PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION OF A ROAD PAVEMENT MACHINE

Abstract

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

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2. Furthermore, the invention relates to a road construction machine for producing a road surface according to the preambles of claims 9 and 10.

[0002] Road construction machines, such as pavers, material feeders, and milling machines, are used for constructing and removing road surfaces, primarily asphalt, but also concrete. These typically self-propelled machines have various working components, some permanently attached and others detachable. For example, a paver has a screed with a sliding plate, a tamper blade, a spreading auger, a scraper conveyor with slatted frames and chains, and similar components. A material feeder, on the other hand, has a scraper conveyor and a belt conveyor. A milling machine has a milling drum or cutter. Furthermore, these machines may have a hopper for collecting road construction material, a material conveyor, and a chassis powered by a drive unit, such as a diesel engine.Most of these road construction machines also have an operator's station from which an operator can control the road construction machine and its components, possibly via a control unit.

[0003] To operate the road construction machine, the operator is confined to the control station to control the machine and its individual components via the control unit. However, processing the particularly hot road construction material releases fumes that can make prolonged stays in the control station unpleasant and, in the long term, potentially harmful to health. Because the operator is confined to the control station, their movements are limited. Flexible control of the paving process is therefore impossible.

[0004] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a road construction machine and a road construction machine in which the health risks to the operator during operation are reduced without reducing the installation quality of the road construction material.

[0005] A method for solving this problem comprises the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the chassis and / or at least one other component or working component of the road construction machine can be remotely controlled by an operator located outside the operator's station via a transmitter module. The data for controlling the chassis and / or the at least one other component are exchanged between the transmitter module and a receiver module, in particular a control unit, or between the transmitter module and a receiver module of the chassis or the at least one other component. This remote control allows the operator to be located outside the operator's station, far from the road construction machine, and thus is at least not directly exposed to the harmful effects of the road construction machine.Furthermore, the operator gains spatial flexibility, allowing them to walk around the road construction machine during operation to closely monitor all components and to inspect the installation process in detail. The transmitter module can be designed as a handheld device with an integrated processor and suitable transmitting, receiving, and input devices.

[0006] Another method for solving this problem comprises the measures of claim 2. Accordingly, it is provided that a chassis and / or at least one other component of the road construction machine is remotely controlled by an operator located away from the road construction machine via a transmitter module, wherein control data is exchanged between the transmitter module and a receiver module or between the transmitter module and each receiver module of the chassis or the at least one other component. The data for controlling the chassis and / or the at least one other component is exchanged between the transmitter module and a receiver module, in particular a control unit, or between the transmitter module and each receiver module of the chassis or the at least one other component.This remote control system protects personnel located away from the road construction machine from its potentially harmful effects. Furthermore, it provides the operator with greater spatial flexibility, allowing them to walk around the machine during operation to closely monitor all components and meticulously inspect the installation process. The transmitter module can be a handheld device with an integrated processor and suitable transmitting, receiving, and input devices.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0014] A road construction machine for solving the aforementioned problem is described by the features of claim 9. Accordingly, the machine is provided with a transmitter module and a receiver module, in particular a control unit, or of the chassis or of at least one other component. The chassis or the at least one other component can be remotely controlled via the transmitter module by an operator located outside the operator's station. The transmitter module can be designed as a box-like handheld device. It is also conceivable that the functions that can be executed by means of the transmitter module can be transferred as software or an app to a mobile device or a tablet computer, so that these devices can be used as transmitter modules for the remote control of the road construction machine.

[0015] Another embodiment of a road construction machine for solving the aforementioned problem is described by the features of claim 10. Accordingly, the construction machine is equipped with a transmitter module and a receiver module, in particular a control unit, or of the chassis or of at least one other component. The chassis or the at least one other component can be remotely controlled via the transmitter module by an operator located away from or next to the road construction machine. The transmitter module can be designed as a box-like handheld device. It is also conceivable that the functions that can be executed by means of the transmitter module can be transferred as software or an app to a mobile device or a tablet computer, so that these devices can be used as transmitter modules for the remote control of the road construction machine.

[0016] The transmitter module or the corresponding electrical device can communicate with the receiver module of the road construction machine via radio, laser, WLAN, or similar technologies. This communication is preferably encrypted, particularly to prevent unauthorized interference with the operation of the road construction machine. Furthermore, communication between the transmitter and receiver modules is only possible if a corresponding identifier or verification code exchange has taken place beforehand.

[0017] Although the transmitter module is intended to be used as a remote control for the road construction machine, it can also be docked into a corresponding mount on the machine or its operator platform for conventional operation. When docked, the transmitter module functions like a standard control unit. Therefore, no operator retraining is required. While docked, the transmitter module's rechargeable batteries can be charged. Data exchange between the transmitter and receiver can also be wireless in this state. However, it is preferred that data transfer be wired when docked.

[0018] The transmitter module may include a control device for displaying entered commands and / or the identifier of a selected road construction machine. This control device may be a display or a means of generating an acoustic, visual, vibratory, or haptic signal. Such a display may also serve to show the aforementioned feedback signals from the receiver module. If a command transmitted from the transmitter module to the receiver module is incompatible with a previous command, or if the condition of the road construction machine prevents its execution, this may also be indicated by the display. Furthermore, it may be possible to display statuses, operating parameters, or manufacturing parameters at any given time.Thus, the operator has access to all information necessary for operating the road construction machine, regardless of their location relative to the machine.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0020] The only figure in the drawing shows a side view of a road paver with an operator.

[0021] To describe the inventive method for operating a road construction machine, a road paver 10 is shown by way of example in the figure. However, it should be expressly noted that the present invention is not limited to application to a road paver, but can also be seen in connection with other road construction machines, such as a feeder, a road milling machine, or the like.

[0022] The road paver 10, shown as an example in the figure, has a chassis 11, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a crawler chassis. However, the chassis 11 of the road paver 10 can also be designed as a wheeled chassis. The road paver 10 is self-propelled. For this purpose, the chassis 11 is driven by a drive unit 12 such that the road paver 10 can move in the paving direction 13. The road paver 10 can also be driven in a self-propelled manner such that movement occurs in the opposite direction to the paving direction 13.

[0023] Viewed in the direction of production 13, a trough- or basin-shaped storage container 14 is arranged in front of the drive unit 12. The storage container 14 serves to hold a supply of the material used to produce the road surface, in particular an asphalt mixture. A conveyor, in particular a scraper conveyor (not shown in the figure), transports the material from the storage container 14 against the direction of production 13 to the rear of the road paver 10, specifically to a distribution screw 15. The distribution screw 15 is arranged behind the drive unit 12. The distribution screw 15 extends transversely to the direction of production 13 and serves to distribute the material evenly across the entire working width of the road paver 10.

[0024] Viewed in the direction of production 13, a paving screed 16 is arranged behind the distribution screw 15. The paving screed 16 is suspended from support arms 17 so that they can move up and down. The support arms 17 are pivotally mounted on the chassis 11. The paving screed 16 can be a single-piece screed 16, whose width is fixed, or a multi-piece screed 16 consisting of a main screed and lateral sliding screeds, whereby the width of the screed and thus the paving width can be varied.

[0025] The installation plank 16 has a plank body 18 with a sliding plate 19 arranged underneath it. The installation plank 16 rests on the material to be installed with the underside of its sliding plate 19.

[0026] The drive unit 12 of the road paver 10 has an internal combustion engine. Preferably, this is a diesel engine. However, the drive unit 12 can also have other engines, possibly even several engines. The drive unit 12 also has at least one hydraulic pump driven by the internal combustion engine. This supplies hydraulic drives, in particular hydraulic motors, with the required energy. It is also conceivable that the internal combustion engine additionally or alternatively drives at least one generator that produces electricity for electric drives, in particular electric motors.

[0027] The operation of the road paver 10, as well as the control and monitoring of the listed components, such as the chassis 11, the drive unit 12, the hopper 14, the spreading auger 15, the screed 16, the support arms 17, and the like, can be controlled and monitored by an operator 20 from an operator station 21. For this purpose, a control unit 22 is located in the operator station 21. This control unit 22 allows the operation of the entire road paver 10 to be monitored and controlled. The control unit 22 can be connected to each of the aforementioned components via a CAN bus system. However, it is also conceivable that the road paver 10, or the road construction machine, does not have an operator station 21, but is at least almost entirely remotely controllable.

[0028] The control of the paver 10 and each of the aforementioned components can alternatively be carried out via a transmitter module 23. Data and commands for operating the paver 10 can be transmitted via this transmitter module 23 to a receiver module 24 assigned to the paver 10. This receiver module 24 can be directly connected to the control unit 22 and communicate with the individual components via the CAN bus system through this control unit 22. Alternatively, each of the aforementioned components of the paver 10 can have its own corresponding receiver module 24 for communication with the transmitter module 23. Communication between the receiver module 24 and the transmitter module 23 can be wireless.This offers the advantage that the operator 20 is not tied to the control station 21, but can instead remotely control the operation of the road paver 10 almost independently of location. Via the transmitter module 23, the operator 20 can either control the individual components via the control unit 22 or access the individual components directly.

[0029] For easier input or more convenient control of the road paver 10 via the transmitter module 23, the latter can have a display 25 or a display through which information can be visualized for the operator 20.

[0030] The road paver 10, or the operator station 21, in particular the control unit 22, can be equipped with a receptacle for receiving the transmitter module 23. This receptacle is designed such that the transmitter module 23 can be inserted into it in such a way that, when connected, it can serve as an input field for the control unit 22 on the operator station 21. With the transmitter module 23 inserted into the receptacle, the road paver 10 can be operated in the known manner. At the same time, a rechargeable energy storage device, in particular a battery, of the transmitter module 23 is charged in this state. Data exchange between the transmitter module 23 and the control unit 22 takes place directly in this connected state, i.e., via cable.

[0031] If necessary, expedient, or possible, the operator 20 can remove the transmitter module 23 from its mount and move away from the paver 10 or the operator station 21. The range for wireless communication between the transmitter module 23 and the receiver module 24 can be adjusted. Encrypted data transmission between the transmitter module 23 and the receiver module 24 prevents data transfer interference or confusion with other construction machinery.

[0032] Before the road paver 10 can be put into operation, the control unit 22 must verify that the transmitter module 23 is authorized to communicate with the receiver module 24. This can be done, for example, by exchanging an identifier.

[0033] Before commissioning the asphalt paver 10, various command routines, sequences, or groups of commands can be stored on the transmitting module 23 and the receiving module 24. This allows protocols or operating procedures to be prepared for each task, which can be initiated by a simple key combination and are preferably remotely controlled. This simplifies the operating process and improves operator comfort for the operator 20, as the operator does not need to be constantly present on the asphalt paver 10 or in the control station 21. This also reduces the time the operator 20 needs to spend directly on the asphalt paver 10. Reference symbol list:

[0034] 10 Road paver 11 Chassis 12 Drive unit 13 Production direction 14 Hopper 15 Spreading screw 16 Screed 17 Support arm 18 Screed base 19 Sliding plate 20 Operator 21 Operator's stand 22 Control unit 23 Transmitting module 24 Receiving module 25 Display

Claims

1. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine, in particular a road paver (10) or a feeder, for producing a road surface with a chassis (11) having driven tires or tracks and / or at least one further component such as at least one material conveyor, a storage container (14) for road construction material, a distribution screw (15) and / or a screed (16) and an operator platform (21) arranged above the chassis (11), wherein the chassis (11) and the at least one further component are controlled from the operator platform (21) by an operator (20), characterized in that the chassis (11) and / or at least one further component are remotely controlled by an operator (20) who is located outside the operator platform (21) via a transmitter module (23),wherein control data is exchanged between the transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) or between the transmitter module (12) and each receiver module (24) of the chassis (11) or of at least one other component.

2. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine, in particular a road paver (10) or a feeder, for producing a road surface with a chassis (11) having driven tires or tracks and / or at least one further component such as at least one material conveyor, a storage container (14) for road construction material, a distribution screw (15) and / or a screed (16), wherein the chassis (11) and the at least one further component are controlled by an operator (20), characterized in that the chassis (11) and / or at least one further component are remotely controlled by an operator (20) who is not on the road construction machine via a transmitter module (23),wherein control data is exchanged between the transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) or between the transmitter module (12) and each receiver module (24) of the chassis (11) or of at least one other component.

3. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitter module (23) directly controls a CAN bus system, in particular a control unit (22) of the road construction machine, preferably a CAN bus system of the chassis (11), or of the at least one further component, for the exchange of data for controlling the chassis (11) and / or at least one further component.

4. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, prior to executing a control command, the transmitting module (23) is identified, in particular verified, by the receiving module (24), in particular a control unit (22), or by the receiving module (24) of the chassis (11) or of at least one further component.

5. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that individual control commands are sent from the transmitting module (23) to the receiving module (24), in particular a control unit (22), or to the receiving module (24) of the chassis (11) or of at least one further component, or that groups of several control commands are transmitted, wherein several commands are executed automatically by the group of control commands.

6. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data between the receiving module (24) and the transmitting module (23) are exchanged wirelessly, in particular via radio, laser, WLAN, or the like, or via cable.

7. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitter module (23) is placed in a receiving device on the operator station (21) for direct data transmission with the receiver module (24) and / or for charging an energy storage device of the transmitter module (23).

8. Method for operating a self-propelled road construction machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that feedback signals are sent from the receiving module (24) to the transmitting module (12) when a command is incompatible with a previous command or the state of the road construction machine, in particular the chassis (11) and / or the at least one further component, does not permit the execution of the command.

9. Road construction machine, in particular a road paver (10) or feeder, for producing a road surface with a chassis (11) having driven tires or tracks and / or at least one further component such as at least one material conveyor, a storage container (14) for road construction material, a distribution screw (15) and / or a screed (16) and an operator's platform (21) arranged above the chassis (11), wherein the chassis (11) and the at least one further component can be controlled from the operator's platform (21) by an operator (20), characterized by a transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) or a receiver module (24) of the chassis (11) or the at least one further component, wherein the chassis (11) or the at least one further component can be remotely controlled via the transmitter module (23) by an operator (20) who is located outside the operator's platform (21).

10. Road construction machine, in particular a road paver (10) or feeder, for producing a road surface with a chassis (11) having driven tires or tracks and / or at least one further component such as at least one material conveyor, a storage container (14) for road construction material, a distribution screw (15) and / or a screed (16), wherein the chassis (11) and the at least one further component can be controlled by an operator (20), characterized by a transmitter module (23) and a receiver module (24) or a receiver module (24) of the chassis (11) or the at least one further component, wherein the chassis (11) or the at least one further component can be remotely controlled via the transmitter module (23) by an operator (20) who is located next to the road construction machine.

11. Road construction machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the transmitting module (23) and the at least one receiving module (24) have means for wireless data transmission, in particular via radio, laser, WLAN, or the like.

12. Road construction machine according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the transmitter module (23) for data transfer and / or for charging an energy storage device of the transmitter module (23) can be assigned to a receiver on the operator station (21) of the road construction machine.

13. Road construction machine according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the transmitting module (23) has a control means for indicating entered commands and / or feedback signals from the receiving module (24) when a command transmitted from the transmitting module (23) to the receiving module (23) is incompatible with a previous command or the condition of the road construction machine, in particular the chassis (11) and / or the at least one further component, does not permit the execution of the command.

14. Road construction machine according to claim 13, characterized in that the control means is a display (25) or means for generating an acoustic, visual or vibratory or haptic signal.