respectively, is in rest or operating conditions.
  2. Modular system according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the two constituent modules (A, B) have transmission components such as hydraulic pistons, chains, drive screws, motors, gearboxes supported by the arrangement of strain gauges and/or optical and/or electromagnetic detectors, for detecting the absence/presence of the first module (A) adjacent to the second module (B), to ensure that a decision-making process is carried out which, respectively, activates or maintains deactivated the rotational motion functions of the rotating modular structure (2) constrained by safety interlocks designed to prevent relative movements performed prematurely and which may cause collisions between the modules themselves (A, B).
  3. Modular system according to claim 1 and claim 2 characterized by the fact that the two constituent modules (A, B), have transmission components such as hydraulic pistons, chains, drive screws, motors, gearboxes supported by the arrangement of strain gauges and / or optical and / or electromagnetic detectors, for the detection of the absence / presence of the second module (B) underlying the first module (A), to ensure that a decision-making process is implemented which, respectively, activates or keeps deactivated the translational movement functions of the lift system (1) bound by safety interlocks designed to prevent relative movements performed prematurely and that may cause collisions between the modules themselves (A, B).
  4. Transportable modular system according to the above claims characterized by the fact that the switching module (C) constraints capable of exchanging the constraints securing the sensor block (8) to the vertical travel platform (3) by transferring the fixing constraints to the support integral to the lifting column/mast (6), and vice versa, consists of a ring nut (20), conformed to a circular crown, which operates as a constraint exchange disc, called disc being driven by a motorized device (21), integral to the support plane, for a pivoting movement around the axis of the motorized drive (21), through the switching rod (35), called pivot movement, of rotation, limited to a predetermined angular opening, being configured so that the insertion / disengagement of the support and locking pins is carried out (23', 23",... 23 N and 24', 24", ...... 24 N ), respectively, which allow to initially fix the sensor block (8) to a given support on the vertical translation platform (3), and then, to replace the fixing constraints on the top flange, integral to the mast column (6) telescopic for raising the sensor block (8), the ring nut (20) being configured with a series of holes (26', 26".... 26 N , and 27', 27",....27 N ) arranged along the median circumference of the circular crown with which the same ring is shaped (20), which have: a- a linear section ( L) with a small opening width such as to constitute a guide groove for the support pins (23', 23",... 23 N , and 24', 24",....24 N ) inserted therein, each in a relative drilling; b- a section (R) configured as a hollow cylinder, with a base diameter greater than the width of the linear section (L), corresponding to the position of (dis) insertion of the pins (23', 23",... 23 N,e 24', 24",.... 24 N ) which are positioned in the ring nut (20) at a given time, in the section configured with a hollow cylinder.
  5. Modular system according to the previous claims characterized by the fact that the basic cylindrical configuration of each pin (23', 23",... 23 N , and 24', 24",.... 24 N ) is cut/grooved at half height obtaining two sections that give the pin a pair of parallel planes on the two opposite sides of the pin, so that each pin, in the middle part, has two flat faces and two rounded faces, the two flat median profiles of the pins (23', 23",... 23 N and 24 ', 24",.... 24 N ) being suitable for the linear translation of the pin in the drilling in which it is inserted when the angular rotation of the ring nut is performed (20), the sections at the ends, lower and upper, of each pin maintaining the cylindrical configuration necessary for coupling with clearance, with the circular sections (R) of the holes (26', 26".... 26 N , and 27', 27", .... 27 N ) of the ring nut (20), for the possible escape of the different sets of pins, the cylindrical reliefs - both upper and lower - of each pin, being suitable to ensure that each pin (23', 23",... 23 N , and 24', 24",.... 24N) and solidary, respectively, to the puncture (26', 26".... 26N, e 27', 27",... 27N) corresponding, both in condition of blocking the means of sensors (8) to the relative platform, and in the path of crossing the linear section (L) for guided translation in the groove of the drilling (26', 26".... 26N 27 ', 27", .... 27N), each set of pins (23, 24) being, instead, able to come out / insert from / into the ring (20) when they are centered at the circular section (R) of the drilling (26', 26 ".... 26N, and 27', 27", .... 27N).
  6. Modular system according to the previous claims characterized by the fact that the sensor means (8), when sheltered and during transport, reside in the container structure (9) in the same position they assume when they are operational in detection conditions, both the translation of the platform (3) in the guide columns (7', 7", .... 7 n ) is the raising / lowering, with the telescopic tower (6) taking place through isometric displacements of the component parts of the first module (A) able to translate vertically.
  7. Modular system according to the previous claims characterized by the fact that the sizing and arrangement of module (A) with vertical translation is such that the platform (3) contained therein can be translated with a stroke that varies between a first level of minimum distance from the walking surface of the outer container, to a second level of minimum distance from the ceiling of the outer container.
  8. Modular system according to the previous claims characterized by the fact that in the structure responsible for the containment of the sensor means (8) there are additional complementary equipment necessary for the operation of the sensor means themselves (8) such as electronic instrumentation, computers, air conditioners of the operating environment, electric generators, radio links.
  9. Method for activating a detection system using a modular system according to claims 1 to 8 characterized by the fact that it includes the following steps: i- lift the vertical translation platform (3) with relative means of sensors (8) to the maximum height reachable by it inside the outer container (9); ii- once the vertical translation platform (3) has been lifted, the underlying volume having been released, proceed to rotate, transversely to the horizontal plane (XY), the rotating modular structure (2) which occupies the space/volume, made available, by placing under the vertical of the platform (3) and the associated sensor means (8), the system of elevation integral to the rotating modular structure (2), with its telescopic tower (6), the angle of rotation of the pivoting arm (4) being strictly predetermined because it goes to place the telescopic tower mast (6), corresponding precisely to the center of the platform (3) with the sensor means (8) solid, collimate the axis of the telescopic tower mast (6) with the axis of the sensor means (8); iii- raise the telescopic tower (6) until its top flange comes into contact with the lower flange of the switching module (C) stopping to allow the module (C) to exchange constraints between the vertical translation platform (3) and the top flange of the mast (6); iv- perform the switching between the constraints integral to the base platform (3) and the constraints on the top flange of the telescopic tower (6), the process of commutation constraint itself composing, in turn, three distinct phases: iv-a- the switching module (C) is located in the position where it constrains the sensor block (8) to the vertical travel platform (3); iv-b- the switching module (C) rotates and constrains the sensor block (8) to the vertical translation platform (3) and to the top flange of the mast (6), simultaneously, in this condition the vertical translation platform (3) and the mast (6) being constrained to each other and being impossible any relative movement; iv-c- the switching module (C) rotates again and binds the sensor means (8) to the top flange of the mast (6), simultaneously freeing the constraint from the vertical translation platform (3), at this point the sensor means (8) being firmly bound to the mast (6) and released from the vertical translation platform (3); v- once the sensor means (8) are firmly fixed / bound to the mast telescopic tower (6), raise the telescopic tower (6) which brings the sensor means (8) into operational position.
  10. Transportable modular system for the shelter, transport and elevation of sensor means operating in mobility characterized by the fact of including a first module (I) and a second module (II) side by side and cooperating with each other, the first module (I) operating as a functional block with vertical translation, according to the direction of the height (Z) of the container structure (51), and the second module (II) operating as a functional block with horizontal translation, in the longitudinal direction (X) of the container structure (51) and in which the first module (I) includes in turn: i- a platform (53) with vertical translation in the direction of the height (Z) of the container structure (51), between two extreme boundary positions (59, 59'); ii- columns with guide channels ( 54', 54", .... 54 (n ) of the path that the platform (53) is able to follow when actuated to translate vertically in the height direction (Z); iii- sensor means responsible for the detection of environmental physical quantities; iv- flange stop means that block the sensor media integral to the platform (53), both in conditions of shelter and during the translational movement of the platform upwards or downwards; and the second module (II) includes in turn: a- a platform (52) with horizontal translation in the longitudinal direction (X) of the container structure, between two predefined boundary positions (60, 60'); b- the guide channels (55', 55") in the path that the platform (52) is able to follow, when it is operated forward or backward; c- a mast/ telescopic tower (58) extendable to bring the sensor block to maximum elevation under sensing conditions; d- means of elevating (57) the telescopic tower (58); e- means of stopping with locking flanges and sealing of the sensor block integral to the telescopic tower (58), in the conditions of elevation of the telescopic tower (58) itself-.
  11. Modular system according to claim 10 characterized by the fact that the two constituent modules (I, II), have transmission components such as hydraulic pistons, chains, drive screws, motors, gearboxes supported by the arrangement of strain gauges and / or optical and / or electromagnetic detectors, for detecting the absence / presence of the first module (I) adjacent to the second module (II), to ensure that a decision-making process is implemented which, respectively, activates or keeps deactivated the horizontal translation of the platform (52) constrained by safety interlocks designed to prevent relative movements carried out prematurely and that may cause collisions between the modules themselves (I, II).
  12. Method for activating a detection system using a modular system according to claim 10 characterized by the fact that it includes the following steps: - lift the platform (53) with relative means of sensors up to the maximum height reachable by the platform inside the container (51); - once the platform (53) has been raised, having freed the underlying volume, proceed to the lateral movement of the platform (52) which occupies the space/volume, made available, placing under the vertical of the platform (53) and the associated means of sensors (56), the raising system (57) placed on the platform (52), with its telescopic tower (58); - raise the mast telescopic tower (58) until its top flange comes into contact with the lower flange of the sensor means attached to the platform (53); - constrain the top flange (f) of the telescopic tower (58) with the lower flange (f') of the sensor means, the sensor means resulting in such conditions, at the same time, bound both to the platform (53) and to the telescopic elevation tower (58); - disengage the constraints that bind the sensor means (56) to the platform (53) to proceed with the raising of the mast telescopic tower (58); - once the sensor means are firmly fixed / bound to the mast (58) and freed from the constraints that bound them to the platform (53), raise the telescopic tower (58) that brings the sensor means into operational position.

Description

Field in which the invention is carried out The present invention refers in general to the field of detection equipment to be placed on the territory such as radio antennas, telemetry instrumentation, surveillance cameras, telecommunications antennas, radar for terrestrial, aerial, coastal surveillance, infrared sensors for monitoring and preventing fires, laser devices etc. More specifically, it refers to a solution that optimizes the arrangement of various types of sensor means to be placed on the territory for use on a transportable structure. When these devices are not in use, they must be placed in a protected way, however ready to be transported to the position where installation is necessary. Their use ranges from the civil field, an example is the surveillance of wooded areas with fire-fighting function, to the most varied application needs in the military/industrial field. State of the art Systems that operate to optimize the portability and mobile management of various types of sensor means to be placed on the territory have been known for years. The document EP 3 555 391 A1 deals with a transportable modular container system for sensors operating in elevation and mobility; for example in systems configurable to be used as a radio link or in emergencies such as earthquakes or saturation of telephone lines. This document discloses the preamble of claims 1 and 10. In particular, it deals with a multifunctional system, in mobility, consisting of an apparatus that can have different functions, through dedicated devices included in it and a container having predetermined external dimensions and prepared for land, naval or air transport. The multifunctional apparatus is fixed to the container and can assume at least two types of arrangement: a first transport layout in which the multifunctional apparatus is included within the predetermined external dimensions of the container, and a second lifting layout in which the multifunctional apparatus protrudes from the container in order to create a tower. In addition, the multifunctional apparatus includes a cabin and a plurality of telescopic elements with lifting devices connected to the cabin and designed to raise the cabin, together with the telescopic elements, with respect to the container, so as to form the tower. In CN 113 483 233 A the invention concerns a structure for three-dimensional, Internet-based, panoramic virtual multimedia projections, which includes a lower plane, a first pneumatic-type telescopic rod and a projection structure. The projection structure shall comprise a first projection device, and a second projection device which shall be placed at the upper end of the first device. Functional groups are provided which can assume positions with a large degree of freedom due to the sliding configuration of the various components of the structure. In fact, the document refers to two separate modules (one upper and one lower), however the lower module does not include any horizontally translating platform. The utility model CN 212 519 696 U refers to the technical field of telecommunications, in particular to an apparatus for the transceival of signals in motion, which includes a basic body, in which the upper part of the base body is equipped with a groove on which an antenna support frame rises. The antenna support frame includes four support legs and a frame matched to the grooves for which significant flexibility is provided in the antenna mounting and raising activities. The means sensors to be installed can be of various types: optical, infrared, laser, communication antennas, surveillance radar, sensors for fire or smoke detection, etc., in any case both in civil and military applications there are needs that unite these systems: 1. Custody and transportability of sensor means and services necessary for the operation of the system and need to guard/protect them when they are not operational.2. Position of the sensor means during transport.3. Volume occupied during transport.4. Time taken to get the system up and running (deployment).5. Height to which to lift the means sensors and their masses.6. Rigidity of the position of the means inherent in the sensor when operational. 1 Storage and transportability To meet the requirements listed above, the use of "Standardized Containers", known as "shelters", has been consolidated for a long time, which are nothing more than an evolution of the "Standardized Containers" used for freight transport. These shelters have standard dimensions defined by an ISO standard that classifies them by length and height in order to make them compatible with transport by land, air, sea and rail. The ISO standard classifies standard containers equipped in each of the eight extreme corners of the parallelepiped, with locking elements called ISO Corners, these allow the attachment of the shelter to any transport platform, truck, plane, train or ship. Finally, the standard establishes standard lengths, widths and