Blower means for road construction machine

Abstract

To provide blower means that can be manufactured inexpensively and can be widely adopted.SOLUTION: This invention relates to blower means 7 for a road construction machine 1 that exists in a form of a road finishing machine 2 or a charger vehicle for the road finishing machine 2. The blower means 7 includes: a blower unit for generating an air flow; and an air release unit connected to the blower unit and designed to form air barriers 9, 11 from the air flow that is generated by the blower unit located in a control station 4 of the road construction machine 1 for an operator located there. The blower mean 7 is designed as a module type attachment apparatus configured to be detachably mounted to the control station 4 of the road construction machine 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower means for a road making machine according to claim 1. Furthermore the present invention relates to the use of a blower means according to claim 15 as a mounting module for providing an air barrier to a road making machine. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that in road construction machines, in particular road finishing machines, suction systems are used for laying the new asphalt layer, which suction systems in particular suck up fumes generated during the transverse distribution of the heated laying material from a so-called spiral space located in front of the screed and discharge them above the driver's control platform of the road finishing machine. Such a suction system is disclosed in EP 0 843 044 A1.

[0003] Furthermore, in road finishing machines, fumes are also generated in the area of ​​the material bunker in which the heated laying material is stored, to which the operator of the road finishing machine is particularly exposed. To aspirate these fumes, EP 0 843 044 A1 proposes further suction means, which also exhaust the fumes aspirated from the material bunker area above the roof.

[0004] In fact, fumes are generated in the area of ​​the material bunker, particularly during the material transport process, in which the road finisher is supplied with new laying material, for example by a leading charger vehicle or by a truck, and which flow backwards towards the driver's control platform.

[0005] DE102020123723A1 discloses a road finishing machine with a control platform having an air nozzle unit designed to form an air curtain around the control platform, which may be integrated into the roof of the control platform, in order to prevent fumes generated during construction from reaching the area of ​​the operator.

[0006] The aforesaid suction / blower system requires a lot of effort to build, since each machine type has a different design, which leads to the development of various special products for every series, thus increasing the manufacturing cost. Summary of the Invention

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a blower means which is inexpensive to manufacture and has wide applicability.

[0008] This object is achieved by a blower means according to claim 1. This object is further achieved by a use of a blower means according to claim 15.

[0009] Advantageous developments of the invention are given by the subject matter of the respective dependent claims.

[0010] The present invention relates to a blower means for a road construction machine present in the form of a road finisher or a charger vehicle for the road finishing machine, the blower means according to the invention comprising a blower unit for generating an air flow and an air discharge unit connected to said blower unit and designed to form an air barrier from the air flow generated by the blower unit for an operator located there at a control station of the road construction machine.

[0011] According to the invention, the blower means is at least partially designed as a modular mounting device arranged to be removably mounted on the control station of the road construction machine. The blower means according to the invention can therefore be used as a separate functional unit for forming an air barrier, i.e. independently of the operation of a blower and / or suction assembly which is integrated into the road construction machine and which is used in particular to suction fumes from the helical space. In comparison with such a blower and / or suction assembly which is already integrated into the road construction machine, the blower means according to the invention forms an off-grid mounting module which can be easily fitted by the operator on site, independently of the current machine type of the road construction machine, i.e. across all series. This means that the blower means according to the invention can be used as an off-grid mounting module as standard on various road construction machines, i.e. it is widely applicable, which also reduces the manufacturing costs.

[0012] As a control station for removably mounting the blower means according to the invention it is possible in particular to use a control platform for the driver of the road construction machine, however it is also conceivable that the blower means according to the invention is removably fixed to a control station of the screed of the road finishing machine, i.e. an external control station of the road finishing machine.

[0013] The blower means according to the invention, despite its standardized modular structure, forms a standard module that can be attached to various machine types, with high possibilities for individual application in road construction machines. In particular, thanks to its modular structure and its off-grid capability, the blower means according to the invention can be easily adjusted by the operator taking into account the weather conditions at the site, without the operator having to adjust the assembly installed in the machine for this purpose. Basically, an independent operation can be set between the blower means according to the invention and other machine assemblies, i.e. they can be operated independently.

[0014] Furthermore, due to its releasable mounting, the blower means according to the invention can be particularly easily removed as a whole from the road construction machine, e.g., the blower means can be removed overnight during a transport operation for maintenance and / or cleaning purposes with just a few hand movements.

[0015] The blower means according to the invention, in particular as a modular mounting device, forms a compact module which, due to its compact design, can be easily and integrally mounted on the road finishing machine, so that its operability is also easily ascertained.

[0016] Preferably, the blower unit comprises at least one centrifugal fan, which is able to draw air axially along its motor shaft and blow it out with an offset of approximately 90°. Such centrifugal fans are highly efficient and are particularly suitable for upstream and / or downstream units connected to centrifugal fans operating with increased compression ratios and air pressures, respectively. Furthermore, centrifugal fans are also suitable for low-noise operation. It is also conceivable for the blower unit to include an axial fan instead of a centrifugal fan. Due to its compact design, the weight of the blower means can be reduced, which makes it easier for the operator to handle the installation.

[0017] In one variant, the blower unit comprises an electric motor, in particular a speed-controlled electric motor, for which purpose the electric motor can be equipped with a separate speed control module, so that the blower means is better suited to various machine types.

[0018] Preferably, the blower means can be controlled by an operator control panel of the road construction machine, for example via an Ethernet, WLAN and / or Bluetooth connection established between the blower means and the operator control panel. In this connection, a dynamic speed control of the electric motor of the blower means can be achieved as a function of one or more measured process values ​​during operation of the road construction machine. This function can for example be activated by the operator control panel of the road construction machine. However, the dynamic speed control can also be activated directly on the blower means.

[0019] The speed of the blower means may be set by an operating element provided on the blower means, for example by a rotary switch with a potentiometer. Alternatively or additionally, the speed of the blower means may be set by an operating element provided on the control station, for example by a rotary switch with a potentiometer.

[0020] In a simple variant, at least two power stages for operating the blower unit can be operated directly by the blower means. It is also conceivable to equip the blower means directly with a separate operating module, which can include a display, in particular a touch display, for controlling and / or monitoring the operation of the blower means.

[0021] According to one embodiment, an operator can control the blower means by means of a mobile unit, for example by means of a smart device, which may be designed in the form of a smartphone, a tablet PC, a wearable and / or a data goggle.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the blower means is configured for networked operation with at least one other mounted module attached to the road construction machine, such as a thermography module and / or a meteorological module, in particular a speed control of the blower unit can be achieved depending on at least one process value measured in the other mounted module.

[0023] The suction effect of the blower means can be improved by a blower unit with an inlet nozzle whose cross section decreases in the flow direction. This inlet nozzle reduces vortices on the suction side, optimizes the flow path, and reduces noise generation. The air sucked in through the inlet nozzle is purposely fed to a centrifugal fan, where it is further accelerated by the centrifugal fan towards the air discharge unit.

[0024] It is advantageous if the blower unit is provided with a filter at the blower inlet formed therein. The filter can be located, for example, at the nozzle opening of the inlet nozzle. It is possible to arrange an access protection in front of the filter. The access protection can also be present if no filter is provided in the blower means. The filter in particular prevents the blower unit from becoming dirty and further ensures that the generated air barrier has an improved air quality.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention the blower unit may be connected to a power supply of the road construction machine. It is envisaged that the blower means comprises a power plug capable of being connected to a socket mounted on the road construction machine to supply power to the blower unit.

[0026] Preferably, the blower means comprises at least one own accumulator, for example a lithium-ion accumulator, for the operation of the blower unit. The blower means is therefore designed to be completely off-grid in terms of power supply. In one variant, the accumulator can be charged by the power supply of the road construction machine.

[0027] In one variant, the blower means comprises, as flow converter, an air induction unit which directs the radial air flow generated by the blower unit in an axial direction into the air discharge unit. In particular, the air induction unit is designed to convert the radially distributed air flow suctioned in the axial direction by the blower unit into an axial air flow offset by 90° to the axial inlet flow and direct it in this direction into the air discharge unit. This makes it possible to achieve a high compression in the air discharge unit, which leads to a stable laminar flow that does not break the air barrier created thereby, i.e. the air barrier is completely impermeable to fumes. This allows a high shielding effect to be obtained.

[0028] Preferably, the air induction unit forms a housing for the blower unit, whereby the air induction unit can perform a double function, i.e. in addition to the aforementioned flow converter function, it can also perform a protection function for the blower unit. The operating module of the aforementioned blower means can be integrated into the surface formed by the air induction unit.

[0029] It is advantageous if the air induction unit, the air discharge unit and / or the blower unit are substantially made of plastic. This has proven to be advantageous for a lightweight construction. In particular, the air induction unit and the air discharge unit can be made completely of plastic, for example each consisting of two injection-molded shells. The blower unit, with the exception of the installed electronics, can also be made completely of plastic parts.

[0030] It is conceivable that the air induction unit consists of several housing parts which, in the assembled state, form a receiving part for fixing the blower unit accommodated therein in a defined orientation. According to one variant, the housing parts of the air induction unit can be assembled without tools and can, for example, be inserted into one another by means of locking closures formed on the housing parts, which locking has the effect that the blower unit accommodated therein is fixed without rattle, without the need for further fixing means for this purpose.

[0031] In particular, it is also possible for the extension cord of the blower unit, at the end of which a power plug is fixed for connecting the blower means to the power supply of the road construction machine, to be able to be wound around and unwound from the outer periphery of the air guidance unit, which in this variant can also be used as a cable drum.

[0032] In order not to impede the view of the operator of the road building machine, it is advantageous to make the air discharge unit and / or the air guidance unit from transparent plastic.

[0033] In one variant, the blower means comprises at least one light source, for example at least one LED, integrated therein. In particular, it is possible that the light source can at least partially illuminate the air discharge unit and / or the air guidance unit. It is conceivable that at least some of the components installed in the blower means serve as spotlights for night work.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the air discharge unit and / or the air induction unit can be illuminated in different colors. For example, the air discharge unit and / or the air induction unit can be used as a signal light for the material transfer process. In particular, green indicates to a preceding material supply vehicle, such as a charger vehicle or truck, that sufficient laying material is stocked in the material bunker. In particular, red indicates that the laying material in the material bunker is almost consumed, i.e. that a material supply is required. The blower means thereby forms a multifunctional mounting module that serves several application purposes at once. The function of emitting color signals can also indicate to a preceding material supply vehicle whether it has traveled the desired distance to the road construction machine.

[0035] The blower means may include an optionally extendable mounting adapted to position the blower means at a desired distance relative to the control station, in particular laterally away from the support beams of the driver roof. Such a mounting is particularly useful when the blower means is used in relatively small road construction machines as a signal or indicator light for the material transfer process. This allows the blower means designed as a signal light to be positioned at a sufficient distance to the side of the driver roof so as to be easily visible to the driver of the material supply vehicle.

[0036] It is conceivable that the air discharge unit comprises at least one outlet nozzle designed in the form of a rectangular fan nozzle or in the form of a flat nozzle in order to generate a linear outlet flow as an air barrier, which allows to generate a continuous fast laminar outlet flow, forming an effective air barrier for the operator. The outlet nozzle, either as a flat nozzle or as a long nozzle, can form a thin, flat laminar air jet, i.e. a thin wall of air, which effectively shields the area exposed to the fumes from the area where the operator of the road construction machine is located, as an air barrier.

[0037] Preferably, the outlet nozzle configured as a flat nozzle comprises a rectangular tubular body, the shape of the tubular body, in particular its length, diameter and / or circumference, being selected taking into account the size of the structural part of the control station, which for example corresponds approximately to the size of the frame part used to support the roof of the control platform. For example, the outlet nozzle configured as a flat nozzle can have a length which corresponds substantially to the length of the front frame mounted on the control platform of the road construction machine.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the air emission unit, in particular its outlet nozzle, comprises at least partially a circular tubular, square tubular or elliptical tubular body, i.e. a rectangular tubular body, the tubular cross section of which can have different shapes.

[0039] The air discharge unit, in particular the outlet nozzle formed therein as a flat nozzle, can be formed from plastic as already mentioned. This results in a lightweight construction. Preferably, the air discharge unit is made up of several (plastic) shell parts. The air discharge unit can therefore be easily disassembled for maintenance and / or cleaning processes.

[0040] In particular, the air emission unit is articulated, for example rotatably mounted relative to the blower unit, in order to adjust the orientation of the air barrier generated by said air emission unit. For this purpose, the air emission unit can be fixed to the outlet of the air induction unit by means of a radial bearing. The radial bearing can be formed by a swivel joint, which can be designed to be continuously adjustable. Alternatively, it is possible to fix the air emission unit to the outlet of the air induction unit at several predefined angles. For example, the air emission unit can be mounted to the outlet of the air induction unit at various adjustment angles as a tubular attachment for fixing the corresponding orientation of the outlet nozzle.

[0041] A particularly useful variant is provided by an air-ejection unit designed to be telescopic in order to vary the area of ​​the air barrier created by the air-ejection unit, so that the blower means can be better used in control station structures of different sizes. For example, the telescopic air-ejection unit may include two tube sections that move relative to each other to vary the area of ​​the air barrier.

[0042] In particular, the blower means can include at least one fastening means by which the blower means can be fastened to a support beam of the control platform, for example to a front frame or a rear frame. The fastening means can be designed to generate a closing effect, which allows the air emission unit to be automatically oriented in a predefined way, for example extending along the support beam. As fastening means, both frictional and interlocking joints are possible.

[0043] In particular, a compact design is provided if, in the road construction machine, the support beam of the control platform itself, for example the front frame of the driver's roof, the swivel console of the driver's seat console or a frame part of the external control station, forms the air discharge unit. In this integral construction, the blower means utilizes a component that is already present as the air discharge unit in the control station of the road construction machine. For this purpose, in such a component, for example in the support beam of the driver's roof, the swivel console of the driver's seat console or a frame part of the external control platform, at least one connection point can be formed, to which connection point the blower unit, in particular the air guidance unit provided in the blower unit, can be removably fixed, the component itself being configured as a fan nozzle or flat nozzle, i.e. comprising a rectangular outlet opening for forming an air barrier.

[0044] According to a variant, the blower means can be fixed to the driver's control platform by a control panel guide fixed to the driver's control platform, so that the driver's control panel can be repositioned transversely to the travel direction of the road construction machine such that the air barrier emerging therefrom forms an air front window frame at the driver's control platform. This application is especially possible with driver's control platforms without any physical front window frame glass or similar window frame material.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air discharge unit comprises at least one outlet nozzle configured to generate a radial outlet flow as an air barrier. In particular, the air flow generated thereby is generated within a range of 360°, which can form a particularly large air wall for the operator at the control station to protect him from fumes generated during paving operations. Nevertheless, to achieve this advantageous shielding effect, the air discharge unit itself can be of compact design.

[0046] According to a suitable construction, the air discharge unit is assembled from two (plate-like) shell parts which in the assembled state define a gap on the periphery as a circumferential outlet opening. This allows to form an air barrier, i.e. an air wall, from the radial air flow. It is conceivable that the outlet opening is not designed completely circumferentially, but is provided only along a part of the periphery. The outlet opening can be designed, for example, according to a circular arc, in particular according to a semicircle.

[0047] In an advantageous variant, the outlet openings formed between the plate-like shell parts can be at least partially closable continuously or by segments, which makes it possible to vary the outlet direction and area of ​​the air flow generated as an air barrier.

[0048] In particular, the blower unit is arranged as a centrifugal fan between two plate-shaped shell parts, which can therefore also be used as a housing for the blower unit, whereby the axial inlet flow generated by the centrifugal fan can be sucked in, in particular through an opening with a cross section tapering in the flow direction, i.e. an opening formed in one of the two shell parts, and can be guided radially to an outlet opening.

[0049] In particular, the assembled plate-like shell parts contain an air space which decreases in the radial direction, whereby the assembled plate-like shell parts form a nozzle for forming a radial air flow. In this variant, a further air directing unit can be dispensed with. The blower means thus exists essentially as a disk-shaped mounting device, which in this form requires little space for mounting.

[0050] It is conceivable that the plate-shaped shell section forms a channel in the air space to intentionally guide the radial air flow generated by the centrifugal fan to the outlet opening. This supports the formation of a radial air barrier. For a lightweight construction, the plate-shaped shell section can be manufactured from plastic. To reduce the influence on the operator's visibility, the plate-shaped shell section is formed in particular from a transparent plastic.

[0051] According to a variant of the invention, the blower means is configured for installation and removal without tools, for example it can be easily secured manually to a support beam or frame part of the road building machine, such as by a quick-lock mounting provided as a bent lever, a bayonet or a magnetic closure.

[0052] In particular, the blower means is designed to generate an air outlet velocity of 20m / s to 30m / s, which provides an air barrier with sufficient shielding effect, although air outlet velocities outside this range are also contemplated.

[0053] The present invention relates to a road construction machine equipped with at least one blower means as a mounting module, which may in particular be fixed to a front frame of a roof structure of a driver's control platform of the road construction machine, to which several blower means according to the invention can be fixed to form parallel air barriers.

[0054] In particular, the blower means can be fixed such that its air emission unit extends at least partially, but in particular completely, along the front frame in the form of a tube. In this way, the blower means can be mounted on the rear frame of the control platform to generate an air wall laterally of the control platform towards the front of the direction of travel, or alternatively an air wall behind the control platform transversely to the direction of travel, the latter allowing to block fumes from the spiral space.

[0055] A further mounting point for the blower means according to the invention can be the swiveling console for the driver's seat of the control platform of the road construction machine. The flow direction of the air barrier is thus determined by the adjustment of the swiveling console. In the swiveled-in state, the laminar air flow is directed transversely to the travel direction of the road construction machine, so that the simultaneously occurring fumes can be blown away laterally from the control platform. In the swiveled-out state, the laminar air flow is directed more towards the material bunker, so that the fumes coming from this area can be better intercepted.

[0056] A road construction machine is envisaged which is fitted with at least one blower means, the blower means being fixed to a control platform, a front frame of a roof structure formed on the control platform, a swiveling console for the driver's seat, a seat console for the driver's seat or a frame part of an external control station of the road construction machine, the front frame, the swiveling console, the seat console or the frame part forming an air discharge unit of the blower means to which the blower unit is removably attached.

[0057] It is conceivable to fasten the blower means to the road construction machine by means of a fall protection on the driver's seat of the control platform. For this mounting point, in particular air discharge units designed to generate a radial air flow as an air barrier, i.e. air discharge units present as plate-shaped mounting modules, are suitable.

[0058] The blower means may be mounted on the control platform of the road construction machine, in particular so as to suck air from the internal region of the control platform. In particular, the air discharge unit may be directed towards the control platform, in order to create a reduced pressure state in the internal region, i.e. in the control platform, by the air barrier created by the air discharge unit, thereby creating a suction effect in the control platform to suck the atmospheric air present in the control platform, thereby achieving an improvement in the air quality in the control platform.

[0059] In particular, in this connection it is conceivable that an air discharge unit is used with blower means fixed to the swiveling console for sucking air in the bottom area of ​​the control platform, whereby air from the bottom area can be drawn through the air discharge unit, i.e. along its surface, into a laminar air flow for forming an air barrier by reduced pressure and can be blown away from the control platform together with it.

[0060] The invention further relates to the use of a blower means configured as a modular mounting device so as to be removably mounted on a road construction machine to form an air barrier that directs fumes produced during operation of the road construction machine away from the operator. The blower means according to the invention can be used as an independent functional unit, i.e. as an off-grid mounted module of the road construction machine that essentially functions independently from other blowers or suction assemblies of the road construction machine, if present, and is able to effectively direct fumes away from the operator.

[0061] It is conceivable that the modular blower means, when mounted on the road construction machine, in addition to its actual blower function, can also be used as a ramp, in particular for material transport processes.

[0062] Embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the following figures: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows a road construction machine configured as a road finisher without the blower means according to the invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a road construction machine fitted with blower means according to the invention and configured as the road finisher of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows a road construction machine configured as the road finisher of FIG. 1, fitted with a plurality of blower means according to the invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows a blower means according to the present invention in isolation; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows the blower means of FIG. 4 with the air discharge unit extended. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 shows the air ejection unit separately in a retracted position. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B shows the air ejection unit of FIG. 6A in an extended position. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the air ejection unit of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a view showing a blower unit of the blower means in a separated state. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows an air induction unit for a blower unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 shows an inlet nozzle of the blower means; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 shows a road construction machine configured as a road finisher with blower means for generating a radial air flow as an air barrier. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 shows the road construction machine configured as a road finisher of FIG. 10 in a perspective view without the roof structure. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing, in isolation, a blower means used in the road finisher of FIG. 10; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a road construction machine configured as a charger vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] Identical technical components are always given the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0065] Figure 1 shows a road construction machine 1 present as a road finisher 2. The road finisher 2 has a material bunker 3 in which asphalt laying material can be stored, which is transferred by longitudinal transport means, not shown in Figure 1, from the material bunker 3 against the direction of travel R to a screed, not shown, which is towed by the road finisher 2 and is laid by the screed into a new pavement.

[0066] The road finisher 2 comprises a control platform 4 on which a driver's seat 5 is located. In particular, during the material transfer process, for example by a charger vehicle 6 (see FIG. 13) or by a truck, of the laying material to the material bunker 3, fumes may rise from the material bunker 3 and enter the control platform 4. It has been shown, inter alia, that in the open condition of the material bunker 3, fumes may reach the operator sitting in the driver's seat 5 via the outside of the control platform 4.

[0067] In order to direct these fumes away from the operator, according to Fig. 2 blower means 7 are arranged on the road finisher 2. The blower means 7 is configured as a separate mounting device M and is fixed to the front frame 8 of the control platform 4. According to Fig. 2, by means of the blower means 7 an air barrier 9 directed transversely to the running direction R of the road finisher 2 is formed by the laminar exiting air flow from the blower means 7. This allows the operator sitting in the cab 5 to be effectively shielded from the fumes rising to the sides of the road finisher 2, while at the same time the air barrier 9 generated thereby blows away the fumes reaching the operator transversely to the running direction R, i.e. away from the operator.

[0068] The blower means 7 shown in Figure 2 exists as an autonomous modular mounting M for the road finisher 2. The blower means 7 can be easily fixed to the front frame 8 of the road finisher 2 and can be oriented compactly along the front frame 8, as shown in Figure 2, so that the driver's visibility is not restricted.

[0069] Furthermore, Figure 3 shows that the blower means 7 is rotatable about an axis A extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the front frame 8. This makes it possible to adjust the direction of propagation of the air barrier 9 relative to the control platform 4.

[0070] Figure 3 shows the road finisher 2 of Figure 1 fitted with two blower means 7, one of which is fixed to the front frame 8 according to Figure 2. The other blower means 7 is mounted on a swiveling console 10 on which the driver's seat 5 is mounted. This blower means 7 makes it possible to generate a substantially horizontal air barrier 11 next to the driver's seat 5, which covers in a carpet-like manner the fumes rising laterally of the road finisher 2.

[0071] The blower means 7, which is fixed to the swivel console 10 about an axis B extending substantially in the travel direction R, is rotatable so that the propagation direction of the air barrier 11 can be adjusted relative to the control platform 4. For example, the blower means 7 can be adjusted so that the air barrier 11 is directed obliquely upwards so as to avoid the air flow hitting construction site workers working laterally next to the road finisher 2.

[0072] According to the air barriers 9, 11 arranged in Fig. 3, an effective air shielding of the driver's seat 5 can be set. The two air barriers 9, 11 form an air wall located on the side of the control platform 4. In particular, each air barrier 9, 11 can shield fumes reaching the air barrier from the operator and move the fumes away from the operator.

[0073] 4 shows in isolation the blower means 7 configured as mounting equipment M. As such a module, the blower means 7 can be used in various construction machine types. The blower means 7 has a tubular air discharge unit 12 present as a flat nozzle corresponding to a length capable of forming an air barrier 9, 11.

[0074] 4 further shows diagrammatically that the reduced pressure U caused by the air barriers 9, 11 in the region 13 present on the side of the air emission unit 12 facing away from the air barriers 9, 11 allows for sucking in the atmospheric air present in the region 13. Air from the region 13, for example from the bottom region of the control platform 4, is included in the flow of the air barriers 9, 11 by the prevailing reduced pressure U. The linear air flow emerging from the air emission unit 12 thus creates a suction effect in the region 13, which allows for sucking in the atmospheric air from the region, i.e. optionally also the fumes accumulated in the region.

[0075] Additionally, air from area 13 may also be drawn into the airflow via blower means 7 for creating air barriers 9,11 and flow therewith out of control platform 4.

[0076] With reference to figure 3, this makes it possible to use the blower means 7 fixed to the front frame 8 to suck air from the area 13 located behind it in the control platform 4. Similarly, the blower means 7 fixed to the swiveling console 10 of the road finisher 2 can be used to suck air from the bottom area of ​​the control platform 4. The blower means 7 according to the invention can thus be responsible for further improving the air quality in the control platform 4 of the road finisher 2. The suction force by the blower means 7 is adjustable depending on the power of the blower means 7 for generating the air barrier 9, 11.

[0077] Figure 5 shows the blower means 7 with the air discharge unit 12 mounted in an extended position. According to Figure 5, the air discharge unit 12 has a telescopic form, which allows the length L of the air discharge unit 12 to be variable, so that the length L of the air discharge unit 12 can be adapted to the length of the front frame 8 or the length of the swiveling console 10, respectively, to be used with various road finisher types and charger vehicle types and adapted to their structural designs.

[0078] Figure 6A shows an isolated view of the air emission unit 12. In Figure 6A, the air emission unit 12 is in a retracted position with the inner tube section 14 inserted into the outer tube section 15. This allows the air emission unit 12 to be short overall and to be fully secured to a frame portion having a short length, such as the rear frame 16 of the control platform 4 (see Figure 3).

[0079] 6B shows the air discharge unit 12 in an extended position. In the extended position, the air discharge unit 12 has a maximum length L. At this length L, a particularly large air barrier 9, 11 can be created by the blower means 7.

[0080] The telescopic air ejection unit 12 shown in Figures 6A and 6B can be used with road construction machines 1 of various sizes, especially road finishers 2 of the compact class.

[0081] Fig. 6C shows the air emission unit 12 in a cross-sectional view. According to Fig. 6C, the air emission unit 12 has a substantially circular cross-section. This cross-section can also have other shapes, for example square, oval, etc. The air emission unit 12 is composed of two shell parts 17a, 17b. The two shell parts 17a, 17b can be made of plastic. In the assembled state, the two shell parts 17a, 17b form an outlet nozzle 19 in the form of a flat nozzle 18. From the outlet nozzle 19, the air that is accelerated to form the air barriers 9, 11 leaves in a straight direction.

[0082] FIG. 7 shows a blower unit 20. The blower unit 20 exists as a centrifugal fan. The blower unit 20 comprises a fan wheel 21 and an electric motor 22 as a drive for the fan wheel 21. The rotation of the fan wheel 21 generates an axial suction or inlet flow 23 in the direction of the fan wheel 21. The axial suction flow 23 is converted by the fan wheel 21 into a radial air flow 24. The fan wheel 21 can be made of plastic.

[0083] Figure 8 shows the air induction unit 25 in isolation. The air induction unit 25 is present as a housing for the blower unit 20 shown in Figure 7. The blower unit 20 is integrated in the air induction unit 25 in such a way that the radial air flow 24 generated by the blower unit 20 and shown in Figure 7 is transformed into an axially reshaped air flow 26 by the air induction unit 25. The air induction unit 25 thus forms together with the blower unit 20 housed therein a unit which draws in air axially from the surroundings of the air induction unit 25 and releases it again substantially perpendicularly to the intake.

[0084] Like the air discharge unit 12, the air induction unit 25 can also be made of plastic and in particular can consist of two shell parts 27a, 27b. The air induction unit 25 can also be made of transparent plastic.

[0085] Furthermore, Fig. 8 shows that the air induction unit 25 comprises a tube section 40, which serves to fix the air emission unit 12. Fig. 7 shows, inter alia, that the tube section 40 forms a fixing ridge 41, by means of which the air emission unit 12 can be fixed in various orientations rotated relative to the axes A, B.

[0086] Figure 9 shows the inlet nozzle 28, which, in the assembled state of the blower means 7, is placed at the inlet of the air induction unit 25 in order to optimise the suction flow 23 and thus minimise noise generation.

[0087] 10 shows the road finisher 2 with a further blower means 29 configured as a mounting device M attached to the fall protection 30 of the control platform 4. The blower means 29 is designed to generate a radial air flow as an air barrier 31, which propagates radially on the side of the control platform 4. The blower means 29 can also be used on both sides of the control platform 4.

[0088] Figure 11 shows the road finisher 2 of figure 10 without the roof structure. Figure 11 shows that the blower means 29 fixed to the fall protection 30 is configured to suck air directly from the control platform 4 and distribute it radially to form an air barrier 31 along the open side of the control platform. Here, the blower unit 20 inserted in the blower means 29 can suck air from the control platform 4 at the side of the driver's seat 5 in a particularly effective manner.

[0089] 12 is an isolated cross-sectional view of the blower means 29. The blower means 29 comprises two plate-like shell parts 32a, 32b which, when assembled, result in an air discharge unit 32 which exists at the same time as a housing for the blower unit 20. In the assembled state, the two shell parts 32a, 32b comprise an air space 33 in which the blower unit 20 is received. The axial inlet flow 23 generated by the blower unit 20 is radially redirected by the fan wheel 21 and accelerated outwards, thereby forming an air barrier 31 with the linear air flow generated thereby.

[0090] Figure 12 shows that the two housing halves 32a, 32b define a periphery of an outlet opening 34. Figure 12 further shows that the housing half 32b defines an inlet nozzle 28' at the inlet of the blower unit 20 in the form of the inlet nozzle 28 of Figure 9. In order to create an effective air barrier 31, the air space 33 formed between the shell parts 32a, 32b suitably narrows from the blower unit 20 towards the outlet opening 34, so that a sufficient nozzle effect occurs.

[0091] Fig. 13 shows a road construction machine 1 configured as a charger vehicle 6. The charger vehicle 6 of Fig. 13 has a material bunker 35 configured to accommodate laying material. The control platform 37 of the charger vehicle 6 is substantially constructed as the control platform 4 of the road finisher 2. Thereby, according to Fig. 13, the blower means 7 can be fixed to a front frame 38 and / or to a swiveling console 39 of the control platform 37. The blower means 29 of Fig. 12 can be fixed to a fall protection 41 and / or to rails 42 of the charger vehicle 6.

[0092] The aforementioned blower means 7, 29 form autonomous mounting modules that can be fixed to the road finisher 2 and the charger vehicle 6, respectively, so as to be operated therein independently of the other vehicle assemblages. They allow an air barrier 9, 11, 31 to be generated at the control platform 4, 37 to shield the control platform 4, 37 from fumes caused by the heated laying material. Furthermore, the respective blower means 7, 29 can be used to suck air inside the control platform 4, 37.

Claims

1. Blower means (7, 29) for a road construction machine (1) which exists in the form of a road finishing machine (2) or a charger vehicle (6) for a road finishing machine (2), Blower means (7, 29) comprising a blower unit (20) for generating an airflow, and an air discharge unit (12, 32) connected to the blower unit (20) and designed to form an air barrier (9, 11, 31) from the airflow generated by the blower unit (20) for an operator located at the control station (4, 37) of the road construction machine (1), Blower means (7, 29) is characterized by being designed, at least in part, as a modular mounting device (M) configured to be detachably attached to the control station (4, 37) of the road construction machine (1).

2. The blower means according to claim 1, wherein the blower unit (20) includes at least one centrifugal fan and comprises an inlet nozzle (28) having a cross-section that becomes smaller in the direction of flow, and / or includes a filter in the blower inlet formed in the blower unit (20).

3. The blower means according to claim 1, wherein the blower unit (20) can be connected to a power source of the road construction machine (1), and / or the blower means (7, 29) includes at least one accumulator of its own for the operation of the blower unit (20).

4. The blower means according to claim 1, characterized in that the blower means comprises an air induction unit (25) that forms a housing for the blower unit (20), or the air discharge unit (32) forms a housing for the blower unit (20).

5. The blower means according to claim 4, characterized in that the air discharge units (12, 32) and / or the air induction unit (25) are formed from plastic.

6. The blower means according to claim 1, wherein the air discharge unit (12) comprises at least one outlet nozzle (19) designed in the form of a flat nozzle (18) for generating a linear outlet flow as an air barrier (9, 11), or the air discharge unit (32) comprises at least one outlet nozzle (34) for generating a radial outlet flow as an air barrier (31).

7. The blower means according to claim 1, characterized in that the air discharge unit (12) is rotatably mounted on the blower unit (20) to adjust the orientation of the air barrier (9, 11) generated by the air discharge unit (12).

8. The blower means according to claim 1, characterized in that the air discharge unit (12) has an extendable design for changing the area of ​​the air barrier (9, 11) generated by the air discharge unit (12).

9. The blower means (7, 29) is configured for installation and removal without the use of tools, as described in claim 1.

10. The blower means (7, 29) is characterized in that it includes at least one light source, as described in claim 1.

11. The blower means (7, 29) can be controlled by the operator control panel of the road construction machine, and / or the blower means (7, 29) can operate at least two power stages to directly operate the blower unit (20), as described in claim 1.

12. The blower means according to claim 1, characterized in that the blower means (7, 29) can be attached to the control station (4, 37) of the road construction machine (1) so that air can be drawn in from the internal region (13) of the control station (4, 37).

13. A road construction machine (1) equipped with at least one blower means (7, 29) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The blower means (7) is fixed to the front frame (8) of the roof structure of the control station (4, 37) of the road construction machine (1), and the air release unit (12) extends at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the front frame (8); the blower means (7) is fixed to the slewing console (10, 39) of the driver's seat (5) of the control station (4, 37) of the road construction machine (1), and the air release unit (12) extends at least partially along the slewing console (10) in the travel direction (R); and / or the blower means (29) is fixed to a fall prevention unit (30) on the side of the driver's seat (5) of the control station (4, 37) of the road construction machine (1), and the air release unit (32) is designed to generate a radial airflow as an air barrier (31) on the side of the driver's seat (5), the road construction machine (1).

14. A road construction machine (1) equipped with at least one blower means (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The blower means (7) is fixed to the control station (4, 37), the front frame (8) of the roof structure formed on the control station, the swivel console (10, 39) of the driver's seat (5), the seat console of the driver's seat (5), or the frame portion of the external control station of the road construction machine (1), and the front frame (8), the swivel console (10, 39), the seat console, or the frame portion forms the air discharge unit (12, 32) to which the blower unit (20) is detachably attached, in the road construction machine (1).

15. A method of using blower means (7, 29) configured as a modular mounting device (M) for detachably attaching blower means to a road construction machine (1) to generate an air barrier (9, 11, 31), wherein the air barrier keeps fumes generated during the operation of the road construction machine (1) away from an operator located at the control station (4, 37) of the road construction machine (1).

Images