Insulation device and apparatus comprising the insulation device and a screed

Abstract

This invention relates to an insulating device for use with an ironing plate for a road finishing machine. The insulating device includes at least one insulating element and a connecting element for releasable connection to the ironing plate, wherein the insulating element is designed to reduce heat radiation from the ironing plate to the insulating element when the insulating device is connected to the ironing plate. Furthermore, the invention also relates to an apparatus comprising said insulating device and an ironing plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an isolation device for connection to an ironing plate used in a road finishing machine, and to an apparatus comprising the isolation device and the ironing plate. Background Technology

[0002] Screeds are well-known in the prior art. They can be connected to a road finishing machine and supplied with material to be laid on the road pavement via a material hopper. The screed can further heat the material and distribute and compact it onto the road surface to be constructed, corresponding to the working width of the screed.

[0003] In order to begin operation of an ironing board, the board must typically be preheated to the required operating temperature so that the material to be laid can be reliably laid on the road at the appropriate temperature. However, the large surface area of ​​an ironing board allows heat flow from the board (especially its heating element) to reach the environment due to the heat-conducting materials that are part of the board. This can result in the ironing board being heated to operating temperature with delay or at least with low energy efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on existing technologies, the technical objective to be achieved is to allow for more energy-efficient and / or less time-consuming heating of screeds used in road finishing machines.

[0005] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by an isolation device used with a screed for a road finishing machine, and by an apparatus including the isolation device and the screed.

[0006] The insulating device according to the invention, intended for use with an ironing plate for a road finishing machine, comprises at least one insulating element and a connecting element for releasable connection with the ironing plate, wherein the insulating element is designed to reduce heat radiation from the ironing plate through the insulating element when the insulating device is connected to the ironing plate.

[0007] Here, the connection state between the insulating device and the ironing board should be understood as follows: the insulating device is releasably connected to the ironing board by means of a connecting element, thereby enabling at least the insulating element to perform its intended function, namely, reducing heat radiation from the ironing board through the insulating element. This can also be understood as the "correct" positioning of the insulating device or at least the insulating element relative to the ironing board.

[0008] Here, the insulating element is preferably fixed to the ironing board from the outside by means of a releasable connection, so that it can at least partially cover the outer surface of the ironing board.

[0009] Within the scope of this disclosure, a releasable connection should be understood as a connection that can be formed and released without damaging any material. Therefore, the connecting element is preferably designed to create a releasable connection with a corresponding connecting element of the ironing board by generating a frictional connection or frictional contact. For example, the connecting element can be configured as a plug or clamp capable of engaging with a corresponding element of the ironing board.

[0010] According to the present invention, in the connected state of the insulating device and the ironing board, physical contact between the insulating element and the ironing board is not even mandatory, but such physical contact can be provided. In the connected state of the insulating device and the ironing board, the insulating element only needs to be arranged relative to the ironing board in such a way that, at least during the heating process of heating the ironing board to the operating temperature or working temperature, the heat radiated from the ironing board through the insulating element can be reduced.

[0011] This reduces thermal radiation to the environment, at least during the heating of the ironing board, allowing for faster heating and / or heating with lower energy consumption. Therefore, from both an ecological and economic perspective, heating the ironing board can become more advantageous because less energy is required to reach the desired operating temperature.

[0012] Once the ironing board is heated, the insulating device can be released from the ironing board to allow for further operation. Alternatively, the insulating device can remain connected to the ironing board, for example, to reduce heat radiation to the environment during operation.

[0013] Specifically, the insulating device and / or at least one insulating element—which can be positioned on or in the area of ​​the bottom or standing side of the ironing board—can have a high static coefficient of friction and / or a high dynamic coefficient of friction. In particular, the static coefficient of friction and / or the dynamic coefficient of friction of the insulating element is preferably greater than the corresponding coefficient of the ironing board. For this purpose, the insulating element can be made of a material having such a static coefficient of friction and / or a dynamic coefficient of friction, or, when connected to the ironing board, an outer coating of such a material can be included on the surface facing away from the ironing board. Thus, in addition to improved heating, the safe positioning of the ironing board can be achieved in a structurally simple manner. In particular, this anti-slip property of the insulating element or device can be advantageously used for safe positioning, such as the safe positioning of the ironing board during truck transport.

[0014] In addition, the insulating element may include insulating material, and optionally, when the insulating device is connected to the ironing board, insulating material may be included on the surface facing or away from the ironing board.

[0015] Insulating material can be integrated into the insulating element itself, or it can be disposed on a surface facing or away from the ironing board, thereby reducing heat conduction through the insulating element compared to heat conduction to the environment without it. The insulating element can be designed as a "blanket" or "mat," and when connected to the ironing board, it preferably includes a surface facing the ironing board and a surface away from the ironing board, these surfaces collectively covering at least 80% or at least 90% of the total surface area of ​​the insulating element. The large surface area parallel to the ironing board surface effectively reduces heat radiated from the ironing board into the environment.

[0016] Advantageously, the insulating material may include one of rubber, polyurethane, composite foam, or combinations thereof. These materials have low thermal conductivity, thereby making the insulation of the ironing board as effective as possible. Essentially, the embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting. Any material or combination of materials may be used as the insulating material, preferably with a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the material of the ironing board.

[0017] In one embodiment, the insulating device includes an active heating element for heating the ironing board while the insulating device is connected to the ironing board. The active heating element is understood as an element that, when supplied with energy (e.g., electric current), converts substantially (preferably at least 90%) of that energy into heat and radiates that heat. According to this embodiment, the insulating device can further promote the heating of the ironing board, which can result in a faster attainment of the desired operating temperature. While energy is necessary for this purpose, the time required to reach the operating temperature is thus reduced, thereby making the operation of the ironing board more efficient.

[0018] Specifically, when the insulating device is connected to the ironing board, the active heating element can be integrated into the insulating element or arranged on the side of the insulating element facing the ironing board. According to this embodiment, heat radiation from the ironing board to the environment through the insulating element can be reduced simultaneously, and additionally, effective heating can be achieved by means of the active heating element of the insulating device, which at least reduces the time required to reach the operating temperature of the ironing board.

[0019] The active heating element may also include an electric heating element, and the isolation device may include an energy storage device that can be connected to the active heating element to supply current to the active heating element.

[0020] According to this implementation, the isolation device does not require extensive maintenance and is widely applicable, thus its use can even be easily accomplished by a single construction worker.

[0021] In one embodiment, the insulating element can reduce heat radiation from the ironing board through the insulating element by at least 25%, at least 50%, or at least 75%. This reduction should be understood as the reduction in heat radiation emitted by the ironing board to the environment relative to the absence of any insulating element. At least in the area of ​​the insulating element, heat loss during heating of the ironing board is thus effectively reduced.

[0022] In addition, the connecting element can be designed as part of a safety system to enable the heating process of the ironing board only when the ironing board is connected to the isolation device.

[0023] Therefore, the connecting element performs a dual function: firstly, it facilitates the correct positioning and / or connection between the insulating device and the ironing board; secondly, it generates electrical contact, for example, by transmitting a signal to the ironing board's control unit to indicate that a connection has been established. The control unit can then activate the ironing board's heating. Thus, the ironing board can only be put into operation, and particularly the heating process, when the insulating device and the ironing board are correctly connected. This avoids unintentional heating of the ironing board without the insulating device, and consequently, avoids energy-inefficient heating of the ironing board.

[0024] In one embodiment, the isolation device includes at least two isolation elements. Essentially, the isolation elements may have the same design (e.g., considering shape and / or size and / or weight), but these isolation elements can also differ in their shape and / or size and / or weight. Providing multiple isolation elements can advantageously facilitate the handling of the isolation device even by a single operator.

[0025] Specifically, the weight of each insulating element can be less than 20 kg, preferably less than 10 kg. This implementation with the heaviest insulating element allows for manual operation by a single worker or operator using a screed or road finishing machine, thus improving the applicability of the insulating device.

[0026] According to the present invention, an apparatus comprising an insulating device and an ironing board according to one of the foregoing embodiments is also provided, wherein the insulating element is arranged on at least a portion of the surface of the ironing board, and wherein the ironing board includes a heating device for heating the ironing board.

[0027] This device enables effective heating of the ironing board.

[0028] The ironing board may also include a safety system that activates the heating device only when the connecting element of the isolation device is connected to the safety system of the ironing board. According to this embodiment, the ironing board can be put into operation or heated without the (properly positioned) isolation device by means of the heating device, thereby avoiding inefficient heating of the ironing board.

[0029] In one embodiment, the insulating device includes at least two insulating elements that together cover at least 50% of the ironing board surface. This effectively reduces heat loss during heating of the ironing board. Particularly preferably, the largest individual surface element of the ironing board is covered by the insulating elements of the insulating device, so that no heat can be dissipated through it. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 One embodiment schematically shows the screed of a road repair machine and the isolation device connected thereto.

[0031] Figures 2A to 2D Different implementations of the isolation elements and isolation devices are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0032] According to one embodiment, Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the screed 110 of the road repair machine 120 and the isolation device 100 arranged relative to the screed 110.

[0033] As is known from the prior art, a screed 110 for producing a road surface typically includes a heating device 112 and a screed sheet 111 heated by the heating device 110 and heated enough to be pressed onto the road surface laid beneath the screed. The screed 110 can be connected to a tractor or "road finishing machine" 120 via a connecting element 113. If the connecting element 113 can be designed as a leveling cylinder, any unevenness in the ground can be compensated for by the corresponding activation and actuation of the leveling cylinder, for example by means of a control system 180. The leveling cylinder can also be passively designed and thus at least partially follow the direction of the subsoil during road finishing, while ensuring the required press-on pressure on the road surface.

[0034] Instead of a single heating element 112, multiple heating elements can also be formed to form a heating device, which are then distributed at different locations in the ironing board 110 to cause the ironing board to be heated. Basically, the heating element 112 is able to generate heat, for example by means of an electric current, and radiate that heat to the ironing board 111 to heat the ironing board 111.

[0035] It is also known from the prior art that the screed 110 must first undergo a heating stage, in which the screed sheet 111 (and optionally the entire screed 110) is heated to the required operating temperature. Only when this operating temperature is reached can the screed be used for road surface finishing. During this heating stage, the heating device 112 of the screed is used to induce heating of the screed sheet 111. Upon reaching the operating temperature, the heating device 112 continues to radiate heat to maintain a constant temperature of the screed sheet.

[0036] A considerable amount of energy is required during the heating phase, and since the ironing board is typically formed of or comprises a thermally conductive material (such as steel), a considerable heat flow is generated from the ironing board to the environment, such that a portion of the heat radiated from the heating device is ultimately not used to heat the ironing board sheet 111 or the ironing board itself, but is dissipated into the environment.

[0037] Therefore, according to the invention, an insulating device 100 capable of being releasably connected to an ironing board 110 is provided, comprising at least one insulating element 101 that, as long as the insulating device is connected to the ironing board, reduces heat radiation from the ironing board to the environment, at least in the area of ​​the insulating element. For this purpose, the insulating element 101 of the insulating device 100 can (as shown herein) be positioned, for example, below the ironing board 110 (meaning between the ironing board and the ground), such that the ironing board sheet is heated by the heating device 112, or that another portion of the ironing board radiates heat at least partially toward the insulating element.

[0038] Due to the heat insulation properties of the insulating element, heat is prevented or at least partially prevented from being transferred to the environment through the insulating element, so that the heat is not dissipated into the environment but is used to heat the ironing board.

[0039] The implementation of the insulating device having only one insulating element is not mandatory. The insulating device 100 may also include more than one insulating element 101, and in particular, the insulating elements may also be arranged on other surfaces of the ironing board 110, thereby reducing or completely blocking the flow of heat from the ironing board through the insulating element to the environment when the insulating device is connected to the ironing board.

[0040] The insulating device 100 preferably has a connecting element 102 for releasably connecting the insulating device or at least one insulating element 101 of the insulating device to the ironing board 110. For example, the connecting element 102 may be implemented as a click connection, a threaded connection, a clamp, or other releasable connecting element, allowing the connecting element 102 to connect, for example, to a corresponding connecting element 103 of the ironing board 110 to create a releasable connection. Typically, this releasable connection can be achieved through frictional contact and / or interlocking contact. Preferably, the connecting elements 102 and 103 are designed such that the connection between the connecting elements 102 and 103 can only occur at one location of the insulating device and / or insulating element 101, wherein the insulating element is correctly positioned relative to the ironing board 110. This ensures that when the ironing board is in operation and, particularly, during the heating process, the insulating element or insulating element 101 performs its intended function and reduces heat radiation through it.

[0041] The connecting element 102 of the isolation device 100 can also form part of the safety system 131, which allows the heating process of the ironing board 110 (specifically, the activation of the heating element 112) to be enabled only when a connection has been established between the connecting element 102 of the isolation device 100 and the corresponding connecting element 103 of the ironing board 110. For this purpose, electrical or electronic contacts can be provided, for example, to close when the connecting elements 102 and 103 are connected, so that, for example, the control unit 180 receives a corresponding signal and subsequently enables the heating element 112 to be put into operation.

[0042] Figures 2A to 2D Showing Figure 1 Various embodiments of the insulating element can be provided as part of the insulating device according to the invention.

[0043] Although Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2D Only one insulating element is shown in the diagram. The insulating device 100 can (as already mentioned) include multiple insulating elements, which can also be positioned in various locations relative to the ironing plate to block or reduce heat radiation passing through it. Here, the insulating elements can preferably be designed so that they can be operated by a single operator or worker (e.g., the operator of the road finishing machine 120 to which the ironing plate 110 is connected). In particular, each insulating element can have a mass of less than 20 kg, preferably less than 10 kg. In particular, in the embodiment with a mass of less than 10 kg, it is easier for one person to operate it.

[0044] Basically, and not dependent on references Figures 2A to 2D The detailed description of the implementation also has the advantage that, compared to the heat radiation generated to the environment through the ironing board in the area without any insulating elements, the reduction in heat radiation through the ironing board by each insulating element will be at least 25%, preferably at least 50% or at least 75%, in the area of ​​the insulating element.

[0045] exist Figure 2A The first embodiment of the first insulating element 201 is now shown, which consists of two layers (i.e., a first layer 211 and a second layer 212). For better understanding, it is assumed that the upper side of the first layer 211 (which faces away from the lower second layer 212) faces or is in contact with the ironing board when the insulating device is connected to the ironing board. This means that when the insulating device is connected to the ironing board, the bottom side of the first layer 212 (not shown in the figure) serves as the outer surface of the first insulating element and faces away from the ironing board.

[0046] Corresponding to in Figure 2AIn the illustrated embodiment, the upper first layer 211, or at least the surface facing the ironing board, may include an insulating material; alternatively, the lower second layer 212 may include an insulating material (specifically, the surfaces of the second layer 212 facing away from the ironing board). The first layer 211 or the second layer 212, or their surfaces, may also be entirely composed of an insulating material. Preferably, the insulating material may be, for example, rubber, polyurethane, or composite foam. Preferably, the insulating material uses a material with a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W / (mK), more preferably less than 0.3 W / (mK).

[0047] And in Figure 2A In this configuration, the first insulating element 201 comprises two layers, one or both of which may include their respective insulating materials, and one of the layers may also be entirely composed of insulating material. Therefore, the first layer 211 can be considered, for example, the "surface" of the second layer 212 and composed of insulating material. Alternatively, the second layer 212 can be considered to be composed of insulating material and form the surface of the first layer 211.

[0048] The other layers, excluding the insulating material, can act as support layers to stabilize the first insulating element, and can have, for example, enhanced rigidity compared to the insulating material. This facilitates operation.

[0049] Regardless of Figure 2A In or elsewhere Figures 2B to 2D The shape of the first insulating element shown is not mandatory. The shape of the insulating element of the insulating device can be basically arbitrary. However, a shape that is easy to operate, such as a rectangle or square, is preferred because it can be placed sequentially without any gaps, thereby achieving a preferred complete and continuous insulating effect on the ironing board.

[0050] exist Figure 2B In, it is shown as Figure 2A An alternative implementation, wherein in this embodiment, an insulating material layer 222 is arranged between two layers (i.e., a third layer 221 and a fourth layer 223), which can be composed of other materials, and wherein these three layers together form a second insulating element 202. The third layer 221 and the fourth layer 223 can function independently of heat conduction from the ironing board through the second insulating element 202, and can, for example, serve as support layers for the insulating material layer 222. Furthermore, in the connected state of the insulating device with the ironing board, the third layer 221, arranged on the side of the insulating material layer 222 facing away from the ironing board, can be made of a material that reflects infrared rays or include a corresponding surface (e.g., the surface of aluminum foil). It can be arranged on the surface of the fourth layer 223 facing the insulating material layer 222, so that if heat transfer occurs here via infrared rays, the infrared rays are reflected and do not leave the second insulating element 202 in the direction of the environment.

[0051] Although Figure 2A and Figure 2B Implementations have been described as multi-layer systems, but implementations with only a single material layer are also possible. For example, a single layer of insulating material can be provided as an insulating element. This layer may preferably comprise a material that reflects infrared rays on a surface away from the ironing plate to prevent thermal radiation via infrared rays.

[0052] Figure 2C Another embodiment of the third insulating element 203 is shown, wherein the third insulating element includes an active heating element 233, which in the embodiment shown here can be designed to include, for example, a row of heating coils. Other embodiments are also conceivable. Preferably, the active heating element 233 is arranged in the third insulating element 203 such that, in the connected state of the insulating device and the ironing board, it is arranged on the side of the third insulating element facing the ironing board, which can be understood here as the "upper side". Here, it can be arranged on the surface of a first material layer 231 that is particularly suitable for this purpose, which can be arranged on another second material layer 232 of the third insulating element 203, which, for example, includes or is composed of a material with low thermal conductivity. The first material layer 231 can be particularly thermally conductive to allow heat to be transferred from the active heating element 233 to the ironing board. The second material layer 232 can be composed of or include the aforementioned insulating material to prevent or reduce heat conduction in the direction away from the ironing board. As an alternative or additionally, similar to Figure 2B A surface coating that reflects infrared rays may be provided in or on the second material layer 232 to reflect thermal radiation in the direction of the ironing board (i.e., thermal radiation emitted by the active heating element 233 in the direction away from the ironing board when the isolation device is connected to the ironing board), so that the heat radiated by the active heating element 233 is preferably used entirely to heat the ironing board.

[0053] Furthermore, the energy storage device 234 can be associated with, or can be connected to, the active heating element to supply current to it. The energy storage device 234 can be designed as, for example, a battery, a rechargeable battery, or a fuel cell, and connected to the active heating element 233 via a corresponding current-carrying line. Alternatively, instead of the energy storage device, a connection to a (publicly available) power grid or an internal combustion engine can be provided, such as a connection to the internal combustion engine of a road maintenance machine.

[0054] exist Figure 2D Another embodiment is shown, wherein the active heating element 243 is embedded in the third material layer 241, and as in Figure 2CAs shown, it is not disposed on the surface of the first material layer 231 of the third insulating element 203. By embedding the third material layer 241, which preferably has good thermal conductivity (especially better thermal conductivity than the insulating material), it is possible to achieve uniform heat distribution of the heat radiated by the active heating element 243 in the direction of the ironing board, and to protect the active heating element 243 from environmental influences (e.g., humidity). Similar to Figure 2C A corresponding accumulator 244 can also be provided here.

[0055] exist Figure 2D The fourth material layer 242 of the fourth insulating element 204 can be formed in a manner similar to the second material layer 232.

Claims

1. An isolation device (100) for use with an ironing plate (110) for a road finishing machine (120), the isolation device (100) comprising at least one isolation element and a connecting element (102) for releasable connection with the ironing plate (110), wherein, The insulating element is designed to reduce heat radiation from the ironing board (110) through the insulating element when the insulating device (100) is connected to the ironing board (110), wherein the connecting element (102) is designed as part of a safety system (131) for enabling the heating process of the ironing board (110) only when the ironing board (110) is connected to the insulating device (100), and wherein the ironing board includes a corresponding connecting element (103) for connecting to the connecting element (102), wherein the connecting elements are configured to connect to each other only when the insulating element (101) is in the correct relative position to the ironing board (110).

2. The insulating arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein When the insulating device (100) is connected to the ironing board (110), the insulating element includes a first layer (211) on the surface facing the ironing board or a second layer (212) on the surface away from the ironing board, wherein the first and second layers include insulating material.

3. The insulating arrangement (100) according to claim 2, wherein The insulating material includes one of rubber, polyurethane, or composite foam.

4. The insulating arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The insulating device (100) includes an active heating element (233), which is used to heat the ironing board (110) when the insulating device (100) is connected to the ironing board (110).

5. The insulating arrangement (100) according to claim 4, wherein When the insulating device (100) is connected to the ironing board (110), the active heating element (233) is integrated into the third insulating element (203) or arranged on the side of the third insulating element (203) facing the ironing board (110).

6. The insulating device (100) according to claim 4, wherein The active heating element (233) includes an electric heating element, and the isolation device includes an energy storage device (234, 244) which is connected to or can be connected to the active heating element (233) to supply current to the active heating element.

7. The insulating device (100) according to claim 5, wherein The active heating element (233) includes an electric heating element, and the isolation device includes an energy storage device (234, 244) which is connected to or can be connected to the active heating element (233) to supply current to the active heating element.

8. The insulating arrangement (100) according to any of claims 1-3 and 5-7, wherein, The insulating element reduces the heat radiation from the ironing plate (110) by at least 25%, at least 50%, or at least 75%.

9. The isolation device (100) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-7, wherein, The isolation device (100) includes at least two isolation elements.

10. The insulating device (100) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-7, wherein, Each insulating element weighs less than 20 kg.

11. The insulating arrangement (100) according to claim 10, wherein Each insulating element weighs less than 10 kg.

12. An apparatus comprising the insulating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a screed (110), wherein, The insulating element is disposed at least on a portion of the surface of the ironing board (110), and wherein the ironing board includes a heating device (112) for heating the ironing board (110), wherein the ironing board (110) includes a safety system (131) that can only activate the heating device (112) when the connecting element (102) of the insulating element is connected to the safety system (131) of the ironing board (110); and wherein the ironing board (110) also includes a corresponding connecting element (103) for connecting to the connecting element (102), wherein the connecting elements are configured to connect to each other only when the insulating element (101) is in the correct relative position to the ironing board (110).

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, The insulating device (100) includes at least two insulating elements, and the insulating elements together cover at least 50% of the surface of the ironing board (110).

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