Engineering machinery with lighting device

Abstract

According to the invention, a construction machine (1) is provided in the form of a road paver (2) or a feeder vehicle (9) having a chassis (4) and a hopper (3, 10), wherein at least one lighting device (8) is mounted on the chassis (4), wherein the lighting device (8) comprises at least one light source (8a, 8b), and wherein the lighting device (8) is configured to illuminate an area in front of the construction machine (1) in the direction of travel, wherein it is proposed that the construction machine (1) has an object detection system (12) for detecting an object (15) in front of the construction machine (1) in the direction of travel, and the lighting emitted by the lighting device (8) can be changed according to the detection of the object (15) by the object detection system (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an engineering machine in the form of a road paver or a feeder vehicle with a lighting device. Background Art

[0002] A road paver for producing a paving layer from paving material and a feeder truck for supplying the road paver with paving material to be paved both comprise a hopper in which paving material is stored for the operation of the road paver and the feeder truck. The paving material is supplied to the respective hoppers of the above-mentioned self-propelled road construction machinery by trucks at the construction site. The conveyed paving material is filled from the truck into the respective hopper. As disclosed in EP 3 431 659 A1, the road paver or the feeder truck has a pusher for the material transfer process in front of its respective hopper, and the truck reverses with its rear tires docked to the pusher.

[0003] Typically, during paving, the operator is in a cab arranged on the road paver or on the feeder vehicle. In the cab is arranged a main operator console with operating elements for controlling the working parts of the construction machine. Driving functions and secondary functions (such as lighting) can also be controlled from the cab. It is known from EP 3 214 223 B1 that a road paver is equipped with an operating unit having secondary operating elements arranged on the side of the chassis or the hopper. Most of the secondary operating elements can include a lighting operating element, which can be operated to turn on and / or off at least a part of the lighting system of the road paver. If the lighting system of the road paver includes a plurality of lighting elements, a configuration device can be provided to set which lighting elements can be turned on and / or off by operating the lighting operating element. In this way, the lighting operating element can be adapted to the preferences of a particular user or to the specific requirements of a particular workplace.

[0004] For trucks used on nighttime jobsites to deliver paving material to construction machinery (i.e., road paver or feeder trucks), lighting can be a problem because light can hit the truck's rearview mirrors and dazzle the driver as he or she backs up to dock with the construction machinery. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose an improved construction machine in the form of a road paver or a feeder vehicle in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0006] A construction machine according to the invention in the form of a road paver or a feeder comprises a chassis and a hopper, wherein at least one lighting device is directly or indirectly mounted on the chassis. The lighting device has at least one light source. The lighting device is configured to illuminate an area in front of the construction machine in the direction of travel. The construction machine has an object detection system for detecting an object in front of the construction machine in the direction of travel, wherein the lighting emitted by the lighting device can be changed by means of the object detection system depending on the detection of the object.

[0007] This makes the approach and docking of the truck with the construction machine more user-friendly, since the truck driver is less dazzled and can orient himself better and more easily. This reduces the work of the truck driver when reversing the truck towards the construction machine and when docking the truck with the construction machine.

[0008] In an effective embodiment, the lighting emitted by the lighting device can be automatically changed depending on the detection of an object by the object detection system. This eliminates the manual stopping step for the operator of the construction machine when the truck is reversing in the direction of the construction machine, thereby reducing work.

[0009] Preferably, the illumination emitted by the light source is dimmable. This reduces glare, but still allows sufficient light to be provided to make the area around the worksite visible in darkness, which is helpful for the operator of the construction machine himself as well as for other construction work.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the illumination emitted by the light source can be switched off. This enables the driver of the truck to reverse without being dazzled.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, the light source may be rotated in a direction different from the direction of travel. This enables the driver of the truck to reverse without being dazzled.

[0012] It may be useful if the lighting device has a cover which is movable relative to the light source and the light source can be at least partially covered by the cover. This enables the driver of the truck to reverse without being dazzled.

[0013] It is further proposed that the lighting device comprises: a first light source for a short range in the direction of travel in front of the construction machine; and a second light source for a long range in the direction of travel in front of the construction machine, wherein the lighting emitted by the first and second light sources can be selectively changed depending on the detection of an object by the object detection system. If the truck is started backwards in the direction of the construction machine at night and docked to the construction machine, this can, for example, selectively switch off the light source for the long range, wherein the light source for the short range remains switched on for visibility of the immediate surroundings around the construction site.

[0014] The invention also relates to a method for operating a lighting device of a construction machine in the form of a road paver or a feeder truck, wherein the construction machine comprises a chassis, wherein at least one lighting device is mounted on the chassis, wherein the lighting device comprises at least one light source, and wherein the lighting device is configured to illuminate an area in front of the construction machine in the direction of travel. The construction machine comprises an object detection system for detecting an object in front of the construction machine in the direction of travel, wherein the lighting emitted by the lighting device is automatically changed in dependence on the detection of the object when the object is detected by means of the object detection system. As described above, this improves the orientation of the truck driver and simplifies the approach of the truck and docking with the construction machine.

[0015] In an effective embodiment, the method according to the invention provides that the lighting emitted by the lighting device is automatically changed depending on the detection of an object by the object detection system. This eliminates the manual shut-off step for the operator of the construction machine and reduces the work when the truck is reversing in the direction of the construction machine.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention provides that the illumination emitted by the light source is dimmed when an object is detected. This reduces glare, but allows sufficient light to be provided to make the area around the worksite visible in darkness, which is helpful for other engineering work.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention provides that when an object is detected, the illumination emitted by the light source is switched off. This enables the driver of the truck to reverse without being dazzled.

[0018] In another embodiment, the method according to the invention provides that the light source is rotated in a direction deviating from the direction of travel. This enables the driver of the truck to reverse without being dazzled.

[0019] In another embodiment, the method according to the invention provides that the lighting device has a cover and the light source is at least partially covered by the cover. This enables the driver of the truck to reverse without being dazzled.

[0020] In another embodiment, the method according to the invention provides that the lighting device comprises: a first light source for a short range in the direction of travel in front of the construction machine; and a second light source for a long range in the direction of travel in front of the construction machine, wherein depending on the detection of an object by the object detection system, the lighting emitted by the first and second light sources can be selectively changed. This enables the light source for the long range to be selectively switched off when the truck is backing up in the direction of the construction machine and docking to the construction machine at night, wherein the light source for the short range remains switched on for visibility of the immediate surroundings around the construction site. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail using the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a construction machine in the form of a road paver is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an engineering machine in the form of a feeder vehicle is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 A light source for an engineering machine is shown with a cover; and

[0025] Figure 4 A rotatably mounted lighting device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 A construction machine 1 for producing a paving layer is shown in the form of a road paver 2. The road paver 2 comprises a hopper 3, in which paving material for paving the paving layer is stored. The hopper 3 is arranged at the front, seen in the direction of travel 5, on a chassis 4 of the road paver 2. The road paver 2 also comprises an operator platform 6, from which an operator can control the road paver 2. A movable screed (not shown) is mounted at the rear of the road paver 2, seen in the direction of travel 5. For this purpose, the paving material stored in front of the hopper 3 is transported by a longitudinal conveyor (not shown) to the rear of the road paver against the direction of travel 5, spread out in front of the paving screed and finally compacted by the paving screed to form a new paving layer.

[0027] A cab 6 is arranged on the chassis 4 of the road paver 2, the cab 6 comprising a work compartment for an operator of the road paver 2. The cab 6 may comprise a roof 7 to protect the operator from weather conditions or falling objects.

[0028] The road paver 2 has a lighting device 8 which includes at least one light source 8a, 8b. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the lighting device 8 is mounted on the roof 7 (and thus indirectly on the chassis 4). It is also possible to mount the lighting device 8 at other locations on the road paver 2. The light sources 8a, 8b may be headlights. In particular, the lighting device 8 may have a light source 8a of a long range to illuminate a long range around the road paver 2. In addition, a light source 8b of a short range may be provided to illuminate a short range around the road paver 2. In particular, the light sources 8a, 8b of the long range and the short range may illuminate the front area in the direction of travel 5 in front of the road paver 2 to facilitate road works in the dark.

[0029] Figure 2A construction machine 1 is shown in the form of a feeder vehicle 9 for supplying Figure 1 The road paver 2 is shown. The feeder vehicle 9 has a hopper 10 for storing paving material. The hopper 3 is mounted on the chassis 4 of the feeder vehicle 2 - at the front as seen in the driving direction 5. The feeder vehicle 9 is also equipped with a material conveyor 11 which is suitable for receiving the paving material from the hopper 10 and transferring it to a feeder vehicle 2 such as a feeder vehicle 2. Figure 1 The road paver 2 is shown. For this purpose, a feeder vehicle 9 travels in front of the road paver 2, while a material conveyor 11 delivers the paving material into a hopper 10 of the road paver 2.

[0030] On the chassis 4 of the feeder vehicle 2 a cab 6 is arranged, which comprises a workstation for an operator of the feeder vehicle 2. The cab 6 may comprise a roof 7 to protect the operator from weather conditions or falling objects.

[0031] The feeder 9 has a lighting device 8, which includes at least one light source 8a, 8b. The light source 8a, 8b can be a headlamp. In particular, the lighting device 8 can have a light source 8a of a long range to illuminate the long range around the feeder 9. In addition, a light source 8b of a short range can be provided to illuminate the short range around the feeder 9. In particular, the light sources 8a, 8b of the long range and the short range can illuminate the front area in the travel direction 5 in front of the feeder 9 to facilitate road works in the dark.

[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the road paver 2 and the feeder truck 9 are equipped with an object detection system 12. The object detection system 12 may include a camera 13 and / or a sensor device 14 for object detection 15. The sensor device 14 may include an ultrasonic sensor and / or a radar sensor and / or an infrared sensor and / or a lidar sensor. The camera 13 or the sensor device 14 may detect an object 15 in the area in front of the construction machine 1 and generate a signal when the object 15 is detected and depending on the size of the object. The detection of the object 15 in the form of a truck may be performed depending on the size of the object 15. The sensor is capable of detecting the size of the object 15. The detection of the object 15 in the form of a truck may also be performed by image processing of the image captured by the camera. A computer (not shown) may receive and process the signals from the camera 13 or the sensor device 14. The computer may also transmit the processed signals to the lighting device 8 to automatically turn off or dim the lighting emitted by the lighting device 8 (in particular the light source 8b of the long range). It is also possible that the processed signals can be transmitted to a speaker system (not shown). The speaker system may then receive the processed signal from the computer and transmit the signal acoustically via the audio system.The operator may then manually dim or turn off the light emitted by the light source 8, in particular the long range light source 8b.

[0033] Figure 3 A variant of the lighting device 8 is shown, which has a cover 16 that is movable relative to the light sources 8a, 8b. The cover can partially or completely cover the light sources 8a, 8b. If an object 15 is detected by the object detection system 12, the cover 16 can be automatically moved to such a position if necessary to avoid dazzling the truck driver.

[0034] The lighting assembly 8 can also be mounted in a rotatable manner. Figure 4 The position of the lighting device 8 which is rotated in the travel direction 5 of the feeder vehicle 9 or the road paver 2 is marked with "17". The position of the lighting device 8 which is turned away from the travel direction 5 of the feeder vehicle 9 or the road paver 2 is marked with "18".

Claims

1. A construction machine (1) in the form of a road paver (2) or a feeder vehicle (9) having a chassis (4) and a hopper (3, 10), wherein at least one lighting device (8) is mounted on the chassis (4), wherein the lighting device (8) comprises at least one light source (8a, 8b), and wherein the lighting device (8) is configured to illuminate an area in front of the construction machine (1) in the direction of travel, Features The construction machine (1) has an object detection system (12) for detecting an object (15) located in front of the construction machine (1) in the direction of travel, and the lighting emitted by the lighting device (8) can be changed by means of the object detection system (12) in accordance with the detection of the object (15). The lighting device (8) comprises: a first light source for a short-range range in the direction of travel in front of the engineering machine (1); and a second light source for a long-range range in the direction of travel in front of the engineering machine (1), wherein the lighting emitted from the first light source and the second light source is selectively variable depending on the detection of an object (15) using the object detection system (12).

2. The construction machinery according to claim 1, characterized in that: Depending on the detection of an object (15) by the object detection system (12), the illumination emitted by the illumination device (8) can be automatically varied.

3. The construction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The illumination emitted by the light sources (8a, 8b) is dimmable.

4. The construction machinery according to claim 2, characterized in that: The illumination emitted by the light sources (8a, 8b) is dimmable.

5. The construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The illumination emitted by the light sources (8a, 8b) can be switched off.

6. The construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The light sources (8a, 8b) are rotatable in a direction deviating from the traveling direction.

7. The construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The lighting device (8) comprises a cover (16) that is movable relative to the light source (8a, 8b), and the light source (8a, 8b) can be at least partially covered by the cover (16).

8. A method for operating a lighting device (8) of a construction machine (1), the construction machine (1) being in the form of a road paver (2) or a feeder vehicle (9), wherein the construction machine (1) has a chassis (4) and a hopper (3, 10), wherein at least one lighting device (8) is mounted on the chassis (4), wherein the lighting device (8) comprises at least one light source (8a, 8b), and wherein the lighting device (8) is configured to illuminate an area in front of the construction machine (1) in the direction of travel, Features The construction machine (1) has an object detection system (12) for detecting an object (15) located in front of the construction machine (1) in the direction of travel, detecting the object (15) using the object detection system (12), and changing the lighting emitted by the lighting device (8) based on the detection of the object (15). The lighting device (8) comprises: a first light source for a short range in the direction of travel in front of the engineering machine (1); and a second light source for a long range in the direction of travel in front of the engineering machine (1), wherein the lighting emitted by the first light source and the second light source is selectively changed depending on the detection of the object using the object detection system (12).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The illumination emitted by the illumination device (8) is automatically varied depending on the detection of an object (15).

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The illumination emitted by the light sources (8a, 8b) is dimmed.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The illumination emitted by the light sources (8a, 8b) is dimmed.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The illumination emitted by the light sources (8a, 8b) is switched off.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The light sources (8a, 8b) rotate in a direction deviating from the traveling direction.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The lighting device (8) comprises a cover (16), and the light sources (8a, 8b) are at least partially covered by the cover (16).

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