Road construction machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to a road construction machine, which comprises an electric driving 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] This utility model relates to a road construction machine, which has an electric drive device. Background Technology

[0002] Road construction machinery is well known in the art. It includes road pavers that spread building materials onto a road surface to be paved and, for example, use a screed to complete the surface. Feeders that can supply building materials to the hopper of a road paver are also known. Other machinery or vehicles that can be used for road construction, such as bulldozers, are also known.

[0003] Road construction machinery typically includes an internal combustion engine to provide the power required for its operation and movement. However, alternatively, configurations in which an electric drive unit can be used in addition to an internal combustion engine, or where an electric drive unit can be used as the sole energy source for the road construction machinery, are also known.

[0004] However, road construction machinery that is at least partially electrically powered requires electrical energy that can be stored in its rechargeable batteries to perform its work. This energy must typically be supplied to the rechargeable batteries over long charging cycles, meaning that using such road construction machinery requires more planning in its use, as the necessary charging cycles take longer than the time required to refill fossil fuels. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, based on the known existing technology, the technical problem to be solved is to provide a road construction machine and a method for monitoring and / or controlling the road construction machine to simplify the use of the road construction machine.

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

[0007] Information indicating the charging status of a rechargeable battery may preferably include an indication of the battery's energy content. Information indicating the charging process of a rechargeable battery may particularly include information indicating the correct operation of the charging process and / or further information about the charging process, such as certain conditions of the charging process predetermined by the operator of the road construction machinery. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the indication information on the display device specifically includes or reproduces not only binary information (charging process in operation or not in operation), but also information about the charging status and / or the charging process (which is preferably reproduced in alphanumeric format).

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

[0009] This type of road construction machinery allows operators to easily view the current status of the rechargeable battery and / or the charging process, enabling them to better plan or predict the operation of the machinery. This facilitates the operation of the road construction machinery.

[0010] The display device can be positioned at a distance of up to 1 meter or up to 0.5 meters from the connection of the charging device used to connect the rechargeable battery to the road construction machinery's external current source.

[0011] In this configuration, the display device is arranged so that the operator can ideally access or see it at any time. This allows the operator to identify information indicating the charging process and / or charging status while operating the charging device. For example, this makes it easier for the operator to operate the charging process, starting or stopping the process by connecting or disconnecting the appropriate plug, and reduces the distance the operator must walk.

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

[0013] Information indicating the charging process of a rechargeable battery can include at least one of the following: the start of the charging process, the complete completion of the charging process, or information about errors during the charging process. This allows the operator to determine whether the charging process is proceeding as planned.

[0014] The display device can be adapted to output information indicating the charging process of a rechargeable battery in alphanumeric format. The alphanumeric format may include letters and / or numbers as well as special characters, and optionally may also include pictographic illustrations describing the alphanumeric information. This facilitates operator understanding.

[0015] Information indicating the charging process of a rechargeable battery can include at least one of the following: charging efficiency, battery temperature, estimated charging time, battery status, connection status, and charging current. This allows for better planning of the use of road construction machinery.

[0016] Road construction machinery may include input devices for operator-display interaction and / or for setting the functions of the road construction machinery.

[0017] The input device may be configured, for example, in the form of a keyboard or include a keyboard. Alternatively or additionally, the display device may be configured as a touchpad, thereby integrating the display device and the input device into a single device.

[0018] The function of road construction machinery can be any function of the machinery itself. Specifically, this includes functions that can be used to construct or treat road surfaces, but other functions, such as lighting or heating the cab of the road construction machinery, are also included in the scope of road construction machinery. Functions related to the charging process are also included. Input devices provide the operator with the possibility of influencing the operation of the road construction machinery, while also taking the charging process into account.

[0019] This functionality can include time control of the charging process and / or charging modes and / or target state of charge for the rechargeable battery. Time control of the charging process should be specifically understood as: defining the start and / or end times of the charging process, which are independent of the current state of charge of the rechargeable battery; and determining the start and / or end of the charging process so that it can be started and / or stopped without further interaction with the operator after connection to an external current source. This simplifies the operation of road construction machinery. Charging modes can include, for example, rapid charging of the rechargeable battery (increased energy consumption) or normal charging (lower energy consumption, therefore longer charging time), but preferably a gentler charging of the rechargeable battery or battery cell. The desired energy content (as an absolute value or relative to the maximum energy content) can be provided as the target state of charge. The charging process can then automatically terminate when the target state of charge is reached or reached with a certain tolerance (e.g., a deviation of 1%, 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 machinery, thus enabling more flexible use of the machinery.

[0020] This functionality may include an operating mode for at least one working component of the road construction machinery during the charging process. The working component may, for example, be the screed of a road paver. The operating mode during charging may include, for example, preheating or heating the screed to the desired operating temperature so that the road paver is immediately usable upon completion of the charging process. However, any other working component of the road construction machinery is also conceivable. This embodiment allows for more efficient use of the road construction machinery.

[0021] The road construction machinery may also include a control unit for controlling the working parts according to a set operating mode. The control unit may be configured as a computer with an associated processor and memory, and may include, for example, program instructions that enable control of the working parts according to the operating mode set by the operator. For this purpose, for example, operating parameters for the working parts may be assigned to each operating mode, and the control unit uses these operating parameters to control the working parts according to the selected operating mode. This reduces the number of operator interventions required to control the road construction machinery, making it easier to use.

[0022] The road construction machinery can be a road paver, a material delivery vehicle, or a combined road paver-material delivery-construction train. These vehicles can be particularly preferably equipped with an electric drive unit (e.g., as an accessory to an internal combustion engine to achieve a hybrid vehicle) or a pure electric drive unit, making this invention particularly preferred in each case.

[0023] Road construction machinery can include internal combustion engines. In this sense, road construction machinery can be configured as "hybrid power." This makes the use of road construction machinery more flexible.

[0024] All of the embodiments described are disclosed as being able to be combined with each other as needed. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a road construction machine 1 according to one embodiment is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a charging device and a display device according to one embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1A road construction machine 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The road construction machine shown herein is a road paver, which includes a screed 105 for discharging heated building material, which can be fed to the screed via 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 may also be configured as a feeder or any other machinery for road construction, particularly mobile machinery, and may also include, 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 machinery.

[0028] However, the road construction machinery 100 may or may not include a cab 106, from which the operator can at least partially control and / or monitor the operation of the road construction machinery.

[0029] According to this invention, road construction machinery 100 includes an electric drive unit 104 for operating at least one component of the road construction machinery (e.g., a screed 105) and / or the entire road construction machinery (e.g., including drive elements for moving the road construction machinery, such as wheels or chains), and a rechargeable battery 103 for supplying current to the electric drive unit 104. Furthermore, the road construction machinery 100 includes a charging device 101 for connecting the rechargeable battery 103 to an external current source 130. According to this 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, via a suitable cable, to supply electrical energy to the rechargeable battery 103 in the form of current, charging the rechargeable battery.

[0030] Alternatively, in addition to the electric drive unit 104, the road construction machinery may also include an internal combustion engine 140 to provide at least some power to the road construction machinery. The internal combustion engine 140 may also serve as a backup, used only when the rechargeable battery is too low to maintain the function of the road construction machinery.

[0031] Furthermore, according to this utility model, a display device 102 is provided as part of the road construction machinery 100. The display device 102 can display the charging status of the rechargeable battery 103 and / or the indication information of the charging process of the rechargeable battery 103.

[0032] In principle, the display device 102 can be arranged anywhere on the road construction machinery 100, as long as the operator can access it and notice the information displayed on the device. Preferably, the display device 102 can be arranged in the cab 106 (if any) of the road construction machinery 100, or it can be located in the charging device 101 or the connection part of the charging device (see...). Figure 2 The area near the display device. An area can be selected where the distance d from the display device to the charging device or the connection point of the charging device is at most 1m or at most 0.5m, particularly preferably at most 0.25m. Therefore, the display device is arranged close to the charging device, which simplifies the operator's operation of the charging device, for example, based on the displayed indicative information.

[0033] However, distance d (see Figure 1 Basically, it can be selected as needed, and it does not have to extend horizontally as shown here. It can also extend vertically or at least partially vertically, so that the display device can also be arranged above or below the connection or charging device, or offset at an angle to it.

[0034] Preferably, the display device and / or charging device are arranged so that the operator can access them in an ergonomic manner, in particular without having to bend or squat. For example, when the road construction machinery is standing upright on the ground, the connection and / or charging device may be positioned at a height of 1 to 1.5 meters (measured from the bottom), and / or the display device may be positioned at a height of 1.3 to 1.9 meters (measured from the bottom).

[0035] The road construction machinery 100 may also include a control unit 180, which may be connected to a charging device 101 and / or a display device 102, and may control the working part 105 (e.g., a paving screed) based on inputs from, for example, the display device 102 or an associated input device.

[0036] Information displayed on the display device that indicates the charging status and / or charging process of the rechargeable battery can preferably be displayed in an alphanumeric format, which may include letters and / or numbers and / or other special characters. For example, parameters defining or characterizing the charging process and / or charging status can be expressed in absolute values ​​or relative values ​​with respect to a reference variable.

[0037] For example, the energy content of a rechargeable battery can be displayed on a display device as an indicator of its state of charge. This can be expressed as the "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) to the target maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery. For example, the target maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery can be the maximum energy content of the battery itself, or it can be the desired target maximum energy content that the rechargeable battery will achieve at the end of the charging process.

[0038] The temperature of the rechargeable battery during charging can also be displayed as an indication of the charging process, outputting, for example, in degrees Celsius. For this purpose, a sensor (not shown here) can be provided, which measures the temperature of the rechargeable battery or a portion thereof and transmits this information to the control unit. The control unit can then optionally process the measured temperature and, if necessary, output / display it on a display unit along with other information. This allows the operator to determine whether the charging process is operating reliably. In addition to the temperature of the rechargeable battery, pictographic diagrams, such as in the form of colored symbols, can be displayed to indicate whether the temperature of the rechargeable battery during charging is within an acceptable range. This acceptable range can be defined, for example, by the minimum and / or maximum temperature of the rechargeable battery during charging, and can be determined by the structure of the rechargeable battery.

[0039] Other information indicating the charging process of a rechargeable battery may include, for example, the start or end of the charging process and any charging errors. If an error occurs during charging, for example, a plug insertion error may be displayed (see [link to documentation]). Figure 2 ), and optionally, the operator can be instructed to check the position of the plug via the corresponding output on the display device.

[0040] In addition, detailed messages can be sent about any errors that occur during the charging process (such as exceeding the allowable temperature of the rechargeable battery, or an error occurring while supplying power to the rechargeable battery).

[0041] Additionally or alternatively, information indicating the charging process can be displayed, such as an indication of charging efficiency (as a percentage relative to the maximum achievable charging efficiency, e.g., a percentage of the maximum achievable charging efficiency in terms of 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 from the external current source 130 to the charging device can also be displayed. To determine this charging current, for example, a voltmeter and / or ammeter can be installed in conjunction with the charging device 101 and / or the rechargeable battery 103 in road construction machinery, 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 to, for example, a control unit 180, which can further process the information if necessary and transmit it to a display device for display.

[0042] In addition (alternatively or alternatively), the information displayed on the display device 102 indicating the charging process may also include the estimated charging time, such as the estimated charging time until the maximum charge level (energy content) of the rechargeable battery is reached and / or until the desired charge level of the rechargeable battery is reached. Additionally or alternatively, information regarding how long the charging process has been underway or which charging mode is being used may also be displayed, for example. 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 of time, and a normal charging mode, in which a smaller amount of energy is transferred to the rechargeable battery in the same unit of time, while charging exerts less physical stress on the rechargeable battery.

[0043] The selected charging mode can be displayed not only in alphanumeric format on the display device, but also, for example, in pictographic form, to make it easier for the operator to identify the selected charging mode. The pictographic representation of the charging mode itself can also be displayed together with other information indicating the charging mode (e.g., energy provided per unit time) in alphanumeric format. Thus, the operator is informed of the charging conditions of the rechargeable battery. Additionally or alternatively, information about when the required and / or maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery is reached when the relevant charging mode is used can also be displayed.

[0044] Figure 2 Other embodiments of the charging device 201 and the display device 202 are shown. In the embodiments shown here, the charging device 201 is shown by way of example only, as including the connection portion 211. This embodiment can also be combined with... Figure 1 Any of the embodiments described herein may be implemented. The connection 211 may be configured such that it can be detachably connected via a plug 212 and a suitable cable 213 to an external current source (e.g., not shown here). Figure 1 (Current source 130). Additionally, a protective device (not shown) can be provided here to prevent the plug from accidentally detaching or coming off the connector, thus interrupting the charging process. This protective device can be mechanical and may, for example, include one or more terminals that securely connect the plug to the connector 211, which can only be released by manual actuation. This ensures reliable operation of the charging process.

[0045] exist Figure 2 In the image, the display device 202 is also shown in the area next to the connector 211 (at a distance of d, e.g.) Figure 1 (As shown). Although the display device 202 is arranged to the right of the connecting portion 211 here, as mentioned above, this configuration is not mandatory. Alternatively, the display device 202 may also be arranged to the left of the connecting portion 211, or above or below the connecting portion 211, or offset at an angle to it. This invention is not limited thereto, in conjunction with... Figure 1 The described embodiments can also be implemented here.

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the display device 202 includes a display area 221 in which information 225 indicating the charging process and / or charging status is displayed. In this context, individual pieces of information or groups of information indicating different parameters or states during the charging process and / or the charging status of the rechargeable battery can be displayed together. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the remaining charging time (here, for example, 3 hours and 50 minutes) is displayed. This remaining charging time can be, for example, determined by... Figure 1 The control unit already described calculates based on the energy supplied to the rechargeable battery per unit time and the target or expected maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery at the end of the charging process, wherein the target maximum energy content may 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.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actual energy content (battery capacity) of the rechargeable battery is indicated as a relative value to the maximum capacity of the rechargeable battery. The target maximum energy content (target capacity) is also specified as a relative value to the maximum energy content of the rechargeable battery. Alternatively or additionally, absolute values ​​may also be specified here, for example, expressing the corresponding energy content in kWh or kJ. This information is to be understood as illustrative only, and all information so far and described below may be displayed alternatively or additionally on the display device.

[0048] In the embodiment shown here, the display device 202 may optionally further include an input device 223. This input device 223 may be provided as an additional keyboard, which may be provided separately from the display area 221. Alternatively, the display device may also be configured as an interactive touch display, integrating the input device 223 and the display area 221 into one unit. This allows input elements to be displayed selectively based on the information displayed, facilitating interaction with the operator.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, switching elements 222 and 224 can be used to switch between different displays. For example, a first display may be provided that only outputs information about the charging status of the rechargeable battery. A second display, which can be invoked by actuating switching elements 222 and / or 224, may specifically contain information about the charging process. Subgroups of information indicating the charging status and / or charging process may also be displayed by actuating switching elements 222 and / or 224.

[0050] The input device can also be used to provide the operator with the ability to control the road construction machinery and / or the charging process. For example, the charging mode (fast charging or normal charging as described above) can be selected via input device 223 to execute the charging process. Alternatively or additionally, the operator can define, for example, a target maximum energy content or expected energy content at the end of the charging process via input device 223, and then control the control unit (see...) Figure 1 The charging process can be controlled to terminate when the desired energy level is reached. Alternatively or additionally, the operator can also specify the charging duration for the rechargeable battery via input device 223. For example, the operator can specify the charging duration in hours and / or minutes, and, if necessary, terminate the charging process regardless of the current charge level.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the functions of road construction machinery can be set via an input device, specifically including the operating modes of the working parts of the road construction machinery during charging. Taking a screed as an example, this function can include, for example, preheating the screed to the required operating temperature at the end of the charging process. If the operator inputs this operating mode for the working parts, the control unit can provide energy to the working parts via a rechargeable battery during charging to ensure that the working parts reach the required state at the end of the charging process. For example, this ensures that the working parts do not need to draw energy from a rechargeable battery that is not connected to a current source to be in operating mode, so that at the end of the charging process, the working parts are in the required operating state or operating mode, and the rechargeable battery additionally has the required energy content. This ensures efficient operation of the road construction machinery.

[0052] All information described herein indicating the charging process and / or charging status of road construction machinery can be displayed on the display device in any combination. This includes not only jointly displaying information on the display device, but also selectively displaying relevant information, and can be tailored to the specific combination. Figure 2 The described embodiments switch between this 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 the charging status of the rechargeable battery and / or information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery, wherein the display device (102) is arranged at a distance of at most 1 meter or at most 0.5 meters from the connection of the charging device (101), the charging device (104) is arranged at most 1 meter or at most 0.5 meters from the connection of the charging device (101). 1) The connection part is used to connect the rechargeable battery (103) to an external current source (130) on the road construction machinery (100), wherein the display device is arranged so that the operator can approach or see it at any time, so that the operator can identify information indicating the charging process and / or charging status when operating the charging device; wherein, when the road construction machinery is upright on the ground, the connection part and / or the charging device can be arranged at a height of 1 meter to 1.5 meters measured from the bottom, and the display device can be arranged at a height of 1.3 meters to 1.9 meters measured from the bottom.

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

3. The road construction machinery (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, Information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery (103) includes at least one of the following: information about the start of the charging process, information about the complete completion of the charging process, and information about errors in the charging process.

4. The road construction machinery (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The display device (102) is adapted to output information in alphanumeric format indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery (103).

5. The road construction machinery (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Information indicating the charging process of the rechargeable battery (103) includes at least one of the following: charging efficiency, battery temperature, estimated charging time, battery status, connection status, and charging current.

6. The road construction machinery (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The road construction machinery (100) includes an input device (223) for enabling the operator to interact with the display device (102) and / or for setting the functions of the road construction machinery (100).

7. The road construction machinery (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The functions include time control of the charging process of the rechargeable battery and / or charging mode and / or target charging state.

8. The road construction machinery (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The function includes the operation mode of at least one working component (105) of the road construction machinery (100) during the charging process.

9. The road construction machinery (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a control unit (180) for controlling the working component (105) according to a set operating mode.

10. The road construction machinery (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The road construction machinery mentioned is a road paver, a material delivery vehicle, or a combined road paver-material delivery vehicle-construction train.

11. The road construction machinery (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The road construction machinery (100) also includes an internal combustion engine (140).

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