Asphalt finisher, and power supply system for asphalt finisher

Abstract

An asphalt finisher comprising: a tractor; a hopper installed on the front side of the tractor; a conveyor for conveying a paving material in the hopper to the rear side of the tractor; a screw for spreading and laying, in the vehicle width direction, the paving material conveyed by the conveyor and scattered on a road surface; a screed device that uniformly lays, at the rear side of the screw, the paving material spread and laid by the screw; an actuator that uses power to drive at least one among the tractor, the conveyor, the screw, and the screed device; and a power supply unit connectable to an external device and capable of receiving a supply of power from said external device.

Description

Asphalt finisher and asphalt finisher power supply system

[0001] The present invention relates to an asphalt finisher and a power supply system for the asphalt finisher.

[0002] Conventionally, an asphalt finisher has been known that includes a tractor, a hopper installed in front of the tractor to receive paving material, a conveyor that feeds the paving material in the hopper to the rear of the tractor, a screw that spreads the paving material fed by the conveyor behind the tractor, and a screed that evens out the paving material spread by the screw behind the screw.

[0003] In recent years, there has been a trend toward proposing technologies relating to electric vehicles that do not have internal combustion engines such as diesel engines, but instead have motors that are driven by supplied electric power, in consideration of the environment.

[0004] JP 2017-179848 A

[0005] However, asphalt paver finishers generally have internal combustion engines such as diesel engines, and electrification has not been considered.

[0006] In view of the above, an asphalt finisher having an electric actuator instead of an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine is proposed.

[0007] An asphalt finisher according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a tractor, a hopper installed in front of the tractor, a conveyor that transports the paving material in the hopper to the rear of the tractor, a screw that spreads the paving material transported by the conveyor and scattered on the road surface in the vehicle width direction, a screed device that evens out the paving material spread by the screw behind the screw, an actuator that uses electricity to drive at least one of the tractor, conveyor, screw, and screed device, and a power supply unit that can be connected to external equipment and can receive power from the external equipment.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an asphalt finisher is driven by power supplied to a power storage unit, so that an environmentally friendly asphalt finisher can be provided.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a construction management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a scene in which paving material is being loaded from a plant onto a dump truck and the battery is being charged according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a hydraulic system and a power supply system mounted on an asphalt finisher according to an embodiment. FIG. 4A is a left side view showing a scene in which a dump truck according to an embodiment has retreated to the vicinity of the asphalt finisher. FIG. 4B is a top view showing a scene in which a dump truck according to an embodiment has retreated to the vicinity of the asphalt finisher. FIG. 5A is a left side view showing a situation before a dump truck according to Modification 3 comes into contact with the asphalt finisher 100. FIG. 5B is a top view showing a situation before a dump truck according to Modification 3 comes into contact with the asphalt finisher 100.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0011] First, the configuration of a construction management system SYS according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a construction management system SYS.

[0012] The construction management system SYS is mainly composed of an asphalt finisher 100, a dump truck 200, and a plant 300.

[0013] The asphalt finisher 100 is a machine used for paving roads, etc. Specifically, the asphalt finisher 100 is mainly composed of a tractor 1, a hopper 2, and a screed 3.

[0014] The asphalt finisher 100 according to this embodiment is an asphalt finisher for electric vehicles (EVs), and includes a pump motor 7 (see FIG. 3) as a prime mover, a power supply connector (an example of a power supply unit) 70, and a battery 71 as a power storage unit. In the asphalt finisher 100 according to this embodiment, the battery 71 is provided inside the tractor 1. Electric power supplied from the battery 71 is supplied to the pump motor 7. As a result, the pump motor 7 supplies power to the tractor 1 and the screed 3. The specific configuration of the asphalt finisher 100 will be described later.

[0015] The battery 71 serving as the power storage unit is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery, but any secondary battery that can be charged and discharged may be used.

[0016] The asphalt finisher 100 can charge the battery 71 with power supplied from the dump truck 200. For this reason, the asphalt finisher 100 is provided with a power supply connector (an example of a power supply unit) 70 for connecting to the dump truck 200.

[0017] The tractor 1 is a mechanism for propelling the asphalt finisher 100. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the tractor 1 moves the asphalt finisher 100 by rotating the rear wheels 5 using a rear wheel drive motor and by rotating the front wheels 6 using a front wheel drive motor. The rear wheel drive motor and the front wheel drive motor are hydraulic motors that are rotated by receiving a supply of hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump. The tractor 1 may also be equipped with crawlers instead of wheels.

[0018] The hopper 2 is a mechanism for receiving paving material. The paving material is, for example, an asphalt mixture (asphalt composite). In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the hopper 2 is installed in front of the tractor 1 and is configured to be opened and closed in the vehicle width direction by a hopper cylinder 2c. The asphalt finisher 100 normally receives paving material discharged from the bed 201 of the dump truck 200 with the hopper 2 fully open. Even while receiving paving material discharged from the bed 201 of the dump truck 200, the asphalt finisher 100 can continue traveling by pushing the dump truck 200 forward via the push rollers 2b. When the amount of paving material in the hopper 2 decreases, the operator of the asphalt finisher 100 can close the hopper 2 and collect the paving material near the inner wall of the hopper 2 in the center of the hopper 2. This is so that a conveyor located in the center of the bottom of the hopper 2 can transport the paving material to the rear of the tractor 1. The paving material transported to the rear of the tractor 1 is spread by a screw onto the road surface located behind the tractor 1 and in front of the screed 3, and then spread in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] In addition, when the asphalt finisher 100 is receiving paving material discharged from the loading platform 201 of the dump truck 200, it receives a power supply via a power supply connector 70 connected to a truck-side power supply connector 203 provided on the dump truck 200.

[0020] The tractor 1 may be equipped with a spatial recognition device M1 for monitoring the situation ahead of the tractor 1. The spatial recognition device M1 may be, for example, a monocular camera, a stereo camera, a millimeter-wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser radar, or a LIDAR. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the spatial recognition device M1 is a monocular camera that captures an image of the situation ahead of the tractor 1. The controller 30 (see FIG. 3 ) of the asphalt finisher 100 may determine, for example, whether the dump truck 200 is approaching the asphalt finisher 100 or whether the dump truck 200 has come into contact with the asphalt finisher 100 based on an image captured by the monocular camera serving as the spatial recognition device M1. The controller 30 may then notify the operator of the determination result.

[0021] The screed 3 is a mechanism for spreading and leveling paving material. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the screed 3 mainly includes a main screed and a telescopic screed. The telescopic screed includes a left telescopic screed and a right telescopic screed. The main screed, left telescopic screed, and right telescopic screed are arranged offset from each other in the front and rear. Specifically, the left telescopic screed is arranged behind the main screed, and the right telescopic screed is arranged behind the left telescopic screed. The screed 3 is a floating screed towed by the tractor 1 and is connected to the tractor 1 via a leveling arm 3 a. The screed 3 is moved up and down together with the leveling arm 3 a by the extension and retraction of a screed lift cylinder 3 b.

[0022] The dump truck 200 is an example of a transport vehicle that transports paving material to be supplied into the hopper 2 of the asphalt finisher 100. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the dump truck 200 is a dedicated dump truck for transporting paving material, equipped with a movable bumper. The dump truck 200 has a driver's cab 202 and a loading platform 201.

[0023] The dump truck 200 according to this embodiment is an electric vehicle (EV) dump truck, and is equipped with a battery (an example of a power supply unit) 204 and a truck-side power supply connector (truck-side power supply unit) 203.

[0024] In the dump truck 200 according to this embodiment, batteries 204 serving as power storage units are installed inside the frame in the middle of the vehicle. The batteries 204 are, for example, lithium ion secondary batteries, but any secondary battery that can be charged and discharged may be used.

[0025] The truck-side power supply connector (truck-side power supply unit) 203 is provided for connection to the power supply connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100. For example, the truck-side power supply connector (truck-side power supply unit) 203 is provided near the rear end of the dump truck 200. This allows the truck-side power supply connector 203 to connect to the power supply connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100 when the dump truck 200 pulls up to the asphalt finisher 100 to discharge paving material from the bed 201 into the hopper 2. Therefore, the dump truck 200 can supply power stored in the battery 204 (an example of a power source capable of supplying power) to the asphalt finisher 100.

[0026] The plant 300 is an example of a paving material production facility. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the plant 300 mainly includes a mixer 80, a trolley 81, a hot silo 82, and the like.

[0027] The mixer 80 is a device for uniformly mixing aggregate, filler (stone powder), asphalt, etc. The trolley 81 is a device for transporting the mixture discharged from the mixer 80 to a hot silo 82. The hot silo 82 is a device for keeping the mixture produced by the mixer 80 warm and storing it.

[0028] The plant 300 is also equipped with a controller C3, a space recognition device M3, and a communication device T3.

[0029] The controller C3 is a control device installed in the plant 300. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the controller C3 is a computer including a CPU, a volatile storage device, and a nonvolatile storage device, and is located in a building attached to the plant 300. The controller C3 is configured to be able to control the spatial recognition device M3 and the communication device T3. The various functions of the controller C3 are realized, for example, by the CPU executing a program stored in the nonvolatile storage device. The various functions realized by the controller C3 include, for example, a function to control the movements of the mixer 80, the trolley 81, the hot silo 82, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, the controller C3 has a function of controlling the supply of power using the ground-side power transmission coil 83 and the ground-side power transmission device 84. The ground-side power transmission coil 83 and the ground-side power transmission device 84 will be described later.

[0031] Furthermore, the various functions realized by the controller C3 include a function of recognizing the dump truck 200 based on the output of the space recognition device M3.

[0032] The spatial recognition device M3 is configured to monitor the state of the dump truck 200 loading paving material in the plant 300. The spatial recognition device M3 is, for example, a monocular camera, a stereo camera, a millimeter-wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser radar, or a LIDAR. When a millimeter-wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser radar, or the like is used as the spatial recognition device M3, the spatial recognition device M3 may be configured to emit multiple signals (e.g., laser light, etc.) toward an object and receive the reflected signals. The spatial recognition device M3 may then be configured to detect the distance between the spatial recognition device M3 and the object and the direction of the object as seen from the spatial recognition device M3 from the reflected signals. When the spatial recognition device M3 is configured to receive reflected signals of signals emitted by a LIDAR or the like, the spatial recognition device M3 may identify the dump truck 200 by recognizing characters displayed on the license plate based on the irregularities on the surface of the license plate of the dump truck 200. In this way, the controller C3 can use the spatial recognition device M3 to determine the position, shape, and type of the dump truck 200. 1 , the spatial recognition device M3 is a monocular camera that captures an image of the dump truck 200 parked under the mixer 80. In this case, the controller C3 can recognize, for example, the vehicle registration number of the dump truck 200 displayed on the license plate of the dump truck 200 based on the image captured by the monocular camera serving as the spatial recognition device M3.

[0033] The communication device T3 is configured to control communication between the plant 300 and external devices. In the example shown in Fig. 1 , the communication device T3 is configured to control wireless communication with a battery controller (not shown) mounted on the dump truck 200.

[0034] 2 is an explanatory diagram of a scene in which paving material is being loaded from the plant 300 onto the dump truck 200 and the battery 204 is being charged, according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a scene in which a dump truck 200A, which is an example of the dump truck 200, is parked below the mixer 80, and a dump truck 200B, which is another example of the dump truck 200, is parked below the hot silo 82.

[0035] In this embodiment, the controller C3 determines whether or not the dump truck 200A has stopped at a predetermined position below the mixer 80 based on the output of the space recognition device M3.

[0036] The predetermined lower position is a position where paving material can be loaded and where the battery 204 of the dump truck 200 can be charged.

[0037] When the controller C3 determines that the dump truck 200A has stopped, the controller C3 acquires the identification number of the dump truck 200A. In the present embodiment, the identification number of the dump truck 200A is the vehicle registration number displayed on the front license plate 210a of the dump truck 200A.

[0038] Specifically, the controller C3 can recognize the vehicle registration number of the dump truck 200A as the identification number by performing image recognition processing on the image of the front license plate 210a captured by the monocular camera serving as the spatial recognition device M3. Note that the controller C3 may also recognize the vehicle registration number of the dump truck 200A as the identification number by performing image recognition processing on the image of the rear license plate 210b captured by the monocular camera.

[0039] Thereafter, the controller C3 compares the acquired identification number with an identification number previously stored in the non-volatile storage device. This comparison allows the controller C3 to determine whether the dump truck 200 is a registered dump truck 200 or not, and therefore, for example, can prevent paving material from being loaded onto an unregistered dump truck 200. Alternatively, the controller C3 can prevent paving material that should be loaded onto a specific dump truck 200 from being loaded onto another dump truck 200. Alternatively, the controller C3 can prevent an excess or deficiency between the weight of the paving material that should be loaded onto the dump truck 200 and the weight of the paving material that is actually loaded onto the dump truck 200.

[0040] When the controller C3 detects based on information from the mixer 80 that a predetermined weight of paving material has been discharged from the mixer 80, it determines that loading of the paving material onto the loading platform 201 of the dump truck 200A has been completed.

[0041] In this embodiment, the plant 300 is a batch-type plant configured to produce, for example, one ton of paving material in one batch process. The weight of the paving material to be loaded onto the bed 201 of the dump truck 200A is preset in association with the identification number of the dump truck 200A. Therefore, if the dump truck 200 is configured to load, for example, nine tons of paving material, the controller C3 can determine that loading of the paving material is complete when it detects, based on information from the mixer 80, that nine batch processes have been completed.

[0042] However, the controller C3 may determine whether or not the loading of the paving material is complete based on information other than the information from the mixer 80. For example, the controller C3 may recognize that the paving material has been dropped from the mixer 80 onto the bed 201 of the dump truck 200A, i.e., that the batch processing has been completed, by performing image recognition processing on an image captured by a monocular camera serving as the spatial recognition device M3. Then, the controller C3 may determine that the loading of the paving material is complete when it detects that a predetermined number of batch processing operations have been completed.

[0043] Alternatively, the controller C3 may determine whether loading of the paving material is complete based on the output of a weight measuring device such as a platform bar. In this case, the controller C3 may calculate the weight of the paving material loaded onto the bed 201 of the dump truck 200 based on the output of the weight measuring device.

[0044] While the paving material is being loaded onto the loading platform 201 of the dump truck 200 as described above, the battery 204 of the dump truck 200 is charged.

[0045] Furthermore, the plant 300 is provided with a ground-side power transmission coil 83 and a ground-side power transmission device 84 for charging the battery 204 .

[0046] The ground-side power transmission device 84 is a power transmission device for charging the battery 204 of the dump truck 200. In this embodiment, an example of contactless charging with the dump truck 200 will be described, but this is just one example of a method for charging the battery 204 of the dump truck 200, and other charging methods, such as a charging method using a charging gun for electric vehicles, may also be used.

[0047] The ground-side power transmitting device 84 and the ground-side power transmitting coil 83 are connected by a power line. Meanwhile, the dump truck 200 is provided with a vehicle-side power receiving coil 205. When the dump truck 200 (200A) is parked so that the vehicle-side power receiving coil 205 is positioned so as to vertically overlap the ground-side power transmitting coil 83, the ground-side power transmitting device 84 passes a current through the ground-side power transmitting coil 83, generating a magnetic flux perpendicular to the ground, thereby generating a voltage in the vehicle-side power receiving coil 205. As a result, power is supplied from the vehicle-side power receiving coil 205 to the battery 204 in the dump truck 200.

[0048] The communication device T3 acquires the SOC of the battery 204 by communicating with the battery controller of the dump truck 200. When the controller C3 detects that the SOC of the battery 204 acquired by the communication device T3 has reached a predetermined value or more, the controller C3 determines that charging of the battery 204 of the dump truck 200A has been completed.

[0049] When loading of the paving material and charging of the battery 204 are completed, the dump truck 200 starts moving to supply the paving material to the asphalt finisher 100 .

[0050] Next, the hydraulic system and power supply system mounted on the asphalt finisher 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating the hydraulic system and power supply system mounted on the asphalt finisher 100.

[0051] The controller 30 controls the overall configuration of the asphalt finisher 100 .

[0052] The hydraulic system mainly includes a hydraulic power source 14, a rear wheel drive unit F1, and a conveyor screw drive unit F2.

[0053] The hydraulic power source 14 is a functional element that supplies hydraulic oil to operate various hydraulic drive units, including the rear wheel drive unit F1 and the conveyor / screw drive unit F2. In this embodiment, the hydraulic power source 14 mainly includes the pump motor 7, a rear wheel drive pump 14R, a charge pump 14C, and a conveyor / screw pump 14S.

[0054] The pump motor 7 (an example of an electric actuator, which is a type of prime mover) is a drive source that drives the rear wheel drive pump 14R, the charge pump 14C, and the conveyor / screw pump 14S with power supplied from the battery 71. In other words, the pump motor 7 (an example of an actuator) drives the tractor 1, the conveyor, the screw, and the screed 3 by supplying power to the rear wheel drive pump 14R, the charge pump 14C, and the conveyor / screw pump 14S. Note that, although the present embodiment describes an example in which the pump motor 7 (an example of an actuator) drives all of the tractor 1, the conveyor, the screw, and the screed 3, the present invention is not limited to such a control method, and one actuator may drive any one or more of the tractor 1, the conveyor, the screw, and the screed 3.

[0055] The rear wheel drive pump 14R is a variable displacement hydraulic pump that supplies hydraulic fluid for driving the rear wheel drive unit F1. In this embodiment, the rear wheel drive pump 14R is a swash plate type variable displacement bidirectional hydraulic pump used in a closed circuit (HST), and its discharge volume is controlled by a pump regulator 15. Strictly speaking, the discharge volume is the amount of discharge per pump rotation, and is also called the displacement volume.

[0056] The pump regulator 15 is a device that controls the discharge rate of the rear wheel driving pump 14R. In this embodiment, the pump regulator 15 adjusts the discharge rate of the rear wheel driving pump 14R in accordance with a pump command current from the controller 30 of the asphalt finisher 100. For example, the larger the current value of the pump command current, the larger the discharge rate of the rear wheel driving pump 14R.

[0057] The charge pump 14C is a fixed displacement hydraulic pump that supplies hydraulic fluid for control to the rear wheel drive unit F1.

[0058] The conveyor / screw pump 14S is a variable displacement hydraulic pump that supplies hydraulic oil to the conveyor / screw drive unit F2. In this embodiment, the conveyor / screw pump 14S is a swash plate type variable displacement hydraulic pump. In this embodiment, the discharge rate of the conveyor / screw pump 14S is controlled by a pump regulator 15A. The pump regulator 15A adjusts the discharge rate of the conveyor / screw pump 14S in accordance with a pump command current from the controller 30. For example, the larger the current value of the pump command current, the larger the discharge rate of the conveyor / screw pump 14S.

[0059] The rear wheel drive unit F1 is a functional element that drives the rear wheels of the tractor 1. In this embodiment, the rear wheel drive unit F1 includes a left rear wheel drive motor 20L and a right rear wheel drive motor 20R.

[0060] The left rear wheel drive motor 20L is a hydraulic motor that drives the left rear wheel 5 (see FIG. 1) of the tractor 1. The right rear wheel drive motor 20R is a hydraulic motor that drives the right rear wheel 5 (see FIG. 1) of the tractor 1. In this embodiment, the left rear wheel drive motor 20L and the right rear wheel drive motor 20R are variable displacement hydraulic motors that form a closed circuit (HST) together with the rear wheel drive pump 14R. The left rear wheel drive motor 20L and the right rear wheel drive motor 20R may also be fixed displacement hydraulic motors. The rear wheel drive pump 14R is connected to the left rear wheel drive motor 20L and the right rear wheel drive motor 20R by pipelines C1 and C2 through which hydraulic oil flows.

[0061] The reduction ratio control device 21L is a device that controls the reduction ratio of the reducer connected to the left rear wheel drive motor 20L. In this embodiment, the reduction ratio control device 21L adjusts the reduction ratio of the reducer connected to the left rear wheel drive motor 20L by using the hydraulic oil discharged by the charge pump 14C in response to a control command from the controller 30. The same applies to the reduction ratio control device 21R that adjusts the reduction ratio of the reducer connected to the right rear wheel drive motor 20R.

[0062] The brake control device 22L is a device that controls the braking force of the left rear wheel brake that brakes the rear wheel 5 on the left side of the asphalt finisher 100. In this embodiment, the brake control device 22L adjusts the braking force of the left rear wheel brake using hydraulic oil discharged by the charge pump 14C in response to a control command from the controller 30. The same applies to the brake control device 22R that adjusts the braking force of the right rear wheel brake.

[0063] The conveyor / screw driving unit F2 is a functional element that drives the conveyor and the screws. In this embodiment, the conveyor / screw driving unit F2 mainly includes a left screw motor 42SL, a right screw motor 42SR, a left conveyor motor 42CL, a right conveyor motor 42CR, and a conveyor / screw valve 41.

[0064] The left screw motor 42SL, the right screw motor 42SR, the left conveyor motor 42CL, and the right conveyor motor 42CR are each a fixed displacement hydraulic motor that forms an open circuit.

[0065] The conveyor / screw valve 41 includes a conveyor control valve and a screw control valve. The conveyor control valve switches in response to a control command from the controller 30. The hydraulic oil discharged by the conveyor / screw pump 14S flows into the suction port of at least one of the left conveyor motor 42CL and the right conveyor motor 42CR. The hydraulic oil flowing out from the discharge port of at least one of the left conveyor motor 42CL and the right conveyor motor 42CR is discharged to the hydraulic oil tank T. The screw control valve switches in response to a control command from the controller 30. The hydraulic oil discharged by the conveyor / screw pump 14S flows into the suction port of at least one of the left screw motor 42SL and the right screw motor 42SR. The hydraulic oil flowing out from the discharge port of at least one of the left screw motor 42SL and the right screw motor 42SR is discharged to the hydraulic oil tank T.

[0066] The power supply system mainly includes a power supply connector 70 (an example of a power supply unit), a battery 71, a drive control unit 72, and a detection sensor 73. The battery 71 is as described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] The detection sensor 73 is a sensor that detects whether power can be supplied between the power feed connector 70 and the track-side power feed connector 203. The detection sensor 73 according to this embodiment detects whether the power feed connector 70 is connected to the track-side power feed connector 203. The detection sensor 73 may be any sensor, and may be, for example, an imaging device that can detect whether the track-side power feed connector 203 is in a position where it can be connected.

[0068] 3, the power supply connector 70 and the drive control unit 72 are connected by a power line 75A for supplying power. The drive control unit 72 and the battery 71 are connected by a power line 75B for supplying power to the battery 71 or receiving power supplied from the battery 71. The drive control unit 72 and the pump motor 7 are connected by a power line 75C for supplying power from the battery 71 to the pump motor 7.

[0069] The power supply connector 70 (an example of a power supply unit) is connectable to a truck-side power supply connector 203 of the dump truck 200, and is capable of receiving a supply of power from the dump truck 200 (an example of an external device). For example, when the power supply connector 70 is connected to the truck-side power supply connector 203, the power supply connector 70 supplies power from a battery 204 mounted on the dump truck 200 to a battery 71 of the asphalt finisher 100 via power lines 75A and 75B.

[0070] Any method may be used for connecting the power feed connector 70 and the truck-side power feed connector 203. The method for connecting the power feed connector 70 and the truck-side power feed connector 203 may be contact-type or non-contact-type. For example, non-contact power supply may be performed by bringing the power supply unit of the dump truck 200 and the power supply unit of the asphalt finisher 100 close to each other by a predetermined distance. If non-contact power supply is possible, the power lines 75A and 75B may not be provided.

[0071] The drive control unit 72 includes a controller 720 and controls the drive of the asphalt finisher 100 .

[0072] The drive control unit 72 may also include an inverter for controlling the drive (e.g., rotation speed) of the pump motor 7 when supplying the power supplied from the battery 71 to the pump motor 7. Furthermore, the drive control unit 72 may also include a converter for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery 71 (e.g., for reducing the voltage of the power supplied from the dump truck 200).

[0073] The controller 720 includes a contact detection unit 721, a charging rate detection unit 722, a charging control unit 723, and an abnormality detection unit 724, and performs control to charge the battery 71 with power supplied from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200.

[0074] The contact detection unit 721 detects whether the track-side power supply connector 203 is connected to the power supply connector 70 based on a signal input from the detection sensor 73 .

[0075] The charging rate detection unit 722 detects the SOC (charging rate) of the battery 71 .

[0076] When the contact detection unit 721 detects that the power feed connector 70 and the truck-side power feed connector 203 are connected (that power can be fed from the truck-side power feed connector 203 to the power feed connector 70), the charging control unit 723 controls the battery 71 to be charged with power supplied from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200. Furthermore, the charging control unit 723 may adjust the amount of power supplied by transmitting and receiving information to and receiving information from a controller of the dump truck 200 via wireless communication.

[0077] The abnormality detection unit 724 detects whether an abnormality has occurred in the charging of the battery 71. For example, the abnormality detection unit 724 may detect whether overcharging has occurred based on the SOC detected by the charging rate detection unit 722 and the control state of the charging control unit 723. When the abnormality detection unit 724 detects that overcharging has occurred, the abnormality detection unit 724 may instruct the charging control unit 723 to end charging.

[0078] Furthermore, when the abnormality detection unit 724 detects that an abnormality has occurred, it may notify the operator of the asphalt finisher 100 of the occurrence of the abnormality by voice or the like.

[0079] 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing a scene in which the dump truck 200 according to this embodiment has retreated to the vicinity of the asphalt finisher 100. Fig. 4A is a left side view, and Fig. 4B is a top view.

[0080] 4A and 4B, the asphalt finisher 100 is moved in the positive direction of the X axis (an example of a predetermined traveling direction) by the tractor 1. As the asphalt finisher 100 moves, it spreads and levels paving material in the vehicle width direction on the roadbed located behind the tractor 1 and in front of the screed 3.

[0081] In this example, the dump truck 200 approaches the asphalt finisher 100 in the positive direction of the X axis to a contact position while the asphalt finisher 100 is moving in the positive direction of the X axis to spread and level the paving material. The contact position of the dump truck 200 is, for example, a position where the rear wheels 206 of the dump truck 200 contact the push rollers 2b of the asphalt finisher 100. Note that the contact position of the dump truck 200 is not limited to a position where it contacts the push rollers 2b, and it does not have to contact the push rollers 2b as long as it is close enough to allow the paving material in the loading platform 201 to be supplied to the hopper 2.

[0082] In this embodiment, a worker may guide the dump truck 200 to bring the dump truck 200 into contact with the front side of the asphalt finisher 100 in the traveling direction (the positive X-axis direction). Furthermore, in order to bring the dump truck 200 into contact with the front side of the asphalt finisher 100, the asphalt finisher 100 and the dump truck 200 may communicate with each other and be automatically guided to dock. In this case, the speed of the dump truck 200 is controlled based on the speed of the asphalt finisher 100 while maintaining an overlap between a portion of the loading platform 201 of the dump truck 200 and a portion of the hopper of the asphalt finisher 100. For this reason, information for speed control (e.g., a speed command to travel at the same speed) may be transmitted and received between the dump truck 200 and the asphalt finisher 100. In this way, the position of the dump truck 200 may be controlled so as to maintain a predetermined distance from the asphalt finisher 100.

[0083] As shown in Figure 4A, after the dump truck 200 approaches the asphalt finisher 100 from the front side in the direction of travel (positive direction of the +X axis), the dump truck 200 dumps up the loading platform 201 using the hydraulic cylinder 250 and supplies paving material to the hopper 2 of the asphalt finisher 100.

[0084] When the dump truck 200 is parked in front of the asphalt finisher 100, the power supply connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100 and the truck-side power supply connector (truck-side power supply unit) 203 of the dump truck 200 are connected so that power can be supplied.

[0085] That is, the power supply connector 70 is disposed in a position where it can be connected to a truck-side power supply connector 203 provided at the rear of the dump truck when the dump truck 200 comes into contact with the front side of the asphalt finisher 100. For example, the power supply connector 70 is disposed on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) of the hopper 2 so as to be electrically connectable to the truck-side power supply connector 203 of the dump truck 200.

[0086] In addition, the height 401A of the power supply connector 70 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) from the ground surface of the asphalt finisher 100 is approximately equal to the height 401D of the truck-side power supply connector 203 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) from the ground surface of the dump truck 200.

[0087] Similarly, the position 402A of the power supply connector 70 from the center line of the asphalt finisher 100 in the vehicle width direction (Y-axis direction) is approximately equal to the position 402D of the truck-side power supply connector 203 from the center line of the dump truck 200 in the vehicle width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0088] As a result, the truck-side power supply connector 203 and the truck-side power supply connector 203 are connected on the plane indicated by line 403. Then, while the asphalt finisher 100 is moved in the traveling direction (positive direction of the X-axis) by the tractor 1 and the screed 3 is leveling the paving material, the charging control unit 723 charges the battery 71 with power supplied from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200 via the power supply connector 70. Note that the positions of the power supply connector 70 and the truck-side power supply connector 203 shown in this embodiment are shown as examples and are not intended to limit the positions of the power supply connector 70 and the truck-side power supply connector 203. For example, when the dump truck 200 pulls up to the asphalt finisher 100, a worker may connect the power supply connector 70 and the truck-side power supply connector 203 with a charging cable or the like.

[0089] As such, as a modified example, when the dump truck 200 approaches the asphalt finisher 100, a worker may connect the power supply connector 70 and the truck-side power supply connector 203 with a charging cable. This allows power to be supplied from the dump truck 200 to the asphalt finisher 100. The length of the charging cable may be any length as long as it can be connected to the asphalt finisher 100 so that power can be supplied to the asphalt finisher 100 while the dump truck 200 is traveling. Also, as a modified example, the dump truck that supplies paving material to the asphalt finisher 100 and the dump truck that supplies power may be different. For example, while the dump truck that supplies paving material to the asphalt finisher 100 is parked in front of the asphalt finisher 100, the dump truck that supplies power may be connected to the asphalt finisher 100 with a charging cable and supply power to the asphalt finisher 100 from a position the length of the charging cable away. Furthermore, the device connected to the asphalt finisher 100 via a charging cable is not limited to the dump truck 200, but may be any external device that can run alongside the asphalt finisher 100.

[0090] When the dump truck 200 finishes supplying paving material to the hopper 2 of the asphalt finisher 100, the charge control unit 723 determines whether the SOC (charge rate) of the battery 71 detected by the charge rate detection unit 722 is lower than a predetermined reference value. The predetermined reference value is a value determined depending on the embodiment, and is, for example, a value that allows the asphalt finisher 100 to operate before the next dump truck 200 comes into contact with the asphalt finisher 100.

[0091] When the charging control unit 723 determines that the SOC (charging rate) of the battery 71 detected by the charging rate detection unit 722 is higher than a predetermined reference value, the charging control unit 723 terminates the supply of power from the dump truck 200. Thereafter, the dump truck 200 leaves the asphalt finisher 100 and starts moving to the plant 300.

[0092] When the charging control unit 723 determines that the SOC (charging rate) of the battery 71 detected by the charging rate detection unit 722 is lower than a predetermined reference value, the charging control unit 723 requests the dump truck 200 to continue contact with the asphalt finisher 100. The request to continue contact may be made by any method, and the request may be outputted by voice or may be made to the driver of the dump truck 200 via wireless communication.

[0093] The charging control unit 723 then continues charging the battery 71 with power from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200. When the charging control unit 723 determines that the SOC of the battery 71 has reached a predetermined reference value or higher, it terminates the supply of power from the dump truck 200. Thereafter, the dump truck 200 leaves the asphalt finisher 100 and starts moving toward the plant 300.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the dump truck 200 charges the battery 204 in the plant 300. However, this embodiment does not limit the method of supplying power to the dump truck 200. For example, the dump truck 200 may be supplied with power from an overhead line while traveling or while in contact with the asphalt finisher 100.

[0095] Furthermore, the power supply to the battery 71 of the asphalt finisher 100 is not limited to the mode in which power is supplied from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200. For example, the power supply connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100 may supply power to the battery 71 at a power supply station before work begins. Furthermore, the power supply connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100 may receive a supply of power directly from an overhead power line or the like.

[0096] Furthermore, if the SOC of the battery 204 falls below a predetermined value while the dump truck 200 is supplying power to the asphalt finisher 100, the dump truck 200 may stop supplying power from the battery 204 to the battery 71 of the asphalt finisher 100. The predetermined value is, for example, a value required for the dump truck 200 to move to a position where power can be supplied. This makes it possible to prevent the dump truck 200 from becoming immobile before moving to a position where power can be supplied.

[0097] Second Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the battery 204 of the dump truck 200 is charged when paving material is loaded from the plant 300 onto the dump truck 200. However, the above-described embodiment is not limited to a method in which the dump truck 200 is charged from the plant 300. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the dump truck 200 is provided with a power generation function instead of being charged from the plant 300.

[0098] The power generation function provided in the dump truck 200 according to this embodiment may be any known method, and may include, for example, a fuel cell. The fuel cell uses, for example, hydrogen as fuel. In this case, the dump truck 200 generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen when the dump truck 200 is controlled to supply stored hydrogen gas to the fuel cell. The electricity generated by the dump truck 200 may then be supplied to the asphalt finisher 100.

[0099] The dump truck 200 is equipped with a fuel cell and a storage module for storing hydrogen gas. When the dump truck 200 loads paving material from the plant 300 onto the dump truck 200, the dump truck 200 may receive a supply of hydrogen gas from the plant 300. The dump truck 200 then stores the received supply of hydrogen gas in the storage module.

[0100] Thereafter, when the dump truck 200 approaches the asphalt finisher 100 from the front side in the traveling direction (positive side of the +X axis), the dump truck 200 supplies paving material to the hopper 2 of the asphalt finisher 100. At this time, the power supply connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100 and the truck-side power supply connector (truck-side power supply unit) 203 of the dump truck 200 are connected to enable power supply, and power generated by the fuel cell of the dump truck 200 is supplied to the asphalt finisher 100.

[0101] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a fuel cell is used as the power generation function of the dump truck 200. However, the power generation function of the dump truck 200 is not limited to a fuel cell. For example, the dump truck 200 may be equipped with a hydrogen engine or an engine driven by e-fuel (e-fuel) or biofuel. The dump truck 200 may drive the engine to operate a power generation device. The power generated by the power generation device is supplied to the asphalt finisher 100. In this embodiment, the dump truck 200 replenishes fuel such as hydrogen at the plant 300. In this case, the dump truck 200 can shorten the time it is stopped compared to when it is charged at the plant 300. This allows the dump truck 200 to efficiently supply power to the asphalt finisher 100.

[0102] (Variation 1) In the embodiment described above, a mode has been described in which the asphalt finisher 100 charges the battery 71 with power supplied from the dump truck 200. However, the embodiment described above is not limited to a mode in which the power supplied from the dump truck 200 is used only to charge the battery 71. Therefore, in this variation, another mode of use of the power supplied from the dump truck 200 will be described.

[0103] For example, in the asphalt finisher 100, when the charging control unit 723 determines that the SOC (charging rate) of the battery 71 detected by the charging rate detection unit 722 is higher than a predetermined reference value, it controls the supply of power supplied from the dump truck 200 and the power supplied from the battery 71 to the pump motor 7. Furthermore, when the charging control unit 723 determines that the SOC (charging rate) of the battery 71 detected by the charging rate detection unit 722 is higher than a predetermined reference value, it may also control the supply of only the power supplied from the dump truck 200 to the pump motor 7.

[0104] By using the power supplied from the dump truck 200 to drive the pump motor 7, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the battery 71. This allows the operating time of the asphalt finisher 100 to be extended. In addition, deterioration of the battery 71 can be reduced.

[0105] As another example, in the asphalt finisher 100, if the charging control unit 723 determines that the SOC (charging rate) of the battery 71 detected by the charging rate detection unit 722 is lower than a predetermined reference value, it controls the power supplied from the dump truck 200 to be supplied to the pump motor 7 while charging the battery 71.

[0106] Therefore, by supplying the power supplied from the dump truck 200 not only to charge the battery 71 but also to the pump motor 7, it is possible to prevent the operation of the asphalt finisher 100, for example, the spreading of paving material, from being stopped even if the SOC of the battery 71 decreases.

[0107] In this modified example, as described above, the power supplied from the dump truck 200 to the asphalt finisher 100 needs to be varied depending on the situation. Therefore, the charge control unit 723 adjusts the amount of power supplied depending on the situation by transmitting and receiving information via wireless communication with the controller of the dump truck 200. This allows the asphalt finisher 100 to suppress a decrease in the SOC of the battery 71 and suppress a stoppage of operation.

[0108] (Modification 2) In the above-described embodiment and modification, an example has been described in which the asphalt finisher 100 includes the battery 71. In modification 2, an example in which the asphalt finisher 100 does not include the battery 71 will be described.

[0109] That is, the asphalt finisher 100 according to this modified example does not include a battery 71, and operates on power supplied from the dump truck 200. Note that the method for connecting the dump truck 200 and the asphalt finisher 100 may be any method, and they may be connected by a charging cable or the like.

[0110] In this modified example, the electric power supplied from the dump truck 200 is supplied to the pump motor 7 of the asphalt finisher 100. The pump motor 7 uses the electric power supplied from the dump truck 200 to drive the rear wheel driving pump 14R, the charge pump 14C, and the conveyor screw pump 14S.

[0111] This allows the asphalt finisher 100 to spread the paving material evenly without having a battery 71.

[0112] In this modified example, the asphalt finisher 100 does not need to be provided with a battery 71 for supplying power to the pump motor 7, but a battery (for example, a low-voltage 24V battery) for supplying power to the auxiliary equipment of the asphalt finisher 100 may be provided.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the asphalt finisher 100 is described as being driven in response to operation by an operator. Driving the asphalt finisher 100 includes, for example, control of the movement of the asphalt finisher 100 and control for leveling the paving material. However, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, driving the asphalt finisher 100 is not limited to operation by an operator and may be automatically controlled. For example, the controller 30 of the asphalt finisher 100 may store information regarding the movement path of the asphalt finisher 100 and automatically control the drive in accordance with that information.

[0114] Similarly, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the dump truck 200 has been described as being driven in response to operation by an operator. However, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the driving of the asphalt finisher 100 is not limited to operation by an operator, and may be automatically controlled. For example, a controller (not shown) of the dump truck 200 may automatically control the asphalt finisher 100 to move back and forth between the plant 300 and the asphalt finisher 100. Furthermore, the controller (not shown) of the dump truck 200 may automatically control whether or not to supply power to the asphalt finisher 100 in accordance with the SOC of the battery 71 of the asphalt finisher 100 and the SOC of the battery 204 of the dump truck 200.

[0115] (Variation 3) Any method may be used to bring the dump truck 200 into docking in front of the asphalt finisher 100. As an example of the method, autonomous control may be performed when bringing the dump truck 200 into docking. In this variation, a case where autonomous control of the dump truck 200 is performed to dock will be described.

[0116] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing a state before the dump truck 200 according to this modified example comes into contact with the asphalt finisher 100. Fig. 5A is a left side view, and Fig. 5B is a top view.

[0117] The asphalt finisher 100 according to this modified example includes a wireless communication device 40 and an imaging device 62 .

[0118] The wireless communication device 40 communicates wirelessly with devices present around the asphalt finisher 100, such as the dump truck 200. In this embodiment, it is considered that Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used as the wireless communication standard for the wireless communication device 40. Note that the wireless communication in this embodiment is not limited to a method using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like may also be used.

[0119] The imaging device 62 is a device that acquires an image of the space in front of the asphalt finisher 100. In this embodiment, the imaging device 62 is a camera, and outputs the acquired image to the controller 30. Note that the imaging device 62 may be a LIDAR, a distance imaging camera, an infrared camera, a stereo camera, or the like. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the imaging device 62 is used as an example of a device capable of recognizing space. However, this embodiment does not limit the space recognition device to the imaging device 62. In other words, any space recognition device that can recognize space based on the asphalt finisher 100 may be used, and for example, a laser sensor or the like may be used.

[0120] The imaging device 62 according to this embodiment captures an image of the space within an imaging area RA1 shown by the dashed dotted lines in Figures 5A and 5B , which is located in front of the asphalt finisher 100. The imaging device 62 then outputs image information relating to the captured image to the controller 30. In the example shown in Figures 5A and 5B , the imaging device 62 is able to capture an image of a dump truck 200 located in the imaging area RA1.

[0121] The dump truck 200 includes a first imaging device 261, a second imaging device 262, a controller 230, and a wireless communication device 240 in addition to the components shown in FIG.

[0122] The first imaging device 261 is a device that acquires an image of the space in front of the dump truck 200. The second imaging device 262 is a device that acquires an image of the space behind the dump truck 200. The first imaging device 261 and the second imaging device 262 according to this embodiment are cameras that output acquired images to the controller 230. Note that the first imaging device 261 and the second imaging device 262 may be LIDAR, a distance imaging camera, an infrared camera, a stereo camera, or the like. This embodiment will describe an example in which the first imaging device 261 and the second imaging device 262 are used as an example of a device capable of recognizing space. However, this embodiment does not limit the space recognition device to the first imaging device 261 and the second imaging device 262. In other words, any space recognition device that can recognize space based on the dump truck 200 may be used, and for example, a laser sensor or the like may be used.

[0123] The first imaging device 261 according to this embodiment captures an image of a space within an imaging region RT1 indicated by a two-dot chain line in Figures 5A and 5B , which is present in front of the dump truck 200. The first imaging device 261 outputs image information relating to the captured image to the controller 230.

[0124] The second imaging device 262 according to the present embodiment captures an image of the space within an imaging region RT2 indicated by the two-dot chain line in Figures 5A and 5B , which is present behind the dump truck 200. The second imaging device 262 outputs image information relating to the captured image to the controller 230.

[0125] The wireless communication device 240 performs wireless communication with devices present around the dump truck 200, such as the asphalt finisher 100. In this embodiment, it is considered that, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used as the wireless communication standard for the wireless communication device 240. Note that the wireless communication in this embodiment is not limited to a method using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like may also be used.

[0126] The controller 230 is a control device that controls the dump truck 200. The controller 230 is configured by, for example, a computer, and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an internal memory, and a storage medium. The controller 230 performs various controls by causing the CPU to execute a program stored in the storage medium.

[0127] The controller 230 according to this embodiment can assist driving operations using an ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) based on the image information received from the first imaging device 261, the image information received from the second imaging device 262, and detection signals received from various detection sensors (not shown). Note that the driving operation assistance system used by the controller 230 according to this embodiment is not limited to an ADAS-based driving operation assistance system, and may be another driving operation assistance system. For example, the controller 230 may use an AD (Autonomous Driving) system. Furthermore, the controller 230 may use any system as long as it is capable of controlling the movement of the dump truck 200 to the vicinity of the hopper 2 of the asphalt finisher 100.

[0128] The controller 230 according to this embodiment uses the parking assistance of the ADAS to realize control to stop the dump truck 200 near the hopper 2 of the asphalt finisher 100. At that time, the controller 230 according to this embodiment receives a control command from the asphalt finisher 100 via the wireless communication device 240, and performs drive control of the dump truck 200 based on the received control command.

[0129] In order for the truck-side power feed connector 203 of the dump truck 200 to connect to the power feed connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100, it is necessary to align the truck-side power feed connector 203 with the power feed connector 70. For example, if the power feed connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100 and the truck-side power feed connector 203 of the dump truck 200 are misaligned in the left-right direction, the steering angle of the dump truck 200 needs to be adjusted.

[0130] The left-right deviation can be determined, for example, from an image captured by the imaging device 62 of the asphalt finisher 100.

[0131] Therefore, in this embodiment, the controller 30 of the asphalt finisher 100 generates a control command for adjusting the steering angle, etc. of the dump truck 200 based on the image information from the imaging device 62.

[0132] The controller 230 generates control commands related to drive control based on the image information from the first imaging device 261, the image information from the second imaging device 262, and control signals from detection sensors (not shown). The controller 230 then outputs the generated control commands to a drive system controller (not shown). In this way, the controller 230 realizes driving operation assistance by the ADAS.

[0133] Furthermore, when the controller 230 receives a control command from the asphalt finisher 100 via the wireless communication device 240, it outputs the received control command to a drive system controller (not shown). In this way, the controller 230 realizes assistance in driving the dump truck 200 by the ADAS in response to a request from the asphalt finisher 100.

[0134] In this embodiment, the imaging device 62 is provided on the asphalt finisher 100 so that, in a top view, the optical axis of the imaging device 62 overlaps with the center line of the asphalt finisher 100 in the traveling direction. Then, when the dump truck 200 backs up so that the center line of the dump truck 200 overlaps with the center line of the asphalt finisher 100 in a top view, the truck-side power supply connector 203 of the dump truck 200 can be connected to the power supply connector 70.

[0135] Therefore, the controller 30 determines whether the image portion corresponding to the center position of the dump truck 200 is shifted to the right or left from the center of the image captured by the imaging device 62. As a result, the controller 30 determines whether the truck-side power supply connector 203 of the dump truck 200 can be connected to the power supply connector 70.

[0136] It should be noted that this modified example shows an example of a method for determining whether or not the truck-side power supply connector 203 of the dump truck 200 shown in the image can be connected to the power supply connector 70, and other methods may also be used. For example, it may be determined whether or not the truck-side power supply connector 203 of the dump truck 200 can be connected to the power supply connector 70 from the left and right ends of the dump truck 200.

[0137] The controller 30 generates a control command to control the transport vehicle (e.g., the dump truck 200) detected from the image (an example of detection information) captured by the imaging device 62. The generated control command is, for example, a steering command to the right or left, a deceleration command, or a braking command. Note that the control command generated by the controller 30 is not limited to the commands described above, and may be various other control commands. For example, the control command generated by the controller 30 may be a command that can be executed by an ADAS or the like, such as turning on / off headlights or issuing a warning to the driver.

[0138] The controller 30 of this embodiment generates a control command based on the determination result of whether the truck-side power feed connector 203 of the dump truck 200 can be connected to the power feed connector 70. The control command includes, for example, a control command to steer the dump truck 200 so as to connect the truck-side power feed connector 203 of the dump truck 200 to the power feed connector 70. Other control commands include, for example, a control command to instruct the dump truck 200 to move backward or stop in order to bring the rear wheels 206 of the dump truck 200 into contact with the push rollers 2b. In this modification, when the rear wheels 206 of the dump truck 200 are brought into contact with the push rollers 2b, the truck-side power feed connector 203 and the power feed connector 70 are connected. This makes it possible to supply power from the dump truck 200 to the asphalt finisher 100.

[0139] Furthermore, the controller 30 generates control commands regarding stopping and deceleration based on the positional relationship between the rear wheels 206 of the dump truck 200 and the push rollers 2b of the asphalt finisher 100, which is identified based on image information from the imaging device 62.

[0140] The controller 30 controls communication with a transport vehicle such as the dump truck 200 via the wireless communication device 40. This enables the controller 30 to transmit a control command to the dump truck 200. For example, the controller 30 transmits a control command to the wireless communication device 240 of the dump truck 200.

[0141] Note that this modified example shows one mode of autonomous control when the dump truck 200 approaches the asphalt finisher 100, and other modes may also be used. For example, instead of transmitting a control command from the asphalt finisher 100, the controller 230 of the dump truck 200 may perform steering control based on image information transmitted from the asphalt finisher 100 or image information from the second imaging device 262.

[0142] <Operation> In the above-described embodiment, the asphalt finisher 100 can charge the battery 71 with power supplied from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200. This makes it possible to prevent the asphalt finisher 100 from stopping operation due to a decrease in the SOC of the battery 71 while the asphalt finisher 100 is spreading paving material.

[0143] Furthermore, because the asphalt finisher 100 is continuously supplied with power from the dump truck 200, the battery capacity of the battery 71 may be reduced, or it may not even be necessary to provide a battery 71. This prevents the weight of the asphalt finisher 100 from increasing, and also reduces costs.

[0144] Furthermore, the asphalt finisher 100 can be prevented from stopping during operation by continuing to receive power from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200 in accordance with the SOC of the battery 71. This can improve safety.

[0145] Furthermore, the power supply connector 70 of the asphalt finisher 100 is provided at a position corresponding to the truck-side power supply connector 203 of the dump truck 200 when the dump truck 200 comes into contact with the asphalt finisher 100. This reduces the burden of connecting the power supply connector 70 and the truck-side power supply connector 203.

[0146] The above-described asphalt finisher 100 can be driven by power supplied from an external device such as a dump truck 200. This allows the asphalt finisher 100 to perform work that is more environmentally friendly than asphalt finishers that use internal combustion engines.

[0147] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the electric power supplied from the battery 71 generates rotational power for the pump electric motor 7 (an example of an actuator), and the rotational power of the pump electric motor 7 drives the rear wheel travel pump 14R, the charge pump 14C, and the conveyor screw pump 14S. However, the above-described embodiment is not limited to this configuration. As a modified example, at least one of the rear wheel travel pump 14R, the charge pump 14C, and the conveyor screw pump 14S may be replaced with an electric actuator (e.g., a pump motor). In this modified example, electric power is supplied from the battery 71 to the replaced electric actuator (e.g., a pump motor). Even in this configuration, the battery 71 can be charged with electric power supplied from the battery 204 of the dump truck 200, as in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0148] Although the embodiments of the asphalt paver and the power supply system for the asphalt paver have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. These naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0149] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-061326, filed on March 31, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0150] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Asphalt finisher 1 Tractor 2 Hopper 3 Screed 7 Pump motor 70 Power supply connector 71 Battery 72 Drive control unit 73 Detection sensor 75A, 75B, 75C Power line 720 Controller 721 Contact detection unit 722 Charging rate detection unit 723 Charging control unit 724 Abnormality detection unit

Claims

1. A tractor, A hopper installed in front of the tractor; a conveyor for conveying the paving material in the hopper to the rear side of the tractor; A screw that spreads the paving material transported by the conveyor and scattered on the road surface in a vehicle width direction; A screed device that spreads the paving material spread by the screw on the rear side of the screw; An actuator that uses electric power to drive at least one of the tractor, the conveyor, the screw, and the screed device; A power storage unit; a power supply unit that is connectable to an external device and is configured to supply power from the external device to the power storage unit to charge the power storage unit; An asphalt finisher having the above structure.

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11. The asphalt finisher according to claim 1 , An asphalt finisher power supply system comprising:

12. the power supply unit is configured to supply power from a power supply of the external device to the power storage unit, and to supply power from the power supply of the external device to the actuator. The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 11.

13. The power supply unit is configured to supply power from a power supply of the external device and power from the power storage unit to the actuator. The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 11.

14. The external device further includes a dump truck having a power source and a truck-side power supply unit, The power supply unit is electrically connectable to the track-side power supply unit, The dump truck is configured to charge the power storage unit by supplying power from the power source to the power storage unit. The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 11.

15. The power supply unit is configured to receive power from the power source of the dump truck while the asphalt finisher is moved in a predetermined traveling direction by the tractor and the screed device is spreading the paving material, The dump truck is configured to control its speed based on the speed of the asphalt finisher. The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 14.

16. The truck-side power supply unit is provided at the rear of the dump truck, The power supply unit is disposed in front of the hopper and in a position where power can be supplied from the truck-side power supply unit when the dump truck approaches the front of the asphalt finisher. The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 14.

17. Further comprising a detection unit that detects whether power can be supplied between the power supply unit and the track side power supply unit, When it is detected that power supply is possible between the power supply unit and the truck side power supply unit, the power supply unit is configured to receive power from the power source of the dump truck. The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 14.

18. the detection unit is an imaging device capable of detecting whether the power supply unit and the track side power supply unit are located at a position where they can be connected; The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 17.

19. A detection unit that detects a charging rate of the power storage unit, The power supply from the truck side power supply unit through the power supply unit is controlled based on the charging rate of the power storage unit detected by the detection unit. The power supply system of an asphalt finisher according to claim 14.