Extending run time of road construction machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a road construction machine (1) comprising: a chassis (12, 112) for moving the road construction machine (1); a main drive device (3, 103) for driving the chassis (12, 112); a main energy storage unit (17, 117) for supplying the main drive (3, 103) with electrical energy or an energy medium; a material hopper (7, 107); and a material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) for receiving the paving material (PM). The material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) is removably mounted on the material hopper (7, 107). The material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) has at least one secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) for driving the chassis (12, 112) and / or for supplying the primary drive (3, 103) with electrical energy or an energy medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a road construction machine comprising a material hopper insert with a secondary energy storage unit, a method for replacing a material hopper insert with a secondary energy storage unit on a road construction machine, and a method for operating a road construction machine. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, road construction machines are known in the prior art. A road construction machine may be, for example, a road paver for producing a paving layer from paving material, or a feeder vehicle for supplying a road paver with paving material.

[0003] Conventional road construction machinery typically uses diesel as an energy source. The chemical energy of the diesel is converted into mechanical energy by a diesel engine, which is used to operate actuators. Actuators typically perform rotational or linear motions. Road construction machinery utilizes these motions to perform its tasks and subtasks. For road pavers, these tasks and subtasks may include, for example, driving, steering, material transport, material distribution, leveling, and material compaction. For feed vehicles, these tasks and subtasks may include, for example, driving, steering, and material transport. Rotational motion is achieved, for example, with the aid of a hydraulic motor, and translational motion, for example, with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder. To heat the screed of a road paver, mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by a generator, which is then converted into heat. A disadvantage of this drive mechanism is the use of fossil fuels (such as diesel) and the associated exhaust emissions.

[0004] It is also known in the prior art that road construction machines can be electrically powered. However, the relatively short operating range of electric road construction machines is problematic. Current road construction machines equipped with diesel fuel tanks are typically designed to travel for a maximum of 10 hours on a single tank of fuel, thus achieving a certain operating range. This assumes a high utilization rate for the road construction machine. When electric road construction machines use energy storage devices (such as batteries, for example, accumulators) as their energy source and an electric drivetrain, because the energy density of accumulators is lower than that of diesel, significantly larger and heavier energy storage devices must be used to achieve a similar operating range as diesel. This can only be achieved to a limited extent without significantly increasing the size of the road construction machine, resulting in a significant reduction in the working time or workload that the electric road construction machine can perform. Due to the relatively short operating range of electric road construction machines equipped with batteries as their energy source, the batteries must be replaced or recharged one or more times. Alternatively, the road construction machine with an empty battery must be driven away from the construction site, allowing another road construction machine with a fully charged battery to be used as a replacement. As a result, construction sites have to be interrupted for shorter or longer periods of time. These interruptions are not only detrimental to the energy efficiency of the road construction machinery (for example, screeds and material conveyors must be reheated after an interruption), but also to the paving quality. This is because such interruptions can lead to start-up marks, segregation, a drop in mix temperature, compaction problems, and even cooling and solidification of the paving material in the road construction machine. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a road construction machine which eliminates or at least reduces the above-mentioned disadvantages. Ideally, the operating range or service life of the road construction machine should be increased.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a road construction machine is provided. The road construction machine comprises a chassis for moving the road construction machine; a main drive for driving the chassis; a primary energy storage unit for supplying the main drive with electrical energy or an energy medium; a material hopper and a material hopper insert for receiving paving material. The material hopper insert is removably mounted on the material hopper. The material hopper insert comprises at least one secondary energy storage unit for driving the chassis and / or for supplying the main drive with electrical energy or an energy medium. This can extend the operating time and operating range of a road construction machine, particularly a self-propelled road construction machine. This avoids stopping road construction work, particularly stopping the production of a paving layer from paving material, when the road construction machine runs out of energy or energy medium. Ideally, this can improve the paving quality of the paving layer or at least ensure a nearly constant paving quality during the production of the paving layer. Since paving units of a road construction machine, such as the screed and material conveyor, must be reheated after an interruption, the present invention can optionally increase the energy efficiency of the road construction machine.

[0007] The chassis may be a wheeled chassis or a tracked chassis. A wheeled chassis may include a plurality of driven wheels, by means of which the road construction machine can be moved. A tracked chassis may include at least one driven track, by means of which the road construction machine can be moved.

[0008] A main drive device for driving the chassis can be mounted (in particular, removably) anywhere on the road construction machine, preferably near the chassis. The main drive device can be designed to drive the chassis so that the chassis moves the road construction machine in one direction of travel. To drive the chassis, the main drive device and the chassis can be mechanically connected to each other.

[0009] The main energy storage unit is (preferably removably) mounted anywhere on the road construction machine, preferably (particularly removably mounted) near the chassis. The main energy storage unit may be suitable for storing electrical energy or an energy medium. The main energy storage unit may be mechanically and / or electrically connected to the main drive unit to supply the main drive unit with electrical energy or an energy medium. The main energy storage unit may be a battery, particularly a rechargeable battery, such as an accumulator (battery). Alternatively, the main energy storage unit may be a tank for storing an energy medium (e.g., a fossil fuel or a non-fossil fuel).

[0010] The chassis, the primary drive, the secondary drive described below, the primary energy storage unit and / or the secondary energy storage unit may be communicatively connected.

[0011] A road construction machine may include a control system. The control system may be communicatively coupled to a chassis, a primary drive unit, a secondary drive unit, a primary energy storage unit, and / or a secondary energy storage unit. The control system may be configured to control and monitor the driving and movement of the road construction machine. For example, the control system may be configured to monitor the charge state or fill level of the primary energy storage unit and / or the secondary energy storage unit of the road construction machine. The control system may also be configured to control and monitor the transmission of electrical energy or an energy medium from the primary energy storage unit and / or the secondary energy storage unit to the primary drive unit and / or the secondary drive unit of the road construction machine to drive the road construction machine.

[0012] The material hopper insert can be removably mounted to the material hopper by means of a fastening device. The fastening device can be, for example, a screw or clamping device. This facilitates installation, removal, and replacement of the material hopper insert, for example, for maintenance or cleaning purposes. In particular, this facilitates replacement of the secondary energy storage unit, for example, by replacing an empty secondary energy storage unit with a fully charged one. Optionally, since the material hopper insert can be transported separately from the material hopper, it can be easily transported, for example, by truck.

[0013] Preferably, the main drive is an electric motor (particularly one using a fuel cell) or an internal combustion engine. The main drive can depend on the type, location, and / or duration of use of the road construction machine. The electric motor (particularly one using a fuel cell) allows the road construction machine to emit no direct pollution during operation. Ideally, the road construction machine is quiet during operation. This is particularly advantageous if the road construction machine emits only limited noise or pollution, for example, when operating in or near construction areas. Compared to road construction machines powered by electric motors, internal combustion engines enable the road construction machine to operate relatively economically over a longer operating range. This can be particularly advantageous if there are no requirements for noise or pollution limits or if the road construction machine is to operate continuously over a longer operating range.

[0014] The secondary energy storage unit is preferably detachably mounted at any position of the material hopper insert.The secondary energy storage unit can be mechanically and / or electrically connected to the main drive device in order to supply the main drive device with electrical energy or energy medium.

[0015] Preferably, the secondary energy storage unit includes an additional battery (particularly one with a battery management system) to store electrical energy for the primary drive. This allows the primary drive (particularly the electric motor) to be more conveniently supplied with electrical energy. In particular, the additional battery can be rechargeable. For example, the battery can be an additional energy accumulator. The additional battery can be electrically connected to the primary drive to supply it with electrical energy. Alternatively, the additional battery can be electrically connected to the secondary drive to supply it with electrical energy.

[0016] Preferably, the secondary energy storage unit comprises an additional tank, which stores an energy medium (in particular, an energy medium in liquid or gaseous form) for the primary drive. The additional tank can be mechanically connected to the primary drive in order to supply the primary drive with the energy medium. Alternatively, the additional tank can be mechanically connected to the secondary drive in order to supply the secondary drive with the energy medium.

[0017] The energy medium is preferably hydrogen and / or ammonia and / or fossil fuels and / or synthetic fuels. This allows the road construction machine to be supplied with conventional energy media at low cost. The energy medium may depend on the type of primary drive and / or secondary drive.

[0018] Preferably, the additional tank is designed to store compressed hydrogen or chemically bound hydrogen, in particular hydrogen bound by LOHC or ammonia. Optionally, the secondary energy storage unit may include an electrolyzer for releasing bound hydrogen, in particular hydrogen bound by LOHC or ammonia.

[0019] Preferably, the secondary energy storage unit includes a secondary drive for driving the chassis of the road construction machine. This allows the road construction machine to operate using the main drive and / or the secondary drive. In other words, the chassis can be driven by at least one of the secondary drive and the main drive. The secondary drive may, for example, be an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, particularly one with a generator for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The secondary drive can be mounted anywhere on the secondary energy storage unit. Providing a secondary drive in addition to the main drive improves the reliability of the road construction machine. For example, if the main drive is no longer available (e.g., if the main drive fails), the secondary drive can drive the chassis of the road construction machine. Alternatively, if the driving force of the main drive is insufficient to move the road construction machine, the secondary drive can supplement the main drive to drive the chassis. This ensures reliable operation of the road construction machine. Optionally, the secondary drive can be electrically connected to the primary energy storage unit. For example, the secondary drive unit can be an internal combustion engine with a generator, and the secondary energy storage unit can be an energy storage tank. The internal combustion engine uses the energy provided by the secondary energy storage unit to generate mechanical energy. The generator converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy and transmits it to the primary energy storage unit in the form of a rechargeable battery, which then supplies electrical energy to the road construction machine.

[0020] Preferably, the material hopper insert has a base opening and a plurality of adjacent side walls, wherein at least one side wall is inclined relative to the bottom opening (particularly the bottom opening surface) such that the upper edge of the inclined side wall, particularly in plan view, lies outside the base opening (particularly the base opening surface), with the secondary energy storage unit being arranged below the inclined side wall. The side wall may include a bottom edge, particularly a bottom edge opposite the top edge. The base opening, particularly the base opening area, may be formed by the lower edges of the side walls. The upper opening surface may be between the upper edges. The material hopper insert may, for example, be funnel-shaped, particularly with the upper opening area being larger than the bottom opening area. This allows the material hopper insert to be easily and evenly filled with paving material. By arranging the secondary energy storage unit below the inclined side wall, it is possible to utilize existing installation space in the material hopper. This allows for a very compact design of the road construction machine. In particular, when viewed from above, the upper edges of the inclined side walls may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the road construction machine (particularly in the direction of travel). The inclined sidewall can, for example, be a transverse sidewall of the material hopper insert. The secondary energy storage unit can be arranged below this transverse sidewall. Optionally, the upper edge of the inclined sidewall can extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (particularly the direction of travel) of the road construction machine, particularly when viewed from above. The inclined sidewall can, for example, be the front or rear wall of the material hopper insert. The secondary energy storage unit can be arranged below the front or rear wall.

[0021] Preferably, the angle between the side wall and the plane of the bottom opening (in particular, the bottom opening surface) is at least 100°, preferably at least 110°, and / or at most 135°, preferably at most 125°. In principle, this angle can have any suitable size. The size of this angle can depend on the material hopper, the material hopper insert, and / or the secondary energy storage unit. The size of this angle can be selected so that the paving material in the material hopper insert slides easily, and in particular evenly, onto a conveyor unit of a road construction machine arranged below the material hopper insert.

[0022] Preferably, the inclined sidewall forms a cover for the secondary energy storage unit, particularly when viewed from above the main silo insert. This allows the secondary energy storage unit to be protected from external influences, particularly from damage. This can extend the service life of the secondary energy storage unit and ideally reduce repair / maintenance costs. In particular, when viewed from above, the inclined sidewall can at least partially, and preferably completely, cover the secondary energy storage unit.

[0023] Preferably, the material hopper insert has an insulating portion. The insulating portion prevents the temperature of the paving material in the material hopper insert from changing significantly, in particular from decreasing. Ideally, it can be ensured that the paving material in the material hopper insert has a minimum temperature, for example at least around 80°C. This can improve the further processing of the paving material. Ideally, it is possible to prevent the paving material from solidifying in the material hopper insert. Warm paving material can release some of its heat to the material hopper insert and heat it up. The insulating portion can be used to reduce the amount of heat dissipated by the material hopper insert to its surroundings and in particular to the secondary energy storage unit. This can ensure that the secondary energy storage unit is not overheated by the heat dissipated by the material hopper insert and, in the worst case, becomes too hot and unable to operate. In particular, the thermal management system of the secondary energy storage unit (which controls the operating temperature of the secondary energy storage unit) can be dimensioned to be smaller, in particular to have a smaller power. Optionally, due to the use of the insulating portion, the heating device for heating the paving screed and / or conveyor belt can be dimensioned smaller, in particular with a lower power. If the paving material does not fall below a minimum temperature, it can be achieved that the heating device can use less energy to keep the paving material at a temperature suitable for further processing. The insulating portion can be attached at least partially or completely to the material hopper insert, in particular to the outer side of the material hopper insert's side wall. The insulating portion can, for example, be an insulating mat or an insulating foil that can be attached (in particular removably attached) to the material hopper insert. Optionally, the insulating portion can be sprayed or applied (in particular non-removably) onto the material hopper insert as a thermal insulation film.

[0024] The material hopper insert may include at least one pick-up device for lifting the material hopper insert into and / or out of the material hopper. This allows for convenient assembly and disassembly of the material hopper insert from the material hopper. Ideally, this allows for quick and convenient replacement of the material hopper insert (e.g., for maintenance or cleaning purposes). For example, the pick-up device may be designed as an eyelet into which a lifting device (e.g., a crane hook) can be engaged to move the material hopper insert.

[0025] Preferably, the secondary energy storage unit is connectable to the road construction machine, in particular the main drive unit and / or the primary energy storage unit, via an interface for transmitting electrical energy or an energy medium. This enables a simple transfer of electrical energy or an energy medium. The interface allows the road construction machine to be docked to the secondary energy storage unit, and vice versa. The secondary energy storage unit can be mechanically or electrically connected to the road construction machine via this interface.

[0026] Preferably, the road construction machine is a road paver for producing a paving layer from paving material, or a feeder vehicle for supplying the road paver with paving material. This can extend the operating time and operating range of the road paver or feeder vehicle. This avoids the road paver or feeder vehicle having to stop before completing a paving layer, thereby interrupting the paving operation. This can particularly improve the paving quality of the paving layer, or at least ensure a nearly constant paving quality during the paving of the layer.

[0027] The main drive and / or the secondary energy storage unit are capable of supplying energy (in particular electrical energy) to at least one consumer part (in particular an electrical consumer part) of the road construction machine. This allows the chassis and the consumer parts of the road construction machine to be driven together. No separate drive or energy storage unit is required for the consumer parts. This contributes to a particularly compact and lightweight design of the road construction machine. In principle, the consumer parts can be any consumer parts required for the use of the road construction machine. On a road paver, the consumer parts can be, for example, an electric lighting system, an electric heating device, an electric hydraulic unit, an electric longitudinal conveying device and / or an electric transverse conveying device. The consumer parts on a feeding vehicle can be, for example, an electric lighting system, an electric conveying device for built-in material and / or an electric heating device of the feeding vehicle. The main drive and / or the secondary energy storage unit can be connected to only one consumer part, or to multiple consumer parts. Alternatively, the consumer parts can be connected to at least one of the main drive and the secondary energy storage unit.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for replacing a material hopper insert with a secondary energy storage unit on a road construction machine is provided. The method comprises the following steps: releasing a first fixing device of a first material hopper insert from a material hopper of the road construction machine; removing the first material hopper insert with the first secondary energy storage unit from the material hopper; inserting a second material hopper insert with the second secondary energy storage unit into the material hopper; and fixing the second material hopper insert to the material hopper by means of a second fixing device. The first material hopper insert and the second material hopper insert may have the same or different designs. The first secondary energy storage unit and the second secondary energy storage unit may have the same or different designs.

[0029] Preferably, electrical energy or an energy medium can be transported between the secondary energy storage unit and the road construction machine via an interface, wherein the connection between the first secondary energy storage unit and the road construction machine via the first interface is released before the first material hopper insert is removed from the material hopper, and / or wherein the connection between the second secondary energy storage unit and the road construction machine via the second interface is established after the second material hopper insert is attached to the material hopper.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a road construction machine is provided. The method comprises the following steps: providing electrical energy or an energy medium via a primary energy storage unit of the road construction machine; supplying electrical energy or an energy medium to a primary drive of the road construction machine via the primary energy storage unit; driving a chassis of the road construction machine via the primary drive; and moving the road construction machine via the chassis. At least one secondary energy storage unit supplies electrical energy or an energy medium to the primary drive and / or drives the chassis, wherein the secondary energy storage unit is mounted on a material hopper insert for receiving paving material. The material hopper insert is detachably mounted on the material hopper of the road construction machine.

[0031] When the primary energy storage unit has finished supplying electrical energy or energy medium to the main drive, the secondary energy storage unit can supply electrical energy or energy medium to the main drive. For example, if the primary energy storage unit's state of charge is insufficient to create a mounting layer, the secondary energy storage unit can replace the primary energy storage unit in supplying energy or energy medium to the main drive when the primary energy storage unit reaches a minimum state of charge.

[0032] When the chassis is stopped by the main drive, the secondary energy storage unit (particularly the secondary drive of the secondary energy storage unit) can drive the chassis. For example, if the main drive is no longer available (e.g., if the main drive fails), the secondary drive can drive the chassis of the road construction machine. For example, the control system of the road construction machine can monitor the operation of the main drive and, if the main drive is no longer available, enable the secondary drive to drive the chassis. Alternatively, the operator of the road construction machine can manually stop the main drive and start the secondary drive.

[0033] Features or explanations described with respect to one aspect of the invention (road construction machine or method) may be applied to and combined with other aspects, either individually or in combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to exemplary embodiments.

[0035] Shown in the figure are:

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a road construction machine in the form of a road paver according to one embodiment;

[0037] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a material hopper insert for a road paver according to one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a front view of a road paver viewed from the front side;

[0039] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a road paver viewed from above;

[0040] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a road construction machine in the form of a feeder vehicle according to one embodiment; and

[0041] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a material hopper insert for a feeder vehicle according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 A perspective view of a road construction machine 1 in the form of a road paver 2 according to one embodiment is shown. The road paver 2 is configured to produce a paving layer PL (see Figure 4 ). The road paver 2 is self-propelled in the direction of travel D.

[0043] The road paver 2 also has a chassis 4, an operating platform 5 (which is used by an operator of the road paver 2), a driving roof 6 and a material hopper 7. A material hopper insert 14 for holding the paving material PM is mounted on the material hopper 7 (see FIG. Figures 2 to 4 Furthermore, a height-adjustably mounted paving screed 8, which is dragged in the direction of travel D, and a conveying unit 9, which comprises a conveyor belt 9a, are attached to the chassis 4 in order to supply paving material PM from a material hopper insert 14 of the road paver 2 to the paving screed 8 by means of a cross-distribution device 10 of the road construction machine 1.

[0044] Figure 1 Also shown are two exemplary power-consuming components 11 of the road paver 2. The first power-consuming component 11a is a lighting device for illuminating the surrounding area or the control console 5. The second power-consuming component 11b is a heating device for heating the paving screed 8. The paving screed 8 includes components such as a compacting unit (screed plate, tamper, and pressure bars (not shown)). The paving material PM is compacted under the weight of the compacting unit. To prevent the paving material PM from sticking to the components of the paving screed 8, a heating device (not shown), typically an electric heating device, may be integrated into these components.

[0045] To move in direction R, the road paver 2 has a wheeled chassis 12 with two driven wheels 12a. The road paver 2 also has a main drive 3 in the form of an electric motor 3a to drive the wheeled chassis 12. The electric motor 3a ensures that the road paver 2 does not directly emit pollutants during operation. Ideally, the road paver 2 can operate with low noise levels. This is particularly advantageous if the road paver 2 is only permitted to emit a limited amount of noise or pollution, such as when operating in or near construction areas. The electric motor 3a is designed to drive the wheeled chassis 12, moving the road paver 2 in the direction of travel D. To this end, the electric motor 3a and the wheeled chassis 12 are mechanically connected to each other.

[0046] Furthermore, the electric motor 3a is electrically connected to a main energy storage unit 17 so that it is supplied with electrical energy via the main energy storage unit 17. For this purpose, the main energy storage unit 17 is designed as a rechargeable energy accumulator 17a, which stores electrical energy and delivers it to the electric motor 3a. The energy accumulator 17a is detachably mounted to the road paver 2 near the electric motor 3a via a threaded connection.

[0047] Figures 2 to 4Detail of the material hopper insert 14 is shown. The material hopper insert 14 is used to store paving material PM and is detachably mounted on the material hopper 7. For this purpose, four fixing devices 24 in the form of screw connections are provided, for example, which are arranged on the outside of the side walls 19a of the material hopper insert 14 and connect the material hopper insert 14 to the material hopper 7 (see FIG. Figure 4 ). This allows for easy replacement of the material hopper insert 14, for example, during maintenance or cleaning.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the material hopper insert 14 also has a heat insulating portion 22. This heat insulating portion 22 is in the form of a heat insulating film that is completely adhered to the outside of all side walls 19, 19a of the material hopper insert 14. This prevents the paving material PM in the material hopper insert 14 from experiencing significant temperature changes, and in particular prevents the material hopper insert 14 from cooling and solidifying.

[0049] Figure 3 and 4 The diagram schematically shows a front view and a top view of a road paver 2, in particular of a material hopper insert 14. The material hopper insert 14 has a bottom opening 21. The paving material PM located in the material hopper insert 14 falls through the bottom opening 21 onto the conveyor belt 9a and is transferred via the conveyor belt to the paving screed 8.

[0050] The bottom opening 21 (in particular the bottom opening surface 21') is formed by four side walls 19, 19a (in particular the lower edges 19', 19a' thereof). The side walls 19, 19a also have upper edges 19", 19a", which are opposite to the lower edges 19', 19a' and expand into an upper opening surface 21". In particular, when viewed from above, the upper opening surface 21" is larger than the bottom opening surface 21'. The opposite side walls 19 are inclined relative to the bottom opening 21 so that (in a plan view of the material hopper insert 14) their upper edges 19" are located outside the bottom opening 21. The angle 29 between the side walls 19 and the plane of the bottom opening 21 (in particular the bottom opening surface 21') is approximately 130°. Therefore, the material hopper insert 14 is funnel-shaped. This enables the material hopper insert 14 to be easily and evenly filled with paving material PM.

[0051] In order to increase the operating range and operating time of the road paver 2, the road paver 2 also has one or two secondary energy storage units 15, which have basically the same structure (see Figure 2). Each secondary energy storage unit 15 has an additional energy accumulator 15' for storing electrical energy. Each secondary energy storage unit 15 is electrically connected to the electric motor 3a via an interface 25 to transmit electrical energy to the electric motor 3a. In this way, for the electric motor 3a, in addition to being supplied with electrical energy via the main energy storage unit 17, or as an alternative, it is also possible to be supplied with electrical energy via the secondary energy storage unit 15. This improves the reliability of the road paver 2. For example, if the charge state of the main energy storage unit 17 is not sufficient to produce the paving layer PL, energy can be supplied to the electric motor 3a via the secondary energy storage unit 15. This will prevent the road paver 2 from stopping before completing the paving layer PL and thus having to interrupt the paving operation. In particular, this can improve the paving quality of the paving layer PL.

[0052] The secondary energy storage units 15 are detachably mounted by means of screw connections on the outside of the inclined side walls 19 of the material hopper insert 14, in particular on the heat-insulating section 22. This means that each secondary energy storage unit 15 is arranged below the inclined side wall 19. This makes optimal use of the available installation space, thereby enabling a particularly compact design of the road paver 2.

[0053] In a top view of the material hopper insert 14, the inclined side wall 19 also forms the cover of the secondary energy storage unit 15 (see FIG. Figure 3 and 4 ). The inclined side wall 19 completely covers the secondary energy storage unit 15. This protects the secondary energy storage unit 15 from external influences, in particular damage. This extends the service life of the secondary energy storage unit 15 and ideally reduces repair / maintenance costs.

[0054] Furthermore, the primary energy storage unit 17 and the secondary energy storage unit 15 are each electrically connected to the electrical load 11 to supply it with energy. This means that the load 11 does not require a separate energy storage unit. This contributes to a compact and lightweight design.

[0055] The road paver 2 is controlled via a control system 16 (see Figure 1 The control system 16, the wheeled chassis 12, the electric motor 3a, the primary energy storage unit 17, the secondary energy storage unit 15, and the consumer components 11 are communicatively connected to one another. The control system 16 monitors the energy requirements of the road paver 2. Furthermore, the control system 16 monitors the charge state of the primary energy storage unit 17 and the secondary energy storage unit 15. If the control system 16 detects, for example, that the charge state of the primary energy storage unit 17 is insufficient to produce a paving layer PL, it supplies additional energy to the electric motor 3a via the secondary energy storage unit 15. This prevents the road paver 2 from shutting down before completing a paving layer PL and thus having to interrupt the paving operation.

[0056] also, Figures 2 to 4The road paver 2 is shown before and after the first material hopper insert 14 installed on the road paver 2 has been replaced by the second material hopper insert 14a. The first material hopper insert 14 and the second material hopper insert 14a are essentially identical in construction. Similarly, the first secondary energy storage unit 15 and the second secondary energy storage unit 15a are essentially identical in construction. To replace the first material hopper insert 14, the first secondary energy storage unit 15 is first disconnected from the road paver 2 via the first interface 25. In a next step, the first fixing device 24 of the first material hopper insert 14 is manually removed from the material hopper 7. This has the advantage that no additional tools are required. In a next step, the first material hopper insert 14, and therefore the first secondary energy storage unit 15, is removed from the material hopper 7. To raise and lower the material hopper insert 14, pick-up devices 23 in the form of four eyelets are attached to the two side walls 19a. A lifting device (e.g., a crane hook) can engage in the eyelet and thereby lift the material hopper insert 14 out of the material hopper 7. This makes it easy to remove the material hopper insert 14 from the material hopper 7. In a next step, a second material hopper insert 14a is inserted into the material hopper 7. This is achieved in the same way as the removal of the first material hopper insert 14 by means of a crane, which engages the second material hopper insert 14a with four pick-up devices 23a. The second secondary energy storage unit 15a is mounted on the second material hopper insert 14a so that the second secondary energy storage unit 15a is placed in the material hopper 7 together with the second material hopper insert 14a. In a next step, the second material hopper insert 14a is fixed to the material hopper 7 by means of four second fixing devices 24a. In a next step, the second secondary energy storage unit 15a is connected to the road paver 2 via a second interface 25a. The second secondary energy storage unit 15 a is thereby mechanically connected to the electric motor 3 a , so that electrical energy is supplied to the electric motor 3 a and thereby drives the road paver 2 .

[0057] Figure 5 Shown is a perspective view of a road construction machine 1 which is a feeder vehicle 18 for transferring paving material PM to a road paver 2 travelling behind it. The feeder vehicle 18 is self-propelled in a direction of travel D'.

[0058] The feeding vehicle 18 also includes a chassis 104, a control console 105, a driving roof 106, a material hopper 107 (which has a material hopper insert 114 for accommodating paving material PM) and a conveying unit 109 (which includes a conveyor belt 109a for conveying paving material PM from the material hopper insert 114 of the feeding vehicle 18 to the material hopper insert 114 of the road paver 2).

[0059] Furthermore, the feed vehicle 18 has two electrical consumers 111. The first electrical consumer 111a is a lighting device for illuminating the surroundings or the control console 105. The second electrical consumer 111b is a heating device for heating the conveyor belt 109a.

[0060] A crawler chassis 112 is provided to move the feeding vehicle 18. The crawler 112 has two driven crawler tracks 112a. The feeding vehicle 18 also has a main drive 103 in the form of an internal combustion engine 103a to drive the crawler chassis 112. The internal combustion engine 103a enables the feeding vehicle 18 to be operated relatively economically over a longer operating range than if it were operated using an electric motor. This is particularly advantageous if there are no noise or pollution restrictions or if the feeding vehicle 18 is to be operated over longer distances without interruption.

[0061] The internal combustion engine 103a is designed to drive a tracked chassis 112, so that the tracked chassis 112 moves the feeding vehicle 18 in the direction of travel D'. To drive the tracked chassis 112, the internal combustion engine 103a and the tracked chassis 112 are mechanically connected to each other. The internal combustion engine 103a is also mechanically connected to a main energy storage unit 117 and is supplied with an energy medium in the form of diesel fuel via the main energy storage unit 117. For this purpose, the main energy storage unit 117 is designed as a tank 117a for storing diesel fuel. The main energy storage unit 117 is detachably mounted on the feeding vehicle 18 near the internal combustion engine 103a by means of a threaded connection.

[0062] Figure 6 Details of the material hopper insert 114 are shown. The material hopper insert 114 of the feeder vehicle 18 has substantially the same structure as the material hopper insert 14 of the road paver 2. Elements of the material hopper insert 114 that correspond to those of the material hopper insert 14 are labeled with the same reference numerals. Two secondary energy storage units 115 are mounted on the material hopper insert 114, as well as on the material hopper insert 14.

[0063] Unlike the secondary energy storage unit 15 of the road paver 2, the secondary energy storage unit 115 of the feeder vehicle 18 each includes an additional fuel tank 115b for storing diesel fuel and a secondary drive 115c in the form of an internal combustion engine for driving the tracked chassis 112. For this purpose, the secondary drive 115c is mechanically connected to the tracked chassis 112 via an interface 125. Furthermore, an auxiliary fuel tank 115b is mechanically connected to the secondary drive 115c to supply it with diesel fuel.

[0064] The feed vehicle 18 is controlled via a control system 116 (see Figure 5The control system 116, the crawler chassis 112, the main drive device 103, the main energy storage unit 117, the secondary energy storage unit 115 (ie, the secondary drive device 115c and the auxiliary oil tank 115b), and the consumable components 111 are in communication with each other.

[0065] Control system 116 monitors the energy requirements of feeder vehicle 18. Furthermore, control system 116 monitors the fill levels of primary energy storage unit 117 (i.e., tank 117a) and secondary energy storage unit 115 (i.e., additional tank 115b). If control system 116 detects, for example, that the energy generated by primary drive 103 is too low for operation of feeder vehicle 18, it enables additional propulsion of tracked chassis 112 via two secondary drives 115c. This prevents feeder vehicle 18 from shutting down before completing paving layer PL, thereby necessitating interruption of paving operations.

Claims

1. A road construction machine (1), comprising: a chassis (12, 112) for moving the road construction machine (1), a main drive device (3, 103) for driving the chassis (12, 112), a main energy storage unit (17, 117) for supplying electrical energy or energy medium to the main drive device (3, 103), a material hopper (7, 107), and a material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) for receiving paving material (PM), wherein the material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) is detachably mounted on the material hopper (7, 107), The material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) comprises at least one secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) for driving the chassis (12, 112) and / or for supplying electrical energy or energy medium to the main drive (3, 103).

2. The road construction machine according to claim 1, wherein: The main driving device (3, 103) is an electric motor (3a) or an internal combustion engine (103a).

3. The road construction machine according to claim 2, wherein: The electric motor (3a) is an electric motor with a fuel cell.

4. The road construction machine according to claim 1, wherein: The secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) includes an auxiliary battery that stores electrical energy for the main drive device (3, 103).

5. The road construction machine according to claim 4, wherein: The auxiliary battery is a battery with a battery management system.

6. The road construction machine according to claim 2, wherein: The secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) includes an auxiliary battery that stores electrical energy for the main drive device (3, 103).

7. The road construction machine according to claim 6, wherein: The auxiliary battery is a battery with a battery management system.

8. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The energy medium is hydrogen and / or ammonia and / or fossil fuel and / or synthetic fuel.

9. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) comprises an additional oil tank (115b) which stores an energy medium for the main drive (3, 103).

10. The road construction machine according to claim 9, wherein: The energy medium is a liquid or gaseous energy medium.

11. The road construction machine according to claim 9, wherein: The additional tank (115b) is designed to store compressed hydrogen or chemically bonded hydrogen.

12. The road construction machine according to claim 11, wherein: The chemically bound hydrogen is hydrogen bound by LOHC or ammonia.

13. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) includes a secondary drive device (115c) for driving the chassis (12, 112).

14. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) includes a bottom opening (21) and a plurality of adjacent side walls (19, 19a), wherein at least one side wall (19) is inclined relative to the bottom opening (21) such that an upper edge (19") of the inclined side wall (19) is located outside the bottom opening (21), The secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) is arranged on the inclined side wall (19).

15. The road construction machine according to claim 14, wherein: The angle (29, 129) between the side wall (19) and the bottom opening (21) is at least 100° and / or at most 135°.

16. The road construction machine according to claim 15, wherein: The angle (29, 129) between the side wall (19) and the bottom opening (21) is at least 110° and / or at most 125°.

17. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The inclined side wall (19) forms a cover plate of the secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a).

18. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) includes an insulating portion (22, 122).

19. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) can be connected to the road construction machine (1) via an interface (25, 125, 25a) in order to supply electrical energy or an energy medium.

20. The road construction machine according to claim 19, wherein: The secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) can be connected to the main drive device (3, 103) and / or the main energy storage unit (17, 117).

21. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The road construction machine (1) is: a road paver (2) for producing a paving layer (PL) from the paving material (PM); or a feeding vehicle (18) for supplying the road paver (2) with the paving material (PM).

22. A method for replacing a material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) with a secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) on a road construction machine (1), the method comprising the following steps: a first fixing device (24) for releasing a first material hopper insert (14, 114) from a material hopper (7, 107) of the road construction machine (1); removing the first material hopper insert (14, 114) with the first secondary energy storage unit (15, 115) from the material hopper (7, 107); inserting a second material hopper insert (14a) with a second secondary energy storage unit (15a) into the material hopper (7, 107); and The second material hopper insert (14a) is fixed to the material hopper (7, 107) by means of a second fixing device (24a).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: Electrical energy or an energy medium can be transmitted between the secondary energy storage unit (15, 15a) and the road construction machine (1) via an interface (25, 125, 25a), wherein the connection between the first secondary energy storage unit (15, 115) and the road construction machine (1) via the first interface (25, 125) is released before the first material hopper insert (14, 114) is removed from the material hopper (7, 107), and / or The connection between the second secondary energy storage unit (15a) and the road construction machine (1) via a second interface (25a) is established after the second material hopper insert (14a) has been attached to the material hopper (7, 107).

24. A method for operating a road construction machine (1), the method comprising the following steps: Providing electrical energy or an energy medium via a main energy storage unit (17, 117) of the road construction machine (1), supplying electrical energy or energy medium to a main drive device (3, 103) of the road construction machine (1) via the main energy storage unit (17, 117), driving the chassis (12, 112) of the road construction machine (1) via the main drive device (3, 103), and moving the road construction machine (1) via the chassis (12, 112), wherein at least one secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) supplies electrical energy or energy medium to the main drive device (3, 103), and / or wherein the secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) drives the chassis (12, 112), wherein the secondary energy storage unit (15, 115, 15a) is mounted on a material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) for receiving paving material (PM), The material hopper insert (14, 114, 14a) is detachably mounted on the material hopper (7, 107) of the road construction machine (1).

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