Vibrating plate for compacting a ground base and method for operating a vibrating plate
The vibratory plate compactor automates direction control and auxiliary functions using an acceleration measuring device and control unit, improving operational efficiency and safety by optimizing resource use.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BOMAG GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-17
AI Technical Summary
Vibratory plates for soil compaction are complex to operate, leading to operational interruptions due to manual settings and lack of automation in direction control and auxiliary functions.
A vibratory plate compactor equipped with an acceleration measuring device, control unit, and on-board electrical system that automatically controls auxiliary devices like lighting and sprinkler systems based on acceleration data, enabling efficient and safe operation.
Enhances operational ease and safety by automating direction control and auxiliary functions, reducing manual intervention and optimizing resource use.
Smart Images

Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a vibratory plate for compacting a subsoil and a method for operating a vibratory plate.
[0002] Vibratory plates are used to compact soil and are typically moved across the soil to be compacted. The vibratory plate includes a ground contact plate, which rests on the soil. To compact the soil, the ground contact plate may be subjected to vibrations generated by a vibration excitation device, usually comprising at least one or more unbalanced exciters. A vibratory plate is disclosed, for example, in EP3491193A1. Vibratory plates are known which, due to an inclination of their maximum vibration amplitude, effect a forward movement by means of the vibration excitation device. This movement may be limited to a forward direction. Such vibratory plates are also referred to as forward-moving vibratory plates.However, it is also possible for the inclination of the maximum vibration amplitude of the vibration excitation device to be variable, thus allowing for selective forward or reverse propulsion. Depending on the specific design of the vibration excitation device, cornering may also be possible. Such vibratory plates can also be referred to as reversible vibratory plates. Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the vibratory plate does not produce any forward or reverse propulsion while the vibration excitation device is operating. This operating state can be described as stationary vibration.
[0003] Even though vibratory plate compactors are often relatively small machines in the construction machinery sector, operating them is still comparatively complex, as many settings, for example, have to be made manually. This can lead to interruptions during operation.
[0004] Starting from this premise, the object of the invention is to provide a way to improve the operation of a vibratory plate.
[0005] The problem is solved using a vibratory plate compactor for compacting a subsoil and a method for operating a vibratory plate compactor according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.
[0006] There are various basic design options for vibratory plate compactors. For example, they may include a ground contact plate for compacting the subsoil. This plate, made of steel, for instance, forms the ground contact element of the vibratory plate. The ground contact plate can be curved upwards vertically at its respective ends when viewed from the forward and reverse directions of the vibratory plate. This prevents the ground contact plate from digging into the subsoil during operation. The ground contact plate can also be referred to as the base of the vibratory plate compactor.
[0007] The ground contact plate may be connected to a support plate, particularly via vibration-isolating damping elements. The support plate may be a support structure, particularly a machine frame-like structure, for other components of the vibratory plate compactor, such as a drive motor and / or one or more operating fluid tanks and / or one or more electrical energy storage devices, particularly batteries, etc. This support plate may also be referred to as the superstructure of the vibratory plate compactor.
[0008] The vibratory plate compactor also includes at least one drive motor. This at least one drive motor can, for example, be an internal combustion engine. Alternatively, or in addition, the at least one drive motor can also be an electric motor. The vibratory plate compactor can also comprise a hybrid drive unit with at least two drive motors. It is also possible for the vibratory plate compactor to have several electric drive motors. The at least one drive motor can be arranged on the support plate or directly on the ground contact plate. In particular, if the vibratory plate compactor has several drive motors, these can each be electric motors. One or more of these electric motors can be arranged directly on the ground contact plate.
[0009] The vibratory plate compactor further comprises a vibration excitation device driven by at least one drive motor. One task and function of the vibration excitation device is to subject the ground contact plate to vibrations. For this purpose, the vibration excitation device can, in particular, comprise one or more unbalance exciters. The unbalance exciters can be unbalance exciters with variable or static eccentricity. Variable eccentricity can be achieved, for example, by means of so-called counterweights, as disclosed, for example, in EP2390416B1. The drive of the one or more unbalance exciters of the vibration excitation device by the one or more drive motors can be carried out directly or by means of an intermediate drive gearbox, for example, in the form of a traction drive. It is also possible that parts orComponents of the respective vibratory exciter may also be parts or components of the drive motor, particularly an electric motor. For example, the rotor of an electric motor can simultaneously form part of a shaft of the vibratory exciter and / or an unbalanced mass of the vibratory exciter. Furthermore, the vibration excitation device can be designed and positioned such that it propels the vibratory plate forward, for example, by tilting its maximum resulting vibration amplitude relative to a vertical virtual axis in or against a forward direction of the vibratory plate. This tilt can be fixed, as is the case, for example, with a possible design of the vibratory plate as a so-called forward-moving vibratory plate. However, the tilt can also be adjustable so that it can be set between positions that cause propulsion in the forward or reverse direction.These types of vibratory plates are also known as reversible vibratory plates. The vibration excitation device can have one or more unbalanced masses rotating around a rotational axis and can be designed, for example, as a so-called rotary exciter or a so-called directional vibrator.
[0010] The vibratory plate compactor further comprises an acceleration measuring device designed to determine the acceleration of the compactor or at least a part thereof. The acceleration measuring device can, for example, be designed and arranged to determine the acceleration of the ground contact plate and / or a support plate. For this purpose, the acceleration measuring device can include one or more acceleration sensors. One or more of the acceleration sensors of the acceleration measuring device can, for example, be designed as capacitive accelerometers. Such accelerometers utilize changes in electrical capacitance to measure acceleration. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the acceleration sensors can be designed as piezoelectric accelerometers, which generate electrical charge and / or charge changes based on mechanical acceleration loads.Alternatively or additionally, the acceleration sensor(s) can also be designed as a so-called MEMS accelerometer (MEMS = "microelectromechanical system"). The acceleration measuring device is thus specifically designed to determine current acceleration values or actual acceleration values during operation of the vibratory plate. The determined acceleration values can be acceleration data and / or measured values / signals that correlate directly or indirectly with the acceleration values or actual acceleration values. It may be provided that the acceleration measuring device or the control unit determines or calculates specific absolute or relative acceleration values from one or more measured values of the acceleration sensor(s).
[0011] The vibratory plate compactor can further include a control unit, for example, in the form of a computer system with suitable software. This control unit can be designed and configured to receive and / or process data and / or signals from the acceleration measuring device. These data and / or signals are also referred to as acceleration measurements or acceleration values. This includes not only the actual acceleration values themselves, but also any signals and / or data that correlate with them. The transmission of these data and / or signals can be wireless and / or wired, for example, via an internal CAN bus. The control unit can be configured to determine the current direction and / or speed of the vibratory plate compactor from the data and / or signals received from the acceleration measuring device.The control unit can be structurally integrated into the acceleration measuring device or designed separately. Based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device, the control unit can detect whether the vibratory plate is moving forward, backward, or stationary. This can be done in conjunction with the simultaneous determination of the travel speed or independently. Simultaneously, the control unit can be configured to determine the degree of compaction, the progress of compaction, and / or one or more correlated parameters from the data and / or signals received by the acceleration measuring device.This can also be done independently of determining the current direction of travel and / or speed.
[0012] The vibratory plate compactor is designed to include an on-board electrical system. This system can be configured such that both the acceleration measuring device and the control unit can be supplied with the necessary electrical energy via the system. In this context, the term "on-board electrical system" refers specifically to at least one connection system for transmitting electrical energy between, and in particular from, the at least one electrical energy source to at least both the acceleration measuring device and the control unit. Naturally, other electrical energy consumers can also be connected to or supplied with electrical energy via the vibratory plate compactor's on-board electrical system, or the system can be configured accordingly.It is particularly preferred if all consumers of the vibratory plate that consume electrical energy during the operation of the vibratory plate are supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's electrical system from, in particular exclusively, one electrical energy source, or if the vibratory plate is designed in this way.
[0013] The specific design of the electrical power source can vary. The vibratory plate compactor may include a connection for an external electrical power source, such as a power cable. Additionally or alternatively, the compactor may also include one or more electrical energy storage devices, particularly in the form of one or more rechargeable electrical energy storage devices, such as one or more accumulators. The rechargeable electrical energy storage device(s) may be interchangeable, with "interchangeable" in this context meaning a quick-change process, ideally one that can be performed without tools. Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, the drive motor, in this case a combustion engine, may drive a generator optionally included with the compactor, which then acts as the electrical power source.It may be provided that the electrical energy generated by the electric generator is fed directly into the vehicle's electrical system and / or used to charge one or more rechargeable electrical energy storage devices.
[0014] The vibratory plate compactor also includes at least one auxiliary device switchable between at least two operating states. This auxiliary device is thus a component of the vibratory plate compactor that provides at least one additional functionality beyond the operation of the vibration excitation device and the acceleration measurement device itself. One of the operating states can be an activated state, in which the auxiliary device performs the intended additional functionality. The activated state can be static or variable within an operating range, for example, with regard to its intensity and / or orientation and / or the number of activated individual components, and in particular, controllable by the control unit. Another operating state can be a deactivated or inactivated state.In this state, the at least one auxiliary device may either be completely without power and / or the functionality provided by the at least one auxiliary device may not be executed.
[0015] The control unit can be designed to control, and in particular regulate, the switching of the auxiliary device between at least two operating states based on signals transmitted by the acceleration measuring device, especially acceleration values. This allows one or more control functions on the vibratory plate compactor to be performed by the control unit depending on the current operating situation and / or a change in the operating situation of the vibratory plate compactor. This can have a variety of effects on ease of operation and / or operational quality. On the one hand, it can reduce the scope of operation required by the operator and / or make the system more reliable.Furthermore, one or more of the functions performed by the one or more additional devices can be carried out more efficiently and / or economically, in particular, for example, in an energy- and / or resource-saving manner, as explained in more detail below by way of example.
[0016] It may be preferred if at least one, preferably several, and in particular all auxiliary devices of the vibratory plate compactor, for whose drive and / or operation electrical energy is required, are supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's electrical system or are connected to it. It is particularly preferred if the vibratory plate compactor or its electrical system is designed such that the control unit, the acceleration measuring device, and the at least one, preferably several, and in particular all auxiliary devices of the vibratory plate compactor, for whose drive and / or operation electrical energy is required, are supplied with electrical energy from a common electrical energy source via a common electrical system.
[0017] The vibratory plate compactor can be a hand-operated model. This model may be equipped with a hand-held guide, particularly in the form of a guide bar and / or a guide handle. The hand-held guide can be connected to the rest of the compactor, such as the ground contact plate or the support plate, via one or more vibration damping elements. Using the hand-held guide, an operator can manually control the direction of travel of the compactor, including steering it around curves. Alternatively or additionally, the compactor can be remotely controlled, for example, using a remote control. For this purpose, the compactor may have a suitable receiver designed to receive control commands entered by an operator via the remote control.The remote control can, in turn, have one or more input devices, such as a joystick, etc., as well as a transmitter through which control commands entered by an operator via the input device can be transmitted from the remote control. A wireless and / or wired signal transmission connection can be provided for transmitting control commands from the remote control to the vibratory plate compactor. Furthermore, or alternatively, the vibratory plate compactor can be designed or equipped for autonomous operation. In this case, the control unit can also generate direction, speed, and / or steering commands, particularly depending on the current external environment and / or a predefined work and / or movement plan for the vibratory plate compactor.
[0018] The acceleration measuring device for determining the acceleration behavior of the vibratory plate can be configured along an axis that ideally runs at least partially in and against the forward direction of the vibratory plate. The acceleration behavior can, in particular, include determining an absolute actual acceleration and / or a relative change in an actual acceleration. If the determination of the acceleration behavior is only along a single axis, this results in a one-dimensional determination of the acceleration behavior. It is preferred if the acceleration measuring device is configured to determine at least a two-dimensional acceleration behavior, or along at least two axes, in particular non-parallel or non-coaxial axes.It may be provided that the acceleration measuring device is designed to determine only two-dimensional acceleration behavior. These two axes therefore preferably extend, ideally when projected onto a common virtual reference plane, in two spatial directions that are at an angle to each other. Ideally, these two axes should be oriented relative to each other in such a way that they jointly define a measuring plane, in particular a measuring plane that extends in the vertical direction and in the forward direction of the vibrating plate, or that runs parallel to or coincident with a virtual reference plane defined by the forward and vertical directions.By determining the two-dimensional acceleration behavior in this way, it is possible to ascertain the acceleration values of a first and a second individual acceleration of the vibratory plate compactor along a measurement axis using the acceleration measuring device. Ideally, the measurement axes are oriented at an angle to each other, particularly perpendicular to each other, when projected onto a common virtual reference plane. With such an arrangement, it is possible to determine the vertical and horizontal acceleration components from the existing two-dimensional acceleration behavior. From the horizontal acceleration, for example, the control unit can determine the direction of movement or the current travel direction of the vibratory plate compactor. Simultaneously, it is possible, for example, to derive information about the compaction state from the vertical acceleration.to determine the degree of soil compaction and / or the progress of the current compaction process. This is described, for example, in EP3453799A1. Furthermore, or alternatively, the acceleration measuring device can also be used to determine three-dimensional acceleration behavior along at least three axes, particularly non-parallel or non-coaxial axes. In addition to determining, for example, a horizontal acceleration component in or against a forward direction and a vertical acceleration component, such an acceleration measuring device can also determine lateral acceleration or acceleration horizontal and perpendicular, particularly perpendicular, to the forward direction. This allows, for example, the determination of cornering behavior.
[0019] It is preferred if the acceleration measuring device and / or the control unit is designed to determine the current direction of travel and / or travel speed based on the signals or acceleration values transmitted by the acceleration measuring device. If the transmission of acceleration values is the focus here, this also includes the transmission of signals and / or data that correlate directly or indirectly with these acceleration values. In particular, the currently determined direction of travel and / or a change in the current direction of travel, whether towards a standstill and / or towards movement of the vibratory plate in a direction opposite to the current direction of travel, can preferably be used by the control unit as a trigger event to activate and / or deactivate the device.Switching the auxiliary device, or at least a part thereof, from a first operating state to a second operating state and / or vice versa can be used. The driving speed, or a change in driving speed, can preferably be used by the control unit as a trigger event to change the intensity and / or dosage of a function of the auxiliary device within an operating state.
[0020] It is possible that, in addition to switching the auxiliary device between at least two operating states depending on signals transmitted by the acceleration measuring device, in particular acceleration values, the acceleration measuring device and / or the control unit is also designed to determine a compaction progress and / or a degree of compaction and / or a correlated parameter based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device. This is therefore preferably also done on the basis of the signals determined by the acceleration measuring device, in particular acceleration values. The softer the subsoil, the higher the potential energy transfer from the vibratory plate into the subsoil and, in particular, the lower the vertical acceleration of the vibratory plate.
[0021] Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible that the acceleration measuring device and / or the control unit, in addition to switching the auxiliary device between at least two operating states depending on acceleration values transmitted by the acceleration measuring device, is also designed to determine a critical operating state based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device. A critical operating state can, for example, relate to a current operating state of the vibratory plate compactor that is not considered safe for an operator and / or the vibratory plate compactor itself and / or the surrounding area. This can be the case, for example, due to the nature of the ground itself, such as when the vibratory plate compactor is moved on steep terrain, on excessively soft ground, or over obstacles such as a step.Additionally or alternatively, a critical operating condition of the vibratory plate compactor can also occur due to wear and tear and / or a total or partial failure of individual components of the compactor, as can be the case, for example, with one or more worn and / or defective vibration damping elements between the ground contact plate and the support plate, etc. In these cases, abrupt and / or comparatively large changes in frequency and / or amplitude and / or acceleration may occur, and / or one or more defined threshold values for operating parameters within a non-critical range may be exceeded or fallen below, such as a maximum permissible vibration amplitude and / or maximum acceleration and / or acceleration change.If such a critical operating condition is detected, particularly by the control unit, the control unit can be configured to initiate one or more measures. For example, it can be provided that the control unit then stops the operation of the vibratory plate compactor, and in particular at least the operation of the vibration excitation device. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can initiate the output of one or more warning signals, in particular those perceptible to an operator visually, audibly, and / or haptically. In this case, the vibratory plate compactor preferably includes a device designed to output one or more such warning signals. This could be, for example, a loudspeaker, a vibration alarm device, and / or a visually perceptible display device.
[0022] Regarding the specific design of the at least one additional device, various embodiments can be used, for example. It is also possible for the vibratory plate to include several additional devices simultaneously.
[0023] The additional equipment can, for example, be a lighting device. A lighting device is a device designed to generate and emit light. In particular, it can be designed to illuminate a defined area, for example, defined by a cone of light emanating from a light source of the lighting device. This cone can, in particular, encompass a portion of the ground surface, especially a surface located in front of the vibratory plate compactor in the direction of its current travel, which the compactor will traverse if it continues moving in the same direction. The lighting device can be adjustable between an activated operating state that emits light and a deactivated operating state that does not emit light.It is now possible for the control unit to be designed in such a way that it controls the operation, in particular the activation and / or deactivation and / or switching, of the lighting device depending on a currently determined direction of travel. This can mean, in particular, that the control unit is designed in such a way that it activates the lighting device or a part thereof, for example, only when the lighting device illuminates an area located at least partially in front of the vibratory plate compactor in the direction of the current direction of travel.In this way, the lighting system can be activated by the control unit only when it would illuminate a ground area in front of the vibratory plate compactor in the direction of travel, and deactivated, for example, when it would illuminate a ground area behind the compactor in the direction of travel. This reduces the electrical energy consumption of the lighting system and limits its use to those operating situations and / or parts of the lighting system where its operation would be beneficial. In particular, this can increase the operating range of a fully electric vibratory plate compactor with a battery as its power source.The lighting system can include, for example, one or more spotlights, especially LED spotlights, as a light source.
[0024] It is possible for the lighting device to have at least two independently controllable lighting units, each with at least one light source. The two lighting units can be controlled independently by the control unit. Additionally or alternatively, a single lighting unit can also contain multiple light sources. The multiple light sources of a lighting unit can, for example, be partially or completely controllable only jointly by the control unit, or individually and independently of each other. Each lighting unit can define an illumination area. The illumination area thus refers to the area that is illuminated by the respective lighting unit when activated.The at least two lighting devices can be oriented in different directions to each other, in particular such that one lighting device emits light at least partially in the forward direction of the vibratory plate when activated, or its illumination area is at least partially oriented in the forward direction, and the at least one other lighting device emits light at least partially in the reverse direction of the vibratory plate when activated, or its illumination area is at least partially oriented in the reverse direction.The control unit can preferably be configured such that it activates, in particular only, the lighting device whose illumination area is directed in the direction of the current movement of the vibratory plate, and / or deactivates, in particular only, the lighting device whose illumination area is not directed in the direction of the current movement of the vibratory plate. It is therefore preferable if the control unit is configured such that it controls the lighting device in such a way that a change in the direction of travel of the vibratory plate results in a switch from the currently activated to a deactivated lighting device and, for example, at least partially overlapping or simultaneously, a switch from the currently deactivated lighting device to an activated lighting device.
[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the lighting device can also be designed as a projection device, in particular a laser pointer. The projection device can, for example, be configured to project the current path of the vibratory plate compactor onto the ground surface in front of the compactor in the direction of travel. This can, for example, facilitate the operation of a hand-held or remote-controlled vibratory plate compactor, as the operator is thus shown the current and future path of the compactor on the ground surface. For the operation of an autonomously operating vibratory plate compactor, such a projection device can, for example, serve as a safety device for persons in close proximity to the compactor, enabling them to better assess whether the compactor is currently on a potential collision course with them.
[0026] The control unit can be designed such that the lighting device, or its one or more light sources, brightens abruptly when activated and / or dims abruptly when deactivated. However, it may be preferable if the brightening and / or dimming controlled by the control unit is stepless, similar to a dimming function, or if the control unit is designed accordingly, in order to avoid, for example, abrupt changes in brightness that are often perceived as unpleasant when operating the vibratory plate compactor in the dark.
[0027] It may be additionally or alternatively provided that the vibratory plate compactor has a sprinkler system as an accessory. In this context, a sprinkler system refers to a device by which a fluid, in particular water, can be discharged from the vibratory plate compactor during operation, for example, to moisten the ground surface in front of the compactor in the direction of travel. It can be advantageous if the control unit is designed in such a way that it controls the operation of the sprinkler system depending on a currently determined direction of travel. The current direction of travel and / or any changes thereto can preferably be monitored or determined by the control unit from the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device.For the operation of the sprinkler system, it may be provided that it is connected to the on-board power supply via one or more parts thereof.
[0028] The sprinkler system can further comprise one or more valves, in particular those that are electrically switchable and / or adjustable. These valves can, for example, be adjustable between a closed position and a released position. It is also possible for them to be continuously or incrementally adjustable within an opening range to different released positions. By changing the released position within the opening range, it is possible to provide different opening cross-sections and thus different flow rates. Additionally or alternatively, the sprinkler system can include one or more outlet openings, which are specifically designated as discharge openings through which the fluid, in particular water, can exit the sprinkler system into the external environment or exits during active sprinkler operation. These outlet openings can, for example, be designed as discharge nozzles.The outlet openings can be structurally separated from one another or integrated into structurally connected units, particularly on one or more spray bars. The outlet openings of a spray bar can include a central common valve, allowing the operation of multiple outlet openings to be controlled simultaneously via a single valve. It is also possible for the outlet openings of a spray bar to each have individual valves, enabling each outlet opening or group of outlet openings to be operated individually and independently, for example, opened or closed.
[0029] The spray device can be designed to include a front spray section, with its outlet opening(s) directed forward of the ground contact plate when viewed from the front, and a rear spray section, with its outlet opening(s) directed forward of the ground contact plate when viewed from the rear. Each spray section can include at least one outlet opening, and in particular, each can include a spray bar with several outlet openings, especially those arranged horizontally and transversely to the forward direction. The outlet openings, and in particular the spray bars, can be connected to the tank via a fluid line system, which is at least partially shared, or via separate line systems. Each spray section can be assigned one or more individual switching valves, and / or both spray sections can be connected to the tank via a common valve.The common valve can be, in particular, a 3 / 2-way valve that allows both spray heads to be deactivated or activated simultaneously. A 3 / 3-way valve can also be used, which, for example, can be adjusted between the operating states "spraying front activated and rear deactivated," "spraying front deactivated and rear activated," and "spraying front and rear deactivated." Instead of the "spraying front and rear deactivated" function, a "spraying front and rear activated" function can also be provided. Alternatively, a 3 / 4-way valve can be used, which allows the following positions: "spraying front activated and rear deactivated," "spraying front deactivated and rear activated," "spraying front and rear deactivated," and "spraying front and rear activated." "Front" refers to the front spray head and "rear" to the rear spray head.In particular, the control unit may be designed to activate the spray nozzle located at the front of the vibratory plate compactor and deactivate the spray nozzle located at the rear, depending on the current direction of travel. Thus, if the vibratory plate compactor is currently traveling forward, the forward spray nozzle would be activated and the reverse spray nozzle deactivated. If the vibratory plate compactor then reverses direction, the control unit may be designed to deactivate the forward spray nozzle and activate the reverse spray nozzle. This transition can also be abrupt or stepless.Should the vibratory plate compactor be operated, at least temporarily, in a stationary vibration mode where the vibration excitation device transmits vibrations to the ground contact plate but does not generate a forward thrust, the control unit can be configured to deactivate or not activate both the forward and reverse spraying sections, or alternatively, activate or not deactivate them. One advantage of this control system is that fluid is only applied to the ground in areas that the vibratory plate compactor is expected to traverse, thus enabling a comparatively more efficient use of the resources carried by the compactor.
[0030] The sprinkler system can therefore include at least one fluid tank, in particular a water tank. This tank can be permanently attached to the vibratory plate compactor or, in particular, be removable without tools, so that it can be removed from the compactor at the end of a work operation and / or attached to the compactor only when needed. It can include a drain valve, in particular a manually operated one. Two or more tanks can also be provided. These can be connected to each other by a fluid-conducting connection or not have a fluid-conducting connection. The sprinkler system can include one or more level sensors. These can be designed to determine and / or monitor the fill level of the water tank(s). This can also include monitoring whether one or more fill level thresholds are exceeded or fallen below.It may be preferable if the electrical energy required for the operation of the level sensor(s) is supplied by the vehicle's electrical system, or if the level sensor(s) are thus connected to the vehicle's electrical system. One or more signal transmission lines may be provided, through which the level sensor(s) transmit their sensor data to the control unit. The control unit may be designed to stop the water withdrawal from the fluid tank(s), particularly when a level threshold is undershot. This can be achieved, for example, by switching one or more valves and / or by deactivating the operation of a fluid pump.It is possible that a forward spraying section and a reverse spraying section of the sprinkler system each have their own tank, or that a tank is enclosed by the vibrating plate, from which the forward spraying section and simultaneously the reverse spraying section can be supplied with fluid via a suitable fluid line system.
[0031] Fluid can be drawn from the fluid tank(s) by gravity. However, the spray system may also include one or more pumps, particularly those controlled by the control unit. These pumps can preferably also be connected to the vehicle's electrical system and supplied with power from the vibratory plate's electrical source. If the spray system has a forward spray section and a reverse spray section, it may be possible to use a single pump for both, or to have separate pumps for the forward and reverse spray sections. The pump may be designed to draw fluid from the tank(s) using suction.Alternatively, the pump can also be designed as a pressure pump in such a way that it pushes fluid contained in the tank out of it, for example by pumping air into the tank.
[0032] To control the spray system, the control unit can be designed to allow or block the fluid outlet, in particular by switching one or more valves and / or activating and / or deactivating the operation of one or more pumps. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can also be designed to vary the extent of the fluid outlet or the flow rate. This allows for metering of the fluid quantity applied per unit of time and / or distance. Overall, this enables more economical use of the total fluid volume available at the vibratory plate compactor.This can be achieved by varying one or more operating parameters of the one or more pumps, for example the speed and / or, if possible, the displacement volume, and / or the one or more valves, for example the number of activated / deactivated valves and / or the opening width of one or more valve passage openings.
[0033] The additional device may also be a supplementary or alternative environmental monitoring device. In this case, the control unit may be designed to operate the environmental monitoring device based on the currently detected direction of travel. The specific design of the environmental monitoring device may vary.
[0034] For example, it is possible that it includes one or more cameras. Specifically, one of the cameras could have a recording area directed forward of the vibratory plate, and another camera could have a recording area directed backward. Additionally or alternatively, the vibratory plate could also include a camera adjustable between different recording directions, in particular a camera whose recording area is adjustable between a forward-facing and a backward-facing position. The camera(s) could, for example, be 3D cameras.The control unit can be configured to activate the camera located at the front of the vibratory plate compactor, depending on the current direction of travel, and deactivate the camera located at the rear, and / or adjust the camera's position so that its field of view is always aligned with the direction of travel. The one or more cameras can be connected to the vibratory plate compactor's electrical system and thus powered by the compactor's electrical power source. One or more data transmission lines can be provided between the camera(s) and the control unit. The control unit can be designed to include a computer program for image processing and / or analysis. This program can be configured, for example, for object and / or obstacle detection.The control unit may be configured to stop the vibratory plate's movement in the direction of travel upon identification of objects and / or obstacles detected in the current path of the vibratory plate, particularly when a defined distance threshold is breached, and / or to issue an audible, visual, and / or haptic warning message. One or more display devices may be integrated into the vibratory plate for this purpose, as described in more detail below.
[0035] Additionally or alternatively, the vibratory plate's environmental monitoring system may include one or more protective fields. For example, one of these protective fields may extend further forward in the vibratory plate's direction of travel, while another may extend further backward in the direction of travel and / or be oriented in the respective direction. The control unit may activate the protective field extending further in the direction of travel and deactivate the field extending further away. If the vibratory plate reverses direction, the control unit may be configured to switch from one protective field to the other.A protective field can be achieved, for example, by means of distance sensors, in particular ultrasonic and / or laser sensors, arranged on the vibratory plate compactor. These distance sensors can detect potential obstacles located in front of the compactor in the direction of travel, such as a curb or similar. The distance sensors can be connected to the vehicle's electrical system for power supply and transmit their measurement data to the control unit via one or more signal transmission lines. Additionally or alternatively, the protective field(s) can be generated and displayed using a transmitter-receiver system, in particular by means of ultrasound or IR radiation, but especially on an RFID basis, i.e., with electromagnetic waves in the LF (low-frequency) range, specifically in the range of 30 to 300 kHz, particularly preferably at a frequency of 125 kHz.The vibratory plate compactor may be equipped with a forward direction transmitter and a reverse direction transmitter, both of which can be, or already are, connected to the vehicle's electrical system for power supply from the electrical power source. The signal emitted by one or more of the vibratory plate compactor's transmitters may be answered by a response unit positioned externally to the compactor, such as a remote control and / or an operator carrying a response unit. This response unit may be designed, for example, as a passive or active transponder. To receive the response signal emitted by the transponder, the vibratory plate compactor may, in turn, include one or more receiving units. These may also be assigned to a forward and / or a reverse direction. The one or more receiving units may be connected to the vehicle's electrical system.One or more signal transmission lines may be present, via which one or more receiving units transmit the response signals they receive to the control unit. Based on these response signals, if the control unit detects, for example, that an operator and / or a remote control and / or an obstacle is located below a minimum distance and / or outside a maximum distance, or outside and / or inside a protective field and / or within the current travel path, the control unit may be configured to stop the vibratory plate's movement in the direction of the current movement and / or issue an audible and / or visual and / or haptic warning message.
[0036] In principle, the change from an activated state to a deactivated state of an auxiliary device or part thereof, and from a deactivated state to an activated state of another auxiliary device or part thereof, can occur simultaneously and abruptly, particularly when the control unit detects a change in the current direction of travel of the vibratory plate. However, it may be preferable if the control unit is designed to control the activation of a currently deactivated auxiliary device or part thereof and the deactivation of a currently activated auxiliary device or part thereof in an overlapping manner, in particular by switching between them. This applies especially to functionally identical auxiliary devices and / or parts thereof; for example, the sprinkler system, the environmental monitoring system, and / or the lighting system.This allows for an overlap period in which the auxiliary device to be deactivated, or a part thereof, and the auxiliary device to be activated, or a part thereof, are both activated simultaneously. The control unit can be designed to perform or control this overlapping switchover.
[0037] There are also various options regarding the design and configuration of the vehicle's electrical system. Ideally, the electrical system is designed such that the acceleration measuring device and the control unit are both supplied with electrical power via the system. It is also preferable if the electrical system is designed such that one or more of the auxiliary devices, in particular all electrically consuming auxiliary devices, are connected to the electrical system and supplied with electrical power from the vibratory plate's electrical power source. Most preferred is if all electrically consuming components of the vibratory plate are connected to the electrical system together or are supplied with electrical power from a single electrical power source.
[0038] Such an additional consumer of electrical energy can, for example, be at least one display device preferably encompassed by the vibratory plate, connected to the vehicle's electrical system and supplied with electrical energy by it. This can be, for example, a visually perceptible display, specifically one or more illuminated displays, or a display screen, especially a touch-sensitive display screen (touchscreen), and / or an acoustically perceptible display, such as one or more loudspeakers, and / or a haptically perceptible display, such as a vibration alarm.The display device can be designed to display warnings, for example in the event of a critical operating condition, and / or a compaction progress and / or degree of compaction and / or a corresponding parameter, a fill level, a current direction of travel, an operating frequency, one or more preset parameters, a maintenance interval, etc.
[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the further consumer of electrical energy can be a storage device. This device can be designed to store setpoint and / or operating data. The storage device can include a documentation module configured to store and document the total acceleration load of the vibratory plate determined by the acceleration measuring device. The control unit can be configured to display and / or adjust maintenance intervals based on the documented total acceleration load and / or to detect critical operating conditions and / or display them via the display device.
[0040] The vibratory plate compactor may include one or more inverter units or power converters integrated into the vehicle's electrical system. The inverter unit may be a device that converts a direct current (DC) voltage into an alternating current (AC) voltage or vice versa, and / or modifies an AC frequency, and / or varies a voltage. The electrical system may be designed such that, with the aid of at least one inverter unit, at least two sections of the electrical system can be operated simultaneously with different voltage levels, current types (AC and DC), and / or AC frequencies from the same electrical power source. Specifically, this may include, for example, a high-voltage section, such as for operating one or more electric motors driving the unbalanced exciters of the vibration excitation system.At the same time, a low-voltage section may be included, for example for operating the control unit, the acceleration measuring device, one or more of the auxiliary devices, etc.
[0041] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a vibratory plate compactor, in particular a vibratory plate compactor according to the invention, as described above. The preceding information on the possible configuration of individual components of the vibratory plate compactor according to the invention is therefore referred to both individually and in combination with a vibratory plate compactor according to the invention for the method according to the invention.
[0042] The method according to the invention can, in step a), comprise determining acceleration values using an acceleration measuring device during the operation of the vibratory plate compactor, in particular an acceleration measuring device as described above. In step b), at least one auxiliary device switchable between at least two operating states can be controlled depending on the detected acceleration values. The control can be carried out by a control unit, in particular as described above. Using the method according to the invention, it is thus possible to use the acceleration information determined via the acceleration measuring device to control one or more auxiliary devices and / or parts thereof, thereby enabling the use and operation of one or more auxiliary devices adapted to the current operating conditions of the vibratory plate compactor.Step a) generally includes, in particular, determining specific acceleration values and / or signals and / or data that correlate directly or indirectly with specific acceleration values.
[0043] It may be provided that the determination of acceleration values in step a) includes the determination of two- or three-dimensional acceleration behavior. In this case, it may be provided that, for example, the control unit identifies acceleration values from the two- or three-dimensional acceleration behavior that enable the control unit to determine the current direction of travel and / or travel speed. These may, in particular, be acceleration values or acceleration value components that relate to accelerations within a virtual horizontal reference plane, especially in and / or against a forward direction of the vibratory plate. Accordingly, it may be preferred that, in step a), a current direction of travel and / or travel speed is determined from the determined acceleration values, specifically by the acceleration measuring device or by the control unit.
[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the control in step b) comprises controlling an operation, in particular an activation and / or deactivation and / or switching and / or dosing, of a sprinkler device and / or controlling an operation, in particular an activation and / or deactivation and / or switching, of a lighting device and / or controlling an operation, specifically in particular an activation and / or deactivation, of an environmental monitoring device, each ideally depending on a currently determined direction of travel of the vibratory plate.With these measures, it can be achieved using the method according to the invention that this one or these several additional devices and / or parts thereof are activated in the direction of the current direction of travel of the vibratory plate and deactivated in the direction opposite to the current direction of travel of the vibratory plate, thereby enabling, for example, a more efficient operation with regard to the energy resources and / or operating fluids required for the use of the vibratory plate and / or the amount of data to be processed by the control unit.
[0045] It can be advantageous if, in step b), the control process includes activating a currently deactivated auxiliary device or part thereof and deactivating a currently activated auxiliary device or part thereof, with the respective activation and deactivation of the currently activated auxiliary device or part thereof occurring simultaneously. In particular, the deactivation of one auxiliary device or part thereof can only occur after the activation of another auxiliary device or part thereof. This allows the switching to occur simultaneously, overlapping in time and extending over a period of time.The length of this transition period, during which both auxiliary devices and / or parts of the same auxiliary device are activated simultaneously, can be statically fixed or variable. In particular, it is possible for this length to be dynamically varied by the control unit, depending, for example, on the travel speed and / or acceleration of the vibratory plate. This can increase operational reliability during the switching process.
[0046] The acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device can be used to obtain further information about the operation of the vibratory plate compactor. For example, in step b), it may be possible to additionally determine the compaction progress and / or degree of compaction or a correlated parameter and / or to identify the presence of a critical operating condition based on the recorded acceleration values. Thus, without requiring additional sensors, the control unit can derive multiple pieces of information from the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device.
[0047] It is preferred if, during operation of the vibratory plate compactor, the acceleration measuring device and the control unit are jointly supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's electrical system. It is further preferred if one or more of the auxiliary devices and / or one or more drive motors, one or more display devices, etc., are also connected to the vehicle's electrical system and, during operation of the vibratory plate compactor, are supplied via the vehicle's electrical system, ideally exclusively from a single, shared electrical power source of the vibratory plate compactor. Ideally, all electrical components of the vibratory plate compactor that require electrical energy for their operation are jointly supplied with electrical energy via the single vehicle's electrical system, and in particular exclusively from a single electrical power source of the vibratory plate compactor.
[0048] The method according to the invention may include displaying at least one direction of travel and / or a driving speed determined from currently determined acceleration values on a display device. Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that, in particular, the display also includes a degree and / or progress of compression and / or a parameter directly or indirectly correlated therewith, a critical operating condition, a fill level, a maintenance interval, etc.
[0049] It is also preferable if the total acceleration load of the vibratory plate, determined using the acceleration measuring device, is stored and documented in a documentation module of a storage device. This can also be displayed, in particular via a display device on the vibratory plate. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that the control unit adjusts a maintenance interval, in particular a displayed one, depending on the determined and documented total acceleration load.
[0050] It is possible that, within the scope of the inventive method, at least two sub-areas of the vehicle electrical system are simultaneously supplied with different voltage levels, in particular a high-voltage area and a low-voltage area, and / or current types, in particular direct current and alternating current, from a common electrical energy source using an inverter device.
[0051] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures. The figures schematically show: Fig. 1 a side view of a vibratory plate compactor; Fig. 2 a more detailed side view of the vibratory plate compactor made of Fig. 1Fig. 3 a functional diagram of a vibratory plate compactor; Fig. 4 a flowchart of a process; Fig. 5 a representation of the average travel speed of a vibratory plate compactor; Fig. 6 a profile of an operating state of a forward-acting auxiliary device or a forward-acting part of the auxiliary device; Fig. 7 a profile of an operating state of a reverse-acting auxiliary device or a reverse-acting part of the auxiliary device; Fig. 8 another profile of an operating state of a forward-acting auxiliary device or a forward-acting part of the auxiliary device; and Fig. 9 another profile of an operating state of a reverse-acting auxiliary device or a reverse-acting part of the auxiliary device.
[0052] Identical or similarly functioning components are designated with the same reference numerals in the figures. Components that are repeated in the figures are not necessarily designated separately in each figure.
[0053] Figure 1Figure 1 illustrates the components of a vibratory plate compactor 1. This compactor can comprise a ground contact plate 2, a drive motor 3, a vibration excitation device 4, an acceleration measuring device 5, and a control unit 6. The vibratory plate compactor 1 rests on a ground surface U via the ground contact plate 2. During operation, the vibration excitation device 4 can impart vibrations to the ground contact plate 2, causing it to further compact the ground surface. The ground contact plate 2 can also be referred to as the base. The drive motor 3 can be provided to power the vibration excitation device 4. This motor can be connected to the vibration excitation device 4 via a drive gearbox, such as a traction gearbox, or it can drive the device directly. The drive motor 3 can be, for example, an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.The vibratory plate 1 can include one or more drive motors 3. The vibration excitation device 4 can include one or more unbalanced exciters. It is possible that each of the unbalanced exciters is assigned a separate drive motor 3, in this case, in particular, an electric motor.
[0054] The vibratory plate 1 can be designed to operate autonomously, remotely controlled, and / or manually guided. For manual guidance, it can have a hand-guided device 5, for example, a guide handle or a guide drawbar. This can be set between a working position (in the Fig. 1 (shown with a solid line) and a jamming position that is at least partially swung in (in which Fig. 1 (shown with a dashed line) be adjustable.
[0055] Part of the vibratory plate 1 can also be an energy storage device 6. In the case of a drive motor 3 designed as an internal combustion engine, this can be, for example, a fuel tank, and in the case of a drive motor 3 designed as an electric motor, it can be, for example, one or more, in particular replaceable, accumulators.
[0056] The vibratory plate 1 can have an electrical energy source 7. This refers to a device from which and / or via which the vibratory plate 1 can obtain electrical energy, particularly for its operation. The electrical energy source 7 can, for example, be an energy storage device 6 designed as a battery and / or a connection of the vibratory plate 1 to an external electrical power supply. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical energy source 7 can also be a generator encompassed by the vibratory plate 1, which is driven by the drive motor 3, preferably an internal combustion engine in this case.
[0057] It is possible that the vibratory plate has a support plate 8. This can be located in the Fig. 1Vibration damping elements (not shown) are connected to the base contact plate 2. The support plate and the elements it supports relative to the substructure can also be referred to as the superstructure. The support plate 8 can serve as a support structure, in particular a machine frame, to support one or more components of the vibratory plate compactor, such as the drive motor(s) 3, one or more energy storage devices 6, and / or the hand guide 5. The drive motor(s) 3 can also be arranged on the base contact plate 2.
[0058] The vibratory plate 1 can have an acceleration measuring device 9. This device can include one or more acceleration sensors. The acceleration measuring device 9 can be configured, in particular, to determine the acceleration of the vibratory plate 1, or at least a part thereof, such as, in particular, the ground contact plate 2 and / or the support plate 8, during operation of the vibratory plate 1. The acceleration measuring device 9 can be configured, in particular, to determine the acceleration behavior of the vibratory plate 1 in a vertical direction y and a horizontal direction x running in and against a forward direction A, or to determine a two-dimensional acceleration behavior of the vibratory plate 1 in the vertical direction and in the forward direction.Alternatively, it can also be provided that the acceleration measuring device 8 is designed to determine a three-dimensional acceleration behavior of the vibrating plate, specifically in the horizontal direction x in the forward direction A, in the vertical direction y as well as in the horizontal direction z perpendicular to the forward direction A.
[0059] The vibratory plate 1 can also include a control unit 10. The control unit 10 can be designed as a computer or at least comprise one and include one or more computer programs, in particular for performing one or more of the functions described in more detail below. It can be in a signal or data transmission connection with the acceleration measuring device 9 and, for example, be designed to determine an individual acceleration in the vertical direction y and / or in the horizontal direction x in or against the forward direction A from the total measured values of the acceleration measuring device.The control unit 10 can be configured, in particular, to determine the current direction of travel of the vibratory plate 1 based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device 9 during operation of the vibratory plate 1, for example, whether it is currently moving in or against the forward direction A or is in stationary vibration mode. The control unit can additionally or alternatively be configured to determine the current travel speed of the vibratory plate 1 and / or the presence or absence of a critical operating condition, such as a current inclination of the vibratory plate 1, and / or the progress and / or degree of compaction, based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device 9 during operation of the vibratory plate 1.
[0060] To supply at least the control unit 10 and the acceleration measuring device 9, the vibratory plate 1 can be mounted in Fig. 1 The electrical system 11 is shown only in a highly schematic form. In particular, the electrical system 11 can be configured to provide electrical energy transmission connections, for example, between the electrical power source 7 and the control unit 10 and the acceleration measuring device 9. It can also be configured to transmit electrical energy from the electrical power source 7 to the drive motor 3 and to one or more auxiliary devices 12 of the vibratory plate 1 that consume electrical energy during operation. Examples of such possible auxiliary devices 12 are described in more detail below.
[0061] The one or more auxiliary devices 12 can be switchable between at least a first and a second operating state, in particular controlled by the control unit 10, and especially depending on an evaluation by the control unit 10 of current acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device 9. A first operating state can, for example, be an activated operating state in which the auxiliary device 12 performs an additional function. A second operating state can, for example, be a deactivated operating state in which the auxiliary device 12 does not perform the additional function and is, in particular, passive.It is also possible that an additional device can perform 12 different additional functions, and that two or more operating states of such an additional device 12 differ from each other in that different parts of the respective additional device are activated and / or deactivated.
[0062] Fig. 2 illustrates a vibrating plate 1, for example starting from the one in Fig. 1The vibratory plate compactor 1 shown, with further possible design details. For example, the additional device 12 can be a sprinkler system 13. This can have one or more fluid tanks 14, in particular water tanks, in which a fluid, in particular water, is stored within the vibratory plate compactor 1 and can be carried along by it during operation. The fluid tank(s) 14 can be arranged interchangeably on the rest of the vibratory plate compactor or be permanently installed in it. The sprinkler system 13 can include one or more outlet openings 15 through which fluid, in particular water, can escape to the outside environment during operation of the vibratory plate compactor 1.The spraying device 13 can be provided with a forward outlet section 16 with at least one outlet opening 15, in particular a forward spray section, and a reverse outlet section 17 with at least one outlet opening 15, in particular a reverse spray section 7. The forward outlet section 16 can be configured such that the fluid exiting from its at least one outlet opening 15, viewed in the forward direction A of the vibratory plate 1, exits in front of or in front of the ground contact plate 2 towards the outside environment. The reverse outlet section 17 can be configured such that the fluid exiting from its at least one outlet opening 15, viewed against the forward direction A or in the reverse direction B of the vibratory plate 1, exits in front of or in front of the ground contact plate 2. The outlet openings 15 can be configured as one or more spray nozzles and have a spray area 18. In the exemplary embodiment according to the... Fig. 1For example, the forward outlet section 16 is activated and the reverse outlet section 17 is deactivated.
[0063] It can be provided that the reverse outlet section 17 and the forward outlet section 16 of the sprinkler system 13 are independently controllable by the control unit 10 and can thus be activated and / or deactivated separately or simultaneously. In the activated state of the reverse outlet section 17 and the forward outlet section 16, fluid exits into the external environment; in the deactivated state, no fluid exits. It can also be provided that the control unit 10 and / or the sprinkler system 13 are designed to activate and / or deactivate both the reverse outlet section 17 and the forward outlet section 16 simultaneously or separately and / or independently. For this purpose, the sprinkler system 13 can include one or more valves and / or pumps, as well as one or more piping systems, which are described in more detail below.The sprinkler system 13 can be connected to the on-board power supply of the vibratory plate 1.
[0064] The auxiliary device 13 or one of the auxiliary devices 13 of the vibratory plate compactor can additionally or alternatively be a lighting device 19. This can have one or more lighting devices 20 with one or more light sources 21. The light source(s) 21 can be, for example, LEDs or comparable light-emitting devices. Each of the lighting devices 20 can encompass an illumination area 22. This can be, for example, as in the Fig. 2shown, extending vertically downwards from top to bottom and forwards A or backwards B. Accordingly, the lighting device 19 can, for example, have a forward illumination section 23 and a backward illumination section 24. In the activated operating state, the lighting device 19, or at least a part of it, emits light, and in the deactivated operating state, it does not. The lighting device 19 can be connected to the electrical system of the vibratory plate 1 for power supply. The activation and / or deactivation of the lighting device 19, or at least parts of it, can be controlled by the control unit 10. In the case of the Fig. 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the forward illumination part 23 is activated and the reverse illumination part 24 is deactivated.
[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the supplementary device 13 can be an environmental monitoring device 25. This can, for example, comprise one or more transmitter-receiver devices 28 for emitting one or more protective fields, wherein, in the present embodiment, by way of example, a transmitter-receiver device 26 located at the front (as viewed in the forward direction A) for emitting a protective field 27 located at the front (as viewed in the forward direction A) and a transmitter-receiver device 28 located at the rear (as viewed in the forward direction A) can be included. The transmitter-receiver devices 26 and 28 can be used to receive a response signal, for example, by means of an external and in the Fig. 2The transponders (not shown) are configured to respond to the reception of one or both protective fields 27 and 29. The transmitter-receiver units 26 and 28 can be in data transmission communication with the control unit 10 and can also be connected to the on-board power supply of the vibratory plate 1. In the activated state, the one or more transmitter-receiver units 28 transmit one or more protective fields 27 and / or 29 and / or monitor the reception of one or more response signals. In the deactivated state, the one or more transmitter-receiver units 28 do not transmit a corresponding protective field and / or do not monitor the reception of one or more response signals.
[0066] The environmental monitoring device 25 can additionally or alternatively include one or more cameras and / or distance sensors. These can, in particular, comprise a front recording area or monitoring area 30 extending forward from the vibratory plate 1 in the forward direction A, and a rear recording area or monitoring area 31 extending backward in the opposite direction A or in the reverse direction B. Monitoring of the side areas and / or the area surrounding the vibratory plate 1 is also possible. According to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 2 The environmental monitoring device 25 may include a forward-facing camera 32 and / or a rear-facing camera 33 (and / or one or more cameras in the Fig. 1(Forward distance sensors and / or reverse distance sensors not shown in detail). The one or more cameras and / or distance sensors can be in data transmission communication with the control unit 10 and can also be connected to the on-board electrical system of the vibratory plate 1 for power supply. In the activated state, the one or more cameras can record images, in particular in the form of a video feed, and transmit them to the control unit 10, which includes a suitable computer program for image analysis, for further evaluation, for example, checking for objects and / or obstacles. In the deactivated state, however, no images are recorded, transmitted, or evaluated.
[0067] A further supplementary or alternative accessory 12 can be a projection device 34, for example in the form of a laser pointer. The projection device 34 can, for example, be designed such that it projects a current travel path of the vibratory plate 1 onto the ground, ideally at least in the direction of the current movement of the vibratory plate in or against the forward direction A, for example by means of a projection beam 35 emanating from the projection device 34. The projection device 34 can, for example, include a device directed in the forward direction A and / or a device directed in the reverse direction B, or be adjustable, for example, rotatable about a pivot axis D, between a position directed in the forward direction A and a position directed in the reverse direction B. The projection device 35 can be supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's electrical system and connected to it for this purpose.Furthermore, it can be controlled by the control unit 10. In the activated state, the projection device 35 emits a projection beam, and in the deactivated state it does not.
[0068] Further details on possible assembly and / or functional options of the vibratory plate 1, in particular how to adjust the Figure 1 and / or 2 explained, are in the Fig. 3The vibratory plate 1 can therefore include an electrical energy source 7, for example in the form of one or more accumulators. The electrical energy source 7 can supply an on-board electrical system 11 with electrical energy. The on-board electrical system 11 can be configured such that it supplies all electrical energy-consuming components of the vibratory plate 1 with electrical energy from the one or more electrical energy sources of the vibratory plate 1. It can also be provided that the on-board electrical system 11 comprises a first sub-section 36, for example a high-voltage section, and a second sub-section 37, for example a low-voltage section. The voltage in the high-voltage section 36 can be higher than the voltage in the low-voltage section 37.
[0069] The vehicle electrical system 11, for example, in particular, if present, one section, especially the high-voltage section 36, can be designed or configured, for example, to supply one or more drive motors 3, in particular electric motors, with electrical energy. The drive motor(s) 3 can be part of a drive system 38, which can drive the vibration excitation device 4, comprising, for example, one or more unbalance exciters. The drive system can also include one or more fans 39, which can be used to generate a cooling airflow, for example, to cool one or more electrical energy sources 7 and / or electrical energy-consuming devices, such as the one or more drive motors 3 and / or parts of the electrical energy source. In particular, the fan(s) 38 can also have their own [function / function], in the Fig. 3not shown, drive motor. This can also be connected to the other area of the vehicle electrical system, in particular the low-voltage area 37.
[0070] The vehicle electrical system 11, for example, in particular the low-voltage section 37 if present, can be designed or configured to supply electrical energy to other consumers in addition to the control unit 10 and the acceleration measuring device 9. For example, the acceleration measuring device 9 can be part of a sensor system 40 that may include further sensors, such as one or more level sensors 41 and / or one or more tilt sensors 42 and / or a position sensor (in particular in the form of a GNSS receiver) and / or a vehicle speed sensor and / or one or more distance sensors 57, etc. The acceleration measuring device 9 can include one or more individual acceleration sensors and may be designed, in particular, to detect the two- or three-dimensional acceleration behavior of the vibratory plate 1. This is exemplified in the Fig. 3The system is described as having a vertical acceleration sensor 9x and a horizontal acceleration sensor 9y measuring in and / or against the forward direction A of the vibratory plate 1. However, these sensors can also be combined in a single accelerometer, for example, a dual-axis accelerometer, and the individual acceleration values or components in the respective spatial directions x and y can then be calculated directly by the acceleration measuring device 9 and / or by the control unit 10. Parts of the sensor system 40, or one or more of the sensors, can be in signal transmission communication with the control unit 10 via signal transmission lines 51.
[0071] The on-board electrical system 11 can also supply electrical energy to consumers of one or more auxiliary devices 12 of the vibratory plate compactor. The operation or operating state, in particular between an activated and a deactivated state, of individual components of the auxiliary devices 12 listed below as examples, can be controlled by the control unit 10, in particular centrally. This is described in the Fig. 3 within the respective additional equipment 12, examples are given with a dashed arrow.
[0072] The auxiliary device 12 can, for example, be the sprinkler system 13. This can include one or more fluid pumps 43, the operating state of which, in particular with regard to an activated pumping mode and / or a deactivated standby mode, can be controlled by the control unit 10. The fluid pumps 43 can, for example, be fixed-displacement pumps or variable-displacement pumps. The number and design of individual outlet areas or outlet parts of the sprinkler system 13 and their control can vary. The sprinkler system 13 may be provided with a forward outlet part 16 and / or a reverse outlet part 17. The specific design of the respective outlet parts can also vary. These can, for example, include one or more outlet openings, which can be designed, among other things, as a simple bore or outlet opening or in the form of an outlet nozzle 45.It is possible that each of the outlet openings is assigned an outlet valve 47, which can be individually controlled by the control unit 10. In this way, one or more outlet openings of the sprinkler system 13 can be opened or activated and / or closed or deactivated by the control unit 10. Additionally or alternatively, the sprinkler system can also include several outlet openings connected to a common fluid supply and which can be activated and / or deactivated together via a common outlet valve, as for example in the [reference to example]. Fig. 3The reverse outlet section 17 is shown as an example. This section includes, for instance, a spray bar 46 which centrally supplies several outlet openings with fluid simultaneously via a common valve 47 controlled by the control unit 10. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to dispense entirely with valves 47 and to control the outlet from the outlet opening(s) solely by the delivery and / or de-delivery of fluid by one or more fluid pumps 43. Furthermore, or alternatively, the control unit 10 and / or the one or more fluid pumps 43 and / or the one or more valves 47 can be designed such that the delivered and / or flowing and / or exiting fluid volume flow is variable, thus allowing the volume flow to be varied or metered within an activated state of the sprinkler system 13.The sprinkler system 13 can have a fluid piping system 44 to convey the fluid pumped by the fluid pump(s) 43 to the outlet openings.
[0073] It is possible that, in addition to the assembly shown consisting of fluid tank 14 and pump 43, the vibratory plate has a further assembly 48 with another pump and another fluid tank. Based on such an arrangement, it can be provided that one tank and one pump are exclusively assigned to the forward outlet section 16 and the reverse outlet section 17, respectively.
[0074] In the Fig. 3In the illustrated embodiment, pumps, preferably operating in suction mode, draw water from the respective tank. However, it is also possible for a pump, for example in the form of a compressor, to be enclosed within the vibratory plate. This pump or compressor can be used to build up air pressure within the respective tank(s) in order to force the fluid, particularly water, out of the tank. This pump or compressor can also be controlled by the control unit 10 and supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's electrical system 11. It is also possible, however, for the fluid to be drawn from the respective tank(s) without a pump, solely by gravity. For an exemplary description of the possible design and control of the area of such a sprinkler system connected to the tank, reference is made to the preceding explanations.
[0075] Furthermore, the vibratory plate 1 can additionally or alternatively have the lighting device 19 as an accessory 12. This can comprise a forward illumination part 23 and a rear illumination part 24. An example of a possible design of an illumination part is shown in the Fig. 3 The forward illumination section 23 is shown as a device with a lighting unit 49 comprising only a single light source 50. Additionally or alternatively, the lighting unit 19 may be provided with an illumination section comprising a lighting unit 49 with multiple light sources 50, as shown in the Fig. 3The example given is for the rear illumination section 24. It is possible that the individual light sources 50 of the respective lighting device 19 and / or of the forward illumination section 23 and / or of the rear illumination section 24 can be individually and / or grouped by the control unit 10, in particular all simultaneously, activated or switched on and / or deactivated or switched off.
[0076] It is also possible that the vibratory plate 1, as an additional device 12, further includes, as a supplementary or alternative component, the environmental monitoring device 25. This device may, for example, include one or more transmitter-receiver devices 26, 28 and / or a forward-facing camera 32 and / or a rear-facing camera 33. One or more of the distance sensors 57 may also be part of the environmental monitoring device 25. These may be supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle electrical system 11 and / or controlled by the control unit 10. Furthermore, it may be provided that one or more signal transmission lines 51 are available, via which the environmental monitoring device 25 and / or individual or multiple components of the same device can transmit signals to the control unit 10.
[0077] The vibratory plate 1 can include a display device 53. This can be one or more signal lights and / or one or more display screens, in particular also in the form of one or more touch-sensitive display screens. The display device 53 can be supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's electrical system 11 and connected to the control unit 10 via a control line 52. It can be designed, in particular, to display the current direction of travel and / or other current operating parameters and / or operating states, in particular also a critical operating state determined by the control unit 10. The current direction of travel of the vibratory plate 1 can be determined by the control unit 10 from the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device 9.The display device 53 can be designed to output an acoustically and / or haptically perceptible display, for example by means of a loudspeaker and / or a vibrator, etc., in addition to or as an alternative to outputting a visual display.
[0078] The vibratory plate 1 can additionally or alternatively include a storage device 54, in particular comprising a documentation module 54. The storage device 54 can be used, for example, to store operating data of the vibratory plate 1 transmitted by the control unit 10, such as the progression of recorded acceleration values, etc. The documentation module 54 can be configured to document the total acceleration load of the vibratory plate 1, in particular over the total operating hours. The control unit 10 can be configured to use the total acceleration load of the vibratory plate stored in the documentation module 54 as a parameter for adjusting a currently determined maintenance interval, which can be displayed, for example, via the display device.
[0079] The vibratory plate 1 can additionally or alternatively include one or more inverter units 56. These can be controlled by the control unit 10.
[0080] The signal transmission lines 51 and / or control lines 52 can be wired and / or wireless. In particular, they can also be configured as a bus system, especially a CAN bus system, as shown in the Fig. 3 The example of the connecting lines 51, 52 between the control unit 10, the display unit 53 and the storage unit 54 is given. It is possible that the signal transmission lines 51 and / or control lines 52 are configured for unidirectional or bidirectional signal transmission.
[0081] Part of the vibratory plate 1 can be an on / off switching device 58. This device can be mechanically and / or electronically operated. The on / off switching device 58 can be configured to selectively interrupt or establish a conductive connection between the electrical power source 7 and the vehicle electrical system 11, or at least parts thereof, and / or to activate and / or deactivate the control unit 10. Additionally or alternatively, the on / off switching device 58 can be configured to detect and / or input an authorization certificate, which can be verified by the control unit 10. The on / off switching device 58 can also include one or more input means for manually entering control commands, such as direction commands and / or control commands for one or more of the auxiliary devices, etc. These input means, if present, can be arranged at least partially on the hand-held control device 5.
[0082] For example, the one in Fig. 3In the arrangement illustrated in more detail, it is possible, on the one hand, to use the information obtained with the acceleration measuring device 9, in particular in addition to recording the compaction progress and / or compaction state of the subsoil and / or a correlated parameter, to also determine further information and / or operating parameters, such as the current direction of travel or movement of the vibratory plate 1. The control unit 10 can be designed accordingly, for example, by including a suitable computer program, in particular a correspondingly designed calculation module. In this case, the determined acceleration values can thus serve a dual function.On the other hand, this additional information can be used to control and / or regulate one or more functions of the vibratory plate 1, in particular by means of the control unit 10. This is achieved in the present case especially due to the at least partially shared supply of electrical energy to the consumers of the vibratory plate and the integration of the control unit 10 into various control processes, as already described above and further explained below in relation to the procedure described in more detail.
[0083] Fig. 4 This is illustrated by way of example in a flowchart of a process 59 for the operation of a vibratory plate, in particular a vibratory plate 1, as described above, possible process steps and alternatives.
[0084] In a first step a), acceleration values are therefore determined using an acceleration measuring device during the operation of the vibratory plate 1. The location where the acceleration values on the vibratory plate 1 are recorded by the acceleration measuring device 9 can vary. This can be done, for example, directly at the ground contact plate 2, at an element rigidly connected to it, or at a part or element of the vibratory plate 1 connected to the ground contact plate via a vibration damping device, such as rubber buffers, for example, a support plate 8.
[0085] It may be provided that the recorded acceleration values include accelerations at least partially in or against the forward direction A of the vibratory plate 1. Depending on the specific design of the acceleration measuring device 9, it may be possible to record uniaxial, biaxial, or triaxial acceleration values. It may be provided that the acceleration values recorded by the acceleration measuring device 9 are transmitted to the control unit 10 via a signal transmission line 51.
[0086] Based on the recorded acceleration values, a horizontal acceleration acting in and / or against the forward direction A of the vibratory plate 1 can be determined by the acceleration measuring device 9 itself and / or by the control unit 10. For this purpose, the acceleration measuring device 9 and / or the control unit 10 can be designed in a suitable manner and, for example, include one or more computer programs for performing the corresponding calculation operation.
[0087] It may be intended that, based in particular on the result of this determination, the current direction of travel and / or travel speed of the vibratory plate 1, especially in or against the forward direction A, and / or a change in the direction of travel and / or travel speed, takes place. It is also possible that the vibratory plate 1 is currently in operation or that the vibration excitation device is generating vibrations, but the vibratory plate 1 is not moving in or against the forward direction A. This operating state can also be referred to as "stationary vibration".
[0088] For procedure 59, it may now be provided that in step b) at least one auxiliary device 61, switchable between at least two operating states, is controlled depending on the detected acceleration values and / or their changes. Additionally or alternatively, it may also be provided that a variation of the extent and / or intensity of an operating parameter of the respective auxiliary device 12 occurs within a generally activated operating state. Switching can, for example, be carried out in such a way that the auxiliary device 12 and / or a part thereof, whose effect extends forward in the direction of the current travel direction of the vibratory plate 1, is activated and / or the auxiliary device 12 and / or a part thereof, whose effect extends backward in the opposite direction of the current travel direction of the vibratory plate 1, is deactivated.When the current direction of travel of the vibratory plate 1 is changed, the activation and / or deactivation of one or more additional devices 12 and / or parts thereof can be switched or changed accordingly.
[0089] Specifically, the control 61 can, for example, include the control 62 of the operation of a lighting device depending on a currently determined direction of travel, and / or the control 63 of the operation of a sprinkler system depending on a currently determined direction of travel, and / or the control 64 of the operation of an environmental monitoring device depending on a currently determined direction of travel, and / or the control 65 of a supplementary or alternative auxiliary device depending on a currently determined direction of travel. For a more detailed explanation of a possible structure and / or a possible function of these auxiliary devices 12, reference is made to the preceding information.
[0090] It can therefore be provided that a control operation 61 in step b) includes activating 66 a currently deactivated auxiliary device or part thereof and / or deactivating 67 a currently activated auxiliary device or part thereof depending on a change in the current direction of travel. Additionally or alternatively, a metering or variation 68 of the extent and / or intensity of an operating parameter of the respective auxiliary device 12 can take place within a generally activated operating state. The respective activation 66 of a currently deactivated auxiliary device or part thereof, the respective deactivation 67 of the currently activated auxiliary device or part thereof, and / or the variation 68 can occur simultaneously or overlapping with one another.
[0091] The acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device 9 can also be used for other functions of the vibratory plate 1. It may therefore be provided that, in addition to steps 72 or 61, a determination 69 of the compaction progress or degree of compaction or a correlated parameter and / or a determination 70 of the presence of a critical operating condition is carried out based on the acceleration values recorded by the acceleration measuring device.
[0092] It may also be provided that a storage and documentation of a determined total acceleration load of one or more of the acceleration values recorded in step 60 takes place.
[0093] Part of the procedure 59 may also include the display 73 of one or more operating parameters and / or additional information, such as a maintenance interval, on a display device, in particular as described above.
[0094] The method 59 can include, during the operation of the vibratory plate 1, a simultaneous and joint supply 74 of the acceleration measuring device and the control unit and / or one or more of the auxiliary devices jointly with electrical energy via the vehicle electrical system.
[0095] The Figures 5, 6 and 7 Illustrate a possible switching process of an additional device 12 using various graphs, which in particular is, for example, a sprinkler device 13 and / or a lighting device 19 and / or an environmental monitoring device.
[0096] Fig. 5This is a representation of the average speed of a vibratory plate compactor 1 in forward direction A or in reverse direction B. At time t1, the compactor 1 begins to move forward in direction A and accelerates increasingly in this direction. It should be noted that the speed curve shown is a smoothed curve. At time t2, the compactor 1 reaches its maximum speed in forward direction A in this embodiment. At time t3, the compactor 1 reverses, first decelerating to a standstill at t4 and then accelerating in the opposite reverse direction B until t5. Between t5 and t6, the compactor moves backward in direction B at its maximum speed for this embodiment.From t6, the vibratory plate decelerates slightly until, at t7, it reaches a reduced reverse speed compared to its maximum reverse speed, which it maintains until t8. From t8, the vibratory plate decelerates until it comes to a complete stop at t9.
[0097] The Figures 6 and 7 Illustrating by way of example the control unit 10 depending on the in Fig. 5 Control of one or more auxiliary devices 12, in particular one or more of the aforementioned auxiliary devices, based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device and the driving speed and / or driving direction profile. 0 denotes a deactivated operating state and 1 an activated operating state. Fig. 6 concerns an auxiliary device acting in the forward direction A or a part of the auxiliary device acting in the forward direction A 12. This can, for example, be one or more of the in Fig. 2in the forward direction A correspond to the additional equipment 12 (or parts thereof) activated forward. Fig. 7 In contrast, this concerns an additional device acting in the reverse direction B or a part of the additional device 12 acting in the reverse direction B. This can, for example, be one or more of the Fig. 2 in reverse direction B correspond to the deactivated auxiliary equipment 12 (or parts thereof). Fig. 6 This can, for example, determine the current operating status of a forward outlet part 16 and / or a forward illumination part 23 and / or a front transmitter-receiver unit 26 and Fig. 7 correspond to the current operating state of a reverse outlet part 17 and / or a reverse illumination part 24 and / or a rear transmitter-receiver unit 28.
[0098] The Figures 6 and 7These figures illustrate, among other things, that the current operating state of the respective auxiliary device and / or a part thereof can be controlled by the control unit 10 depending on the current direction of travel of the vibratory plate 1. During the period t1 to t4, in which the vibratory plate 1 moves in forward direction A, the following applies according to the figures. Figures 6 and 7Only the one or more auxiliary devices acting in the forward direction A, or the one or more parts of the auxiliary devices acting in the forward direction A, are activated, and the one or more auxiliary devices acting in the reverse direction B, or the one or more parts of the auxiliary devices acting in the reverse direction B, are deactivated. At time t4, the direction of movement of the vibratory plate 1 reverses. It can now be provided that the control unit 10 switches the operating state of the respective auxiliary devices 12 and / or parts thereof from the activated operating state to the deactivated operating state and vice versa at this moment. Specifically, this can mean that, for example, the one or more auxiliary devices 12 acting in the forward direction A, or the parts thereof, are then deactivated.The one or more forward-acting parts of the auxiliary equipment 12 are deactivated from the activated operating state, and the one or more reverse-acting auxiliary equipment or parts of the auxiliary equipment 12 are activated from the deactivated operating state. This ensures that only the auxiliary equipment 12 and / or parts thereof acting in the direction of the current travel direction of the vibratory plate 1 are activated and consume electrical energy and / or resources carried by the vibratory plate 1.
[0099] The switching does not necessarily have to occur simultaneously. It can also be provided that, during a change of direction, the auxiliary devices to be deactivated and / or parts thereof are activated simultaneously with the already activated auxiliary devices or parts thereof for an overlap period of 75, as for example in the Fig. 6 optionally during the period from t4 to t10.
[0100] It is also possible, additionally or alternatively, that when the vibratory plate is switched off, for example by actuating an on / off device 58, the activated operating state is maintained for a run-on period 76. This is described in the Fig. 7The following is given as an example for the period t9 to t11, assuming that the vibratory plate 1 is switched off at time t9. Within the overrun time period 76, it may be provided, for example, that the lighting device 19 is kept in the activated operating state for a longer period.
[0101] The Figures 8 and 9 They further illustrate how, in addition to switching, the adjustment or control of a current dosage and / or the extent of an activated auxiliary device 12 and / or a part thereof can be carried out depending not only on the direction of travel but also on the current driving speed. The auxiliary device 12 can, in particular, be a sprinkler system, whereby the Fig. 8 a temporal profile of the fluid volume flow Q, in particular water volume flow, currently exiting from a forward outlet section 16 of the sprinkler system 19, and the Fig. 9depicts the temporal profile of a fluid volume flow Q, in particular a water volume flow, currently exiting a reverse section 17 of the sprinkler system 19. The respective profile in the Figures 8 and 9 The decisive movement behavior of the vibratory plate 1 is again in Fig. 5 depicted.
[0102] Here too, a switchover obviously occurs at time t4. However, it is essential that in those phases in which the current travel speed of the vibratory plate 1 increases or decreases while maintaining a current direction of travel, such as for the forward outlet section 16 in phases t1 to t2 and t3 to t4, and for the reverse outlet section 17 in phases t4 to t5, t6 to t7, and t8 to t9, the volume flow Q is adjusted accordingly. The faster the vibratory plate 1 moves, the higher the volume flow Q set by the control unit 10 at the sprinkler system at the outlet section 16 or 17 currently activated in the direction of the vibratory plate 1's forward movement, and vice versa.In this way, for example, it can be ensured that a comparatively uniform application of fluid takes place on the area traversed by the vibratory plate 1 during operation. REFERENCE MARK LIST
[0103] 1 Vibratory plate 2 Ground contact plate 3 Drive motor 4 Vibration excitation device 5 Hand guide device 6 Energy storage 7 Electrical power source 8 Support plate 9 Acceleration measuring device 9 Vertical acceleration sensor 9 Horizontal acceleration sensor 10 Control unit 11 On-board power supply 12 Auxiliary device 13 Sprinkler device 14 Fluid tank 15 Outlet opening 16 Forward outlet section 17 Rear outlet section 18 Spray area 19 Lighting device 20 Lighting device 21 Light source 22 Illumination area 23 Forward illumination section 24 Rear illumination section 25 Perimeter monitoring device 26 Front transmitter-receiver devices 27 Front protective field 28 Rear transmitter-receiver device 29 Rear protective field 30 Front monitoring area 31 Rear monitoring area 32 Forward camera 33 Reversing camera 34 Projection device 35 Projection beam 36 First section 37 Second section 38 Drive system 39 Fan 40 Sensor system 41 Level sensor 42 Tilt sensor 43 Pump 44 Fluid line system45 Outlet nozzle 46 Spray bar 47 Valve 48 Additional unit consisting of tank and pump 49 Lighting device 50 Light source 51 Signal transmission line 52 Control line 53 Display device 54 Storage device 55 Documentation module 56 Inverter device 57 Distance sensors 58 On / off device 59 Method for operating a vibratory plate compactor 60 Determining acceleration values 61 Controlling a switchable auxiliary device 62 Controlling the operation of a lighting device 63 Controlling the operation of a sprinkler device 64 Controlling the operation of an environmental monitoring device 65 Controlling the operation of another device 66 Activating a currently deactivated auxiliary device 67 Deactivating a currently activated auxiliary device 68 Metering / Varying a currently activated auxiliary device 69 Determining compaction progress or degree of compaction 70 Determining the presence of a critical operating condition 71 Storing and documenting a72 Determined total acceleration load 73 Displays on a display device 74 Supplying at least two sub-areas of the vehicle electrical system with different voltage levels 75 Overlap period 76 Follow-up period A Forward direction B Reverse direction C Axis of rotation Q Volume flow t Time U Ground surface x Horizontal direction in forward direction y Vertical direction z Horizontal direction perpendicular to the forward direction
Claims
1. Vibratory plate compactor (1) for compacting a subsoil (U), comprising: - a ground contact plate (2), - a drive motor (3), - a vibration excitation device (4) driven by the drive motor (3), - an acceleration measuring device (9) designed to determine the acceleration of the vibratory plate compactor (1), - a control unit (10) and - an on-board electrical system (11) characterized by that the vibratory plate (1) comprises at least one auxiliary device (12) that can be switched between at least two operating states, and the control unit (10) is designed in such a way that it controls the switching of the auxiliary device (12) between the at least two operating states depending on the signal transmitted by the acceleration measuring device (9).
2. Vibrating plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by thatthe acceleration measuring device (9) and / or the control unit (10) has at least one of the following features: - It is designed to determine a current driving direction and / or driving speed based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device (9); - it is additionally designed to determine a compression progress and / or a compression degree and / or a correlated parameter based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device (9).
3. Vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the acceleration measuring device (9) and / or the control unit (10) is additionally designed to determine a critical operating condition based on the acceleration values determined by the acceleration measuring device (9).
4. Vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the additional device (12) is a sprinkler device (13), and the control unit (10) is designed in such a way that it controls the operation of the sprinkler device (13) depending on a currently determined direction of travel.
5. Vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the additional device (12) is at least one of the following devices: - an environment monitoring device (25), wherein the control unit (10) is designed in such a way that it controls the operation of the environment monitoring device (25) depending on a currently determined direction of travel, - a lighting device (19), and wherein the control unit (10) is designed in such a way that it controls the operation of the lighting device (19) depending on a currently determined direction of travel.
6. Vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe control unit (10) is designed such that it controls the activation of a currently deactivated auxiliary device (12) or a part thereof and the deactivation of a currently activated auxiliary device (12) or a part thereof in an overlapping manner, in particular by switching.
7. Vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle electrical system (11) is designed such that the acceleration measuring device (9) and the control unit (10) are jointly supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle electrical system (11).
8. Vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it comprises a storage device (54), wherein the storage device (54) comprises a documentation module (55) which is designed to store and document a total acceleration load of the vibrating plate (1) determined by means of the acceleration measuring device (9).
9. Vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an inverter device (56) is included in the vehicle electrical system (11), and the vehicle electrical system (11) is designed such that at least two sub-areas (36, 37) of the vehicle electrical system (11) can be operated simultaneously with different voltage levels from the same electrical energy source (7) using the inverter device (56).
10. Method (59) for operating a vibratory plate (1), in particular a vibratory plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps a) determining (60) acceleration values using an acceleration measuring device (9) during the operation of the vibratory plate (1); b) controlling (61) at least one auxiliary device (12) switchable between at least two operating states depending on the detected acceleration values.
11. Method (59) according to claim 10, characterized by thatIn step a) at least one of the following measures is carried out: - A two-dimensional acceleration behavior is determined (60); - a current driving direction and / or driving speed is determined from the determined acceleration values.
12. Method (59) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by that The control (61) in step b) includes at least one of the following measures: - Control (62) of the operation of a lighting device (19) depending on a currently determined direction of travel; - Control (63) of the operation of a sprinkler device (13) depending on a currently determined direction of travel; - Control (64) of the operation of an environment monitoring device (25) depending on a currently determined direction of travel.
13. Method (59) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by thatThe control (61) in step b) includes activating (66) a currently deactivated auxiliary device (12) or part thereof and deactivating (67) a currently activated auxiliary device (12) or another part thereof, wherein the respective activation (66) of the currently deactivated auxiliary device (12) or part thereof and the respective deactivation (67) of the currently activated auxiliary device (12) or another part thereof are carried out overlapping.
14. Method (59) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by that In step b) additionally, from the recorded acceleration values, a determination (69) of a compression progress or a degree of compression or a parameter correlated therewith and / or a determination (70) of the presence of a critical operating condition is carried out.
15. Method (59) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by thata storage and documentation (71) of the total acceleration load of the vibrating plate (1) determined using the acceleration measuring device (9) in a documentation module (55) of a storage device (54) takes place.
16. Method (59) according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by that a simultaneous supply (74) of at least two sub-areas (36, 37) of the vehicle electrical system (11) with different voltage levels from a common electrical energy source (7) using an inverter device (56).