Road construction machine with electric drive

Abstract

The present invention relates to a road construction machine comprising: an electric drive device; the rechargeable battery is used for providing current for the electric driving device; a charging device for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external current source and charging the rechargeable battery; and a display device for displaying information indicating a charging state of the rechargeable battery and / or information indicating a charging process of the rechargeable battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a road construction machine having an electric drive and to a method for monitoring and / or controlling a road construction machine. Prior art

[0002] Road construction machines are well known in the prior art. They include road pavers that spread building materials onto the road to be paved and complete the road surface, for example using a paving screed. Feeders that can feed building materials into the hopper of a road paver are also known. Other machines or vehicles that can be used to build roads are also known, such as bulldozers.

[0003] Road construction machines usually include an internal combustion engine to provide the power required for their work and movement. However, alternatively, there are also known configurations in which an electric drive can be used in addition to the internal combustion engine, or the electric drive can be used as the only energy source for the road construction machine.

[0004] However, at least partially electrically driven road construction machines require electrical energy, which can be stored in the road construction machine's rechargeable batteries, to perform their work. This energy usually has to be supplied to the rechargeable batteries over long charging cycles, which means that the use of such road construction machines requires more planning in terms of their use, since the necessary charging cycles are longer than the time required to refill fossil fuels. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on the known prior art, the technical problem to be solved is therefore to provide a road construction machine and a method for monitoring and / or controlling a road construction machine in order to simplify the use of the road construction machine.

[0006] According to the present invention, a road construction machine is provided, which includes: an electric drive device; a rechargeable battery for providing current to the electric drive device; a charging device for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external current source and charging the rechargeable battery; and a display device for displaying information indicating the charging state of the rechargeable battery and / or information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery.

[0007] The information indicating the charging state of the rechargeable battery may preferably include an indication of the energy content of the rechargeable battery. The information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery may in particular include information indicating the correct operation of the charging of the rechargeable battery and / or further information about the charging process, for example, certain conditions of the charging process predetermined by the operator of the road construction machine. However, the invention is not restricted to this. Preferably, the indication information on the display device in particular contains or reproduces not only binary information (charging process is running or not running), but also information about the charging state and / or technical data of the charging process (which are preferably reproduced in alphanumeric format).

[0008] In particular, information indicating the charging process and / or the charging state in the form of parameter values ​​can be output as an absolute value and / or a relative value relative to a predefined reference value. For example, the charging state and in particular the energy content of a rechargeable battery during the charging process can be output as an absolute value in the form of, for example, kWh or kJ, or as a percentage relative to the maximum charge or energy content of the rechargeable battery. It is also possible to display in a combination of absolute and relative values.

[0009] With such a road construction machine, the current status of the rechargeable battery and / or the charging process can be displayed to the operator in a simple manner so that the operator can better plan or predict the operation of the road construction machine. This facilitates the operation of the road construction machine.

[0010] The display device can be arranged at a distance of at most 1 meter or at most 0.5 meters from a connection of a charging device for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external current source on the road construction machine.

[0011] In this case, the display device is arranged so that it is preferably accessible or visible to the operator at any time. This enables the operator to recognize information indicating the charging process and / or the charging status when operating the charging device. For example, this makes it easier for the operator to operate the charging process, to start or end the charging process by connecting or removing the corresponding plug, and to reduce the distance the operator has to travel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the information indicating the charge state of the rechargeable battery includes at least one of the absolute and / or relative charge state of the rechargeable battery, the actual energy content relative to the target maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery. The operator can use the display to easily identify the charge state of the rechargeable battery and determine, for example, whether the road construction machine can be used for the planned work without completing the charging process (or charging the rechargeable battery to 100%). This can improve the utilization rate of the road construction machine.

[0013] The information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery may include at least one of information about the start of the charging process, the complete completion of the charging process, and errors in the charging process. This allows the operator to determine whether the charging process is proceeding as planned.

[0014] The display device may be adapted to output information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery in an alphanumeric format. The alphanumeric format may include letters and / or numbers and special characters, and may optionally also include pictographic illustrations that pictographically describe the alphanumeric information. This may facilitate understanding by the operator.

[0015] The information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery may include at least one of charging efficiency, battery temperature, estimated charging time, battery status, connection status, and charging current. This enables better planning of the use of the road construction machine.

[0016] The road construction machine may comprise an input device for an operator to interact with the display device and / or for setting functions of the road construction machine.

[0017] The input device may, for example, be configured in the form of a keyboard or include a keyboard.Alternatively or additionally, the display device may be configured as a touchpad, so that the display device and the input device are integrated in one device.

[0018] The function of the road construction machine may be any function of the road construction machine. In particular, this includes functions that can be used to build or treat the road surface, but other functions, such as lighting or heating the cab of the road construction machine, are also included in the scope of road construction machines. Functions related to the charging process are also included. The input device provides the operator with the possibility to influence the operation of the road construction machine, also taking into account the charging process.

[0019] The functionality may include a time control of the charging process and / or a charging mode and / or a target state of charge of the rechargeable battery. Time control of the charging process is to be understood in particular as meaning that a start time and / or end time of the charging process can be defined, which start time and / or end time are, for example, independent of the state of charge of the rechargeable battery reached at that time, and that the start and / or end of the charging process is determined so that the charging process can be started and / or ended without further interaction with the operator after connection to the external current source. This simplifies the operation of the road construction machine. The charging mode may, for example, include a fast charging of the rechargeable battery (increased energy consumption), or a normal charging (lower energy consumption and therefore longer charging time), but preferably a gentler charging of the rechargeable battery or battery cells. The desired energy content (as an absolute value or as a relative value to a maximum energy content) may be provided as a target state of charge. The charging process may then be terminated automatically when the target state of charge is reached or when it is reached with a certain tolerance (e.g. a deviation of 1% or 2% or 5%). In this way, the operator can easily set the charging of the rechargeable battery according to the intended use of the road construction machine, for example, so that the road construction machine can be used more flexibly.

[0020] The functionality may include an operating mode of at least one working part of the road construction machine during the charging process. The working part may be, for example, a paving screed of a road paver. The operating mode during the charging process may include, for example, preheating or heating the paving screed to a required operating temperature so that the road paver is immediately ready for use at the end of the charging process. However, any other working part of the road construction machine is also conceivable here. By means of this embodiment, the road construction machine can be used more efficiently.

[0021] The road construction machine may further comprise a control unit for controlling the working components according to the set operating mode. The control unit may be configured as a computer with an associated processor and memory and may, for example, comprise program instructions enabling the working components to be controlled according to the operating mode set by the operator. To this end, for example, operating parameters of the working components may be assigned to each operating mode, and the control unit uses these operating parameters to control the working components according to the selected operating mode. This reduces the number of operator interventions required to control the road construction machine, making it easier to use.

[0022] The road construction machine can be a road paver or a feeder vehicle or a combined road paver-feeder-construction train. These vehicles can particularly preferably be equipped with an electric drive (for example as an addition to an internal combustion engine to realize a hybrid vehicle) or a purely electric drive, so that the present invention is particularly preferred in each case.

[0023] A road construction machine may include an internal combustion engine. In this sense, the road construction machine may be configured as a "hybrid drive". This makes the use of the road construction machine even more flexible.

[0024] According to the invention, a method for monitoring and / or controlling a road construction machine is provided, wherein the road construction machine comprises an electric drive, a rechargeable battery for supplying current to the electric drive, a charging device for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external current source and charging the rechargeable battery, and wherein the road construction machine further comprises a display device for displaying information indicating the charge state of the rechargeable battery and / or information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery, the method comprising displaying the indication information on the display device. The method enables an operator to better monitor and control the road construction machine, even during longer charging cycles of the rechargeable battery, thereby increasing the availability of the road construction machine.

[0025] In the context of the method, the road construction machine may be a road construction machine according to one of the above-described embodiments. The advantages of the road construction machine described above may be achieved in operation by means of this embodiment.

[0026] The method may include controlling the working components of the road construction machine during the charging process according to the operating mode of the working components set by the input device. This may ensure that the road construction machine is ready for use after the charging process is completed.

[0027] All described embodiments are disclosed so as to be combinable with one another as required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a road construction machine 1 according to an embodiment,

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a charging device and a display device according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A road construction machine 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The road construction machine shown here is a road paver, which comprises a paving screed 105 for discharging heated building material, which building material can be fed to the paving screed by means of a hopper 107 shown as an example. However, the embodiment of the road construction machine 100 as a road paver is not mandatory. The road construction machine 100 can also be configured as a feeder or any other machine for road construction, in particular a mobile machine, and can also or alternatively include, for example, a bulldozer, or be implemented as a (combined) vehicle train including a road paver and a feeder and / or including other or more vehicles or machines.

[0031] However, the road construction machine 100 may or may not include a cab 106 from which an operator may at least partially control and / or monitor the operation of the road construction machine.

[0032] According to the invention, the road construction machine 100 comprises an electric drive 104 for operating at least one component of the road construction machine (e.g., a paving screed 105) and / or the entire road construction machine (e.g., comprising drive elements for moving the road construction machine, such as wheels or chains), and a rechargeable battery 103 for providing electric current to the electric drive 104. Furthermore, the road construction machine 100 comprises a charging device 101 for connecting the rechargeable battery 103 to an external current source 130. According to the invention, the external current source is not limited and can be, for example, a connection to a municipal power grid or a generally available power grid. The charging device 101 can be connected to the external current source, for example, by a suitable cable, in order to provide electrical energy in the form of electric current to the rechargeable battery 103 for charging the rechargeable battery.

[0033] Optionally, the road construction machine may also include an internal combustion engine 140 in addition to the electric drive 104 to at least partially provide energy to the road construction machine. The internal combustion engine 140 may also serve as a backup and only be used when the rechargeable battery is too low to maintain the function of the road construction machine.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the invention, a display device 102 is provided as part of the road construction machine 100 , via which the charging state of the rechargeable battery 103 and / or information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery 103 can be displayed.

[0035] In principle, the display device 102 can be arranged at any position of the road construction machine 100 as long as the operator can approach the position so that the operator can notice the information displayed on the display device. Preferably, the display device 102 can be arranged in the cab 106 (if any) of the road construction machine 100, or can be set in the charging device 101 or the connection part of the charging device (see Figure 2 ). The area can be selected such that the distance d from the display device to the charging device or the connection of the charging device is at most 1 m or at most 0.5 m, particularly preferably at most 0.25 m. The display device is thus arranged in close proximity to the charging device, which can simplify the operation of the charging device by the operator, for example also based on the displayed indicative information.

[0036] However, the distance d (see Figure 1) can basically be selected as needed and does not have to extend in the horizontal direction as shown here, but can also extend vertically or at least partially vertically, so that the display device can also be arranged above or below the connection part or charging device, or offset at a certain angle thereto.

[0037] Preferably, the display device and / or the charging device are arranged so that an operator has ergonomic access, in particular without the operator having to bend or squat. For example, when the road construction machine is standing upright on the ground, the connection and / or the charging device can be arranged at a height of between 1 meter and 1.5 meters (measured from the bottom), and / or the display device can be arranged at a height of between 1.3 meters and 1.9 meters (measured from the bottom).

[0038] The road construction machine 100 may further include a control unit 180 , which may be connected to the charging device 101 and / or the display device 102 and may control the working component 105 (eg, a paving screed) based on input from, for example, the display device 102 or an associated input device.

[0039] The information displayed on the display device indicating the charging state and / or the charging process of the rechargeable battery can preferably be displayed in an alphanumeric format, which can include letters and / or numbers and / or other special characters. For example, the parameters defining or characterizing the charging process and / or the charging state can be expressed in the form of absolute values ​​or relative values ​​relative to a reference variable.

[0040] For example, the energy content of the rechargeable battery may be displayed on the display device as an indicator of the state of charge. For example, this may be expressed as an "actual energy content" in kWh or kJ (absolute value) and / or as a relative value (e.g., a percentage or a value between 0 and 1) relative to a target maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery. For example, the target maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery may be the maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery or may be a desired target maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery to be achieved at the end of the charging process.

[0041] The temperature of the rechargeable battery during the charging process can also be displayed as an indication of the charging process and output, for example, in degrees Celsius. For this purpose, a sensor, not shown here, can be provided, which can measure the temperature of the rechargeable battery or a part thereof and transmit this information to the control unit. The control unit can then optionally process the measured temperature and output / display it on the display unit together with other information if necessary. This enables the operator to determine whether the charging process is running reliably. In addition to the temperature of the rechargeable battery, a pictographic illustration can also be displayed, for example in the form of a colored symbol, which indicates whether the temperature of the rechargeable battery during the charging process is within an allowed range. The allowed range can be defined, for example, by the lowest and / or highest temperature of the rechargeable battery during the charging process and can be determined by the structure of the rechargeable battery.

[0042] Other information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery may include, for example, the start or end of the charging process and charging process errors. If an error occurs during the charging process, for example, a plug insertion error may be displayed (see Figure 2 ), and can optionally instruct the operator to check the position of the plug via a corresponding output on the display device.

[0043] Furthermore, detailed messages may be issued regarding any errors that occur during the charging process (eg, the permissible rechargeable battery temperature is exceeded, or an error occurs when supplying power to the rechargeable battery).

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, an indication of the charging process can be displayed, for example an indication of the charging efficiency (as a percentage relative to the maximum charging efficiency that can be achieved, for example a percentage of the maximum charging efficiency that can be achieved in terms of the structure, or as an absolute value in the form of efficiency). Additionally or alternatively, the actual charging current transmitted from the charging device to the rechargeable battery and / or transmitted from the external current source 130 to the charging device can also be displayed. In order to determine this charging current, for example, a voltmeter and / or an ammeter can be provided in the road construction machine in conjunction with the charging device 101 and / or the rechargeable battery 103, which can measure the voltage applied to the rechargeable battery and / or the charging device or the current transmitted to the rechargeable battery or the charging device. The information from the ammeter or voltmeter can then be transmitted, for example, to the control unit 180, which can further process the information if necessary and transmit it to the display device for display.

[0045] Furthermore (additionally or alternatively), the information indicating the charging process displayed on the display device 102 may also include an estimated charging time, such as an estimated charging time until a maximum charge level (energy content) of the rechargeable battery is reached and / or until a desired charge level of the rechargeable battery is reached. Additionally or alternatively, for example, information about how long the charging process has been going on or which charging mode is being used may also be displayed. Thus, the rechargeable battery may display different charging modes, such as a fast charging mode, in which a relatively large amount of energy is transferred to the rechargeable battery in a given unit time, and a normal charging mode, in which a smaller amount of energy is transferred to the rechargeable battery in the same unit time, while charging exerts less physical stress on the rechargeable battery.

[0046] The selected charging mode can be displayed not only in an alphanumeric format on the display device, for example, but also in the form of a pictographic illustration to make it easier for the operator to recognize the selected charging mode. The pictographic illustration of the charging mode itself can also be displayed together with other information indicating the charging mode displayed in an alphanumeric format (for example, the energy supplied per unit time). Thus, the operator is informed of the conditions for charging the rechargeable battery. Additionally or alternatively, information about when the required energy content and / or the maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery is reached when the relevant charging mode is used can also be displayed.

[0047] Figure 2 Other embodiments of the charging device 201 and the display device 202 are shown. In the embodiment shown here, the charging device 201 is shown as including the connection portion 211 only by way of example. Figure 1 The connection portion 211 may be configured so that it can be detachably connected to an external current source (eg, Figure 1 Current source 130). In addition, a protection device (not shown) can be provided here, which can prevent the plug from accidentally falling off or coming out of the connection part, thereby interrupting the charging process. The protection device can be mechanical and can, for example, include one or more terminals that firmly connect the plug to the connector 211 and can only be released by manual actuation. This ensures that the charging process runs reliably.

[0048] exist Figure 2 , the display device 202 is also shown in the area next to the connector 211 (at a distance d, as shown in FIG. Figure 1Although the display device 202 is arranged on the right side of the connector 211, as mentioned above, this configuration is not mandatory. Alternatively, the display device 202 can also be arranged on the left side of the connector 211 or above or below the connector 211 or offset at an angle thereto. The present invention is not limited to this. Figure 1 The described embodiments can also be implemented here.

[0049] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the display device 202 comprises a display area 221 in which information 225 indicating the charging process and / or the charging state is displayed. In this context, individual information or groups of information indicating different parameters or states of the charging process and / or the charging state of the rechargeable battery can be displayed together. In the embodiment shown here, for example, the remaining charging time (here, for example, 3 hours and 50 minutes) is displayed. This remaining charging time can be, for example, represented by Figure 1 The control unit described in calculates based on the energy supplied to the rechargeable battery per unit time and a target or expected maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery at the end of the charging process, wherein the target maximum energy content can correspond to the maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery or the required energy content of the rechargeable battery at the end of the charging process.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actual energy content (battery charge) of the rechargeable battery is indicated as a relative value relative to the maximum charge of the rechargeable battery. The target maximum energy content (target charge) is also specified as a relative value relative to the maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery. Alternatively or additionally, absolute values ​​may also be specified here, for example, the corresponding energy content is expressed in kWh or kJ. This information is to be understood only as an example, and all information described so far and hereinafter may be displayed on the display device alternatively or additionally.

[0051] In the embodiment shown here, the display device 202 optionally further includes an input device 223. The input device 223 can be provided as an additional keyboard, which can be provided separately from the display area 221. Alternatively, the display device can also be configured in the form of an interactive touch display, so that the input device 223 and the display area 221 are integrated into one. This allows input elements to be displayed in a targeted manner according to the displayed information in order to interact with the operator.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the switching elements 222 and 224 can be used to switch between different displays. For example, a first display can be provided that only outputs information about the charging state of the rechargeable battery. A second display that can be called up by actuating the switching elements 222 and / or 224 can contain information specifically about the charging process. A subset of information indicating the charging state and / or the charging process can also be displayed by actuating the switching elements 222 and / or 224.

[0053] The input device can also be used to provide the operator with the possibility of controlling functions of the road construction machine and / or functions of the charging process. For example, a charging mode (fast charging or normal charging as described above) can be selected via the input device 223 to carry out the charging process. Alternatively or additionally, the operator can define, for example, a target maximum energy content or an expected energy content at the end of the charging process via the input device 223, which the control unit (see Figure 1 ) controls the charging process so that the charging process is terminated when the desired energy content is reached. Alternatively or additionally, the operator can also specify a charging duration for charging the rechargeable battery via the input device 223. For example, the operator can specify the charging duration in hours and / or minutes and, if necessary, terminate the charging process independently of the charge level reached at that time.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, a function of the road construction machine can also be set via the input device, which in particular comprises an operating mode of a working component of the road construction machine during the charging process. Taking a paving screed as an example, this function can comprise, for example, preheating the paving screed to a desired operating temperature at the end of the charging process. If the operator inputs this operating mode of the working component, the control unit can supply energy to the working component via the rechargeable battery during the charging process in order to ensure that the working component reaches the desired state at the end of the charging process. This ensures, for example, that the working component is in the operating mode without taking energy from the rechargeable battery which is not connected to the current source, so that at the end of the charging process the working component is in the desired operating state or operating mode and the rechargeable battery additionally has the desired energy content. This ensures efficient operation of the road construction machine.

[0055] All information described herein that indicates the charging process and / or the charging state of the road construction machine can be displayed on the display device in any combination. This includes not only the joint display of information on the display device, but also the selective display of related information and the combination of the information. Figure 2 The described embodiment switches between these information.

Claims

1. A road construction machine (100), comprising: An electric drive device (104); a rechargeable battery (103) for providing current to the electric drive device; a charging device (101) for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external current source (130) and charging the rechargeable battery; and a display device (102) for displaying information indicating a charging state of the rechargeable battery and / or information indicating a charging process of the rechargeable battery.

2. The road construction machine (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display device (102) is arranged at a distance of at most 1 m or at most 0.5 m from a connector of the charging device (101), and a connection portion of the charging device (101) is used to connect the rechargeable battery (103) to an external current source (130) on the road construction machine (100).

3. The road construction machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The information indicating the charging state of the rechargeable battery (102) comprises at least one of the following information: an absolute charging level and / or a relative charging level of the rechargeable battery (103), an actual energy content relative to a target maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery.

4. The road construction machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery (103) includes at least one of the following information: information on the start of the charging process, information on the complete completion of the charging process, and information on an error in the charging process.

5. The road construction machine (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The display device (102) is adapted to output information indicative of the charging process of the rechargeable battery (103) in an alphanumeric format.

6. The road construction machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery (103) includes at least one of the following information: charging efficiency, battery temperature, estimated charging time, battery status, connection status, and charging current.

7. The road construction machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The road construction machine (100) comprises an input device (223) for enabling an operator to interact with the display device (102) and / or for setting functions of the road construction machine (100).

8. The road construction machine (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The functions include time control of the charging process of the rechargeable battery and / or a charging mode and / or a target state of charge.

9. The road construction machine (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The functionality comprises an operating mode of at least one working component (105) of the road construction machine (100) during the charging process.

10. The road construction machine (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a control unit (180) for controlling the working component (105) according to the set operation mode.

11. The road construction machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The road construction machine is a road paver or a feeder vehicle or a combined road paver-feeder-construction train.

12. The road construction machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The road construction machine (100) further comprises an internal combustion engine (140).

13. A method for monitoring and / or controlling a road construction machine (100), characterized in that The road construction machine (100) comprises an electric drive device (104), a rechargeable battery (103) for providing current to the electric drive device, and a charging device (101) for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external current source (130) and charging the rechargeable battery (103), wherein the road construction machine (100) further comprises a display device (102) for displaying information indicating a charging state of the rechargeable battery and / or information indicating a charging process of the rechargeable battery, and the method comprises displaying the indication information on the display device (102).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method comprises controlling a working component (105) of the road construction machine (100) during the charging process according to an operating mode of the working component (105) set via an input device (223).

15. A method for monitoring and / or controlling a road construction machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The road construction machine (100) comprises an electric drive device (104), a rechargeable battery (103) for providing current to the electric drive device, and a charging device (101) for connecting the rechargeable battery to an external current source (130) and charging the rechargeable battery (103), wherein the road construction machine (100) further comprises a display device (102) for displaying information indicating a charging state of the rechargeable battery and / or information indicating a charging process of the rechargeable battery, and the method comprises displaying the indication information on the display device (102).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method comprises controlling a working component (105) of the road construction machine (100) during the charging process according to an operating mode of the working component (105) set via an input device (223).

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