Road construction vehicle provided with material hopper having rotating function

Abstract

To provide the improved sight for an operator or a driver of a road construction vehicle, especially the improved sight relative to a front.SOLUTION: A road construction vehicle (1) comprises a chassis (5) and a material hopper (9) storing pavement materials. The material hopper (9) has two hopper parts (17) opposed mutually which are configured to define a storage space (19) for the pavement materials. At least one of hopper parts (17) has a base part (21) and a side part (23). The base part (21) is mounted to the chassis (5) so as to be capable of rotating between an open position and a closed position around a main rotating shaft (25). The side part (23) is mounted to the base part (21) along a rotating edge of the side part (23) capable of rotating around a side part rotating shaft (27). A free edge (35) of the side part (23) at an opposite side of the rotating edge is configured to locate lower than the side part rotating shaft (27) when the base part (21) is in the closed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of road construction vehicles having a material hopper, in particular in the form of a road paver or in the form of a feeder vehicle for a road paver. [Background technology]

[0002] In fact, road pavers are known in which the material hopper has two halves facing each other in a width direction perpendicular to the paving direction. During paving operations, the hopper halves are in a paving configuration. From the paving configuration, the hopper halves can each be pivoted toward each other about an axis extending along the paving direction, thereby transferring the material hopper to a transport configuration. In the transport configuration, the material hopper has a narrowed width. When the material hopper is in the transport configuration, the road paver can be more easily transported between construction sites or parked space-efficiently. Each of the pivotable hopper halves can have a sidewall that can be pivoted relative to the rest of the hopper half. In the paving configuration, the sidewalls can be tilted toward the side to enlarge the width of the material hopper, which facilitates docking of a truck to load paving material into the material hopper.

[0003] Feeder vehicles for road pavers are also known in practice, which act as a relay between a truck traveling in front of the feeder vehicle and the road paver traveling behind the feeder vehicle. The truck may dump the paving material into the material hopper of the feeder vehicle. A conveyor of the feeder vehicle may drop the paving material from above into the material hopper of the road paver. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to an aspect of the invention, a road construction vehicle is provided. The road construction vehicle includes a chassis and a material hopper for receiving paving material. The material hopper has two hopper sections opposed to each other. The hopper sections are configured to define a receiving space for the paving material. At least one of the hopper sections has a base and a side. The base is mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position about a main pivot axis. The side section is mounted to the base along a side pivot edge for pivotal movement about a side pivot axis. The side section includes a free edge opposite the pivot edge. The free edge of the side section is configured to be located below the side pivot axis when the base is in the closed position.

[0005] The cross direction may be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle, in particular to the paving direction of the road construction vehicle. The cross direction may be horizontal. The cross direction may be left-right relative to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle. The cross direction may extend from one side of the road construction vehicle to the other side of the road construction vehicle.

[0006] The two hopper sections may be configured similarly to one another. The two hopper sections may be designed as mirror images of one another. The two hopper sections may face one another in the transverse direction.

[0007] The conveyor device may be arranged between the two hopper parts in the cross direction. The conveyor device may be configured to discharge the paving material from the material hopper. The conveyor device may be configured to convey the paving material at least substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle, in particular against the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle. The conveyor device may comprise a scraper belt. The conveyor device may form at least a part of the floor of the accommodation space.

[0008] In the open position, the base may form at least a portion of a floor of the storage space. The base may have an inner surface. In the open position, the inner surface of the base may form at least a portion of a floor of the storage space. In the open position, the inner surface of the base may form at least a portion of an inner wall of the storage space. The inner surface of the base may be planar. The inner surface of the base may be at least substantially horizontal in the open position. In the open position, the inner surface of the base may be inclined at most 5 degrees, or at most 10 degrees, or at most 15 degrees, or at most 20 degrees, or at most 25 degrees, or at most 30 degrees, relative to a horizontal plane.

[0009] The main pivot axis may be stationary relative to the chassis of the road paver. The main pivot axis may extend along the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle. The main pivot axis may extend at least substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle. The main pivot axis may extend parallel to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle, at least in a projection from above.

[0010] The base may be configured to be lifted from the open position by being pivoted about a primary axis towards the opposite hopper section to the closed position. Pivoting of the base from the open position to the closed position may include a rotation of at least 30 degrees, or at least 40 degrees, or at least 50 degrees, or at least 60 degrees, or at least 70 degrees, or at least 80 degrees about the primary pivot axis. In the closed position, an inner surface of the base may be tilted, for example, at least 30 degrees, or at least 40 degrees, or at least 50 degrees, or at least 60 degrees, or at least 70 degrees, or at least 80 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. In the closed position, an inner surface of the base may face the opposite half of the sand trap.

[0011] As the base is pivoted from an open position to a closed position, the base of the other hopper section may be simultaneously pivoted from an open position to a closed position.

[0012] During work operation of the road construction vehicle, the base may be in an open position. In the open position, the at least one hopper section may be configured to receive paving material. The material hopper as a whole may be configured to receive paving material when the bases of both hopper sections are in the open position. The material hopper may be in a work configuration when the base of the at least one hopper section is in the open position, particularly when the bases of both hopper sections are in the open position.

[0013] When the base is in the closed position, the at least one hopper section may be upright. When the base is in the closed position, the at least one hopper section may be folded inwards in a transverse direction towards the other hopper section. When the base is in the closed position, the material hopper may have a reduced width. When the base of the at least one hopper section is in the closed position, in particular when the bases of both hopper sections are in the closed position, the material hopper may be in a transport configuration. In the transport configuration, transport of the road construction vehicle between work operations may be simplified due to the reduced bunker width.

[0014] When the base is in the closed position, the height of the material hopper may be higher than when the base is in the open position. If the free edge of the side is lower than the side pivot axis in the closed position of the base, the height of the material hopper in the closed position may be at least lower than when the free edge of the side is above the side pivot axis. Due to the free edge of the side being lower than the side pivot axis in the closed position of the base, the material hopper may have a relatively low height even when the base is in the closed position. The relatively low height of the material hopper in the closed position may provide the operator or driver of the road construction vehicle with improved visibility, especially to the front. For example, the operator or driver of the road construction vehicle may be able to see beyond the material hopper and ahead even when the base is in the closed position, which makes it easier to safely guide the road construction vehicle.

[0015] Preferably, at least one hopper section or material hopper does not extend upwardly beyond the chassis of the road paver when the base is in the closed position.

[0016] When the base portion pivots about the main pivot axis, the at least one hopper portion may pivot about the main pivot axis as a whole relative to the chassis of the road paver.

[0017] The side pivot axes may extend along the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle. The side pivot axes may be at least substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle. The side pivot axes may be parallel to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle, at least in plan view. The side pivot axes may be at least substantially parallel to the main pivot axes.

[0018] The base may extend between the main pivot axis and the side pivot axis. The side may be connected to the base along the side pivot axis.

[0019] The side sections may be configured to pivot about side pivot axes relative to the base between the deployed position and the transport position. When the base is in the open position and the side sections are in the deployed position, the side sections may form at least a portion of a side wall of the storage space and / or may laterally define the storage space. The side sections may be pivoted about the side pivot axes in the same rotational direction as the base is pivoted from the deployed position to the transport position and from the open position to the closed position.

[0020] As the sides rotate from the deployed position to the transport position, the sides may fold up inside the material hopper.

[0021] The lateral pivot edges may be at least substantially parallel to one or more of the following: the main pivot axis, the lateral pivot axis, the paving direction of the road construction vehicle, the lateral free edge.

[0022] The lateral free edges may be at least substantially parallel to one or more of the following: the main pivot axis, the lateral pivot axis, the paving direction of the road construction vehicle, the lateral pivot edges.

[0023] The pivoting edges and / or the free edges of the lateral parts may extend, at least in plan view, parallel to the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle.

[0024] The free edges of the sides may be located below the side pivot axis when the base is in the closed position and the sides are in the transport position. If the free edges of the sides are located below the side pivot axis when the base is in the closed position, the material hopper may have a relatively low height in the closed position. The relatively low height of the material hopper in the closed position may provide an operator or driver of the road construction vehicle with improved visibility, in particular improved visibility to the front. Preferably, at least one hopper section or material hopper does not extend above the chassis of the road paver when the base is in the closed position and the sides are in the transport position.

[0025] A side portion may have a middle portion and an end portion. For example, it is possible for a side portion to have several middle portions and end portions, with several middle portions being provided.

[0026] The intermediate portion may have a first surface, the end portion may have a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface may each be configured to form a portion of an inner wall of the receiving space.

[0027] The first surface and the second surface may meet along a boundary line that is at least substantially parallel to one or more of the following: the main pivot axis, the side pivot axis, the side pivot edge, the side free edge, the direction of movement of the road construction vehicle.

[0028] The first surface and the second surface may be configured to be angled towards one another.

[0029] The middle and end portions may be rigidly connected to or integrally formed with one another. The first and second surfaces may be formed to form an angle with one another. The first and second surfaces may define a bend in the side portion. The bend in the side portion allows the side portion to be stored particularly compactly in the closed position.

[0030] The intermediate portion may be pivotally mounted to the base about a lateral pivot axis.

[0031] The end portion may be pivotally mounted to the intermediate portion about an end pivot axis, which may be at least substantially parallel to one or more of: the main pivot axis, the side pivot axis, the side pivot edge, the side free edge, the direction of travel of the road construction vehicle.

[0032] The end may be configured to be pivoted about an end pivot axis between the folded position and the unfolded position. The end may be configured to be pivoted about an end pivot axis between the folded position and the unfolded position, at least when the base is in the open position. In the folded position, the end may form at least a portion of a side wall of the storage space when the base is in the open position. In the folded position, the end may be at least substantially vertically aligned when the base is in the open position. In the unfolded position, the end may form at least a substantially flat continuation of the base. In the unfolded position, the end may form at least a portion of a bottom surface of the storage space when the base is in the open position. When the base is in the open position, the width of the material hopper is greater when the end is in the unfolded position than when the end is in the folded position. The pivoting of the end portions about the end pivot axes from the unfolded position to the folded position can occur in the same rotational direction as the pivoting of the base portions about the main pivot axes from the open position to the closed position and / or the pivoting of the sides about the side pivot axes from the deployed position to the transport position.

[0033] The road construction vehicle may comprise a coupling device. The coupling device may be configured to couple a pivot position of the base about the main pivot axis with a pivot position of the side about the side pivot axis. The coupling device may be configured to couple a pivot position of the base about the main pivot axis with a pivot position of the side about the side pivot axis such that each pivot position of the base about the main pivot axis is assigned to a pivot position of the side about a corresponding side pivot axis. The coupling device may simplify the operation of the material hopper. The coupling device may ensure that the base and the side are always in the correct position relative to each other.

[0034] The coupling device may be configured such that when the base part is pivoted about the main pivot axis, automatic pivoting of the side parts about the side pivot axes occurs.The coupling device may be configured such that when the base part is pivoted about the main pivot axis, automatic pivoting of the side parts about the side pivot axes occurs in the same rotational direction.

[0035] The coupling device may be configured to pivot the side portion from the deployed position to the transport position when the main portion is pivoted from the open position to the closed position. The coupling device may be configured to pivot the side portion from the transport position to the deployed position when the base portion is pivoted from the closed position to the open position.

[0036] The coupling device may be configured such that when the base is pivoted about the main pivot axis by a first angle, automatic pivoting of the side about the side pivot axis occurs by a second angle, where the first angle value and the second angle value are different from each other.

[0037] The coupling device may be formed by a control technique, and when a user input is received with an adjustment command, the control device of the road construction vehicle may be configured to control both the actuator for pivoting the base about the main pivot axis and the actuator for pivoting the side about the side pivot axis.

[0038] The coupling device can be a mechanical coupling device. In particular, in the case of a mechanical design of the coupling device, only one actuator may be provided, which is arranged for both a pivoting movement of the base part about a main pivot axis and a pivoting movement of the side part about a lateral pivot axis, in particular simultaneously.

[0039] The linkage may include a linking rod. The linking rod may connect the side to the chassis. The linking rod may be pivotally attached to the side and to the chassis. The side may have an extension to which the linking rod is connected. The linking rod may be in a horizontal position when the base is in the open position. The linking rod may be in an upright position when the base is in the closed position.

[0040] The material hopper may be mounted at the front of the road construction vehicle relative to the paving direction.

[0041] The road construction vehicle can be configured as a road paver or as a feeder vehicle for a road paver.

[0042] The road paver may comprise a towing vehicle. The chassis may be a chassis of the towing vehicle. The material hopper may be provided on and / or attached to the towing vehicle. The road paver may comprise a screed. The screed may be attached to the towing vehicle to be towed behind the towing vehicle. The road construction vehicle may comprise a conveyor arrangement. The conveyor arrangement may be configured to transport paving material from the material hopper rearwardly in a direction opposite to the paving direction and provide it to the screed.

[0043] The feeder vehicle may be equipped with a conveyor that may be designed to transport the paving material from a material hopper of the feeder vehicle and drop it from above into a material hopper of a road paver traveling behind the feeder vehicle.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a road construction vehicle, wherein at least one hopper section of a material hopper of the road construction vehicle is pivoted about a main pivot axis relative to a chassis of the road construction vehicle, and wherein the pivoting movement of the at least one hopper section about the main pivot axis is coupled with a pivoting movement of a side of the at least one hopper section about a side pivot axis relative to a base of the at least one hopper section.

[0045] The pivoting movement of the at least one hopper part about a main pivot axis can be coupled, in particular mechanically coupled, by a coupling device to the pivoting movement of the lateral parts about lateral pivot axes.

[0046] The pivoting movement of the at least one hopper section about the main pivot axis may be at least partially simultaneous with the pivoting movement of the side sections about the side pivot axes.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a use of a material hopper, the material hopper comprising at least one hopper part, the at least one hopper part being connected to a chassis of a road construction vehicle via a main pivot axis, the at least one hopper part being foldable on itself via two pivot axes, the material hopper being used for transferring the road construction vehicle to a transport configuration with reduced space requirements.

[0048] As mentioned above, various aspects of the invention relate to a road construction vehicle, a method for operating a road construction vehicle and a use of a material hopper. Features described in relation to one of these aspects are also valid for and may be applied to or combined with the other aspects. The road construction vehicle may be suitable, adapted and / or configured for carrying out the method or for carrying out the use. The method may be carried out on the road construction vehicle. The use may be carried out on the road construction vehicle. The carrying out of the method may include the use. The use may include the carrying out of the method.

[0049] The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates generally the sequence of transformation of a material hopper of a road paver according to an embodiment from a transport configuration to a working configuration, where FIG. 1A illustrates the transport configuration and FIG. 1E illustrates the working configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a material hopper according to an embodiment as viewed from the chassis side along the paving direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a road paver according to an embodiment with the material hopper in a working configuration, with the ends in the deployed position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a road paver according to an embodiment with the material hopper in an intermediate configuration, with the ends in the deployed position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a feeder vehicle having a material hopper according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Figures 1A-1E show a time sequence of a road construction vehicle embodied as a road paver 1 during the transition from a transport configuration shown in Figure 1A to a working configuration shown in Figure 1E. The road paver 1 comprises a towing vehicle 3 having a chassis 5. A material hopper 9 for receiving the paving material is provided in front of the chassis 5 in the paving direction 7. The road paver 1 comprises a conveyor device 11 which, during paving operations, transports the paving material from the material hopper 9 in the direction opposite to the paving direction 7 and places it in front of a screed 13 which is towed behind the towing vehicle 3. The screed 13 compacts and smoothes the paving material.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the road paver 1 is a compact road paver 1 which can be used in a particularly space-saving manner. The compact road paver 1 according to the embodiment shown comprises an operator platform 15 provided on the screed 13, from which an operator can control the road paver 1. The operator platform 15 may have facilities for the operator to stand on. This platform may be formed above or behind the screed 13. From the platform, the operator can see ahead along the paving direction 7 beyond the chassis 5.

[0053] To transfer the road paver 1 from the transport configuration to the working configuration (or vice versa), the configuration of the material hopper 9 may be changed. In the working configuration shown in FIG. 1E, the material hopper 9 is ready for a paving operation or is capable of containing paving material. In this working configuration, the material hopper 9 has an excess width, i.e. it protrudes laterally at least beyond the chassis 5 of the road paver 1. In the transport configuration shown in FIG. 1A, the material hopper 9 is folded up and is not ready for a paving operation. In the transport configuration, the width of the material hopper 9 is greatly reduced, which simplifies the maneuvering of the road paver 1 or the transportation of the road paver 1 between building sites. In the transport configuration, the height of the material hopper 9 exceeds that of the working configuration. Nevertheless, in the illustrated embodiment, the material hopper 9 does not protrude upwards beyond the chassis 5 of the road paver 1 even during the transport configuration. As a result, the forward visibility of the operator at the operator platform 15 is hardly impeded by the material hopper 9, even in the transport configuration.

[0054] The sequence of Figures 1A to 1E shows how the road paver 1 transitions from the transport configuration to the working configuration. It is understood that the road paver 1 may transition from the working configuration to the transport configuration by following the sequence in reverse, i.e., going from Figure 1E to Figure 1A.

[0055] The material hopper 9 comprises two hopper halves 17 formed as mirror images of each other. The hopper halves 17 face each other and may be formed identically, except for being mirror images. A part of the conveyor device 11 is provided between the hopper halves 17 for conveying the paving material present in the material hopper 9 out of the material hopper 9 in a direction opposite to the paving direction 7. In particular, in the working configuration, the material hopper 9 forms a receiving space 19 for the paving material.

[0056] Each hopper section 17 comprises a base section 21 and a side section 23. Each base section 21 is pivotally attached to the chassis 5 along a main pivot axis 25. The side sections 23 are pivotally attached to the base 21 along side pivot axes 27. In particular, the side sections 23 are attached to the base 21 along their pivot edges, which are pivotable about the side pivot axes 27. The main pivot axis 25, the side pivot axis 27 and the pivot edges of the side sections 23 extend along the paving direction 7. In particular, the main pivot axis 25, the side pivot axis 27 and the pivot edges of the side sections 23 may extend at least substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the paving direction 7.

[0057] An actuator 29 is provided on each hopper half 17 to adjust the pivot position of each base 21 about the main pivot axis 25. To transition the road paver 1 from the transport configuration (FIG. 1A) to the working configuration (FIG. 1E), the actuators 29 are controlled to pivot the bases 21 outwardly away from each other about the main pivot axis 25, thereby placing the bases 21 in an open position. To transition the road paver 1 from the working configuration (FIG. 1E) to the transport configuration (FIG. 1A), the actuators 29 are controlled to pivot the bases 21 towards each other about the pivot axis 25, thereby placing the bases 21 in a closed position.

[0058] A coupling device 31 in the form of a coupling rod 33 is provided on each of the hopper halves 17. The coupling rod 33 is hinged to both the chassis 5 of the road paver 1 and to the side 23 of the respective hopper half 17. As shown in Figure 2, the coupling rod 33 is hinged to an extension 34 of the side 23, in particular to an extension of a middle portion 37 of the side 23.

[0059] The connecting rods 33 are essentially rigid elements which ensure that a specific pivot position of the side 23 about the side pivot axis 27 is assigned to each pivot position of the base 21 about the main pivot axis 25. The coupling device 31 therefore ensures that the pivot position of the side 23 about the side pivot axis 27 is changed automatically and simultaneously when the pivot position of the base 21 about the main pivot axis 25 is changed.

[0060] The length of the connecting rod 33 may be constant during a paving operation of the road paver 1. Nevertheless, the length of the connecting rod 33 may be adjustable, in particular to accurately approach the end positions despite manufacturing tolerances.

[0061] As can be seen from FIG. 1, when the rotational position of the base 21 around the main rotation axis 25 is changed, the assigned side 23 is rotated in the same rotational direction around the side rotation axis 27.

[0062] In the transport configuration of the material hopper 9 (FIG. 1A), the side 23 is in a transport position relative to the base 21. In the working configuration of the material hopper 9 (FIG. 1E), the side 23 is in a deployed position relative to the base 21. When the road paver 1 moves from the transport configuration (FIG. 1A) to the working configuration (FIG. 1E), the side 23 is pivoted about the side pivot axis 27 outwardly of the intermediate space between the bunker halves 17. When the road paver 1 moves from the working configuration (FIG. 1E) to the transport configuration (FIG. 1A), the side 23 is pivoted about the side pivot axis 27 into the intermediate space between the hopper halves 17.

[0063] At least in the transport configuration (FIG. 1A), a free edge 35 of the side part 23 opposite the pivot edge of the side part 23 is located below the side pivot axis 27. As a result, the material hopper 9 is particularly compact in the transport configuration. In particular, the operator's view to the front is only slightly impaired by the material hopper 9 in the transport configuration. The free edge 35 of the side part 23 extends along the paving direction 7 and is in particular parallel to the paving direction 7, the main pivot axis 25, the side pivot axis 27 and the pivot edge of the side part 23.

[0064] The side portion 23 comprises a middle portion 37 and an end portion 39. The middle portion 37 connects the base portion 21 and the end portion 39. The end portion 39 defines a free edge 35. The middle portion 37 is pivotally connected to the base portion 21 about the side pivot axis 27. The middle portion 37 comprises a first surface 41 and the end portion 39 comprises a second surface 43 (see FIG. 1D). The first surface 41 and the second surface 43 each form a part of the inner wall of the receiving space 19 of the material hopper 9. In the working configuration (FIG. 1E), the middle portion 37 forms the bottom of the material hopper 9. In the working configuration, the end portion 39 forms at least a part of the side wall of the receiving space 19 of the material hopper 9.

[0065] The intermediate part 37 and the end part 39 may be rigidly connected to each other such that an angle is formed between the first face 41 and the second face 43, for example an angle of 90 degrees, or an angle between 90 degrees and 180 degrees, or an angle between 60 degrees and 120 degrees. Alternatively, the intermediate part 37 and the end part 39 may be pivotally connected to each other about an end part pivot axis 42. The end part pivot axis 42 extends along the paving direction 7 and in particular parallel to the main pivot axis 25, the side part pivot axis 27 and the paving direction 7. The end part pivot axis 42 may extend parallel to the pivot edge of the side part 23 and the free edge 35 of the side part 23.

[0066] The pivotal position of the end 39 relative to the intermediate portion 37 may be adjustable independently of the pivotal position of the base 21 about the main pivot axis 25 and the pivotal position of the side portion 23 about the side pivot axis 27. The pivotal position of the end 39 relative to the intermediate portion 37 about the end pivot axis 42 may be manually or automatically adjustable. A predetermined locking position may be provided for the pivotal position of the end 39 relative to the intermediate portion 37.

[0067] 1, end portion 39 is in a folded position relative to intermediate portion 37. In the embodiment shown, in the folded position, an approximately 90 degree angle is formed between first surface 41 and second surface 43.

[0068] Figure 3 shows the road paver 1 in a working configuration (corresponding to Figure 1E) where, in contrast to Figure 1E, the end portion 39 is folded in an unfolded position about the end portion pivot axis 42 relative to the intermediate portion 37. In the unfolded position, an angle of at least substantially 180 degrees is formed between the first side 41 and the second side 43. An angle of less than 180 degrees may also be formed between the first side 41 and the second side 43. By pivoting the end portion 39 to the unfolded position, the width of the material hopper 9 may be increased, for example, to simplify docking of a truck supplying the material hopper 9 or to make docking achievable on the first try.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows the road paver 1 in an intermediate configuration between the transport configuration and the working configuration, with the end parts 39 also in an extended position relative to the intermediate parts 37.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a road construction vehicle formed as a feeder vehicle 51. The feeder vehicle 51 comprises a chassis 5 on which an operator platform 15 is provided. A material hopper 9 is provided in front of the direction of travel 7, which may correspond to the material hopper 9 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. At the rear of the direction of travel 7, the feeder vehicle 51 has a conveyor 53. The conveyor device 55 of the feeder vehicle 51 is configured to transport the paving material from the material hopper 9 in the direction opposite to the direction of travel 7 and convey it to the conveyor 53. The conveyor 53 is configured to drop the paving material from above into the material hopper of a road paver traveling behind the feeder vehicle 51.

Claims

1. A chassis (5), and A material hopper for storing paving material (9) Equipped with The material hopper (9) has two opposing hopper sections (17) configured to define a receiving space (19) for the paving material; At least one of the hopper sections (17) has a base (21) and a side (23); The base (21) is attached to the chassis (5) so as to be pivotable about a main pivot axis (25) between an open position and a closed position; and A road construction vehicle (1, 51) in which the side portion (23) is attached to the base portion (21) along a pivot edge of the side portion (23) that is pivotable about a side pivot axis (27), A road construction vehicle (1, 51), characterized in that a free edge (35) of the side (23) opposite the pivot edge is configured to be located below the side pivot axis (27) when the base (21) is in the closed position.

2. 2. A road construction vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the side portion (23) has a middle portion (37) and an end portion (39).

3. 3. A road construction vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the intermediate portion (37) has a first surface (41) and the end portion (39) has a second surface (43), the first surface (41) and the second surface (43) are each configured to form part of an inner wall of the storage space (19), and the first surface (41) and the second surface (43) are configured to be inclined towards each other.

4. 4. A road construction vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the intermediate part (37) is mounted on the base part (21) so as to be pivotable about the lateral pivot axis (27).

5. A road construction vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the end portion (39) is attached to the intermediate portion (37) so as to be pivotable about an end pivot axis (42).

6. A road construction vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the intermediate part (37) and the end part (39) are rigidly connected to each other or are formed integrally with each other.

7. The road construction vehicle (1, 51) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a coupling device (31) configured to couple a pivotal position of the base part (21) about the main pivot axis (25) and a pivotal position of the side part (23) about the side pivot axis (27).

8. 8. A road construction vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the coupling device (31) is configured for automatic pivoting of the side parts (23) about the side pivot axes (27) when the base part (21) is pivoted about the main pivot axis (25), in particular in the same rotational direction.

9. 9. A road construction vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the coupling device (31) is configured to effect an automatic pivoting of the side part (23) about the side pivot axis (27) by a second angle when the base part (21) is pivoted about the main pivot axis (25) by a first angle, the first angle value and the second angle value being different from each other.

10. A road construction vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the coupling device (31) is provided by control technology or mechanically.

11. Road construction vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the coupling device (31) comprises a coupling rod (33) connecting the side (23) to the chassis (5).

12. A method for operating a road construction vehicle (1, 51), comprising:

1. A method comprising the steps of: pivoting at least one hopper part (17) of a material hopper (9) of said road construction vehicle (1, 51) about a main pivot axis (25) relative to a chassis (5) of said road construction vehicle (1, 51), 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the pivoting movement of the at least one hopper part (17) about the main pivot axis (25) is coupled with a pivoting movement in which a side part (23) of the at least one hopper part (17) is pivoted about a side pivot axis (27) relative to a base part (21) of the at least one hopper part (17).

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pivoting movement of the at least one hopper section (17) about the main pivot axis (25) is mechanically coupled to the pivoting movement of the side section (23) about the side pivot axis (27) by a coupling device (31).

14. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the pivoting movement of the at least one hopper section (17) about the main pivot axis (25) is at least partially simultaneous with the pivoting movement of the side section (23) about the side pivot axis (27).

15. Use of a material hopper (9) which is connected via a main pivot axis (25) to a chassis (5) of a road construction vehicle (1, 51) and has at least one hopper part (17) which is itself foldable via two pivot axes (27, 42) in order to transfer the road construction vehicle (1, 51) into a transport configuration with reduced space requirements.

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