Method for operating a road paving machine

Abstract

Operating a road construction machine requires an operator to be physically present and thus exposed to harmful fumes. This also reduces the operator's flexibility. The invention provides a method for operating a road construction machine, as well as a road construction machine itself, in which the operator's health risks during operation are reduced without compromising the quality of the road construction material. This is achieved by remotely controlling the chassis (11) and / or at least one other component or working component of the road construction machine from outside the machine via a transmitter module (23).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a self-propelled road paver according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2.

[0002] Road pavers are used to construct road surfaces, primarily from asphalt, but also from concrete. These typically self-propelled road pavers have various working components, some permanently attached and others detachable. For example, a road paver typically includes a screed with a sliding plate, a tamper blade, a spreading auger, a scraper conveyor with slatted frames and chains, and similar components. Furthermore, these road pavers may have a hopper for road construction material, a material conveyor, and a chassis powered by a drive unit, such as a diesel engine. Most road pavers also feature an operator's station from which an operator controls the paver and its components, possibly via a control unit.

[0003] To operate the road construction machine, the operator is usually confined to the operator's station to control the paver and its individual components via the control unit. However, the processing of the particularly hot road construction material releases fumes that can make prolonged stays in the operator's station unpleasant and, in the long term, potentially harmful to health. Because the operator is confined to the station, their work is limited to a restricted area. Flexible control of the paving process is not possible due to this confinement. EP-A-2963181 discloses a generic road paver in which an operator can also perform controls outside the operator's station.From DE-A-102016004197 a soil milling machine with a mobile unit is known, wherein the mobile unit is intended for transmitting suggested values ​​for dosing and / or process parameters.

[0004] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to create a control engineering method for operating a chassis, a material conveyor, a storage container, a distribution screw and / or a screed of a self-propelled road paver, which ensures an increased level of safety for the operator.

[0005] A method for solving this problem comprises the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the chassis and / or at least one further component or working component of the road construction machine is remotely controlled by an operator located outside the operator's station via a transmitter module, wherein control data is exchanged between the transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) or between the transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) of the chassis (11) or of the material conveyor, the storage hopper (14), the distribution screw (15), or the screed (16), wherein the transmitter module (23) directly controls a CAN bus system for the exchange of data for controlling the chassis (11) and the material conveyor, the storage hopper (14), the distribution screw (15), or the screed (16).wherein the transmitting module (23) sends individual control commands to the receiving module (24) or wherein groups of several control commands are transmitted, wherein several commands are executed automatically by the group of control commands, and wherein the transmitting module (23) is identified, in particular verified, by the receiving module (24) before the execution of a control command. This remote control gives the operator spatial flexibility, enabling them to walk around the road construction machine during its operation in order to closely monitor all components or to check the installation process of the construction machine in great detail. The transmitting module can be designed as a handheld device with an integrated processor and suitable transmitting and receiving means as well as input means.

[0006] Another method for solving this problem comprises the measures of claim 2. Accordingly, it is provided that the chassis (11) and the material conveyor, the storage container (14), the distribution screw (15) or the installation screed (16) are remotely controlled via a transmitter module (23), wherein control data is exchanged between the transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) or between the transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) of the chassis (11) or the material conveyor, the storage container (14), the distribution screw (15) or the installation screed (16), wherein the transmitter module (23) directly controls a CAN bus system for the exchange of control data for the chassis (11) and the material conveyor, the storage container (14), the distribution screw (15) or the installation screed (16) of at least one further component.wherein the transmitting module (23) sends individual control commands to the receiving module (24) or wherein groups of several control commands are transmitted, wherein several commands are executed automatically by the group of control commands, and wherein the transmitting module (23) is identified, in particular verified, by the receiving module (24) before the execution of a control command. This gives the operator spatial flexibility, enabling them to walk around the road construction machine during its operation in order to closely monitor all components or to check the installation process of the construction machine in particular detail. The transmitting module can be designed as a handheld device with an integrated processor and suitable transmitting and receiving means as well as input means.

[0007] Furthermore, another advantageous embodiment of the present invention can consist in the transmitter module directly controlling a CAN bus system of a control unit of the road paver, preferably a CAN bus system of the chassis or the at least one other component, for the exchange of data for controlling the chassis and / or the at least one other component. This direct control of the CAN bus system allows the operator to directly access the function of the individual components or the chassis for control purposes. It is also conceivable that the connection between the transmitter module and the receiver module can be reprogrammed as needed, so that the transmitter module can also communicate with other CAN bus protocols of individual components or of the road construction machine.

[0008] Preferably, it can also be provided that, before a control command is executed, the transmitting module is identified, in particular verified, by the receiving module of a control unit or by the receiving module of the chassis or at least one other component. For example, on a construction site where several construction machines are operated using the method described here, it can be ensured that a paver is operated only with the one transmitting module designated for that specific paver. For identification or verification between the transmitting module and the receiving modules, the exchange of a security code or a corresponding identifier can be provided, for example. Only after successful verification or identification by a control unit, if applicable, are the commands transmitted by the transmitting module executed by the chassis or one of the other components.If the transmitter module is not successfully identified or verified, this can be indicated by an acoustic or visual signal. Appropriate signaling devices for generating this signal can, for example, be assigned to the transmitter module, so that the person equipped with this transmitter module is directly informed of the unsuccessful verification.

[0009] Preferably, the invention can also provide that individual control commands are sent from the transmitter module to the receiver module of a control unit or to the receiver module of the chassis or at least one other component, or that groups of several control commands are transmitted, wherein several commands are executed automatically by the group of control commands, preferably in a defined sequence. These groups of control commands can be compiled, for example, by a design office before the road paver is put into operation. In this way, several individual commands can be combined into a routine or group for the execution of a specific work step, such as leveling the screed. Through this programming of command groups, a complete work step can be initiated or executed by a single command.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention can consist of wirelessly exchanging data between the receiving module and the transmitting module. This wireless exchange can be achieved, in particular, via radio, laser, WLAN, or the like. This wireless transmission of commands provides the operator with even greater flexibility, as their range of motion is not restricted by the length of a cable. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the transmitting module is connected to the receiving module via a cable. Such a wired connection offers the advantage of a particularly secure connection and allows the transmitting module to be supplied with electrical power in addition to the rapid exchange of data.

[0011] Furthermore, it may be preferably provided that the transmitter module is placed in a mounting device on the road construction machine, in particular the operator's platform, for direct data transmission with the receiver module and / or for charging the transmitter module's energy storage device. By mounting the transmitter module in this device, it can also be used as a conventional control device from the road paver or the operator's platform. Thus, if the situation requires or permits, the road paver can also be controlled and monitored conventionally and directly from the paver or the operator's platform. If the control system allows, the operator can then remove the transmitter module from the mounting device and move from the road paver or the operator's platform to the immediate vicinity of the paver without relinquishing the ability to control the paver.While the transmitter module is placed in the mounting device, its energy storage device, specifically the battery, is charged. After the asphalt paver has finished operating, the transmitter module can prompt the operator to place it back into the mounting device on the operator's platform. The batteries are also charged during this standby mode.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention may provide that the commands transmitted by the transmitter module are categorized into driving commands, work commands, and special commands. Various commands can be assigned to these individual command categories. For example, the category "driving commands" includes commands related to the acceleration and steering of the asphalt paver, as well as the selection of speed. The category "work commands" includes commands relating to the material feed rate, paving width, paving thickness, paving speed, and the like. The category "special commands" includes commands for the transport or road travel of the asphalt paver, and the like.

[0013] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention consists in the receiving module sending feedback signals to the transmitting module when a command is incompatible with a previous command or when the condition of the paver, in particular the chassis and / or at least one other component, does not permit the execution of the command. For example, if it is determined that the paver's material hopper is empty, no road construction material can be transported in front of the screed (viewed in the direction of paving). Rather, the transport of the road construction material in front of the screed can only be initiated if there is sufficient road construction material in the hopper. This generation of a feedback signal prevents malfunctions in the remote control of the paver.Particularly when the operator is not in the immediate vicinity of the paver, such feedback signals or information can prevent unwanted interruptions in operation. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the operator could receive continuous feedback via the transmission module regarding the status of the individual components of the paver, allowing for the early detection of any shortage of road construction material and the initiation of appropriate countermeasures.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0015] The only figure in the drawing shows a side view of a self-propelled road paver with an operator.

[0016] To describe the method according to the invention, a road paver 10 is shown by way of example in the figure.

[0017] The road paver 10, shown as an example in the figure, has a chassis 11, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a crawler chassis. However, the chassis 11 of the road paver 10 can also be designed as a wheeled chassis. The road paver 10 is self-propelled. For this purpose, the chassis 11 is driven by a drive unit 12 such that the road paver 10 can move in the paving direction 13. The road paver 10 can also be driven in a self-propelled manner such that movement occurs in the opposite direction to the paving direction 13.

[0018] Viewed in the direction of production 13, a trough- or basin-shaped storage container 14 is arranged in front of the drive unit 12. The storage container 14 serves to hold a supply of the material used to produce the road surface, in particular an asphalt mixture. A conveyor, in particular a scraper conveyor (not shown in the figure), transports the material from the storage container 14 against the direction of production 13 to the rear of the road paver 10, specifically to a distribution screw 15. The distribution screw 15 is arranged behind the drive unit 12. The distribution screw 15 extends transversely to the direction of production 13 and serves to distribute the material evenly across the entire working width of the road paver 10.

[0019] Viewed in the direction of production 13, a paving screed 16 is arranged behind the distribution screw 15. The paving screed 16 is suspended from support arms 17 so that they can move up and down. The support arms 17 are pivotally mounted on the chassis 11. The paving screed 16 can be a single-piece screed 16, whose width is fixed, or a multi-piece screed 16 consisting of a main screed and lateral sliding screeds, whereby the width of the screed and thus the paving width can be varied.

[0020] The installation plank 16 has a plank body 18 with a sliding plate 19 arranged underneath it. The installation plank 16 rests on the material to be installed with the underside of its sliding plate 19.

[0021] The drive unit 12 of the road paver 10 has an internal combustion engine. Preferably, this is a diesel engine. However, the drive unit 12 can also have other engines, possibly even several engines. The drive unit 12 also has at least one hydraulic pump driven by the internal combustion engine. This supplies hydraulic drives, in particular hydraulic motors, with the required energy. It is also conceivable that the internal combustion engine additionally or alternatively drives at least one generator that produces electricity for electric drives, in particular electric motors.

[0022] The operation of the road paver 10, as well as the control and monitoring of the listed components, such as the chassis 11, the drive unit 12, the hopper 14, the spreading auger 15, the screed 16, the support arms 17, and the like, can be controlled and monitored by an operator 20 from an operator station 21. For this purpose, a control unit 22 is located in the operator station 21. This control unit 22 allows the operation of the entire road paver 10 to be monitored and controlled. The control unit 22 can be connected to each of the aforementioned components via a CAN bus system. However, it is also conceivable that the road paver 10, or the road construction machine, does not have an operator station 21, but is at least almost entirely remotely controllable.

[0023] The control of the paver 10 and each of the aforementioned components can alternatively be carried out via a transmitter module 23. Data and commands for operating the paver 10 can be transmitted via this transmitter module 23 to a receiver module 24 assigned to the paver 10. This receiver module 24 can be directly connected to the control unit 22 and communicate with the individual components via the CAN bus system through this control unit 22. Alternatively, each of the aforementioned components of the paver 10 can have its own corresponding receiver module 24 for communication with the transmitter module 23. Communication between the receiver module 24 and the transmitter module 23 can be wireless.This offers the advantage that the operator 20 is not tied to the control station 21, but can instead remotely control the operation of the road paver 10 almost independently of location. Via the transmitter module 23, the operator 20 can either control the individual components via the control unit 22 or access the individual components directly.

[0024] For easier input or more convenient control of the road paver 10 via the transmitter module 23, the latter can have a display 25 or a display through which information can be visualized for the operator 20.

[0025] The road paver 10, or the operator station 21, in particular the control unit 22, can be equipped with a receptacle for receiving the transmitter module 23. This receptacle is designed such that the transmitter module 23 can be inserted into it in such a way that, when connected, it can serve as an input field for the control unit 22 on the operator station 21. With the transmitter module 23 inserted into the receptacle, the road paver 10 can be operated in the known manner. At the same time, a rechargeable energy storage device, in particular a battery, of the transmitter module 23 is charged in this state. Data exchange between the transmitter module 23 and the control unit 22 takes place directly in this connected state, i.e., via cable.

[0026] If necessary, expedient, or possible, the operator 20 can remove the transmitter module 23 from its mount and move away from the paver 10 or the operator station 21. The range for wireless communication between the transmitter module 23 and the receiver module 24 can be adjusted. Encrypted data transmission between the transmitter module 23 and the receiver module 24 prevents data transfer interference or confusion with other construction machinery.

[0027] Before the road paver 10 can be put into operation, the control unit 22 must verify that the transmitter module 23 is authorized to communicate with the receiver module 24. This can be done, for example, by exchanging an identifier.

[0028] Before commissioning the asphalt paver 10, various command routines, sequences, or groups of commands can be stored on the transmitting module 23 and the receiving module 24. This allows protocols or operating procedures to be prepared for each task, which can be initiated by a simple key combination and are preferably remotely controlled. This simplifies the operating process and improves operator comfort for the operator 20, as the operator does not need to be constantly present on the asphalt paver 10 or in the control station 21. This also reduces the time the operator 20 needs to spend directly on the asphalt paver 10. Reference symbol list:

[0029] 10 Paver 11 Chassis 12 Drive unit 13 Production direction 14 Hopper 15 Spreading screw 16 Screed 17 Support arm 18 Screed base 19 Sliding plate 20 Operator 21 Operator's station 22 Control unit 23 Transmitting module 24 Receiving module 25 Display

Claims

1. A method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) for producing a road covering comprising an undercarriage (11), which has driven tires or tracks, and at least one further component, namely one material conveyor, one storage container (14) for roadbuilding material, one spreading auger (15) and / or one paving screed (16), and an operator control station (21) which is arranged above the undercarriage (11), wherein the undercarriage (11) and the at least one further component are controlled from the operator control station (21) and / or from outside the latter by an operator (20), characterized in that the undercarriage (11) and the at least one component are remotely controlled by an operator (20), who is located outside the operator control station (21), via a transmitting module (23), wherein data for control purposes are exchanged between the transmitting module (23) and one receiving module (24) or between the transmitting module (23) and in each case one receiving module (24) of the undercarriage (11) and the at least one component, wherein a CAN bus system is directly actuated by the transmitting module (23) for exchanging data for controlling the undercarriage (11) and the at least one component, wherein individual control commands are transmitted to the receiving module (24) by the transmitting module (23) or groups of several control commands are transmitted, wherein several commands are executed in an automated manner by the group of control commands and wherein before the execution of a control command, the transmitting module (23) is identified, in particular verified, by the receiving module (24).

2. A method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) for producing a road covering comprising an undercarriage (11), which has driven tires or tracks, and at least one further component, namely one material conveyor, one storage container (14) for roadbuilding material, one spreading auger (15) and / or one paving screed (16), wherein the undercarriage (11) and the at least one further component are controlled by an operator (20), wherein at least one component can be controlled by an operator (20) who is not located on the road paver (10), characterized in that the undercarriage (11) and the at least one component are remotely controlled via a transmitting module (23), wherein data for control purposes are exchanged between the transmitting module (23) and one receiving module (24) or between the transmitting module (23) and in each case one receiving module (24) of the undercarriage (11) and the at least one component, wherein a CAN bus system is directly actuated by the transmitting module (23) for exchanging data for controlling the undercarriage (11) and the at least one component of at least one further component, wherein individual control commands are transmitted to the receiving module (24) by the transmitting module (23) or groups of several control commands are transmitted, wherein several commands are executed in an automated manner by the group of control commands and wherein before the execution of a control command, the transmitting module (23) is identified, in particular verified, by the receiving module (24).

3. The method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a CAN bus system of a control unit (22) of the road paver (10), preferably a CAN bus system of the undercarriage (11) or of the at least one further component, is directly actuated by the transmitting module (23) for exchanging data for controlling the undercarriage (11) and / or at least one further component.

4. The method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, before the execution of a control command, the transmitting module (23) is identified, in particular verified, by the receiving module (24) of a control unit (22), or by the receiving module (24) of the undercarriage (11) or of the at least one further component.

5. The method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that individual control commands are transmitted to the receiving module (24) of a control unit (22), or to the receiving module (24) of the undercarriage (11) or of the at least one further component by the transmitting module (23), or in that groups of several control commands are transmitted, wherein several commands are executed in an automated manner by the group of control commands.

6. The method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data are exchanged between the receiving module (24) and the transmitting module (23) in a wireless manner, in particular via radio, laser, WLAN or the like, or in a wired manner.

7. The method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitting module (23) is placed into a receiving apparatus on the operator control station (21) for direct data transmission with the receiving module (24) and / or for charging an energy store of the transmitting module (23).

8. The method for operating a self-propelled road paver (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that feedback signals are transmitted from the receiving module (24) to the transmitting module (23) when a command is not compatible with a preceding command, or the state of the road paver (10), in particular of the undercarriage (11) and / or of the at least one further component, does not permit the execution of the command.

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