OPERATING UNIT WITH FRESH AIR SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating unit of a road construction machine according to claim 1.

[0002] During the operation of a road construction machine, particularly during a paving run by a road paver or a feeder vehicle driving ahead of the road paver and supplying the road paver with paving material, vapors and bitumen-containing aerosols may be generated in the immediate vicinity of the road paver or feeder vehicle. These can be caused particularly when hot paving material is being conveyed, distributed, or installed.

[0003] EP 0 843 044 A1 discloses a road paver and a feeder with an extraction system which is designed to extract vapors and aerosols from an area above the auger positioned in front of the paving screed and to expel them above the driver's protective roof of a driver's operating platform.

[0004] DE 10 2012 007 869 A1 also discloses a road paver with an extraction device by means of which vapors and aerosols can be extracted along a longitudinal transport direction for paving material, which runs below the driver's control station within the chassis, and can be introduced into an exhaust gas discharge system.

[0005] JP 2014-139 388 A discloses a further suction system which is designed to suck from a region of the transverse distributor which distributes the paving material sideways in front of the screed and to expel it above a driver operating area.

[0006] The above extraction systems are designed to extract vapors and / or aerosols from road pavers or feeder vehicles at the point of their generation and expel them above a roof structure or above an operating platform erected for the driver. The disadvantage is that experience has shown that the performance of these extraction systems is not entirely sufficient to prevent vapors and / or aerosols from entering the driver's operating area or other operating areas on the road paver or feeder where a driver or operator is intended to work.

[0007] DE 10 2020 123 723 A1 discloses a road paver having at least one air nozzle unit for generating a vertical and / or horizontal air curtain in front of the paving screed, viewed in the direction of production. The air curtain created by the air nozzle unit delimits the area between a first side shield and a second side shield of the paving screed, allowing vapors from the paving material to be more easily extracted from this area by an extraction device. Such an air curtain has the same technical effect as a horizontal or vertical cover around the auger area.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 10 2020 123 723 A1 discloses an air nozzle unit arranged at an operator's station of the road paver to create an air curtain around the operator's station, preventing vapors from entering the area of ​​the operator's station. However, such a shielding device is associated with considerable constructional complexity.

[0009] US 6,290,286 B1 discloses a fresh air duct in a vehicle cabin, wherein the fresh air duct has a flexible duct section fastened to the floor, which can be connected to a duct section fastened to the cabin structure and having an outlet opening for fresh air.

[0010] EP 3 463 947 B1 discloses a fresh air nozzle in the area of ​​a steering wheel, which is supplied with fresh air by a relatively thin fresh air line.

[0011] KR 2020 0049083 A discloses a ventilation slot integrated into an instrument panel of a vehicle.

[0012] US 2020 / 0079175 A1 discloses a vehicle cabin with a ventilation system integrated into the cabin structure.

[0013] The object of the invention is to be able to supply an operator with fresh air in a targeted manner.

[0014] This object is achieved by an operating unit according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are given by the technical features of the subclaims.

[0015] The invention relates to an operating unit for controlling and monitoring various processes of a road construction machine, which is configured in particular as a road paver or as a feeder vehicle, comprising a fresh air device that is detachably attached to the operating unit. The fresh air device has at least one element with at least one outlet opening for fresh air and at least one holder for the element. According to the invention, the element can be adjusted into various positions relative to the operating unit by means of the holder. This allows an operator to individually adjust the supply of fresh air generated by the element. Above all, this allows the element to be positioned relative to the operator's mouth and nose in such a way that the operator is supplied with fresh air in a targeted manner.

[0016] Preferably, the mount can be adjusted without tools and / or manually by the operator. This allows the operator to easily adjust the fresh air supply to their needs.

[0017] It is advantageous if the mount has at least one fresh air line connected to the element. This fresh air line could, for example, be formed by a flexible hose that runs at least partially inside the mount.

[0018] A cost-effective option is to configure the mount, at least in sections, as a gooseneck mount or an articulated hose mount. Such mounts can be quickly and freely adjusted by the operator to individually adjust the fresh air supply.

[0019] One variant provides for the holder to comprise at least one pivoting arm. It is conceivable for the element to be a tubular air bar attached to an adjustable end of the pivoting arm, which can be pivoted towards or away from the operator. The adjustability of the fresh air supply could be improved by connecting the holder to the element by means of a ball joint. It would be conceivable for the ball joint itself to form or accommodate a section of the fresh air line leading to the element. According to an embodiment of the invention that is particularly advantageous during nighttime work, the element and / or the holder have at least one light source. This light source can be used to indicate a positioning of the element and / or to indicate a setting of the holder.A particularly preferred variant provides that the light source emits different colors with regard to an air quality measured in the area of ​​the operating unit, in particular in the area of ​​the holder and / or in the area of ​​the element, in order to visually indicate this to the operator.

[0020] The fresh air system preferably comprises at least one sensor unit, for example a hydrocarbon sensor unit, which is designed to measure the air quality of the fresh air supplied to the driver or operator. The sensor unit may be configured to transmit its measurement data to a control device installed in the operating unit via near-field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth. The control device may be designed to display these received measurement data using a display device functionally connected to it, in particular on a display of the operating unit.

[0021] It would be conceivable for the measurement data recorded regarding fresh air quality from the control system, possibly compiled into a measurement data log, to be made available to an online construction site monitoring management system. This would allow service work on the construction site, such as replacing a filter unit in the fresh air system, to be coordinated externally, i.e., via the construction site monitoring management system.

[0022] One variant provides for the sensor unit to be an integral component of a personal device, in particular an integral component of a headset worn by the driver or operator, a VR headset worn by the driver or operator, and / or a smartwatch worn by the driver or operator. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit itself can incorporate the sensor unit and / or the sensor unit can be attached to the structure of the (driver's) control station as a standalone module.

[0023] It's conceivable that the light source is powered via the element and / or the mount, for example, via a cable installed within it. Alternatively, the light source can be battery-operated.

[0024] The element is preferably designed as a nozzle and / or a diffuser. As a nozzle, the element can supply fresh air directly to the operator's mouth and / or nose. The resulting fresh air flow is high-speed. As a diffuser, the element could supply the operator's entire facial area with fresh air. It is conceivable that the element can be adjusted as both a nozzle and a diffuser. The operator can adjust the element to whether it is used as a nozzle or a diffuser. A rotary adjustment mechanism would be conceivable for this, allowing the width of the outlet opening to be continuously adjusted.

[0025] A preferred variant provides that the fresh air device has at least one cooling and / or humidification unit. These variants offer a comfort function, in particular for work carried out on hot summer days. A further comfort function can be provided by the fresh air transported by the fresh air device being actively or passively heated. Passive heating of the fresh air could be achieved by having engine exhaust air flow around at least part of the fresh air device within the engine compartment, thereby heating the fresh air conveyed therein. It would be useful for this heat transfer if the section flowed around was made of a thermally conductive material.

[0026] It is particularly advantageous if the fresh air system has at least one filter unit and / or a deodorizing unit. The filter unit could be positioned at the inlet of the fresh air system, preferably in a location with low vapor generation, for example, to the side or below the driver's control station. The deodorizing unit could be positioned at the outlet of the fresh air system, i.e., directly near the driver or operator. A fragrance capsule could be used as the deodorizing unit, which the operator can attach to the adjustable element near the outlet opening.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fresh air device is provided as a retrofit kit for the control unit. The fresh air device is provided here as an add-on module that can be connected to the control unit by the operator. For this purpose, the holder of the fresh air device could have a quick-assembly coupling, by means of which the holder can be attached directly to the control unit of the road construction machine or at least in the area of ​​the control unit, preferably to a console supporting the control unit. In particular, the holder has a compressed air connector plug that can be connected to a compressed air connection formed on the control unit or positioned near it.

[0028] The fresh air system preferably includes a compressed air generator. The compressed air generator can be configured as a pneumatic pump or compressor. This compressed air generator can also be used for other adjustment and / or ventilation functions installed at the (driver's) control station, so it would be readily available.

[0029] It would be conceivable for the fresh air system to be designed as a self-contained module for fresh air generation and supply. Such a module could have its own housing, which can be positioned next to the control unit, preferably using a quick-release coupling. According to one variant, this modular fresh air system can be attached to one side of the control unit, for example, by sliding it onto a guide provided thereon.

[0030] Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the fresh air device to be compatible with components already provided on the control unit, i.e. to be functionally connectable with it, for example to be supplied with fresh air by a compressed air generator integrated in the control unit when it is attached to the control unit.

[0031] Preferably, the fresh air device forms a plug-in module on the control unit, which can be mounted, in particular, on an input interface of the control unit. For this purpose, the input interface of the control unit can have a compressed air connection compatible with the fresh air device.

[0032] It is advantageous if the control unit has a fan unit that is separate from the fresh air system. This fan unit can be used by the operator as an air conditioning system, i.e., to regulate the temperature of their workstation, while the fresh air flow generated by the fresh air system can be directed specifically toward the driver's or operator's mouth and nose.

[0033] Furthermore, the invention relates to a road construction machine, in particular a road paver or a feeder for a road paver, wherein the road construction machine has at least one operating unit according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0034] On a road paver, the control unit according to the invention could be provided at the driver's control station and / or in the area of ​​the external control station of the paving screed.

[0035] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 a road construction machine in the form of a road paver, Fig. 2 a road construction machine in the form of a feeder vehicle for a road paver, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a fresh air device in an isolated representation, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a driver control unit with a fresh air device mounted thereon, Fig. 5A a schematic representation of a fresh air device with a gooseneck holder, Fig. 5B a schematic representation of a fresh air device with an articulated hose holder, and Fig. 5C a schematic representation of a fresh air device with a swivel arm holder.

[0036] Identical components are provided with the same reference numerals throughout the figures.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a road construction machine 100A designed as a road paver 1. The road paver 1 is designed to produce a paving layer 2 on a subsurface 3. For this purpose, the road paver 1 is equipped with a paving screed 4. A material hopper 5 for storing paving material 6 is provided at the front of the road paver 1 in the paving direction R. The paving material 6 can be transported from the material hopper 5 to the paving screed 4 by means of a longitudinal conveyor device (not shown) against the paving direction R and spread out in front of the screed by means of a transverse distributor 7.

[0038] The road paver 1 from Fig. 1 has a driver's control station 8. The driver's control station 8 is preferably designed as an open control station for the driver F of the road paver 1 and has an operating unit 9 for the driver. The driver F can use the operating unit 9 as an input device to steer the road paver 1 and to control and monitor processes running on it. The operating unit 9 provided on the driver's control station 8 has a fresh air device 10 which is designed to supply the driver F with fresh air L. The fresh air L flows directly into the face of the driver F, thereby improving the quality of the air inhaled by the driver F.

[0039] Furthermore, Fig. 1 that the paving screed 4 of the road paver 1 has an external control station 11 with an operating unit 12 attached thereto. Such an operating unit can also be present on the other side of the paving screed 4. A fresh air device 13 is provided on the operating unit 12, which is configured to supply fresh air L to an operator working at the external control station 11.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a road construction machine 100B in the form of a feeder vehicle 14. The feeder vehicle 14 is configured to feed the road paver 1 from Fig. 1 to drive ahead and supply it with paving material 6. For this purpose, the feeder vehicle 14 has a conveyor device 15 which receives the paving material 6 from a material hopper 16 installed on the feeder vehicle 14 and deposits it into the material hopper 5 of the road paver 1.

[0041] The feeder vehicle 14 has a driver control station 17 with an operating unit 18 for a driver of the feeder vehicle 14. The operating unit 18 of the feeder vehicle 14 can have a comparable fresh air device as the fresh air device 10 of the road paver 1, with which fresh air L is supplied to the driver of the feeder vehicle 14 in a targeted manner in the area of ​​his inhalation.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the fresh air device 10, 13 of the operating unit 9, 12, 18. The fresh air device 10, 13 has an element 19 with an outlet opening 20 for the fresh air L. The element 19 is designed as a nozzle, so that the fresh air L flows at a high flow velocity toward the driver F or the operator. Alternatively or additionally, the element 19 could be designed as a diffuser in order to supply a larger area of ​​the face with fresh air L.

[0043] The fresh air device 10, 13 from Fig. 3 has a pressure generator 21, which is connected to the element 19 by means of a holder 22. Furthermore, the fresh air device 10, 13 made of Fig. 3 via a filter unit 23, which is designed to clean an intake air flow S. A cooling and / or humidification unit 24 of the Fig. 3 The fresh air device 10, 13 shown is intended for the pretreatment of the fresh air L.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows the control unit 9 on the driver's control station 8 of the road finisher 1 or the control unit 18 on the driver's control station 17 of the feeder vehicle 14. The fresh air device 10 is in Fig. 4 by means of a compressed air connection 25 on the control unit 9, 18. This compressed air connection 25 can be configured as a quick coupling. The fresh air device 10 from Fig. 4 has a ball joint 26 through which the bracket 22 is connected to the element 19. By means of the ball joint 26, the driver F can make a fine adjustment for the alignment of the element 19.

[0045] The fresh air device 10 from Fig. 4 , in particular its holder 22, can be easily removed from the control unit 9, 18 by the driver F. It would be conceivable that the fresh air device 10 from Fig. 4 in the area of ​​the holder 22 can be connected to a deodorizing unit 27 preferred by the driver F in order to provide the fresh air L with a predetermined fragrance.

[0046] Further shows Fig. 4 that the fresh air device 10 has a light source 28 which is fastened to the holder 22. The light source 28 can be supplied with power by means of an electrical line (not shown) guided through the holder 22. Alternatively, the light source 28 is battery-operated. The light source 28 can be designed to emit different colors depending on the air quality detected at the driver control station 8, 17, for example green if the air quality is uncritical and red if the air has an increased aerosol content. For this purpose, the light source 28 can be connected to a sensor unit 29, 30 installed at the driver control station 8, 17 (see Fig. 1 und 2 ). The sensor units 29, 30 could also be present as components of the respective control units 9, 12, 18 or be part of a smart device worn by the driver or operator (e.g., VR glasses, smart watch, headset).

[0047] In addition, Fig. 4 that the operating unit 9, 18 has a fan device 33 in its input surface, which serves in particular for air conditioning the workplace.

[0048] All technical features related to the Fig. 4 shown fresh air device 10 described above, can also be present on an operating unit 12 and / or fresh air device 13 mounted on the external control station 11 of the road paver 1.

[0049] The Fig. 5A, 5B und 5C show various embodiments of the holder 22, which is designed to support the element 19 in such a way that it can be easily adjusted so that the driver F or operator can be specifically supplied with fresh air L in the area of ​​his inhalation.

[0050] In Fig. 5A The holder 22 is designed as a gooseneck holder 22a, so that the element 19 can be positioned quickly and freely, i.e., individually by the driver F or the operator. Schematically, Fig. 5A shown that the element 19 can be brought into different positions P1, P2 relative to the control unit 9, 12, 18.

[0051] In Fig. 5B The holder 22 is designed as an articulated hose holder 22b. Both the gooseneck holder 22a made of Fig. 5A as well as the articulated hose holder 22b Fig. 5B are in the form of semi-rigid, flexible connecting elements, by means of which the element 19 attached to their end can be freely positioned by the driver F or the operator so that the supply of fresh air L is at the level of his inhalation.

[0052] According to Fig. 5C The bracket 22 is designed as a swivel arm bracket 22c. This swivel arm bracket 22c is mounted on the control unit 9, 12, 18 so as to be pivotable about an axis 31.

[0053] Furthermore, Fig. 5C that the element 19 is in the form of a tubular nozzle with a plurality of outlet openings 20. This nozzle can be hingedly attached to the pivot arm holder 22c.

[0054] The described fresh air devices 10, 13 can be at least partially integrated into the respective control units 9, 12, 18 of the road construction machines 100, 100b or at least partially detachably attached thereto as a retrofit kit. All fresh air devices 10, 13 form cost-effectively manufactured modules that can be individually adjusted by the driver F or the operator. The described holders 22a, 22b, 22c enable the element 19, from which the fresh air L flows, to be freely positioned, so that the air quality directly in the area of ​​the driver F's or the operator's inhalation can be improved. Due to their hose-like design, the respective fresh air devices 10, 13 only insignificantly impair the visibility of the driver F or the operator.

Claims

1. Control unit (9, 12, 18) for a road making machine (100A, 100B) for controlling and monitoring various processes of the road making machine (100A, 100B), characterized in that at least one fresh air device (10, 13) is detachably fastened to the control unit (9, 12, 18), wherein the fresh air device (10, 13) comprises at least one element (19) with at least one outlet opening (20) for fresh air (L) and at least one holder (22) for the element (19), which is adjustable into different positions (P1, P2) relative to the control unit (10, 13, 18) by means of the holder (22).

2. Control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder (22) is adjustable without tools and / or manually.

3. Control unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holder (22) includes at least one fresh air line connected with the element (19).

4. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (22) is designed, at least in sections, as a gooseneck holder (22a) or as a joint hose holder (22b).

5. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (22) is present as a swivel arm holder (22c).

6. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (22) and the element (19) are connected by means of a ball and socket joint (26).

7. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (19) and / or the holder (22) includes at least one light source (28).

8. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (19) is designed as a nozzle and / or a diffuser.

9. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fresh air device (10, 13) includes at least one cooling and / or air humidification unit (24).

10. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fresh air device (10, 13) includes at least one filter unit (23) and / or deodorizing unit (27).

11. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fresh air device (10, 13) is present as an add-on kit for the road making machine (100A, 100B), and / or comprises at least one sensor unit (29, 30) for measuring an air quality of the fresh air (L).

12. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fresh air device (10, 13) comprises an air compressor (21).

13. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (9, 12, 18) includes a blower device (33) embodied separately from the fresh air device (10, 13).

14. Road making machine (100A, 100B), in particular road finishing machine (1) or charger (14) for a road finishing machine (1), comprising at least one control unit (9, 12, 18) according to one of the preceding claims.