Road construction machine

Abstract

SOLUTION: A road construction machine comprises a chassis, a traveling gear (4), a plurality of work gears for laying or removing a road surface and / or transporting paving material, one or more individual drive units (10) adapted in particular for powering the traveling gear (4) and / or the work gear, a primary drive system (9) for powering the one or more individual drive units (10) of the road construction machine, and an interface (12) adapted for connecting the primary drive system (9) to the one or more individual drive units (10) in a combinable manner and in particular for enabling the one or more individual drive units (10) to be powered by the primary drive system (9), and the primary drive system (9) is exchangeable.EFFECT: One or more individual drive units may be powered from a primary drive system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a road building machine according to the general concept of claim 1 and to a method according to claim 14. [Background technology]

[0002] A road paver (or asphalt paver) is a road construction machine that is mainly used to pave asphalt mixtures in road construction. The main components of a road paver usually include a running gear, a material container (receptacle or hopper), a scraper belt, a distribution screw, a screed, a heating system, and an automatic leveling system.

[0003] A diesel-hydraulic drive system for a road paver is known from US Pat. No. 5,399,663, in which the energy required to operate the road paver is provided by a combustion engine or by a diesel engine (primary drive source). US Pat. No. 5,399,663 further discloses that the diesel engine is directly connected to a hydraulic pump on the one hand and to an electric generator on the other hand.

[0004] The use of diesel-electric drive systems in road construction machines is also well known. Diesel-electric drives include a transmission system, by means of which the mechanical energy provided by a diesel engine is converted into electrical power with the aid of a generator and transmitted to the individual electric drives.

[0005] In recent years, emission reduction targets have driven the electrification of road construction machinery, and road construction machinery featuring electric motors as the primary drive source is now state of the art.

[0006] The availability of electricity or other emission-free energy sources and exhaust gas regulations vary from country to country. It is very costly for manufacturers of road construction machinery to produce machine types based on suitable drive concepts, relying on national emission regulations and infrastructure for emission-free energy sources. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Specification No. 2 333 158 B2 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 2 377 995 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a single type of road construction machine, the primary drive system of which can be adapted or exchanged with little effort. For example, depending on the available energy sources and emission regulations in different countries, it may be necessary to use different primary drive systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This object is solved by the features of claim 1 or claim 14.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a road construction machine comprising a chassis and a running gear. The road construction machine may further comprise one or more working gears for laying or removing a road surface and / or for transporting paving material. The road construction machine comprises a primary drive system, one or more individual drives and an interface. The individual drives may be adapted to power the running gear and / or the working gear. The primary drive system is adapted to power one or more individual drives of the road construction machine. The primary drive system may be connected to the one or more drives via the interface. In particular, this allows one or more individual drives to be powered from the primary drive system. The primary drive system may be adapted to be exchangeable.

[0011] The primary drive system may have a primary drive source, which may be a combustion engine, a fuel cell, a battery, or an external power source located outside the road building equipment.

[0012] The road construction machine may have a buffer battery. The buffer battery may be used to compensate for load or power peaks. This allows the primary drive system and / or the primary drive source to be smaller in size. The buffer battery may be a DC battery. The buffer battery may be an AC battery. The buffer battery may be located between the primary drive system and one or more individual drives.

[0013] The road construction machine may have a first converter. The first converter may be disposed between the primary drive system and the one or more individual drives. The first converter may be disposed between the primary drive system and a buffer battery. The first converter may be disposed between an interface and a buffer battery.

[0014] The first converter may be a first inverter, a first rectifier or a first transformer. A first converter may be required when the current provided by the primary drive system does not correspond to the current that can be stored in the buffer battery or the current required by the individual drives. For example, a rectifier is required when an AC current is generated by the primary drive system and a DC battery is used as a buffer battery. An inverter is required when a DC current is generated by the primary drive system and an AC battery is used as a buffer battery. A transformer may be required when the voltage provided by the primary drive system does not correspond to the voltage of the buffer battery.

[0015] The road construction machine may have a second converter. The second converter may be arranged between the buffer battery and one or more individual drives. The second converter is needed if the current (DC or AC) stored in the buffer battery does not correspond to the current required by the individual drives. The second converter may be an inverter. The second converter may be a rectifier. Several second converters may also be arranged between the buffer battery and the individual drives. A power distributor may be arranged between the one or more converters and the individual drives.

[0016] The road construction machine may have a power distributor. The power distributor may be arranged between the buffer battery and the individual drives. The power distributor may be arranged between the buffer battery and one or more converters.

[0017] The primary drive system may comprise a combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine. The primary drive system may comprise a combustion tank and / or a biofuel tank.

[0018] The primary drive system may comprise a gas engine. The primary drive system may comprise a hydrogen tank or a pressure tank, in particular a pressure tank for natural gas and / or liquefied petroleum gas.

[0019] The primary drive system may comprise a fuel cell. The primary drive system may comprise a hydrogen tank or a pressure tank, in particular a pressure tank for natural gas and / or liquefied petroleum gas.

[0020] The primary drive system may include a battery. The primary drive system may include a third converter. The third converter may be an inverter, a rectifier, or a transformer.

[0021] The primary drive system may have a lifting point. The lifting point may be adapted to provide a surface and / or point of application for a crane or forklift. The lifting point may be attached to a primary drive source. The lifting point may be attached to a vessel, in particular a fuel tank, a pressure tank and / or a hydrogen tank of the primary drive system.

[0022] The lifting points may be attached to a combustion engine, a fuel cell, a battery, a fuel tank, a pressure tank, a hydrogen tank, or any combination thereof. For example, if the primary drive system includes a combustion engine and a fuel tank, the lifting points may be attached to the combustion engine and the fuel tank. For example, if the primary drive system includes a gas engine and a pressure tank, the lifting points may be attached to the gas engine and the pressure tank. For example, if the primary drive system includes a fuel cell and a hydrogen tank, the lifting points may be attached to the fuel cell and the hydrogen tank.

[0023] The road construction machine can have various primary drive systems. For example, the road construction machine can have a first primary drive system and a second primary drive system. The first primary drive system or the second primary drive system can include a combustion engine and a fuel tank. The first primary drive system or the second primary drive system can include a gas engine and a pressure tank. The first primary drive system or the second primary drive system can include a hydrogen tank and a fuel cell. The first primary drive system or the second primary drive system can include a battery and an overhead line, a power rail and / or a trailing cable connected to an external power source.

[0024] The different primary drive systems, in particular the first primary drive system and the second primary drive system, can have the same dimensions. The different primary drive systems, in particular the first primary drive system and the second primary drive system, can have a uniform hole pattern for screw and / or bolt connections. The different primary drive systems, in particular the first primary drive system and the second primary drive system, can have uniform locking components. The uniform locking components can be part of a locking system, which in particular allows the primary drive systems to be connected and / or locked to the road construction machine. The locking system can be automatic and / or function automatically. The non-uniform locking components can be part of a snap connection.

[0025] The first primary drive system and the second primary drive system can be installed in parallel on the road construction machine. The first primary drive system and the second primary drive system can be adapted as alternative modules. In particular, this means that if the first primary drive system is installed on the road construction machine, the second primary drive system is mounted outside the road construction machine and vice versa.

[0026] The interface may be adapted automatically. The interface may include an automatic locking and unlocking mechanism. The interface may include a releasable mechanical connection. The releasable mechanical connection may be adapted to secure the primary drive system, in particular the primary drive source, to the road construction machine. The releasable mechanical connection may be adapted to be automatic. The interface may include a first releasable electrical connection. The first releasable electrical connection may be adapted to electrically connect the primary drive system to the buffer battery. The interface may include a second releasable electrical connection. The second releasable electrical connection may be adapted to provide an electrical connection between the primary drive system and a control system of the road construction machine. The second releasable electrical connection may be adapted to enable communication between the primary drive system and the remainder of the road construction machine, in particular the control system. The interface may include an automatic locking and unlocking mechanism for the releasable mechanical connection, the first releasable electrical connection, and / or the second releasable electrical connection.

[0027] The road construction machine may comprise a control system. The control system may be adapted to recognize the type of the primary drive system, in particular the primary drive source. For example, the control system may determine whether the primary drive system includes a combustion engine, a gas engine and / or a fuel cell and / or whether it is connected to an external power source, such as the public grid or on-site generation, in particular by communicating with the primary drive system via the second releasable electrical connection.

[0028] The control system may be adapted to display drive-specific information to the user based on the type of the primary drive system, in particular to visualize this on the operator display. If the primary drive system comprises a tank, e.g. a fuel tank, a pressure tank, and / or a hydrogen tank, the control system may be adapted to display the fill status of the tank. The control system may also be adapted to display the current power of the combustion engine, the gas engine, or the fuel cell. The control system may be adapted to activate or deactivate certain functions depending on the type of the primary drive system. For example, certain indications or buttons on the operator display may be greyed out or hidden depending on the primary drive system.

[0029] The control system may be adapted to control the road construction machine in dependence on the primary drive system. The control system may be adapted to control one or more individual drives of the road construction machine in dependence on the primary drive system.

[0030] The individual drives can be electric drives for performing translational and / or rotational movements or electro-hydraulic units for performing translational and / or rotational movements.

[0031] The road construction machine may be a road paver. The road paver may have a material container (receptacle or hopper) for receiving the paving material, and a material transport device such as a conveyor, a distribution screw, a screed, an automatic leveling system, and one or more electrically operated heating devices. The road paver may have the following individual drives: a rotary drive for the traveling gear, a rotary drive for the scraper conveyor, a rotary drive for the screw, a linear drive for the hopper wall cylinder, a linear drive for the leveling cylinder, a linear drive for raising and lowering the screed, a linear drive for extending and retracting the screed, and a rotary drive or rotary drive system for the compaction equipment. The screed heating system may be connected to the electrical interface.

[0032] The road construction machine can be a feeder vehicle. A feeder vehicle is a road construction machine used to supply paving material to a road paver. For this purpose, the feeder vehicle is arranged in front of the road paver in the working direction. Such a feeder vehicle is known from DE 10 20 03 133 A1. The feeder vehicle usually comprises a material hopper and a conveyor device for transporting the paving mix from the feeder material hopper to the material hopper of the road paver.

[0033] The road construction machine can be a milling machine. Milling machines or cold milling machines are known as road construction machines for working on roads, for example for road surface removal. Cold milling machines usually have a frame that is powered by a tracked or wheeled drive unit. The frame carries the energy supply module, the operator station, the milling drum and the conveyor.

[0034] The road construction machine can be a slipform paver. A slipform paver is a road construction machine used in the construction of concrete pavements. Concrete pavements are used for a wide range of applications, such as building highways, main roads, airport runways, container storage areas, or railroad tracks. The slipform paver can have a machine frame that can extend and retract in the longitudinal and lateral directions, a smoothing device (super smoother, lateral smoother), and a hydraulic unit for powering the smoothing device.

[0035] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for assembling a road construction machine comprising one or more individual drives adapted for powering the road construction machine, in particular for powering a running gear and / or a working gear of the road construction machine.

[0036] The method includes, among other steps: coupling one or more individual drives to the travelling gear and / or working gear; coupling one or more of the individual drives to an interface; inserting a first primary drive system into the road construction machine; connecting the first primary drive system to the interface. Those skilled in the art will understand that the individual process steps may be performed in any order, if technically possible.

[0037] The method may further include decoupling the first primary drive system from the interface. The method may further include removing the first primary drive system from the road construction machine. The method may further include inserting a second primary drive system into the road construction machine. The method may further include connecting the second primary drive system to the interface.

[0038] The method may further include inserting the buffer battery into the road construction machine. The method may further include connecting the first and / or second primary drive systems to the buffer battery, particularly via an interface.

[0039] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a road construction machine comprising a chassis, a travelling gear, a plurality of working gears for laying or removing a road surface and / or transporting paving material, and a primary drive system for powering a transmission of the road construction machine, in particular the travelling gear and / or the working gear of the road construction machine, the primary drive system comprising a plurality of individual drives for mechanically coupling with the transmission and the energy supply system for supplying current to the individual drives. At least three separate energy supply paths, each including a separate primary drive source or each connected to a separate primary drive source, may be integrated or integrable in the energy supply system, in particular independently of each other or separately from each other. The energy supply module is supported by the chassis.

[0040] The energy supply path can be an energy supply module of an energy supply system. The structural components of the energy supply path can be temporarily integrated into the energy supply system, preferably by being mounted in an installation space provided for the energy supply module.

[0041] Each of the at least three separate energy supply paths can be individually and / or temporarily integrated in the energy supply system. It is also possible to combine and, in particular, temporarily integrate some of the at least three separate energy supply paths in the energy supply system. It is also possible to integrate all of the at least three separate energy supply paths together in the energy supply system. It is also possible for more than four separate energy supply paths, for example from four to six or five separate energy supply paths, to be integrated in the energy supply system.

[0042] Each of the at least three separate energy supply paths may individually provide power for powering the individual drives, and / or the primary drive system may only comprise individual drives that are electrically operable. For an energy supply system with at least three separate energy supply paths, each including a separate primary drive source, the road construction machine may have an installation platform. On the installation platform, separate installation spaces may be available for each component of the three separate energy supply paths. This may allow all of the at least three separate energy paths to be accommodated on the road construction machine, in particular on the installation platform, simultaneously, preferably connected in parallel to each other. It may also be possible to accommodate at least three separate energy supply paths, each including a separate primary drive source, in the energy supply system at different times (separated in time from each other). For example, only one of the at least three separate energy supply paths may be temporarily accommodated in an installation space of the road construction machine, in particular the installation platform, provided specifically for these energy supply paths (i.e. components of this energy supply path, e.g. fuel tank, combustion engine, generator, may be integrated in the energy supply system). The other installation spaces for the at least two other energy supply paths may remain empty. Depending on the requirements or depending on the available energy sources, an energy supply path in the road construction machine can be removed, i.e. components of this energy supply path can be removed from the road construction machine. Afterwards, for example, components of another energy supply path of the at least three further energy supply paths can be arranged in an installation space of the road construction machine, in particular an installation platform, provided especially for these energy supply paths (i.e. components of this energy supply path, for example a hydrogen tank, or a fuel cell, can be integrated into the energy supply system). This allows the primary drive source of the road construction machine to be exchanged. The primary drive source of the road construction machine can be selected from different primary drive sources (for example a combustion engine, a fuel cell, a storage battery, or an external power source).

[0043] The invention offers several advantages. For example, it reduces the number of types of road construction machines and provides a type of road construction machine whose primary drive source can be easily exchanged before delivery or during the service life, depending on the available or temporarily suitable energy source at the distribution destination (or for example depending on the applicable emission standards). This makes it possible to use different primary energies to power the same road construction machine. Customers can choose the drive concept or the required energy supply path for the road construction machine according to the respective local legislation and / or resource availability.

[0044] By producing a single machine type for all distribution objects, advantageously the variety of components is reduced and the construction costs are significantly reduced. In this road construction machine or road construction machine type, the energy supply system has a modular design. In the energy supply system, there is in each case an installation system or installation space for the desired / planned primary drive source, in particular in the energy supply path which includes the desired primary drive source.

[0045] A further advantage of the present invention is that several separate energy supply paths, each including a separate primary drive source, can be provided simultaneously on the same road construction machine. This allows the individual drives to be powered simultaneously or on the move from each other via several different primary drive sources. Depending on requirements or local emission regulations, the individual drives may be powered only by an emission-free primary drive source (e.g. a fuel cell or battery, or an external source such as the public electricity grid).

[0046] The primary drive source may be a combustion engine, for example a diesel engine, a gas engine, or a hydrogen engine. The combustion engine may have a generator or may be mechanically connected to a generator. The primary drive source may be a galvanic cell, for example a fuel cell, an accumulator, or a battery. The fuel cell may be a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. The fuel cell may convert the chemical reaction energy of a continuously supplied fuel and oxidant into electrical power. The accumulator may be a rechargeable device that stores electrical power on an electrochemical basis. When the accumulator is discharged, the stored chemical energy is converted into electrical power by an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction. The accumulator may be a lithium-ion battery. The term "battery" may mean a primary battery that is not rechargeable, or a secondary battery (or accumulator) that is rechargeable. The primary drive source may be an external power source located outside the road construction machine, for example a public or private electrical grid.

[0047] The primary drive system can have an electrical interface between each individual drive and the energy supply system. Each of the energy supply paths of the energy supply system that is or can be integrated in the road construction machine at a desired time can be connected to this electrical interface. At the electrical interface, the respective electrical connection elements of the individual drives and the energy supply paths are brought into contact with each other for the transmission of electric current. Through the electrical interface, each of the separate energy supply paths can supply power to the individual drives individually or independently of each other.

[0048] Each individual drive and / or each energy supply path can be connected, preferably in parallel, to the electrical interface. The individual drive can be connected downstream to the electrical interface. The energy supply path can be connected upstream to the electrical interface. For each individual drive and / or each energy supply path, a switch can be connected to the electrical interface.

[0049] The electrical interface may be a power distributor. In the power distributor, the energy supply may be split into individual circuits for each individual drive. The electrical interface may include a converter, preferably an inverter or a rectifier. The electrical interface may be a converter, preferably an inverter or a rectifier. The converter may include a power distributor. In the converter, the current (DC or AC) supplied by each of the at least three separate energy supply paths may be converted / modified. The individual drives may be powered by AC. In this case, the converter may be an inverter. The inverter may convert the DC current supplied by each of the at least three separate energy supply paths into an AC current.

[0050] The first energy supply path of the energy supply system may include a first fuel tank, a first combustion engine, a generator, and preferably a rectifier. These components may be arranged in this order in the energy supply system and may form a first energy supply path. The rectifier of the first energy supply path may be connected directly to the electrical interface or inverter, or directly to a buffer battery connected upstream of the electrical interface. The buffer battery may be used to power individual drives in case of a mains failure or to compensate for different load conditions (voltage stabilization, shedding of short-term load peaks). It is also conceivable that the generator of the first energy supply path is connected directly to the electrical interface. Here, the electrical interface preferably has a power distributor and / or a frequency converter. The first energy supply path may have several fuel tanks, for example a diesel fuel tank and a biodiesel fuel tank, preferably both tanks are connected to the combustion engine or the diesel engine.

[0051] The first energy supply path of the energy supply system can have a second fuel tank and a second combustion engine. The second fuel tank can be a fuel gas tank and the second combustion engine can be a gas engine or a hydrogen engine. The natural gas or hydrogen can be stored in the fuel gas tank. The first and second combustion engines can be mechanically coupled to a generator.

[0052] The second energy supply path of the energy supply system can have a hydrogen tank, preferably separate tanks for the oxidizer and the fuel cell. The hydrogen tank and / or the fuel cell can be connected directly to the electrical interface or to a buffer battery connected upstream of the electrical interface.

[0053] The third energy supply path of the energy supply system can have an accumulator, preferably a replaceable accumulator. The accumulator of the third energy supply path can be directly connected to the electrical interface.

[0054] The third energy supply path may have a first power connection, which is connected to an external power source arranged outside the road construction machine. The power source may be a public or private power grid, or a charging vehicle having an energy storage device (or battery).

[0055] A third energy supply path of the energy supply system may have a rectifier connected between the accumulator and the first power connection, which allows the accumulator to be charged.

[0056] A fourth energy supply path of the energy supply system can have a second power connection connected to an external power source arranged outside the road construction machine and a power line between the second power connection and the electrical interface, which allows the individual drives to be powered directly from the external power source.

[0057] The one or more electrically operated heating devices can be connected to the electrical interface in order to be supplied with electric current by an energy supply system of the road construction machine.

[0058] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for configuring a primary drive system of a road construction machine for powering a transmission of the road construction machine, in particular a running gear and / or a working gear of the road construction machine, the primary drive system having a plurality of individual drives and an energy supply system for supplying the individual drives with current, the method comprising the following steps: coupling the individual drives to the transmission; connecting the individual drives to an electrical interface; mounting in the energy supply system a first energy supply path comprising a fuel tank, a combustion engine, a generator and preferably a rectifier, the rectifier being connected directly to the electrical interface or above the electrical interface. and / or in the energy supply system, installing a second energy supply path comprising a hydrogen tank and a fuel cell and connecting the fuel cell directly to the electrical interface or directly to a buffer battery connected upstream of the electrical interface; and / or in the energy supply system, installing a third energy supply path comprising a storage battery, preferably a replaceable storage battery, and connecting the storage battery to the electrical interface; and / or installing a fourth energy supply path comprising a power connection connected to an external power source arranged outside the road construction machine and connecting a power line between the power connection and the electrical interface.

[0059] All the features disclosed above in relation to the road building machine according to the invention can be used individually or together in the method according to the invention.

[0060] A road construction machine according to the first or third aspect of the invention may be manufactured or assembled using the method steps of the method according to the second or fourth aspect of the invention. A method according to the second or fourth aspect of the invention may be carried out using a road construction machine according to the first or third aspect of the invention. A road construction machine according to the first aspect of the invention may be extended or combined with features of a road construction machine according to the third aspect of the invention. A road construction machine according to the third aspect of the invention may be extended or combined with features of a road construction machine according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0061] The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are to be understood merely as designations for particular elements or components and do not necessarily indicate a particular order or arrangement of said elements or components. For example, the presence of a fourth element / component does not necessarily imply the presence of a first, second, or third element / component, and vice versa.

[0062] Exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a road construction machine in the form of a road paver; FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic representation of a drive system for a road construction machine according to the invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic representation of a primary drive system in one embodiment of a road construction machine according to the invention; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic representation of a primary drive system in a further embodiment of the road construction machine according to the invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic representation of a primary drive system in a further embodiment of the road construction machine according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] 1 shows a perspective view from diagonally behind of a road construction machine 1, which is a road paver 2 for laying a road surface ES. The road paver 2 is self-propelled. The road paver 2 comprises a chassis 3, a running gear 4, a material hopper 5 for receiving paving material B (asphalt mixture), a screed 6 whose height is adjustable and which is mounted on the chassis 3 so as to be pulled in a driving direction R, and a working device A such as a conveyor unit 7 with a conveyor belt for providing the paving material B from the material hopper 5 of the road paver 2 to the screed 6 and then to a lateral distribution device 8 (with a distribution screw) of the road paver 2.

[0065] The road paver 2 comprises a primary drive system 9 for powering the gears of the road paver 2, in particular the running gear 4 and / or the working gear A of the road paver 2. The road paver 2 comprises several individual drives 10 which can be powered. The individual drives 10 can be, for example, a rotary drive for the running gear 4, a rotary drive for the conveyor unit 7, a rotary drive for the distribution screw of the lateral distribution device 8, a linear drive for the hopper wall cylinder, a linear drive for the levelling cylinder, a linear drive for raising and lowering the screed 6, a linear drive for extending and retracting the screed 6 and a rotary drive or rotary drive system for the compaction device of the screed 6. The road paver 2 also comprises a screed heating system 11.

[0066] Components of the drive system of the road construction machine 1 are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. The road construction machine 1 comprises a primary drive system 9 and at least one individual drive 10. For example, the road construction machine 1 may comprise three individual drives 10, such as at least one hydraulic assembly 10a for performing translational movements, at least one first electric drive 10b for performing translational movements, and at least one second electric drive 10c for performing rotational movements, as shown in FIG. 2. The individual drives 10 are operated with power from the primary drive system 9. FIG. 2 also shows a screed heating system 11, which may also be operated with power from the primary drive system 9. The traveling gear 4 may also be operated with power from the primary drive system 9. In particular, the individual drives 10 may power or interact with working devices A, such as material hoppers 5, screeds 6, conveyor units 7 and / or lateral distribution devices 8.

[0067] The buffer battery 23 is arranged between the primary drive system 9 and the individual drives 10. The buffer battery 23 is used to compensate for load peaks. The buffer battery 23 allows the primary drive system 9 to be smaller in size. The buffer battery 23 can be a DC battery or an AC battery. The first converter 19 can be arranged between the primary drive system 9 and the buffer battery 23. The first converter 19 is needed if the current (DC or AC) generated by the primary drive system 9 does not correspond to the current stored in the buffer battery 23. The first converter 19 can be a rectifier or an inverter. For example, if a DC current is generated by the primary drive system 9 and an AC battery is used as the buffer battery 23, the first converter 19 is an inverter. If an AC current is generated by the primary drive system 9 and a DC battery is used as the buffer battery 23, the first converter 19 is a rectifier. Alternatively or in addition, the first converter 19 can include a transformer.

[0068] The second converter 14 can be assembled between the buffer battery 23 and each individual drive unit 10. The second converter 14 is needed if the current (DC or AC) stored in the buffer battery 23 does not correspond to the current required by the individual drive unit 10. The second converter 14 can be an inverter or a rectifier. Several second converters 14 can also be arranged between the buffer battery 23 and each individual drive unit 10.

[0069] The power distributor 13 is disposed between the buffer battery 23 and each of the drives 10. The power distributor 13 may be disposed between the buffer battery 23 and one or more converters 14. The power distributor 13 may be disposed between one or more converters 14 and each of the drives 10.

[0070] The interface 12 is disposed between the primary drive system 9 and the individual drive units 10. The primary drive system 9 can be coupled to the individual drive units 10 via the interface 12. The interface 12 can be disposed between the primary drive system 9 and the buffer battery 23. The interface 12 can be disposed between the primary drive system 9 and the first converter 19. The interface 12 can be disposed between the buffer battery 23 and the first converter 19. The interface 12 can be disposed between the buffer battery 23 and the individual drive units 10.

[0071] Fig. 3 shows a primary drive system 9 in a first embodiment. The parallel lines can be considered as options. The primary drive system 9 comprises a fuel tank 16 or a biofuel tank 20 which supplies a combustion engine 17, for example a diesel engine. The primary drive system 9 further comprises a generator 18. The combustion engine 17 operates the generator 18 which generates an alternating current. The alternating current generated by the generator 18 is supplied to a buffer battery 23. The fuel tanks 16, 20 can be refilled on-site (at the work site) by a mobile fuel supply vehicle T1 (tanker truck). However, the fuel supply vehicle is not part of the primary drive system 9 installed on the road construction machine 1.

[0072] Alternatively, the primary drive system 9 may comprise a pressure tank 21 filled with gas, in particular natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas, and a gas engine 22. The gas engine 22, operated with gas from the pressure tank 21, also operates the generator 18. The pressure tank 21 may be refilled on-site (at the work site) by a mobile fuel supply vehicle T2 (tanker truck).

[0073] Alternatively, the primary drive system 9 may comprise a pressure tank 21 or a hydrogen tank 24 filled with hydrogen, and a gas engine 22. Alternatively, a tank for LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) or a tank for oxidizer (not shown) may be used. The gas engine 22, powered by hydrogen from the pressure tank 21 or the hydrogen tank 24, also powers the generator 18. The pressure tank 21 can be refilled on-site (at the work site) by a mobile hydrogen supply vehicle T3 (tank truck).

[0074] FIG. 4 shows a primary drive system 9 in a further embodiment. The parallel lines can be considered as options. The primary drive system 9 comprises a pressure tank 21 or a hydrogen tank 24 filled with hydrogen, and a fuel cell 25. Alternatively, a tank for LOHC (liquid organic hydrogen carrier) or a tank for oxidizer (not shown) may also be used. The fuel cell 25 is powered by hydrogen from the pressure tank 21 or the hydrogen tank 24. The power generated by the fuel cell 25 is sent to a buffer battery 23. The hydrogen tank 24 (also a tank for oxidizer) can be refilled on-site (at the work site) by a mobile hydrogen supply vehicle T3 (tank truck).

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a primary drive system 9 in a further embodiment. The primary drive system 9 may include a third converter 27. The third converter 27 is supplied with power from the public power grid T4. The public power grid T4 may be available via an overhead power line 31, a power rail 32 and / or a trailing cable 33. Alternatively, a local power generation T5 may be used, e.g. a wind turbine, a photovoltaic system and / or a generator, connected to the third converter 27 via a trailing cable 33. Power is transferred from the third converter 27 to the buffer battery 23. Optionally, an accumulator 26 is arranged between the third converter 27 and the buffer battery 23. The third converter 27 may be a rectifier, an inverter or a transformer.

[0076] The road construction machine 1 may also be a feeder vehicle for feeding a road paver, a milling machine or a slipform paver.

Claims

1. A road construction machine (1), comprising: A chassis (3); A running device (4); One or more working devices (A, 5, 6, 7, 8) for laying or removing a road surface (ES) and / or transporting a paving material (B); one or more individual drive units (10) adapted in particular to power said travelling devices (4) and / or said working devices (A, 5, 6, 7, 8), a primary drive system (9) for powering the one or more individual drives (10) of the road construction machine (1); A road construction machine (1) comprising: said interface (12) being adapted to connect said primary drive system (9) in a combinable manner to said one or more individual drive units (10), in particular to enable said one or more individual drive units (10) to be powered by said primary drive system (9); A road building machine (1), characterised in that the primary drive system (9) is adapted to be exchangeable.

2. 2. Road construction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the primary drive system (9) has a primary drive source selected from the group of a combustion engine (17), a fuel cell (25), an accumulator (26) or an external power source (T4, T5) arranged outside the road construction machine (1).

3. 2. The road construction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a buffer battery (23), in particular a DC or AC battery, is arranged between the primary drive system (9) and the one or more individual drives (10).

4. 4. A road construction machine according to claim 3, characterized in that a first converter (19), in particular a first inverter, a first rectifier or a first transformer, is arranged between the primary drive system (9) and the buffer battery (23).

5. 5. A road construction machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that one or more second converters (14), in particular a second inverter or a second rectifier, are arranged between the buffer battery (23) and the one or more individual drives (10).

6. 6. A road construction machine according to claim 3, characterized in that a power distributor (13) is arranged between the buffer battery (23) and the one or more individual drive units (10), the power distributor (13) being arranged in particular between the one or more second converters (14) and the buffer battery (23) or the one or more individual drive units (10).

7. 7. Road building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primary drive system (9) comprises lifting points, in particular for a crane and / or a forklift.

8. 8. Road construction machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the lifting points are attached to a combustion engine (17), a fuel cell (25), a battery (26), a fuel tank (16, 20), a pressure tank (21), a hydrogen tank (24) or any combination thereof.

9. 9. A road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the road construction machine (1) comprises several different primary drive systems (9).

10. 10. Road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the interface (12) comprises a releasable mechanical connection, a first releasable electrical connection and / or a second releasable electrical connection.

11. 11. Road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the road construction machine (1) comprises a control system, said control system being adapted to recognise the type of the primary drive system (9).

12. 12. Road building machine according to claim 11, characterized in that drive-specific information is displayed to the user depending on the primary drive system (9), in particular for visualising this on an operator display.

13. 13. A road construction machine according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the control system is adapted to control the road construction machine (1), in particular to control the one or more individual drives (10) of the road construction machine (1), in reliance on the primary drive system (9).

14. A method for assembling a road construction machine (1) with one or more individual drive units (10), said individual drive units (10) being adapted to power said road construction machine (1, 2), in particular the running gear (4) and / or the working gear (A, 5, 6, 7, 8) of said road construction machine (1), said method comprising the steps of: coupling said one or more individual drive devices (10) to said travelling devices and / or working devices (A, 5, 6, 7, 8); connecting said one or more individual drives (10) to an interface (12); Inserting a first primary drive system (9) into said road construction machine (1); connecting said first primary drive system (9) to said interface (12); A method comprising:

15. Decoupling the first primary drive system (9) from the interface (12); Removing the first primary drive system (9) from the road construction machine (1); inserting a second primary drive system (9) into said road construction machine (1); connecting said second primary drive system (9) to said interface (12); 15. A method for assembling a road construction machine (1) according to claim 14, further comprising:

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