Road paver and method for operating a road paver

Abstract

A road paver and a method for operating a road paver, wherein right and left cross conveyors are provided, which are adjustable in their inclination.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a road paver and a method for operating a road paver.BACKGROUND

[0002] Road pavers are described, for example, in published applications DE 10 2013 007 061 A1 and DE 10 2017 009 248 A1 and refer in particular to road construction machines that are configured to spread a material mat, for example an asphalt mat, at a desired layer thickness on the underlying ground. A road paver of this type usually comprises a paving material hopper in its front region, in which bulk paving material, for example asphalt, intended for paving, can be stored by the road paver and drawn during the paving process. During an ongoing paving process, paving material can be drawn from the paving material hopper via a longitudinal conveyor and conveyed rearward against the forward direction, where it is deposited on the underlying ground. In order to subsequently also enable reliable distribution of the paving material, which is usually deposited centrally on the ground surface in relation to the width of the road paver, across a desired paving width transverse to the forward direction, road pavers may have a transverse conveyor, for example in the form of screw conveyors. The paving material distributed across the width may then be smoothed and at least pre-compacted by a paving screed, which is usually pulled by a tractor of the road paver in a floating manner.

[0003] When using road pavers of this type, there may be paving tasks in which not only a straight, essentially horizontal (in relation to a road paver standing on a horizontal reference plane) pavement surface is desired in terms of the profile in the width direction, but also, for example, at least partially inclined and / or angled profiles, such as when creating a crown profile or other surface profiles that are shaped differently in relation to a flat horizontal surface. For this purpose, it is already known to equip the paving screed of the road paver with a so-called crown profile option, which makes it possible to operate two screed halves at an angle relative to each other. However, especially in these application scenarios the distribution of the paving material is often difficult.

[0004] Against this background, the task of the invention is to provide a way of improving the operation of a road paver.SUMMARY

[0005] The object is achieved with a road paver and with a method for operating a road paver according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are cited in the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention thus relates to a road paver, in particular a self-propelled road paver. Components of the road paver may include travel units, a machine frame supported by the travel units, a paving material hopper, a longitudinal conveyor, a transverse conveyor and a paving screed. During paving operation, i.e., when the road paver is spreading, smoothing and compacting paving material on the surface of the underlying ground in the manner described in more detail below, the road paver moves in a paving direction, which is also referred to herein as the forward direction.

[0007] The road paver is preferably configured as a self-propelled road paver and thus ideally moves over the underlying ground under its own power. For this purpose, the road paver may comprise one or more, in particular driven, travel units, for example configured as crawler tracks and / or wheels. The road paver may further include the machine frame carried by the travel units, which in particular refers to a support structure of the road paver.

[0008] For at least temporary storage of paving material, the road paver may have the paving material hopper, which is supported in particular by the machine frame. The hopper may have a storage space for paving material that is at least partially bounded by bottom and / or side walls, which may be adjustable particularly for emptying purposes. During the ongoing working process, paving material may be transferred from a transport vehicle to the storage space of the paving material hopper, stored there and successively removed from there for an ongoing paving process.

[0009] The paver may be equipped with a longitudinal conveyor to remove paving material from the paving material hopper. The longitudinal conveyor may be configured to longitudinally convey paving material in the paving material hopper out of the hopper against the forward direction of the road paver rearward for depositing the paving material on an underlying ground. For this purpose, there may be, for example, a suitable opening in the bottom of the paving material hopper through which the paving material can slide out of the paving material hopper onto the longitudinal conveyor. The longitudinal conveyor may, for example, be configured as a conveyor belt, in particular a scraper floor conveyor belt. A longitudinal conveyor drive device may be provided to drive the conveying movement of the longitudinal conveyor. The longitudinal conveyor drive device may operate hydraulically or electrically, for example, i.e., the longitudinal conveyor drive device may comprise one or more hydraulic and / or electric motors, for example. The longitudinal conveyor extends from the paving material hopper rearward against the forward direction of the paver. At the end of the conveying path defined by the longitudinal conveyor, the paving material may be deposited on the surface of the underlying ground, often in a central region in relation to the width of the paver.

[0010] With the aid of the transverse conveyor, which is configured to convey the paving material deposited on the underlying ground transversely to the forward direction on the underlying ground, the deposited paving material is thus distributed in the direction of the width of the road paver, the width herein in particular denoting an extension perpendicular to the forward direction and, at least usually essentially, in horizontal direction. For this purpose, the transverse conveyor may comprise a right cross conveyor and a left cross conveyor when viewed in the forward direction of the road paver, with the right cross conveyor distributing paving material from essentially the center of the road paver towards the right side when viewed in the forward direction of the road paver and the left cross conveyor distributing paving material from essentially the center of the road paver towards the left side when viewed in the forward direction of the road paver. While the task of the longitudinal conveyor is therefore essentially to remove paving material from the paving material hopper in a controlled manner and transport it rearward against the paving direction or forward direction of the road paver, the primary task of the cross conveyor can be seen as distributing the paving material across the desired paving width of the road paver, in particular on the ground surface. The cross conveyor may also comprise a transverse conveyor drive device, and it may be advantageous if the conveyor drive unit for the right cross conveyor can be operated independently of the conveyor drive unit of the left cross conveyor. The transverse conveyor drive device may therefore have a common conveyor drive unit for both cross conveyors or two independent conveyor drive units. The conveyor drive unit(s) may be one or more drive motors, in particular hydraulic and / or electric motors. In particular, it is also possible for the drive motor(s) to be used as direct drive units, for example to directly drive a shaft of the respective cross conveyor. However, the conveyor drive unit(s) may also be configured, at least partially, as drive gears, for example as angular gears, in particular bevel gears. A drive gear may, for example, have a single drive input and two or more drive outputs, wherein one of the two outputs may be associated with a respective one of the two lateral conveyors. It is additionally or alternatively possible to configure the transverse conveyor drive device such that a drive connection to the cross conveyor(s) is made centrally as seen in the forward direction of the road paver or offset laterally towards the outer side of the road paver. In relation to a longitudinal extension of the respective cross conveyor, it is therefore possible for the drive connection to the transverse conveyor drive device to be on an inner side or an outer side end face.

[0011] For smoothing and / or at least pre-compacting the paving material distributed transversely on the surface of the underlying ground by the transverse conveyor, the road paver may have a paving screed. In addition to smoothing devices, such paving screeds may have one or more other devices, such as vibration devices, tamping bars, heating elements, etc. The paving screed may be connected to the remaining part of the road paver, known as the tractor, via drawbars and may be pulled over the paving material by the tractor during paving operation, in particular in a floating manner. A height adjusting device, for example in the form of one or more hydraulic cylinders, may be provided via which the paving screed can be lifted and / or lowered relative to the tractor, which in particular also includes the machine frame.

[0012] The road paver may further include a drive device. The drive device can be used to provide the drive energy required for traveling and working operation of the road paver while the road paver is in operation. As such, the road paver is preferably also a self-propelled road paver. The drive device may, for example, have an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel combustion engine, as the primary drive unit. This engine may drive a generator and / or a pump transfer gear. Additionally or alternatively, an electric primary drive unit may also be provided, for example in the form of a fuel cell. The drive device may directly or indirectly drive one or more drives, for example in the form of motors or linear actuators. In particular, the drive units may be one or more travel drive units and / or drive units of the longitudinal conveyor drive device and / or drive units of the transverse conveyor and / or actuators for adjusting a relative position of individual or several components of the road paver, in particular, for example, relative to the machine frame.

[0013] To achieve the object of the invention, an adjusting device may now be provided which is configured such that at least one of the two cross conveyors can be adjusted in terms of their inclination, in particular transverse inclination. An inclination adjustment therefore means a change in an angular position relative to a reference plane. An inclination adjustment refers to a movement with at least partially rotational movement components. A pure parallel displacement therefore does not constitute an inclination adjustment. Herein, the transverse inclination of one or both of the cross conveyors refers, for example, to a course of a longitudinal extension or an orientation of a longitudinal extension direction of one or both of the cross conveyors in a virtual projection plane which extends vertically and horizontally perpendicular to the forward direction, hereinafter referred to as the vertical plane. Additionally or alternatively, the inclination of one or both of the cross conveyors may also be adjusted in relation to a course of a longitudinal extension of one or both of the cross conveyors in a virtual projection plane in the form of a horizontal plane. This is also referred to as horizontal inclination. Typically, the right and / or left cross conveyors extend with their longitudinal axes horizontally and perpendicular to the forward direction. This position is also referred to as the zero position. It may even be possible for the longitudinal axes of the right and left cross conveyors to run coaxially to each other in the vertical plane and / or in the horizontal plane.

[0014] Starting from this zero position, for example, it is now possible to change the angular position of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the horizontal plane and / or in the vertical plane at least partially with regard to their longitudinal extension or with regard to the course of their respective longitudinal extension direction. For this purpose, the adjusting device may be configured such that the longitudinal axes of at least the right and / or the left cross conveyors can be adjusted in the horizontal plane such that they are at least partially twisted or rotated in the horizontal plane about a vertical axis and / or in the vertical plane about a horizontal axis, wherein these vertical and / or horizontal axes of the respective cross conveyors, in particular their respective longitudinal axes, may or may not intersect. This at least partial rotation for adjusting the inclination in one or more of these reference planes thus means that the course or orientation of the course of the longitudinal extension direction changes. This rotational movement is therefore not a rotational movement about the longitudinal extension axis. An adjustment of the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors herein additionally or alternatively thus refers to an at least partial rotational change in the relative position of a longitudinal extension direction of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame, in particular in relation to a defined starting position of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame. This means that the adjustment possible with the adjusting device differs from a pure lift adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame in that the latter does not include an at least partial rotational change in the relative position relative to the machine frame. The adjusting device may thus be configured in particular such that the angle between the longitudinal extensions of the right and left cross conveyors in the vertical plane is variable, i.e., can be increased and / or reduced, in relation to a defined starting position, for example the zero position, in which this angle is typically 0° or 180°. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting device may be configured such that the angle between the longitudinal extensions of the right and left cross conveyors in the horizontal plane is variable, i.e., can be increased and / or reduced, in relation to a defined starting position, for example the zero position, in which this angle is typically 0° or 180°.

[0015] It is possible to configure the adjusting device such that it enables the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors to be changed within a defined adjustment range between maximum adjustment positions. In the vertical plane and / or the horizontal plane, this adjustment range between the maximum adjustment positions of the right and / or left cross conveyors, for example, be an angular range of at least 6°, in particular at least 10° and / or a maximum of 20°, in particular a maximum of 16°. For a change of the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the vertical plane starting from a horizontal zero position, this may thus enable, for example, a change in the inclination of the longitudinal extension axis of the right and / or left cross conveyors of at least + / - 3°, in particular at least + / - 5°, and / or a maximum of + / - 10°, in particular a maximum of + / - 8°, if the angular adjustments starting from the zero position allow an equal amount of adjustment in both directions.

[0016] It may be advantageous if the adjusting device is configured such that at least one of the two cross conveyors, preferably both of the cross conveyors, are adjustable in the vertical direction about a respective pivot point or about a common pivot point with regard to their inclination. When one or both of the cross conveyors are projected into the vertical plane as a virtual projection plane, the rotary movement thus runs completely around a pivot point when the inclination is adjusted, in particular about a rotation axis that runs horizontally, especially horizontally in the forward direction.

[0017] It may be ideal if the adjusting device is configured such that it can be used to adjust an angular position between a longitudinal extension direction of the right cross conveyor and a longitudinal extension direction of the left cross conveyor relative to each other, in particular at least, and especially exclusively, in the vertical plane. For this purpose, the adjusting device may be configured such that the right and left cross conveyors can be adjusted independently of each other with regard to the position of their respective longitudinal directions of extension and / or are positively coupled to each other, in particular in opposite directions with regard to the direction of rotation. For this purpose, the adjusting device may have a positive coupling device adjustable at least between a positive coupling position and a release position. A positive coupling position of the positive coupling device may be characterized in relation to the release position of the positive coupling device by the fact that an adjustment of the inclination of one cross conveyor causes a simultaneous adjustment of the inclination of the other cross conveyor dependent on said first adjustment. In addition or as an alternative to the above-mentioned adjustment via counter-directional positive coupling, where the angular position of the longitudinal extension directions of the two cross conveyors changes, in particular in the vertical plane, the positive coupling device may also be configured such that it effects a co-directional positive coupling of the left and right cross conveyors such that at least the rotation directions of the two cross conveyors are co-directional in the vertical plane, i.e., they run together in a clockwise direction or together in a counter-clockwise direction.

[0018] It is preferred if the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor are each configured as at least one screw conveyor that can rotate about a rotation axis in a transverse conveying mode. For this purpose, a screw conveyor may have a central conveying shaft, ideally of linear longitudinal extension, on the outer surface of which one or more conveyor screws are arranged that revolve around the conveying shaft and form at least one helical flight. Such a conveyor shaft may be configured as a support tube. During conveying operation of the screw conveyor, the screw conveyor may rotate about its longitudinal extension axis, i.e., the rotation axis of the screw conveyor and the longitudinal extension axis may run coaxially to each other. The longitudinal direction of the right cross conveyor may therefore correspond to the rotation axis of the right cross conveyor and the longitudinal direction of the left cross conveyor may correspond to the rotation axis of the left cross conveyor. The face sided end at which the paving material is picked up by the screw conveyor for conveying purposes during conveying operation may also be referred to as the screw inlet, and the end towards which the paving material is conveyed during conveying operation may also be referred to as the screw outlet. The screw conveyors are usually operated for transverse distribution of the paving material such that their screw inlet face sides face each other or, in particular when viewed in the forward direction, tend to be in the center, and their screw outlet face sides face away from each other or, in particular when viewed in the forward direction, tend to be at the outer edges. The screw conveyors may be arranged on the road paver such that their rotation axes intersect, at least in the vertical plane.

[0019] There are various options for the way in which the inclination is adjusted using the adjusting device. The adjusting device herein refers in particular to the entirety of the components required for adjusting the inclination of the cross conveyors, so that the adjusting device may also include components and functional units that have other functions, such as a support function and / or a torque transmission function, etc. It is possible, for example, to configure the adjusting device such that when the inclination of one or both cross conveyors is adjusted, only the position of the screw inlet or only the position of the screw outlet is adjusted, in particular in the vertical plane, and the position of the other screw end remains at least essentially unchanged. However, it is also possible for the adjusting device to be configured such that adjusting the inclination of one or both screw conveyors simultaneously changes the position of both the screw inlet and the screw outlet, in particular in the vertical plane, of the right and / or left cross conveyors. The adjusting movement of the right and / or left screw conveyor, in particular in the vertical plane, may take place in this projection plane about a pivot point formed by a swivel or rotation axis, in particular about a rotation axis running perpendicular to the vertical axis, or also along a curved path of movement, in particular a circular path. Other types of movement paths are also possible, wherein a rotational movement of the right and / or left cross conveyor in at least one of the two projection planes is always included, even if possibly superimposed.

[0020] It is possible that there is a drive connection between the transverse conveyor drive device and the right cross conveyor and between the transverse conveyor drive device and the left cross conveyor. Each of the two cross conveyors may therefore have their own drive connection, in particular to said one common transverse conveyor drive device or to a respective separate transverse conveyor drive device.

[0021] It is possible for the right cross conveyor to be driven independently of the left cross conveyor.

[0022] There are various options for the specific configuration of such a drive connection. For example, the adjusting device may have at least one joint device as part of the drive connection, via which a drive torque provided at the output side of the transverse conveyor drive device is transmitted to at least one of the two cross conveyors. The inclination of at least one of the cross conveyors may be adjusted about at least one pivot point formed by the at least one joint device or about a rotation axis defined by the joint device. It is possible that the right and left cross conveyors are each connected to one or more transverse conveyor drive devices via a joint device, or that one joint device is provided via which the right and left cross conveyors are jointly connected to a transverse conveyor drive device, or that two joint devices are provided, wherein the right and left cross conveyors are each individually connected to a common transverse conveyor drive device via one of the two joint devices. The joint device may be a constant velocity joint, for example, a ball constant velocity joint, a double universal joint or a cardan joint, in particular a single cardan joint. However, it is also possible that the right and / or left cross conveyors are driven directly by the one or more transverse conveyor drive devices, in particular rigidly in the longitudinal direction of the respective cross conveyor, so that in this case at least partial adjustment of the transverse conveyor drive device may also be required to adjust the inclination. Additionally or alternatively, in order to enable an inclination adjustment, it is also possible to provide a torque transmission in the region of a drive train between the respective transverse conveyor drive device and the right and / or left cross conveyors via a bendable and / or flexible shaft member, for example a flexible shaft, a bellows coupling, an angle-elastic coupling, etc., in order to enable a torque transmission across a bending point positioned between the respective transverse conveyor drive device and the right and / or left cross conveyors.

[0023] Even if it is possible for the right and left cross conveyors to each have an associated transverse conveyor drive device, for example in the form of a drive motor, it may be advantageous if a common transverse conveyor drive device is provided, which drives both the right and left cross conveyors or serves as a common torque source. For this embodiment of the invention, it is preferred if the transverse conveyor drive device has a respective joint device on the output side both to the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor, via which a drive torque provided by the transverse conveyor drive device on the output side is transmitted to a respective one of the two cross conveyors. In this way, both cross conveyors can thus be adjusted with regard to their inclination, in particular also relative to the remaining part of the transverse conveyor drive device, and at the same time the remaining part of the transverse conveyor drive device does not need to be adjusted for the respective inclination adjustment, which may, for example, simplify the mounting and / or configuration of the transverse conveyor drive device.

[0024] According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, however, it is also possible that the adjusting device comprises a swivel bearing of at least a part of the transverse conveyor drive device which is adjustable about a swivel axis, and that the transverse conveyor drive device itself is swiveled at least partially about the swivel axis of the transverse conveyor drive device in order to adjust the inclination of at least a part of the transverse conveyor. According to this preferred alternative embodiment, the transverse conveyor drive device may thus be adjusted together with the right and / or left cross conveyors, in particular swiveled, when their inclination is adjusted. This may have the advantage that, for example, an additional joint device or joint connection in the drive train between the transverse conveyor drive device and the right and / or left cross conveyors can be dispensed with. For swivel adjustment of the corresponding transverse conveyor drive device, in particular together with at least one of the right and / or left cross conveyors, it is possible that the transverse conveyor drive device can be adjusted, for example, about a rotation axis of a drive input and / or drive output and / or can be moved along a curved path. Additionally or alternatively, a variable-angle coupling member can also be used here.

[0025] Even if it may be advantageous if both the right and the left cross conveyors are driven together by a common transverse conveyor drive device or a common drive motor, it is also possible and possibly preferred if the transverse conveyor drive device has a first drive motor for driving the right cross conveyor and a second drive motor for driving the left cross conveyor, in which case the adjusting device may then be configured in particular such that the first and / or second drive motors can each be adjusted about a swivel axis, in particular about a common swivel axis, for adjusting the inclination of the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor. In this way, it is also possible, for example, to directly drive the right and left cross conveyors with a respective motor, while at the same time maintaining the aforementioned option of adjusting the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors.

[0026] The function of the right and / or left cross conveyors is in particular to distribute paving material transversely to a forward direction across a current paving width of the road paver. The current paving width may vary. It is therefore also possible to configure the right and / or left cross conveyors with a variable length in the direction of their longitudinal extension. Additionally or alternatively, scenarios are also possible in which the right and / or left cross conveyors should not each run along a continuous longitudinal axis. To make this possible, it is preferred if at least one of the right and / or left cross conveyors is configured as a conveyor shaft comprising several cross conveyor segments. The cross conveyor segments thus refer to sections that can be joined together as required, depending on a current paving width of the road paver, for example. This may be done along a common rotation axis, i.e., in the direction of a common longitudinal extension. However, the connection may also be made and configured such that a respective joint device is arranged between adjacent cross conveyor segments of one of the cross conveyors such that the conveyor shaft has one or more articulation points. With the aid of this joint device, which is positioned between two cross conveyor segments that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction, one or more bending or articulation points may thus be provided within the right and / or left cross conveyors. With regard to one of the cross conveyors, it is possible that only one joint device or articulation point is provided here or even two or more joint devices or articulation points arranged in series. This may be implemented for one of the two cross conveyors or for both cross conveyors. Such further joint devices thus make it possible, for example, for rotation axes of individual cross conveyor segments of one of the cross conveyors that are coaxial with one another in the zero position to be adjusted, in particular also depending on the number of cross conveyor segments and joint devices, such that they no longer run coaxially with one another, intersect and / or do not intersect and / or run parallel to one another. With regard to a possible configuration of the one or more joint devices and / or the shafts, reference is made to the preceding discussion.

[0027] In particular, the adjusting device may be provided to enable, in particular to drive and / or guide, the adjusting movement of the right and / or left cross conveyors when adjusting, or to adjust, an inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors. The adjusting device may additionally or alternatively include a support device configured to support at least one of the right and / or left cross conveyors or at least parts thereof. The support device is thus configured in particular such that it stabilizes the current inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors such that the current course of the respective longitudinal extension direction of the right and / or left cross conveyors is maintained, in particular also during conveying operation of the right and / or left cross conveyors. For this purpose, the support device may comprise one or more bearings, in particular rotary bearings. It will be appreciated that at least parts of the support device may also be involved in the adjustment process for inclination and / or height adjustment per se. It should also be noted at this point, as a precaution, that the aforementioned drive connection of the right and / or left cross conveyors to the transverse conveyor drive device may also have an additional support function. Compared to this, however, the aforementioned support device or the elements designated by the support device may be characterized by not having a drive function but serving solely to support the right and / or left cross conveyors, in particular in conveying operation, i.e., being able to absorb and dissipate support forces such that the relative position of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the remaining part of the tractor of the road paver is maintained during conveying operation.

[0028] It may be ideal if the support device is configured such that it supports the right and / or left cross conveyors at least on one face side, in particular a face side opposite the face side via which the respective cross conveyor is connected to the transverse conveyor drive device. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for the support device to support the right and / or left cross conveyor in a region between their respective face sides. The support device may also be configured such that it supports the right and / or the left cross conveyor at more than one point, in particular at two or more points per cross conveyor. Further possible variations exist with regard to the configuration of the support device in terms of where the support device is supported on the side opposite the right and / or left cross conveyor, i.e., against which structure the right and / or left cross conveyor is supported by the support device. In addition to the paving screed, the road paver may also have a structural subassembly, also known as a tractor, as mentioned above. This subassembly comprises all elements of the road paver except for the paving screed and the drawbars, via which the paving screed is pulled by the road paver. The tractor includes in particular the machine frame, the longitudinal conveyor and the travel units. It may now be advantageous if the support device is mounted on a tractor side holding structure, i.e., supports the right and / or left cross conveyors in relation to the tractor of the road paver. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, that the support device is connected to the machine frame and / or a part of the road paver that is stationary relative to the machine frame. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for the support device to be connected to a region of the road paver that is stationary relative to the longitudinal extension of the right or left cross conveyor.

[0029] Generally, it is possible to configure the right and / or left cross conveyors to be height-adjustable relative to the machine frame. For example, to compensate for such height adjustments and / or inclination adjustments, it may be advantageous if the support device has at least one length compensation element which is configured such that changes in distance between one or more attachment points of the support device at the tractor side holding structure of the at least one cross conveyor occurring with an inclination and / or height adjustment of the at least one cross conveyor are compensated for, in particular while maintaining the support function. Such length compensation may be achieved, for example, with the aid of one or more telescopic support rods or the like. It is possible that at least one, in particular several, such support rods are associated with each of the right and left cross conveyors.

[0030] With regard to the specific configuration of the tractor side holding structure, there are various preferred options. For example, the tractor side holding structure may be the machine frame of the road paver or a part connected to it in a stationary manner. Using the machine frame as at least part of the tractor side holding structure may have the advantage that such structures are often sufficiently stable to be able to absorb the support forces required for the operation of the right and / or left cross conveyors.

[0031] In particular in a case where the right and / or the left cross conveyors are height-adjustable relative to the machine frame, it is possible to arrange them on a screw block or bearing block which is arranged transversely to the forward direction, in particular centrally, with respect to a horizontal width of the road paver and which is correspondingly adjustable together with the right and / or left cross conveyors in the vertical direction relative to the machine frame or height-adjustable relative to the machine frame. This bearing block, ideally in the form of a lifting carriage, may be configured as a shaft bearing, as a support structure for one or more joint devices and / or as a support structure for one or more drive motors of the transverse conveyor drive device. With regard to the optional tractor side holding structure for articulating one or more support devices, it may now be advantageous to use this bearing block in addition to or as an alternative to the machine frame, for example, or to support the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the bearing block using the support device.

[0032] It may be particularly advantageous if the right and / or left cross conveyors are supported on the bearing block exclusively directly and, if necessary, via one or more support devices, in particular directly articulated to this bearing pedestal, i.e., the holding structure is formed exclusively by the bearing block. The bearing block in turn may then of course be mounted on the machine frame, in particular in a height-adjustable manner. However, when the bearing block is adjusted in height relative to the machine frame, both the right and / or left cross conveyors and the support device are also moved, so that no separate length adjustments of individual or several elements of the support device are required, for example. In this case in particular, it is possible to functionally decouple a height adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors and an inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyor from one another, as both the adjusting device and the optionally available support devices may in this case be fully adjusted together with the bearing block relative to the machine frame. This can make it easier to operate the road paver.

[0033] With regard to structural details, a wide range of alternative options may be used to configure the adjusting device. The adjusting device may be driven hydraulically and / or electrically and / or pneumatically. For example, it may have a linear actuator for adjusting the inclination, in particular comprising a hydraulic cylinder or a worm gear. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting device may also have an adjusting gear, in particular a cam gear, especially a crank gear and / or link mechanism.

[0034] It is possible to adjust the adjusting device manually. However, it may be preferred if a control unit is provided which controls the operation of the adjusting device, at least in addition to manual actuation and / or automatically. The control unit may, for example, be a computer device with one or more suitable computer programs for controlling the adjusting device. The control unit may be used to partially or fully automate the adjustment of the adjusting device and / or improve control compared to purely manual operation.

[0035] It is possible that the control unit is configured such that it has a compensation mode or can be operated in a compensation mode in which it controls the adjusting device such that the current inclination of the transverse conveyor remains unchanged when the height of the cross conveyor is adjusted relative to the machine frame of the road paver. This may be particularly helpful if the attachment points of the adjusting device and / or a support device are located between the right and / or left cross conveyors and a part outside, for example, the bearing block, so that the geometric relationships of the individual attachment points change when the right and / or left cross conveyors are adjusted in height. In this case, the control unit may be used to adjust the adjusting device and / or the support device depending on the height adjustment such that a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors is maintained over a height adjustment of the cross conveyor, i.e., leads to a purely parallel displacement of the right and / or left cross conveyor if compared to each other before and after the height adjustment.

[0036] It is known to operate road pavers of the present type with paving screeds in various designs, such as rigid screeds or adjustable screeds. Paving screeds are also known that can be used, for example, to produce a road surface with a so-called crown profile. Accordingly, it is possible that the paving screed comprises a right and a left screed half, which can be adjusted in their angular position transverse to the forward direction relative to each other. In particular, the two screed halves may, for example, be angled relative to each other from a parallel, e.g. horizontal or rectilinear, alignment in order to produce a positive or negative crown profile. For a road paver with such a paving screed, a control unit may now be provided which controls the operation of the adjusting device, the control unit preferably being configured such that it has an adjustment mode in which, when the angular position of the right and left screed halves relative to one another is changed, it controls the adjusting device such that the angular position of the right and left cross conveyors is at least partially adapted to the changed angular position of the right and left screed halves. In other words, the adjustment of the angular position of the right and / or left cross conveyors follows at least partially, preferably identically, the adjustment of the angular position of the right and left screed halves relative to each other. The angular position of the cross conveyors and the screed halves may be adjusted at the same time or one after the other. Additionally or alternatively, an adjustment may be made by the same angle or by the same angular direction, but by smaller or larger angle values. When adjusting the right and / or left cross conveyors depending on the angular position of two screed halves relative to each other, it is further possible that the relative position, in particular the lifting position, of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame is additionally taken into account by the control unit, for example to prevent parts of the right and / or left cross conveyors from directly contacting the ground.

[0037] It may be preferred, for example for controlling the adjusting device and / or for detecting a current adjustment state of the adjusting device, if the adjusting device has a sensor device configured such that it can be used to determine the current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors. The sensor device may be configured such that it determines the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to each other and / or the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame and / or relative to the screed and / or to the underlying ground beneath the road paver. In particular, this inclination may be the transverse inclination, i.e., the course of the longitudinal axes or longitudinal extension directions of the right and / or left cross conveyors in a virtual projection plane perpendicular to the forward direction, i.e., in the vertical direction and horizontally transverse to the forward direction. Additionally or alternatively, it may also be the horizontal inclination, i.e., the course of the longitudinal extension axes of the right and / or left cross conveyors when projected into a virtual horizontal projection plane. The sensor device may be configured for direct and / or indirect inclination determination. Direct inclination determination is characterized by determining a current inclination angle directly using one or more inclination sensors. Indirect inclination determination may be performed, for example, using one or more displacement measuring devices and suitable geometric calculations, a camera or the like. Accordingly, the one or more sensors of the sensor device may, for example, be one or more position and / or position change sensors, displacement sensors, distance sensors, etc.

[0038] It is possible for the road paver to have one or more wired or wireless signal transmission connections, for example in the form of a CAN bus system or the like. For example, one or more of the signal transmission connections may be used to transmit measurement signals and / or data from one or more of the sensors to the control unit and / or control commands from the control unit to one or more actuators.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, it is possible for the road paver to have material guide walls in the forward direction in front of the right and / or left cross conveyors. These may be configured to guide paving material conveyed by the left and / or right cross conveyors in the transverse conveying direction in cooperation with the right and / or left cross conveyors. The material guide walls may thus serve to limit the path of the paving material conveyed by the right and / or left cross conveyors in the forward direction of the road paver and thus improve the guidance of the paving material. Such material guide walls may be connected to the machine frame in particular via one or more support devices. However, it may now be advantageous if coupling devices are provided that couple an inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors with an inclination adjustment of at least part of the material guide walls. In other words, this means that the material guide walls, analogous to the right and / or left cross conveyors, can likewise be adjusted in terms of their inclination by means of the coupling device. This may be done directly, for example manually controlled, or with the aid of an adjustment controlled by the control unit. With regard to the details of the possible configuration of the adjusting device for the material guide walls, reference is made to the preceding description, and it is preferred for the material guide walls if these are supported, in particular exclusively, at the machine frame of the road paver. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for further components to be configured such that their inclination can be adjusted together with the right and / or left cross conveyors. Such components may be, for example, spray bars for paving material, sensor bars with one or more sensor devices, such as surface measuring devices, etc.

[0040] In addition to one or more of the above-mentioned devices, the road paver may include other devices that facilitate the operation of the road paver, in particular in connection with the adjusting device. Specifically, such devices may include, for example, a display device for displaying a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors, in particular in addition to other information, such as the inclination of one or more screed halves, etc. The display device may, for example, be a display, in particular a touch-sensitive display. Additionally or alternatively, the road paver may also comprise an input device via which the adjusting device can be operated by an operator of the road paver.

[0041] The road paver may be configured for operation by at least one operator traveling on the road paver and may have a suitable operator platform for this purpose, for example. However, it is also possible for the road paver to be configured for operation by remote control and / or for highly automated or autonomous operation, in particular monitored by a teleoperated control station positioned remotely from the road paver. It will be appreciated that in this case the road paver may have one or more suitable communication devices for sending sensor data and / or receiving control data.

[0042] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a road paver, in particular a road paver as described above, so that reference is additionally also made at this point in particular to the preceding description of the possible embodiment of a road paver configured to carry out the method.

[0043] One step of the method according to the invention relates to adjusting an inclination, in particular a transverse inclination and / or horizontal inclination, of at least one right and / or left cross conveyor of a transverse conveyor of a road paver by means of an adjusting device. Said adjusting may refer to relative adjustment between the right and left cross conveyors and / or adjustment between the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame. The reference structure for defining an angular position of the right and / or left cross conveyors may be the course of the longitudinal axis and / or rotation axis of the cross conveyor, preferably configured as a screw conveyor, i.e., its respective longitudinal extension direction. Not only within the scope of the method according to the invention, but generally, it is preferred if the longitudinal extension direction corresponds to the course of the rotation axis of the respective cross conveyor. To determine a transverse inclination, it is possible to use the angular position in a projection plane running perpendicular to a forward direction or horizontally transverse to the forward direction and in the vertical direction. A horizontal projection plane may be defined to determine a horizontal inclination.

[0044] The inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors may be adjusted manually and / or controlled by a control unit, manually driven or motor-driven, in particular hydraulically, electrically and / or pneumatically.

[0045] It may be advantageous if the inclination of the right cross conveyor is adjusted independently of the inclination of the left cross conveyor. In this way, one inclination may be set individually for the right cross conveyor and a different inclination may be set independently of this for the left cross conveyor.

[0046] How the inclination is actually adjusted may vary, particularly depending on the design conditions. However, it has proven to be particularly reliable if the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors is adjusted by rotating the at least one cross conveyor relative to a transverse conveyor drive device about a pivot point formed by a joint device arranged on an output side of the transverse conveyor drive device. In this case, for example, the positioning of the transverse conveyor drive device, in particular its drive motor, may be kept unchanged, as the respective cross conveyor is inclined relative to the transverse conveyor drive device.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, however, it is also possible for the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors to be adjusted by rotating a transverse conveyor drive device, in particular at least one drive motor of the transverse conveyor drive device, about a swivel axis together with the at least one cross conveyor. In this way, a relative alignment between the transverse conveyor drive device, or, for example, at least one drive motor thereof, and the right and / or left cross conveyors may remain unchanged during an inclination adjustment, so that, for example, which may make it easier, for example, to drive the right and / or left cross conveyors directly.

[0048] Even if it is possible that the right and / or left cross conveyors are each configured as a continuous element, it may be advantageous if at least one of the two cross conveyors has two or more cross conveyor segments connected to each other via a respective joint device, as already explained above. In particular for this embodiment, it is now possible within the scope of the method according to the invention that said adjusting of the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors comprises adjusting an inclination of two or more cross conveyor segments of a cross conveyor, specifically for example the right and / or left cross conveyors, relative to one another. In this way, it is possible to introduce one or more additional articulation points into the course of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the longitudinal extension direction.

[0049] When adjusting the height of the transverse conveyor in a compensation mode controlled by a control unit, the adjusting device may be adjusted such that the inclination of the cross conveyors of the transverse conveyor is unchanged before and after the height adjustment. This may increase ease of use, as there may be no need to readjust the transverse conveyor in individual cases.

[0050] In particular, if the road paver is operated with a paving screed having two screed halves whose inclination is variable relative to one another, it may be advantageous for the method according to the invention if, when the inclination of the at least two screed halves of the paving screed is adjusted in an adjustment mode controlled by a control unit, the adjusting device is adjusted such that the inclination of the cross conveyors is at least partially adapted to the inclination of the at least two screed halves. This may mean that the right and / or left cross conveyors are inclined at same angles to the respective screed half with regard to their longitudinal extension, or at least inclined in the same direction but at reduced angles. This may take place in parallel with an inclination adjustment of the screed halves or with a delay.

[0051] In particular in this embodiment, it is possible for the method according to the invention to comprise detecting one or more positions and / or position changes by one or more sensors and transmitting information or data determined in this step to the control unit. To determine a specific inclination and / or inclination change, it is possible for one or more inclination angles to be measured directly by one or more sensors and / or calculated from changes in length and / or distance, for example, in particular by the control unit.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the method may also include displaying one or more current inclinations of one or more screed halves and / or cross conveyors and / or conveyor segments, etc. The reference point or reference structure for the displayed angles may be the machine frame of the road paver and / or a functionally identical neighboring element, specifically, for example, the right cross conveyor relative to the left cross conveyor, and / or elements arranged in succession in the paving direction, such as the cross conveyor on one side and the screed half following it on this side.

[0053] Finally, the method according to the invention may also comprise at least partially adjusting an inclination of material guide walls arranged in front of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the forward direction when the inclination of at least the right and / or left cross conveyors of the transverse conveyor is adjusted with the aid of the adjusting device. This may be done independently of the inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyor, or depending on it, for example by means of a coupling device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The invention will be explained in more detail below by reference to the embodiment examples shown in the figures. In the schematic figures:

[0055] FIG. 1 is a side view of a road paver;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a transverse conveyor of a road paver and of other parts of the road paver;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a rear view of a cross conveyor with the right and left cross conveyors aligned in the zero position or horizontally;

[0058] FIG. 4 shows the view of FIG. 3 with adjusted inclination of the right and left cross conveyors;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor with a support device;

[0060] FIGS. 6A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0061] FIGS. 7A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0062] FIGS. 8A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0063] FIGS. 9A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0064] FIGS. 10A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0065] FIGS. 11A-B show a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable transverse conveyor in a lowered position and in a lifted position;

[0066] FIGS. 12A-B show a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable transverse conveyor in a lowered position and in a lifted position;

[0067] FIGS. 13A-B show a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable transverse conveyor in a lowered position and in a lifted position;

[0068] FIG. 14 shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor with an adjusting device;

[0069] FIG. 15 shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor with an adjusting device;

[0070] FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of parts of a road paver; and

[0071] FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the method.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Like parts or functionally like parts are designated by like reference numerals in the figures. Recurring parts are not necessarily designated separately in each figure.

[0073] FIG. 1 shows various elements of a road paver 1. The road paver may comprise travel units 2, a machine frame 3 supported by the travel units 2, a paving material hopper 4 with a storage space 5 for paving material 58, a longitudinal conveyor 6, a longitudinal conveyor drive device 7, a transverse conveyor 8, a drive device 9 and a paving screed 10. The travel units 2 may be, for example, crawler tracks and / or wheels. The machine frame 3 may designate a support structure, in particular the main support structure, of the road paver 1 and be supported by the travel units 2. The paving material hopper 4 may be located in a front region of the road paver 1 when viewed in a forward direction A, which usually corresponds to the paving direction of the road paver 1 during paving operation, and may comprise, for example, adjustable side walls in order to move paving material 58 received in the storage space formed by the paving material hopper 4 onto the longitudinal conveyor 6. The longitudinal conveyor 6 may, for example, be a scraper belt or the like, by means of which the paving material 58 may be transported from the paving material hopper 4 rearward against the forward direction A and deposited there, for example, on an underlying ground U. To drive the conveyor operation of the longitudinal conveyor 6, a longitudinal conveyor drive device 7, for example configured as an electric or hydraulic motor, may be included in the road paver 1.

[0074] The transverse conveyor 8 may be provided to distribute paving material 58, in particular paving material deposited on the underlying ground U, over the current paving width of the road paver 1. The transverse conveyor may be height-adjustable, i.e., adjustable in the vertical direction V. In FIG. 1, the lifted position of the transverse conveyor 8 is indicated by a solid line and the lowered position of the transverse conveyor 8' is indicated by a dotted line.

[0075] In the paving direction or forward direction A behind the transverse conveyor 8, the road paver 1 may comprise a paving screed 10, which is mounted on a tractor part of the road paver 1 via drawbars 11 and may be pulled by said tractor part over the paving material 58 laid out on the underlying ground and distributed transversely for smoothing and / or compaction purposes. The paving screed 10 may also be height-adjustable relative to the tractor or the machine frame 3 of the road paver 1 (in FIG. 1, the lifted position is designated 10 and a lowered position is designated 10').

[0076] The drive device 9 may provide the drive energy required for traveling and working operation of the road paver 1. The drive device may be an internal combustion engine, for example. It is also possible to use a partially electric, in particular diesel-electric, or fully electric drive system of the road paver, in which case the drive unit 9 may also have an electric energy storage unit, one or more electric motors, etc., for example. The road paver 1 may also have an operator platform 29. Said operator platform may be operated by an operator traveling on the road paver 1, although it is also possible for the road paver 1 to be configured as a remote-controlled, highly automated or autonomously operating machine.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of possible details of the possible structure of the transverse conveyor 8. It may have a transverse conveyor drive device 12, a right cross conveyor 13 and a left cross conveyor 14. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 drives a conveying movement of the right and left cross conveyors 13, 14. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may thus in particular designate a torque source which, in particular in drive connection with the right and / or the left cross conveyors 13 / 14, supplies a drive torque required for conveying operation of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14, i.e., drives the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 in conveying operation. For this purpose, the transverse conveyor drive device 12 may, for example, comprise one or more drive motors, in particular hydraulic or electric motors, or be configured as a drive and / or transfer gear, which is driven on a gear input side by a tractor side drive motor, for example. The right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 may each be configured as a screw conveyor 17 with, for example, one or more conveyor screws 18, which run around a central support tube 19 or a central conveyor shaft. In transverse conveying operation, the cross conveyors 13 and 14 may each rotate about a rotation axis, wherein the right cross conveyor 13 may rotate about the rotation axis 15 and the left cross conveyor 14 may rotate about the rotation axis 16 during conveying operation. The rotation axes 15 and / or 16 may run parallel or coaxially to the respective longitudinal extension direction B of the right cross conveyor 13 and / or the left cross conveyor 14.

[0078] FIG. 2 also illustrates that the transverse conveyor drive device 12, and thus also the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14, may be arranged on a bearing block 20 and may be height-adjustable relative to the machine frame 3 via said bearing block. The bearing block may, for example, be configured as a lifting carriage or the like.

[0079] Finally, FIG. 2 illustrates that the road paver 1, and in particular the transverse conveyor 8, may comprise an adjusting device 21, the possible structure and mode of operation of which are illustrated in more detail in the following examples. However, it should be noted at this point that the adjusting device 21 is configured such that the inclination of at least one, in particular both, of the cross conveyors 13, 14 can be adjusted by it. To explain this in more detail, FIG. 2 shows a coordinate system with a y-axis running in the vertical direction, a z-axis extending horizontally in the forward direction A and an x-axis running transversely and in particular horizontally and perpendicular to the forward direction. In FIG. 2, the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 are in a so-called zero position. The zero position may be characterized in particular by the fact that the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 run with their respective rotation axis 15, 16, for example, horizontally and in the x-direction, i.e., perpendicular to the forward direction.

[0080] The adjusting device 21 may now be configured such that the inclination of the right cross conveyor 13 and / or the left cross conveyor 14, in particular with regard to their respective rotation axis 15 / 16, i.e., the longitudinal extension axis, which preferably extends coaxially or at least parallel to the respective rotation axis 15, 16, in the horizontal plane (xz plane; an inclination adjustment in this plane is also referred to as adjustment of a horizontal inclination) and / or in the transverse plane, i.e., the plane perpendicular to the forward direction (xy plane; an inclination adjustment in this plane is also referred to as adjustment of a transverse inclination) can be adjusted, i.e., changed relative to the zero position. Individual inclinations can be determined here, for example, by projecting the road paver 1 into a virtual horizontal projection plane (= horizontal inclination) or into a virtual projection plane running perpendicular to the forward direction (= transverse inclination). The examples of the function and / or mode of operation of the adjusting device 21 shown in the following figures are essentially based on a transverse inclination adjustment, and it is noted that these adjustment examples also refer additionally or alternatively to a possible adjustment in the horizontal plane.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows the transverse conveyor 8 itself in a rear view, as in FIG. 2, with the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 both being in the zero position. The angle of inclination between, for example, the longitudinal extension directions B or rotation axes 15 and 16 of the right and left cross conveyors relative to one another is thus 0°, or 180°, both in the horizontal plane (xz plane) and in the transverse plane (xy plane).

[0082] FIG. 4 now shows different inclination adjustments by the adjusting device 21 compared to FIG. 3. Using the left cross conveyor 14, FIG. 4 illustrates that the adjusting device 21 may be configured such that, starting from the zero position, it is possible to adjust the inclination in one direction, for example downwards by the inclination angle W' in the vertical direction, and / or in the other direction, for example upwards by the inclination angle W'' in the vertical direction. For this purpose, it is possible, as shown in the present embodiment example, that only the left cross conveyor 14 is rotated, for example about a pivot point formed by the adjusting device 21, i.e., for example, about a rotation axis formed by the adjusting device 21.

[0083] The inclination adjustment of one or both of the cross conveyors 13, 14 may also be coordinated and / or coupled with other elements of the road paver 1. This may, for example, involve one or more material guide walls 22. Viewed in the forward direction A, these may be arranged in front of the right and / or left cross conveyors and facilitate, for example, a channeled transverse distribution of the paving material 58. It is now possible that these material guide walls 22 are also adjustable with regard to their inclination, for example by the same angle W', as illustrated for such a material guide wall 22 by the right cross conveyor by way of example in FIG. 4 (adjustment from the zero position 13 to the exemplary transversely inclined position 13'). In FIG. 4, this is shown by way of example using the longitudinal extension direction of the material walls 22 / 22' running along the upper edge of the material guide walls 22 / 22' as shown by respective dashed lines.

[0084] FIG. 4 further illustrates that the adjusting device 21 may be configured such that the inclination of the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 may be adjusted independently and / or at different inclination angles W to one another.

[0085] According to FIG. 5, one or more support devices 23 are provided. The one or more support devices 23 may be configured to stabilize the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 in one or more adjustment positions and / or also to drive an adjustment movement for adjusting an inclination of the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14. In other words, this means that the one or more support devices 23 may support the relative orientation of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 during conveying operation and at the same time, in particular, may also be part of the adjusting device 21 or may interact with parts thereof.

[0086] For example, the support device 23a according to FIG. 5 supports the left cross conveyor 14 with regard to its connection of its outer end face, which is opposite the transverse conveyor drive device, to a tractor side holding structure 57, for example the machine frame 3 and / or the bearing block 20. In the alternative embodiment with the support device 23b, on the other hand, the cross conveyor 13, in this case the one on the right side, is supported, with respect to its longitudinal extension, in a region located, in particular centrally, between the two end faces of the cross conveyor 13. According to FIG. 5, it is also possible to provide several support devices 23 per cross conveyor 13 / 14, as further illustrated, for example, with the additional support devices 23c and 23d in FIG. 5.

[0087] The one or more support devices 23 may have one or more rotary bearings, for example radial bearings configured as rolling bearings, in particular at the connection point to the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14, such that the right and / or left cross conveyor 23 can rotate about their respective longitudinal extension axes and at the same time can be supported by the one or more support devices 23.

[0088] The right and / or left cross conveyors 13 and / or 14 may be connected via the respective support devices to the machine frame 3 (or a region of the road paver 1 stationary relative to the machine frame) and / or to the bearing block 20. The connection to the machine frame 3 may have the advantage that considerably higher support forces may be provided. A connection to the bearing block 20, on the other hand, may have the advantage that the one or more support devices 20 do not have to be adjusted with regard to their adjustment positions when the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 are adjusted in height, in particular by adjusting the height of the bearing block 20, but would be moved in parallel. In both cases, however, the connection is made to the tractor side support structure 57 and not, for example, to the paving screed 10.

[0089] FIGS. 6-10 illustrate further details of possible configuration variants of the road paver 1, in particular the transverse conveyor 8. Figures“A” are in each case rear views of the transverse conveyor 8 (for reasons of clarity, the conveyor screws 18 are not shown, but only the respective support tube 19 is indicated) while figures“B” are top views of a central region in the horizontal plane xz with respect to the width extension of the transverse conveyor 8.

[0090] With reference to figures B, it can be seen in these figures that the drive connection of the transverse conveyor drive device 12 may be made, for example, via an output shaft 24 coming from the tractor of the road paver. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may then, for example, be configured as a transfer gear 26, in particular an angular gear, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, it may also be a bearing shaft or a static bearing connection, for example to the bearing block 20. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may additionally or alternatively also be configured as a drive motor 27, in particular a hydraulic motor or electric motor. A drive shaft 24 may then be dispensed with. However, instead of the drive shaft 24, a connection 25 to a source of electrical and / or hydraulic energy is then required, as explained in more detail below.

[0091] FIG. 6 thus shows an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor 8 (A = rear view and B = enlarged detail top view). The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may therefore be configured as a transfer gear 26, for example, which transmits incoming drive energy to the right and / or left cross conveyors 13, 14 via the output shaft 24. The adjusting device 21 may have one or more joint devices 28, for example in the form of cardan joints, which enable the right and / or left cross conveyors 13, 14 to be adjusted in their respective inclination, in particular transverse inclination in the xy plane. The joint devices 28 also form the swivel bearings, which define the respective pivot point of the inclination adjustment movement about which the right or left cross conveyors 13, 14 are rotated during an inclination adjustment, in particular at least partially in the xy plane and / or in the zx plane. The relative position of the transfer gear itself relative to the bearing block 20, for example, does not change.

[0092] The embodiment example according to FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment example of FIG. 6 essentially in that both the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 are segmented and accordingly the right cross conveyor 13 has a first cross conveyor segment 13a and a second cross conveyor segment 13b, and the left cross conveyor 14 has a first cross conveyor segment 14a and a second cross conveyor segment 14b. The two cross conveyor segments a and b of a cross conveyor are each connected to one another via a further adjusting device 21', so that the angular position of the two cross conveyor segments a and b relative to one another is also variable, in particular their inclination or angle Wx relative to one another, particularly in the xy plane, can be adjusted variably relative to one another. For example, one or more of the previous variants may be used for this purpose. It will further be appreciated that one or more suitable bearing or support devices 23 may be associated with each segment a and b, although not shown in FIGS. 7A and B for reasons of clarity. Such a conveyor shaft or such a cross conveyor thus comprises one or more articulation points 59, in particular formed by a respective joint device 28 of the adjusting device 21, in relation to the respective longitudinal extension direction B.

[0093] According to the embodiment example of FIG. 8, the transverse conveyor drive device 12 may also be configured as a drive motor 27, for example. It is possible that the respective cross conveyor (in the present embodiment example the right cross conveyor 13) is connected to the drive motor 27 via the adjusting device 21, for example again in the form of a cardan joint or the like. However, it is also possible for the one or more cross conveyors 13 to be directly connected to the drive motor 27 without an intermediate adjusting device 21, in particular, for example, via a rigid shaft connection. In this case, the adjusting device 21 may then be configured as a swivel joint about which the drive motor 27 can be swiveled together with the respective cross conveyor (in the present embodiment example, the left cross conveyor 14). For this purpose, the swivel joint may have or be configured as a swivel bearing 30 such that the drive motor together with the left cross conveyor 14 can be swiveled about a swivel axis 31, which may, for example, run in the forward direction A, i.e., in the xz plane, in particular, for example, relative to the machine frame 3, in order to adjust the inclination of the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14.

[0094] The example embodiment shown in FIG. 9 has a similar structure to FIG. 8, with one of the two drive motors 27a and 27b being associated with each of the cross conveyors 13 and 14. These can both be swiveled relative to, for example, the machine frame of the road paver 1 via a swivel bearing 30a and 30b. The two drive motors 27a and 27b can be swiveled, for example in the xy plane, about the common swivel axis 31 or also about one swivel axis each, wherein these two swivel axes may run coaxially to one another or also non-coaxially, in particular parallel to one another.

[0095] In the preceding embodiment examples, the transverse conveyor drive device 12 is arranged rather centrally in relation to the width of the road paver 1. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 differs in this respect, as it has two drive motors 27 (first drive motor 27a and second drive motor 27b) on the respective outer or opposite end faces of the left cross conveyor 14 and the right cross conveyor 13. The two cross conveyors 13 and 14 may be connected to each other via the adjusting device 21, for example in the form of a common articulation device, or also via separate joint devices, for example to the machine frame 3 and / or the bearing block 20. Even though it is possible that between the torque sources configured as drive motors 27a and / or 27b and the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14 there is in each case a further joint device (as for example in the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 and 7), FIG. 10 shows a variant in which the two drive motors 27a and 27b can each be rotated about a swivel axis 31 together with the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14 in order to adjust the inclination.

[0096] FIGS. 11A and B now illustrate further possible details of the configuration and mode of operation of the inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14. FIG. 11A shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable cross conveyor in a lowered position and FIG. 11B in a lifted position.

[0097] The height adjustment, i.e., the adjustment in vertical direction y of the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 is carried out jointly with the aid of a height adjusting device 32, for example comprising one or more hydraulic cylinders or other lifting actuators acting between the machine frame 3 and the transverse conveyor drive device 12 and / or the bearing block 20. Since the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 are held in position not only by the adjusting device 21, which is connected to the transverse conveyor 12 at the face sides, but also by the support devices 23, which in this case additionally connect the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 to the machine frame 3, a height adjustment also affects the inclination adjustment of the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 due to the overall gear structure obtained by this design. In order to compensate for this, the support device 23 in this case, for example, comprises respective linear actuators 34, the length adjustment of which can be used to adjust the lifting position while maintaining a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14. A length compensation element 60 is thus provided, for example in the form of one or more linear actuators 34, which can be used to compensate for distance changes of attachment points of the support device 23 and / or the adjusting device 21 caused by the height adjustment. This may be controlled manually or by a control unit, for example, as explained in more detail below. In this case, the linear actuators 34 of the support device 23 therefore also act as part of the adjusting device 21, as they can also be used to change the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14.

[0098] The embodiment example shown in FIGS. 12A and B differs from the embodiment example shown in FIGS. 11A and B essentially in that the right and the left cross conveyors 13 / 14 each have an adjusting arm 33 projecting perpendicularly from the longitudinally extended cross conveyor 13 / 14 towards the machine frame 3, at which the respective support device 23 (or the corresponding part of the adjusting device 21) can establish the connection to the machine frame 3. This means, for example, that required travel lengths for the respective linear actuator 34 can be reduced.

[0099] Accordingly, particularly in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, there is a dependency between the inclination adjustment and the height adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 when, for example, a bearing block 20 is adjusted relative to the machine frame 3, in particular in its height. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 13A and B, 14 and 15, for example, are different. These are each wherein the adjustment of the inclination of the right and left cross conveyors 13 and 14 is functionally separated or decoupled from the height adjustment of the transverse conveyor 8. In other words, this means that the adjusting device 21 with the corresponding support devices 23 is independent of the height adjusting device 32.

[0100] FIGS. 13A (= lifted position) and FIG. 13B (= lowered position) illustrate this since, for example, in this variant all elements of the adjusting device 21 and the support device 23 are articulated to a region of the road paver 1, specifically in particular the bearing block 20, which is adjusted in height together with the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 during an adjustment driven by the height adjusting device 32. This means that not only the cross conveyors 13 / 14 themselves are moved along with this height adjustment movement, but also the complete adjusting device 21 and the complete support device 23. This means that it is not necessary to compensate for a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyor 13 / 14 when adjusting the height.

[0101] In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 14, the linear actuators 34 have been replaced by crank gears 35, each having an eccentric disk 36 and a crank arm 37.

[0102] Finally, in the embodiment example of FIG. 15 (in which an optionally available height adjusting device 32 is not shown), a central linear actuator 34 is provided, which ultimately drives a link mechanism with several links 38 for adjusting the inclination of the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14. If the links 38 are rigid links that are not variable in length, the inclination adjustment of the right and left cross conveyors are positively coupled to each other in this embodiment. This embodiment may therefore also be referred to as a positive coupling device 56. However, it is also possible to configure one or both of the links 38 as linear actuators 34 at the same time and in this way also enable the inclination of the right and left cross conveyors to be set at least at different angles to one another.

[0103] The schematic diagram according to FIG. 16 illustrates further optional features of a possible structure of parts of a road paver 1. As shown, the road paver 1 may comprise a control unit 39, for example in the form of a computer device with one or more computer programs for execution. The control unit 39 may be configured to control one or more components of the road paver 1. For example, the control unit 39 may be configured to control the height adjusting device 32 of the transverse conveyor 8, a height adjusting device 40, via which the paving screed 10 can be adjusted in height, the transverse conveyor drive device 12, the adjusting device 21 and / or the support device 23. It is also possible that not only the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 and 14 can be adjusted or changed, but also the inclination of the paving screed 10 or a right screed half 41 relative to a left screed half 42 and / or relative to the machine frame 3. This is shown schematically in FIG. 16 by a view against the forward direction A of the screed halves 41 and 42 located behind the cross conveyors 13 and 14. The shown crown profile position of the right screed half 41 relative to the left screed half 42 (i.e., the angle between the two longitudinal lower edges of the two screed halves when projected into the vertical plane, i.e., the xy plane perpendicular to the forward direction A), which can be set, for example, via an adjusting device 43 with one or more actuators, has an inclination angle W. The right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 may be positioned at a same angle of inclination W to each other with respect to the course of their longitudinal extension axes in this plane, as shown in FIG. 16. The same may apply to any material guide walls 22 if provided, as also indicated in FIG. 16.

[0104] The road paver 1 may have a sensor device 44 for controlling, in particular also automatically, for example, the adjustment of the inclination by the control unit 39. In particular, this sensor device may also be provided for detecting one or more current operating states of one or more elements of the road paver 1, in particular the cross distribution device 8 and / or the paving screed 10. In particular, one or more sensors 45 for direct and / or indirect detection of a current inclination of the right cross conveyor 13 and / or the left cross conveyor 14 and / or the right screed half 41 and / or the left screed half 42 and / or one or more material guide walls 22 may be provided for this purpose. One or more sensor signal lines 46 (only partially designated in FIG. 16) may be included, via which the sensor or sensors transmit sensor data to the control unit 39, and / or one or more control signal lines 47 (only partially designated in FIG. 16) may be included, via which the control unit 39 transmits control signals to the actuators to be controlled.

[0105] The road paver 1 may also include a display and operating device 48. This device may, for example, comprise input means via which an operator can enter an inclination adjustment of the transverse conveyor 8 and / or the paving screed 10. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible that a current inclination of the transverse conveyor 8 and / or parts thereof and / or the paving screed 10 and / or parts thereof is displayed. Control instructions entered by an operator at the display and operating device 48 may be transmitted to the control unit 39, for example, via the input command line 49.

[0106] Finally, FIG. 17 illustrates in a flow chart possible steps of a method 50 for operating a road paver 1. A step of the method 50 may comprise adjusting 51 an inclination of at least one right or left cross conveyor 13 / 14 of a transverse conveyor device 8 with the aid of an adjusting device 21. Said adjusting 51 may be performed during an ongoing paving process, in particular continuously, or, for example, at the start of a paving process or before the start of a paving process.

[0107] Adjusting 51 of the right cross conveyor 13 may be performed independently of adjusting 51 the left cross conveyor 14. However, it is also possible to couple the inclination adjustment of the two cross conveyors 13 and 14 with each other, in particular such that both cross conveyors 13 and 14 are inclined in opposite directions but by same angle values.

[0108] It may be ideal if adjusting 51 the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors 13, 14 comprises rotating the at least one cross conveyor 13, 14 relative to a transverse conveyor drive device 12 about a pivot point 52 formed by a joint device 28 arranged on an output side of the transverse conveyor drive device 12. Such pivot points 52 are indicated, for example, in FIG. 6A and, depending on the viewing perspective, may be based, for example, on a swivel or rotation axis 53 (indicated in FIG. 6B). Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible that adjusting 51 at least one of the two cross conveyors 13, 14 comprises rotating a transverse conveyor drive device 12 about a swivel axis 31 together with the at least one cross conveyor 13, 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

[0109] As mentioned above, the transverse conveyor 8 may be adjustable in the vertical direction y using the height adjusting device 32, for example to adapt to different paving thicknesses. For this purpose, adjusting 51 may be performed in a compensation mode 53 and / or in an adjustment mode 54. In compensation mode 53, when a height of the transverse conveyor is adjusted in a compensation mode controlled by a control unit, adjusting 51 of the adjusting device 21 may be performed such that the inclination of the cross conveyors 13 and 14 of the transverse conveyor 8 is unchanged before and after the height adjustment. It is also possible for the respective inclination to remain unchanged during the height adjustment process or to be adjusted accordingly following a height adjustment. The adjustment mode 55, on the other hand, refers to adjusting controlled by the control unit 39 such that when at least two screed halves of a paving screed are adjusted, adjusting 51 the adjusting device 21 of the right and left cross conveyors 13, 14 is performed such that the inclination of the cross conveyors 13, 14 is at least partially adapted to the inclination of the at least two screed halves. Additionally or alternatively, adjusting an inclination of material guide walls 22 arranged in front of the right and left cross conveyors in the forward direction may also be performed accordingly when adjusting the inclination of at least the right or left cross conveyor 13, 14 of the transverse conveyor 8 with the aid of the adjusting device 21 and / or adjusting the inclination of the right and / or left screed halves 41, 42.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0110] 1 road paver

[0111] 2 travel unit

[0112] 3 machine frame

[0113] 4 paving material hopper

[0114] 5 storage space for paving material

[0115] 6 longitudinal conveyor

[0116] 7 longitudinal conveyor drive device

[0117] 8 transverse conveyor

[0118] 9 drive device

[0119] 10 paving screed

[0120] 11 drawbar

[0121] 12 transverse conveyor drive device

[0122] 13 right cross conveyor

[0123] 13a first cross conveyor segment

[0124] 13b second cross conveyor segment

[0125] 14 left cross conveyor

[0126] 14a first cross conveyor segment

[0127] 14b second cross conveyor segment

[0128] 15 rotation axis of right cross conveyor

[0129] 16 rotation axis of left cross conveyor

[0130] 17 screw conveyor

[0131] 18 conveyor screw

[0132] 19 support tube

[0133] 20 bearing block

[0134] 21 adjusting device

[0135] 22 material guide wall

[0136] 23 support device

[0137] 24 output shaft

[0138] 25 connection to energy supply

[0139] 26 transfer gear

[0140] 27 drive motor

[0141] 27a first drive motor

[0142] 27bsecond drive motor

[0143] 28 joint device

[0144] 29 operator platform

[0145] 30 swivel bearing

[0146] 31 swivel axis

[0147] 32 height adjusting device

[0148] 33 adjusting arm

[0149] 34 linear actuator

[0150] 35 crank gear

[0151] 36 eccentric disk

[0152] 37 crank arm

[0153] 38 link

[0154] 39 control unit

[0155] 40 height adjusting device

[0156] 41 right screed half

[0157] 42 left screed half

[0158] 43 paving screed adjusting device

[0159] 44 sensor device

[0160] 45 inclination sensor

[0161] 46 sensor signal line

[0162] 47 control signal line

[0163] 48 display / input device

[0164] 49 input command line

[0165] 50 method

[0166] 51 adjust an inclination

[0167] 52 pivot point

[0168] 53 rotation axis

[0169] 54 compensation mode

[0170] 55 adjustment mode

[0171] 56 positive coupling device

[0172] 57 tractor side holding structure

[0173] 58 paving material

[0174] 59 articulation point

[0175] 60 length compensation element

[0176] A forward direction

[0177] B longitudinal extension device

[0178] U underlying ground

[0179] V vertical direction

[0180] W inclination angle

[0181] x horizontal extension transverse to forward direction

[0182] y extension in vertical direction, i.e., perpendicular to x and y

[0183] z horizontal extension in forward direction

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0072]Like parts or functionally like parts are designated by like reference numerals in the figures. Recurring parts are not necessarily designated separately in each figure.

[0073]FIG. 1 shows various elements of a road paver 1. The road paver may comprise travel units 2, a machine frame 3 supported by the travel units 2, a paving material hopper 4 with a storage space 5 for paving material 58, a longitudinal conveyor 6, a longitudinal conveyor drive device 7, a transverse conveyor 8, a drive device 9 and a paving screed 10. The travel units 2 may be, for example, crawler tracks and / or wheels. The machine frame 3 may designate a support structure, in particular the main support structure, of the road paver 1 and be supported by the travel units 2. The paving material hopper 4 may be located in a front region of the road paver 1 when viewed in a forward direction A, which usually corresponds to the paving direction of the road paver 1 during paving operation, and may comprise, for e...

FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a road paver and a method for operating a road paver.BACKGROUND

[0002] Road pavers are described, for example, in published applications DE 10 2013 007 061 A1 and DE 10 2017 009 248 A1 and refer in particular to road construction machines that are configured to spread a material mat, for example an asphalt mat, at a desired layer thickness on the underlying ground. A road paver of this type usually comprises a paving material hopper in its front region, in which bulk paving material, for example asphalt, intended for paving, can be stored by the road paver and drawn during the paving process. During an ongoing paving process, paving material can be drawn from the paving material hopper via a longitudinal conveyor and conveyed rearward against the forward direction, where it is deposited on the underlying ground. In order to subsequently also enable reliable distribution of the paving material, which is usually deposited centrally on the ground surface in relation to the width of the road paver, across a desired paving width transverse to the forward direction, road pavers may have a transverse conveyor, for example in the form of screw conveyors. The paving material distributed across the width may then be smoothed and at least pre-compacted by a paving screed, which is usually pulled by a tractor of the road paver in a floating manner.

[0003] When using road pavers of this type, there may be paving tasks in which not only a straight, essentially horizontal (in relation to a road paver standing on a horizontal reference plane) pavement surface is desired in terms of the profile in the width direction, but also, for example, at least partially inclined and / or angled profiles, such as when creating a crown profile or other surface profiles that are shaped differently in relation to a flat horizontal surface. For this purpose, it is already known to equip the paving screed of the road paver with a so-called crown profile option, which makes it possible to operate two screed halves at an angle relative to each other. However, especially in these application scenarios the distribution of the paving material is often difficult.

[0004] Against this background, the task of the invention is to provide a way of improving the operation of a road paver.SUMMARY

[0005] The object is achieved with a road paver and with a method for operating a road paver according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are cited in the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention thus relates to a road paver, in particular a self-propelled road paver. Components of the road paver may include travel units, a machine frame supported by the travel units, a paving material hopper, a longitudinal conveyor, a transverse conveyor and a paving screed. During paving operation, i.e., when the road paver is spreading, smoothing and compacting paving material on the surface of the underlying ground in the manner described in more detail below, the road paver moves in a paving direction, which is also referred to herein as the forward direction.

[0007] The road paver is preferably configured as a self-propelled road paver and thus ideally moves over the underlying ground under its own power. For this purpose, the road paver may comprise one or more, in particular driven, travel units, for example configured as crawler tracks and / or wheels. The road paver may further include the machine frame carried by the travel units, which in particular refers to a support structure of the road paver.

[0008] For at least temporary storage of paving material, the road paver may have the paving material hopper, which is supported in particular by the machine frame. The hopper may have a storage space for paving material that is at least partially bounded by bottom and / or side walls, which may be adjustable particularly for emptying purposes. During the ongoing working process, paving material may be transferred from a transport vehicle to the storage space of the paving material hopper, stored there and successively removed from there for an ongoing paving process.

[0009] The paver may be equipped with a longitudinal conveyor to remove paving material from the paving material hopper. The longitudinal conveyor may be configured to longitudinally convey paving material in the paving material hopper out of the hopper against the forward direction of the road paver rearward for depositing the paving material on an underlying ground. For this purpose, there may be, for example, a suitable opening in the bottom of the paving material hopper through which the paving material can slide out of the paving material hopper onto the longitudinal conveyor. The longitudinal conveyor may, for example, be configured as a conveyor belt, in particular a scraper floor conveyor belt. A longitudinal conveyor drive device may be provided to drive the conveying movement of the longitudinal conveyor. The longitudinal conveyor drive device may operate hydraulically or electrically, for example, i.e., the longitudinal conveyor drive device may comprise one or more hydraulic and / or electric motors, for example. The longitudinal conveyor extends from the paving material hopper rearward against the forward direction of the paver. At the end of the conveying path defined by the longitudinal conveyor, the paving material may be deposited on the surface of the underlying ground, often in a central region in relation to the width of the paver.

[0010] With the aid of the transverse conveyor, which is configured to convey the paving material deposited on the underlying ground transversely to the forward direction on the underlying ground, the deposited paving material is thus distributed in the direction of the width of the road paver, the width herein in particular denoting an extension perpendicular to the forward direction and, at least usually essentially, in horizontal direction. For this purpose, the transverse conveyor may comprise a right cross conveyor and a left cross conveyor when viewed in the forward direction of the road paver, with the right cross conveyor distributing paving material from essentially the center of the road paver towards the right side when viewed in the forward direction of the road paver and the left cross conveyor distributing paving material from essentially the center of the road paver towards the left side when viewed in the forward direction of the road paver. While the task of the longitudinal conveyor is therefore essentially to remove paving material from the paving material hopper in a controlled manner and transport it rearward against the paving direction or forward direction of the road paver, the primary task of the cross conveyor can be seen as distributing the paving material across the desired paving width of the road paver, in particular on the ground surface. The cross conveyor may also comprise a transverse conveyor drive device, and it may be advantageous if the conveyor drive unit for the right cross conveyor can be operated independently of the conveyor drive unit of the left cross conveyor. The transverse conveyor drive device may therefore have a common conveyor drive unit for both cross conveyors or two independent conveyor drive units. The conveyor drive unit(s) may be one or more drive motors, in particular hydraulic and / or electric motors. In particular, it is also possible for the drive motor(s) to be used as direct drive units, for example to directly drive a shaft of the respective cross conveyor. However, the conveyor drive unit(s) may also be configured, at least partially, as drive gears, for example as angular gears, in particular bevel gears. A drive gear may, for example, have a single drive input and two or more drive outputs, wherein one of the two outputs may be associated with a respective one of the two lateral conveyors. It is additionally or alternatively possible to configure the transverse conveyor drive device such that a drive connection to the cross conveyor(s) is made centrally as seen in the forward direction of the road paver or offset laterally towards the outer side of the road paver. In relation to a longitudinal extension of the respective cross conveyor, it is therefore possible for the drive connection to the transverse conveyor drive device to be on an inner side or an outer side end face.

[0011] For smoothing and / or at least pre-compacting the paving material distributed transversely on the surface of the underlying ground by the transverse conveyor, the road paver may have a paving screed. In addition to smoothing devices, such paving screeds may have one or more other devices, such as vibration devices, tamping bars, heating elements, etc. The paving screed may be connected to the remaining part of the road paver, known as the tractor, via drawbars and may be pulled over the paving material by the tractor during paving operation, in particular in a floating manner. A height adjusting device, for example in the form of one or more hydraulic cylinders, may be provided via which the paving screed can be lifted and / or lowered relative to the tractor, which in particular also includes the machine frame.

[0012] The road paver may further include a drive device. The drive device can be used to provide the drive energy required for traveling and working operation of the road paver while the road paver is in operation. As such, the road paver is preferably also a self-propelled road paver. The drive device may, for example, have an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel combustion engine, as the primary drive unit. This engine may drive a generator and / or a pump transfer gear. Additionally or alternatively, an electric primary drive unit may also be provided, for example in the form of a fuel cell. The drive device may directly or indirectly drive one or more drives, for example in the form of motors or linear actuators. In particular, the drive units may be one or more travel drive units and / or drive units of the longitudinal conveyor drive device and / or drive units of the transverse conveyor and / or actuators for adjusting a relative position of individual or several components of the road paver, in particular, for example, relative to the machine frame.

[0013] To achieve the object of the invention, an adjusting device may now be provided which is configured such that at least one of the two cross conveyors can be adjusted in terms of their inclination, in particular transverse inclination. An inclination adjustment therefore means a change in an angular position relative to a reference plane. An inclination adjustment refers to a movement with at least partially rotational movement components. A pure parallel displacement therefore does not constitute an inclination adjustment. Herein, the transverse inclination of one or both of the cross conveyors refers, for example, to a course of a longitudinal extension or an orientation of a longitudinal extension direction of one or both of the cross conveyors in a virtual projection plane which extends vertically and horizontally perpendicular to the forward direction, hereinafter referred to as the vertical plane. Additionally or alternatively, the inclination of one or both of the cross conveyors may also be adjusted in relation to a course of a longitudinal extension of one or both of the cross conveyors in a virtual projection plane in the form of a horizontal plane. This is also referred to as horizontal inclination. Typically, the right and / or left cross conveyors extend with their longitudinal axes horizontally and perpendicular to the forward direction. This position is also referred to as the zero position. It may even be possible for the longitudinal axes of the right and left cross conveyors to run coaxially to each other in the vertical plane and / or in the horizontal plane.

[0014] Starting from this zero position, for example, it is now possible to change the angular position of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the horizontal plane and / or in the vertical plane at least partially with regard to their longitudinal extension or with regard to the course of their respective longitudinal extension direction. For this purpose, the adjusting device may be configured such that the longitudinal axes of at least the right and / or the left cross conveyors can be adjusted in the horizontal plane such that they are at least partially twisted or rotated in the horizontal plane about a vertical axis and / or in the vertical plane about a horizontal axis, wherein these vertical and / or horizontal axes of the respective cross conveyors, in particular their respective longitudinal axes, may or may not intersect. This at least partial rotation for adjusting the inclination in one or more of these reference planes thus means that the course or orientation of the course of the longitudinal extension direction changes. This rotational movement is therefore not a rotational movement about the longitudinal extension axis. An adjustment of the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors herein additionally or alternatively thus refers to an at least partial rotational change in the relative position of a longitudinal extension direction of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame, in particular in relation to a defined starting position of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame. This means that the adjustment possible with the adjusting device differs from a pure lift adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame in that the latter does not include an at least partial rotational change in the relative position relative to the machine frame. The adjusting device may thus be configured in particular such that the angle between the longitudinal extensions of the right and left cross conveyors in the vertical plane is variable, i.e., can be increased and / or reduced, in relation to a defined starting position, for example the zero position, in which this angle is typically 0° or 180°. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting device may be configured such that the angle between the longitudinal extensions of the right and left cross conveyors in the horizontal plane is variable, i.e., can be increased and / or reduced, in relation to a defined starting position, for example the zero position, in which this angle is typically 0° or 180°.

[0015] It is possible to configure the adjusting device such that it enables the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors to be changed within a defined adjustment range between maximum adjustment positions. In the vertical plane and / or the horizontal plane, this adjustment range between the maximum adjustment positions of the right and / or left cross conveyors, for example, be an angular range of at least 6°, in particular at least 10° and / or a maximum of 20°, in particular a maximum of 16°. For a change of the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the vertical plane starting from a horizontal zero position, this may thus enable, for example, a change in the inclination of the longitudinal extension axis of the right and / or left cross conveyors of at least + / - 3°, in particular at least + / - 5°, and / or a maximum of + / - 10°, in particular a maximum of + / - 8°, if the angular adjustments starting from the zero position allow an equal amount of adjustment in both directions.

[0016] It may be advantageous if the adjusting device is configured such that at least one of the two cross conveyors, preferably both of the cross conveyors, are adjustable in the vertical direction about a respective pivot point or about a common pivot point with regard to their inclination. When one or both of the cross conveyors are projected into the vertical plane as a virtual projection plane, the rotary movement thus runs completely around a pivot point when the inclination is adjusted, in particular about a rotation axis that runs horizontally, especially horizontally in the forward direction.

[0017] It may be ideal if the adjusting device is configured such that it can be used to adjust an angular position between a longitudinal extension direction of the right cross conveyor and a longitudinal extension direction of the left cross conveyor relative to each other, in particular at least, and especially exclusively, in the vertical plane. For this purpose, the adjusting device may be configured such that the right and left cross conveyors can be adjusted independently of each other with regard to the position of their respective longitudinal directions of extension and / or are positively coupled to each other, in particular in opposite directions with regard to the direction of rotation. For this purpose, the adjusting device may have a positive coupling device adjustable at least between a positive coupling position and a release position. A positive coupling position of the positive coupling device may be characterized in relation to the release position of the positive coupling device by the fact that an adjustment of the inclination of one cross conveyor causes a simultaneous adjustment of the inclination of the other cross conveyor dependent on said first adjustment. In addition or as an alternative to the above-mentioned adjustment via counter-directional positive coupling, where the angular position of the longitudinal extension directions of the two cross conveyors changes, in particular in the vertical plane, the positive coupling device may also be configured such that it effects a co-directional positive coupling of the left and right cross conveyors such that at least the rotation directions of the two cross conveyors are co-directional in the vertical plane, i.e., they run together in a clockwise direction or together in a counter-clockwise direction.

[0018] It is preferred if the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor are each configured as at least one screw conveyor that can rotate about a rotation axis in a transverse conveying mode. For this purpose, a screw conveyor may have a central conveying shaft, ideally of linear longitudinal extension, on the outer surface of which one or more conveyor screws are arranged that revolve around the conveying shaft and form at least one helical flight. Such a conveyor shaft may be configured as a support tube. During conveying operation of the screw conveyor, the screw conveyor may rotate about its longitudinal extension axis, i.e., the rotation axis of the screw conveyor and the longitudinal extension axis may run coaxially to each other. The longitudinal direction of the right cross conveyor may therefore correspond to the rotation axis of the right cross conveyor and the longitudinal direction of the left cross conveyor may correspond to the rotation axis of the left cross conveyor. The face sided end at which the paving material is picked up by the screw conveyor for conveying purposes during conveying operation may also be referred to as the screw inlet, and the end towards which the paving material is conveyed during conveying operation may also be referred to as the screw outlet. The screw conveyors are usually operated for transverse distribution of the paving material such that their screw inlet face sides face each other or, in particular when viewed in the forward direction, tend to be in the center, and their screw outlet face sides face away from each other or, in particular when viewed in the forward direction, tend to be at the outer edges. The screw conveyors may be arranged on the road paver such that their rotation axes intersect, at least in the vertical plane.

[0019] There are various options for the way in which the inclination is adjusted using the adjusting device. The adjusting device herein refers in particular to the entirety of the components required for adjusting the inclination of the cross conveyors, so that the adjusting device may also include components and functional units that have other functions, such as a support function and / or a torque transmission function, etc. It is possible, for example, to configure the adjusting device such that when the inclination of one or both cross conveyors is adjusted, only the position of the screw inlet or only the position of the screw outlet is adjusted, in particular in the vertical plane, and the position of the other screw end remains at least essentially unchanged. However, it is also possible for the adjusting device to be configured such that adjusting the inclination of one or both screw conveyors simultaneously changes the position of both the screw inlet and the screw outlet, in particular in the vertical plane, of the right and / or left cross conveyors. The adjusting movement of the right and / or left screw conveyor, in particular in the vertical plane, may take place in this projection plane about a pivot point formed by a swivel or rotation axis, in particular about a rotation axis running perpendicular to the vertical axis, or also along a curved path of movement, in particular a circular path. Other types of movement paths are also possible, wherein a rotational movement of the right and / or left cross conveyor in at least one of the two projection planes is always included, even if possibly superimposed.

[0020] It is possible that there is a drive connection between the transverse conveyor drive device and the right cross conveyor and between the transverse conveyor drive device and the left cross conveyor. Each of the two cross conveyors may therefore have their own drive connection, in particular to said one common transverse conveyor drive device or to a respective separate transverse conveyor drive device.

[0021] It is possible for the right cross conveyor to be driven independently of the left cross conveyor.

[0022] There are various options for the specific configuration of such a drive connection. For example, the adjusting device may have at least one joint device as part of the drive connection, via which a drive torque provided at the output side of the transverse conveyor drive device is transmitted to at least one of the two cross conveyors. The inclination of at least one of the cross conveyors may be adjusted about at least one pivot point formed by the at least one joint device or about a rotation axis defined by the joint device. It is possible that the right and left cross conveyors are each connected to one or more transverse conveyor drive devices via a joint device, or that one joint device is provided via which the right and left cross conveyors are jointly connected to a transverse conveyor drive device, or that two joint devices are provided, wherein the right and left cross conveyors are each individually connected to a common transverse conveyor drive device via one of the two joint devices. The joint device may be a constant velocity joint, for example, a ball constant velocity joint, a double universal joint or a cardan joint, in particular a single cardan joint. However, it is also possible that the right and / or left cross conveyors are driven directly by the one or more transverse conveyor drive devices, in particular rigidly in the longitudinal direction of the respective cross conveyor, so that in this case at least partial adjustment of the transverse conveyor drive device may also be required to adjust the inclination. Additionally or alternatively, in order to enable an inclination adjustment, it is also possible to provide a torque transmission in the region of a drive train between the respective transverse conveyor drive device and the right and / or left cross conveyors via a bendable and / or flexible shaft member, for example a flexible shaft, a bellows coupling, an angle-elastic coupling, etc., in order to enable a torque transmission across a bending point positioned between the respective transverse conveyor drive device and the right and / or left cross conveyors.

[0023] Even if it is possible for the right and left cross conveyors to each have an associated transverse conveyor drive device, for example in the form of a drive motor, it may be advantageous if a common transverse conveyor drive device is provided, which drives both the right and left cross conveyors or serves as a common torque source. For this embodiment of the invention, it is preferred if the transverse conveyor drive device has a respective joint device on the output side both to the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor, via which a drive torque provided by the transverse conveyor drive device on the output side is transmitted to a respective one of the two cross conveyors. In this way, both cross conveyors can thus be adjusted with regard to their inclination, in particular also relative to the remaining part of the transverse conveyor drive device, and at the same time the remaining part of the transverse conveyor drive device does not need to be adjusted for the respective inclination adjustment, which may, for example, simplify the mounting and / or configuration of the transverse conveyor drive device.

[0024] According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, however, it is also possible that the adjusting device comprises a swivel bearing of at least a part of the transverse conveyor drive device which is adjustable about a swivel axis, and that the transverse conveyor drive device itself is swiveled at least partially about the swivel axis of the transverse conveyor drive device in order to adjust the inclination of at least a part of the transverse conveyor. According to this preferred alternative embodiment, the transverse conveyor drive device may thus be adjusted together with the right and / or left cross conveyors, in particular swiveled, when their inclination is adjusted. This may have the advantage that, for example, an additional joint device or joint connection in the drive train between the transverse conveyor drive device and the right and / or left cross conveyors can be dispensed with. For swivel adjustment of the corresponding transverse conveyor drive device, in particular together with at least one of the right and / or left cross conveyors, it is possible that the transverse conveyor drive device can be adjusted, for example, about a rotation axis of a drive input and / or drive output and / or can be moved along a curved path. Additionally or alternatively, a variable-angle coupling member can also be used here.

[0025] Even if it may be advantageous if both the right and the left cross conveyors are driven together by a common transverse conveyor drive device or a common drive motor, it is also possible and possibly preferred if the transverse conveyor drive device has a first drive motor for driving the right cross conveyor and a second drive motor for driving the left cross conveyor, in which case the adjusting device may then be configured in particular such that the first and / or second drive motors can each be adjusted about a swivel axis, in particular about a common swivel axis, for adjusting the inclination of the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor. In this way, it is also possible, for example, to directly drive the right and left cross conveyors with a respective motor, while at the same time maintaining the aforementioned option of adjusting the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors.

[0026] The function of the right and / or left cross conveyors is in particular to distribute paving material transversely to a forward direction across a current paving width of the road paver. The current paving width may vary. It is therefore also possible to configure the right and / or left cross conveyors with a variable length in the direction of their longitudinal extension. Additionally or alternatively, scenarios are also possible in which the right and / or left cross conveyors should not each run along a continuous longitudinal axis. To make this possible, it is preferred if at least one of the right and / or left cross conveyors is configured as a conveyor shaft comprising several cross conveyor segments. The cross conveyor segments thus refer to sections that can be joined together as required, depending on a current paving width of the road paver, for example. This may be done along a common rotation axis, i.e., in the direction of a common longitudinal extension. However, the connection may also be made and configured such that a respective joint device is arranged between adjacent cross conveyor segments of one of the cross conveyors such that the conveyor shaft has one or more articulation points. With the aid of this joint device, which is positioned between two cross conveyor segments that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction, one or more bending or articulation points may thus be provided within the right and / or left cross conveyors. With regard to one of the cross conveyors, it is possible that only one joint device or articulation point is provided here or even two or more joint devices or articulation points arranged in series. This may be implemented for one of the two cross conveyors or for both cross conveyors. Such further joint devices thus make it possible, for example, for rotation axes of individual cross conveyor segments of one of the cross conveyors that are coaxial with one another in the zero position to be adjusted, in particular also depending on the number of cross conveyor segments and joint devices, such that they no longer run coaxially with one another, intersect and / or do not intersect and / or run parallel to one another. With regard to a possible configuration of the one or more joint devices and / or the shafts, reference is made to the preceding discussion.

[0027] In particular, the adjusting device may be provided to enable, in particular to drive and / or guide, the adjusting movement of the right and / or left cross conveyors when adjusting, or to adjust, an inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors. The adjusting device may additionally or alternatively include a support device configured to support at least one of the right and / or left cross conveyors or at least parts thereof. The support device is thus configured in particular such that it stabilizes the current inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors such that the current course of the respective longitudinal extension direction of the right and / or left cross conveyors is maintained, in particular also during conveying operation of the right and / or left cross conveyors. For this purpose, the support device may comprise one or more bearings, in particular rotary bearings. It will be appreciated that at least parts of the support device may also be involved in the adjustment process for inclination and / or height adjustment per se. It should also be noted at this point, as a precaution, that the aforementioned drive connection of the right and / or left cross conveyors to the transverse conveyor drive device may also have an additional support function. Compared to this, however, the aforementioned support device or the elements designated by the support device may be characterized by not having a drive function but serving solely to support the right and / or left cross conveyors, in particular in conveying operation, i.e., being able to absorb and dissipate support forces such that the relative position of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the remaining part of the tractor of the road paver is maintained during conveying operation.

[0028] It may be ideal if the support device is configured such that it supports the right and / or left cross conveyors at least on one face side, in particular a face side opposite the face side via which the respective cross conveyor is connected to the transverse conveyor drive device. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for the support device to support the right and / or left cross conveyor in a region between their respective face sides. The support device may also be configured such that it supports the right and / or the left cross conveyor at more than one point, in particular at two or more points per cross conveyor. Further possible variations exist with regard to the configuration of the support device in terms of where the support device is supported on the side opposite the right and / or left cross conveyor, i.e., against which structure the right and / or left cross conveyor is supported by the support device. In addition to the paving screed, the road paver may also have a structural subassembly, also known as a tractor, as mentioned above. This subassembly comprises all elements of the road paver except for the paving screed and the drawbars, via which the paving screed is pulled by the road paver. The tractor includes in particular the machine frame, the longitudinal conveyor and the travel units. It may now be advantageous if the support device is mounted on a tractor side holding structure, i.e., supports the right and / or left cross conveyors in relation to the tractor of the road paver. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, that the support device is connected to the machine frame and / or a part of the road paver that is stationary relative to the machine frame. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for the support device to be connected to a region of the road paver that is stationary relative to the longitudinal extension of the right or left cross conveyor.

[0029] Generally, it is possible to configure the right and / or left cross conveyors to be height-adjustable relative to the machine frame. For example, to compensate for such height adjustments and / or inclination adjustments, it may be advantageous if the support device has at least one length compensation element which is configured such that changes in distance between one or more attachment points of the support device at the tractor side holding structure of the at least one cross conveyor occurring with an inclination and / or height adjustment of the at least one cross conveyor are compensated for, in particular while maintaining the support function. Such length compensation may be achieved, for example, with the aid of one or more telescopic support rods or the like. It is possible that at least one, in particular several, such support rods are associated with each of the right and left cross conveyors.

[0030] With regard to the specific configuration of the tractor side holding structure, there are various preferred options. For example, the tractor side holding structure may be the machine frame of the road paver or a part connected to it in a stationary manner. Using the machine frame as at least part of the tractor side holding structure may have the advantage that such structures are often sufficiently stable to be able to absorb the support forces required for the operation of the right and / or left cross conveyors.

[0031] In particular in a case where the right and / or the left cross conveyors are height-adjustable relative to the machine frame, it is possible to arrange them on a screw block or bearing block which is arranged transversely to the forward direction, in particular centrally, with respect to a horizontal width of the road paver and which is correspondingly adjustable together with the right and / or left cross conveyors in the vertical direction relative to the machine frame or height-adjustable relative to the machine frame. This bearing block, ideally in the form of a lifting carriage, may be configured as a shaft bearing, as a support structure for one or more joint devices and / or as a support structure for one or more drive motors of the transverse conveyor drive device. With regard to the optional tractor side holding structure for articulating one or more support devices, it may now be advantageous to use this bearing block in addition to or as an alternative to the machine frame, for example, or to support the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the bearing block using the support device.

[0032] It may be particularly advantageous if the right and / or left cross conveyors are supported on the bearing block exclusively directly and, if necessary, via one or more support devices, in particular directly articulated to this bearing pedestal, i.e., the holding structure is formed exclusively by the bearing block. The bearing block in turn may then of course be mounted on the machine frame, in particular in a height-adjustable manner. However, when the bearing block is adjusted in height relative to the machine frame, both the right and / or left cross conveyors and the support device are also moved, so that no separate length adjustments of individual or several elements of the support device are required, for example. In this case in particular, it is possible to functionally decouple a height adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors and an inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyor from one another, as both the adjusting device and the optionally available support devices may in this case be fully adjusted together with the bearing block relative to the machine frame. This can make it easier to operate the road paver.

[0033] With regard to structural details, a wide range of alternative options may be used to configure the adjusting device. The adjusting device may be driven hydraulically and / or electrically and / or pneumatically. For example, it may have a linear actuator for adjusting the inclination, in particular comprising a hydraulic cylinder or a worm gear. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting device may also have an adjusting gear, in particular a cam gear, especially a crank gear and / or link mechanism.

[0034] It is possible to adjust the adjusting device manually. However, it may be preferred if a control unit is provided which controls the operation of the adjusting device, at least in addition to manual actuation and / or automatically. The control unit may, for example, be a computer device with one or more suitable computer programs for controlling the adjusting device. The control unit may be used to partially or fully automate the adjustment of the adjusting device and / or improve control compared to purely manual operation.

[0035] It is possible that the control unit is configured such that it has a compensation mode or can be operated in a compensation mode in which it controls the adjusting device such that the current inclination of the transverse conveyor remains unchanged when the height of the cross conveyor is adjusted relative to the machine frame of the road paver. This may be particularly helpful if the attachment points of the adjusting device and / or a support device are located between the right and / or left cross conveyors and a part outside, for example, the bearing block, so that the geometric relationships of the individual attachment points change when the right and / or left cross conveyors are adjusted in height. In this case, the control unit may be used to adjust the adjusting device and / or the support device depending on the height adjustment such that a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors is maintained over a height adjustment of the cross conveyor, i.e., leads to a purely parallel displacement of the right and / or left cross conveyor if compared to each other before and after the height adjustment.

[0036] It is known to operate road pavers of the present type with paving screeds in various designs, such as rigid screeds or adjustable screeds. Paving screeds are also known that can be used, for example, to produce a road surface with a so-called crown profile. Accordingly, it is possible that the paving screed comprises a right and a left screed half, which can be adjusted in their angular position transverse to the forward direction relative to each other. In particular, the two screed halves may, for example, be angled relative to each other from a parallel, e.g. horizontal or rectilinear, alignment in order to produce a positive or negative crown profile. For a road paver with such a paving screed, a control unit may now be provided which controls the operation of the adjusting device, the control unit preferably being configured such that it has an adjustment mode in which, when the angular position of the right and left screed halves relative to one another is changed, it controls the adjusting device such that the angular position of the right and left cross conveyors is at least partially adapted to the changed angular position of the right and left screed halves. In other words, the adjustment of the angular position of the right and / or left cross conveyors follows at least partially, preferably identically, the adjustment of the angular position of the right and left screed halves relative to each other. The angular position of the cross conveyors and the screed halves may be adjusted at the same time or one after the other. Additionally or alternatively, an adjustment may be made by the same angle or by the same angular direction, but by smaller or larger angle values. When adjusting the right and / or left cross conveyors depending on the angular position of two screed halves relative to each other, it is further possible that the relative position, in particular the lifting position, of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame is additionally taken into account by the control unit, for example to prevent parts of the right and / or left cross conveyors from directly contacting the ground.

[0037] It may be preferred, for example for controlling the adjusting device and / or for detecting a current adjustment state of the adjusting device, if the adjusting device has a sensor device configured such that it can be used to determine the current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors. The sensor device may be configured such that it determines the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to each other and / or the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame and / or relative to the screed and / or to the underlying ground beneath the road paver. In particular, this inclination may be the transverse inclination, i.e., the course of the longitudinal axes or longitudinal extension directions of the right and / or left cross conveyors in a virtual projection plane perpendicular to the forward direction, i.e., in the vertical direction and horizontally transverse to the forward direction. Additionally or alternatively, it may also be the horizontal inclination, i.e., the course of the longitudinal extension axes of the right and / or left cross conveyors when projected into a virtual horizontal projection plane. The sensor device may be configured for direct and / or indirect inclination determination. Direct inclination determination is characterized by determining a current inclination angle directly using one or more inclination sensors. Indirect inclination determination may be performed, for example, using one or more displacement measuring devices and suitable geometric calculations, a camera or the like. Accordingly, the one or more sensors of the sensor device may, for example, be one or more position and / or position change sensors, displacement sensors, distance sensors, etc.

[0038] It is possible for the road paver to have one or more wired or wireless signal transmission connections, for example in the form of a CAN bus system or the like. For example, one or more of the signal transmission connections may be used to transmit measurement signals and / or data from one or more of the sensors to the control unit and / or control commands from the control unit to one or more actuators.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, it is possible for the road paver to have material guide walls in the forward direction in front of the right and / or left cross conveyors. These may be configured to guide paving material conveyed by the left and / or right cross conveyors in the transverse conveying direction in cooperation with the right and / or left cross conveyors. The material guide walls may thus serve to limit the path of the paving material conveyed by the right and / or left cross conveyors in the forward direction of the road paver and thus improve the guidance of the paving material. Such material guide walls may be connected to the machine frame in particular via one or more support devices. However, it may now be advantageous if coupling devices are provided that couple an inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors with an inclination adjustment of at least part of the material guide walls. In other words, this means that the material guide walls, analogous to the right and / or left cross conveyors, can likewise be adjusted in terms of their inclination by means of the coupling device. This may be done directly, for example manually controlled, or with the aid of an adjustment controlled by the control unit. With regard to the details of the possible configuration of the adjusting device for the material guide walls, reference is made to the preceding description, and it is preferred for the material guide walls if these are supported, in particular exclusively, at the machine frame of the road paver. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for further components to be configured such that their inclination can be adjusted together with the right and / or left cross conveyors. Such components may be, for example, spray bars for paving material, sensor bars with one or more sensor devices, such as surface measuring devices, etc.

[0040] In addition to one or more of the above-mentioned devices, the road paver may include other devices that facilitate the operation of the road paver, in particular in connection with the adjusting device. Specifically, such devices may include, for example, a display device for displaying a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors, in particular in addition to other information, such as the inclination of one or more screed halves, etc. The display device may, for example, be a display, in particular a touch-sensitive display. Additionally or alternatively, the road paver may also comprise an input device via which the adjusting device can be operated by an operator of the road paver.

[0041] The road paver may be configured for operation by at least one operator traveling on the road paver and may have a suitable operator platform for this purpose, for example. However, it is also possible for the road paver to be configured for operation by remote control and / or for highly automated or autonomous operation, in particular monitored by a teleoperated control station positioned remotely from the road paver. It will be appreciated that in this case the road paver may have one or more suitable communication devices for sending sensor data and / or receiving control data.

[0042] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a road paver, in particular a road paver as described above, so that reference is additionally also made at this point in particular to the preceding description of the possible embodiment of a road paver configured to carry out the method.

[0043] One step of the method according to the invention relates to adjusting an inclination, in particular a transverse inclination and / or horizontal inclination, of at least one right and / or left cross conveyor of a transverse conveyor of a road paver by means of an adjusting device. Said adjusting may refer to relative adjustment between the right and left cross conveyors and / or adjustment between the right and / or left cross conveyors relative to the machine frame. The reference structure for defining an angular position of the right and / or left cross conveyors may be the course of the longitudinal axis and / or rotation axis of the cross conveyor, preferably configured as a screw conveyor, i.e., its respective longitudinal extension direction. Not only within the scope of the method according to the invention, but generally, it is preferred if the longitudinal extension direction corresponds to the course of the rotation axis of the respective cross conveyor. To determine a transverse inclination, it is possible to use the angular position in a projection plane running perpendicular to a forward direction or horizontally transverse to the forward direction and in the vertical direction. A horizontal projection plane may be defined to determine a horizontal inclination.

[0044] The inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors may be adjusted manually and / or controlled by a control unit, manually driven or motor-driven, in particular hydraulically, electrically and / or pneumatically.

[0045] It may be advantageous if the inclination of the right cross conveyor is adjusted independently of the inclination of the left cross conveyor. In this way, one inclination may be set individually for the right cross conveyor and a different inclination may be set independently of this for the left cross conveyor.

[0046] How the inclination is actually adjusted may vary, particularly depending on the design conditions. However, it has proven to be particularly reliable if the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors is adjusted by rotating the at least one cross conveyor relative to a transverse conveyor drive device about a pivot point formed by a joint device arranged on an output side of the transverse conveyor drive device. In this case, for example, the positioning of the transverse conveyor drive device, in particular its drive motor, may be kept unchanged, as the respective cross conveyor is inclined relative to the transverse conveyor drive device.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, however, it is also possible for the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors to be adjusted by rotating a transverse conveyor drive device, in particular at least one drive motor of the transverse conveyor drive device, about a swivel axis together with the at least one cross conveyor. In this way, a relative alignment between the transverse conveyor drive device, or, for example, at least one drive motor thereof, and the right and / or left cross conveyors may remain unchanged during an inclination adjustment, so that, for example, which may make it easier, for example, to drive the right and / or left cross conveyors directly.

[0048] Even if it is possible that the right and / or left cross conveyors are each configured as a continuous element, it may be advantageous if at least one of the two cross conveyors has two or more cross conveyor segments connected to each other via a respective joint device, as already explained above. In particular for this embodiment, it is now possible within the scope of the method according to the invention that said adjusting of the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors comprises adjusting an inclination of two or more cross conveyor segments of a cross conveyor, specifically for example the right and / or left cross conveyors, relative to one another. In this way, it is possible to introduce one or more additional articulation points into the course of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the longitudinal extension direction.

[0049] When adjusting the height of the transverse conveyor in a compensation mode controlled by a control unit, the adjusting device may be adjusted such that the inclination of the cross conveyors of the transverse conveyor is unchanged before and after the height adjustment. This may increase ease of use, as there may be no need to readjust the transverse conveyor in individual cases.

[0050] In particular, if the road paver is operated with a paving screed having two screed halves whose inclination is variable relative to one another, it may be advantageous for the method according to the invention if, when the inclination of the at least two screed halves of the paving screed is adjusted in an adjustment mode controlled by a control unit, the adjusting device is adjusted such that the inclination of the cross conveyors is at least partially adapted to the inclination of the at least two screed halves. This may mean that the right and / or left cross conveyors are inclined at same angles to the respective screed half with regard to their longitudinal extension, or at least inclined in the same direction but at reduced angles. This may take place in parallel with an inclination adjustment of the screed halves or with a delay.

[0051] In particular in this embodiment, it is possible for the method according to the invention to comprise detecting one or more positions and / or position changes by one or more sensors and transmitting information or data determined in this step to the control unit. To determine a specific inclination and / or inclination change, it is possible for one or more inclination angles to be measured directly by one or more sensors and / or calculated from changes in length and / or distance, for example, in particular by the control unit.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the method may also include displaying one or more current inclinations of one or more screed halves and / or cross conveyors and / or conveyor segments, etc. The reference point or reference structure for the displayed angles may be the machine frame of the road paver and / or a functionally identical neighboring element, specifically, for example, the right cross conveyor relative to the left cross conveyor, and / or elements arranged in succession in the paving direction, such as the cross conveyor on one side and the screed half following it on this side.

[0053] Finally, the method according to the invention may also comprise at least partially adjusting an inclination of material guide walls arranged in front of the right and / or left cross conveyors in the forward direction when the inclination of at least the right and / or left cross conveyors of the transverse conveyor is adjusted with the aid of the adjusting device. This may be done independently of the inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyor, or depending on it, for example by means of a coupling device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The invention will be explained in more detail below by reference to the embodiment examples shown in the figures. In the schematic figures:

[0055] FIG. 1 is a side view of a road paver;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a transverse conveyor of a road paver and of other parts of the road paver;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a rear view of a cross conveyor with the right and left cross conveyors aligned in the zero position or horizontally;

[0058] FIG. 4 shows the view of FIG. 3 with adjusted inclination of the right and left cross conveyors;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor with a support device;

[0060] FIGS. 6A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0061] FIGS. 7A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0062] FIGS. 8A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0063] FIGS. 9A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0064] FIGS. 10A-B show a rear view and an enlarged detail plan view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor;

[0065] FIGS. 11A-B show a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable transverse conveyor in a lowered position and in a lifted position;

[0066] FIGS. 12A-B show a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable transverse conveyor in a lowered position and in a lifted position;

[0067] FIGS. 13A-B show a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable transverse conveyor in a lowered position and in a lifted position;

[0068] FIG. 14 shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor with an adjusting device;

[0069] FIG. 15 shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor with an adjusting device;

[0070] FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of parts of a road paver; and

[0071] FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the method.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Like parts or functionally like parts are designated by like reference numerals in the figures. Recurring parts are not necessarily designated separately in each figure.

[0073] FIG. 1 shows various elements of a road paver 1. The road paver may comprise travel units 2, a machine frame 3 supported by the travel units 2, a paving material hopper 4 with a storage space 5 for paving material 58, a longitudinal conveyor 6, a longitudinal conveyor drive device 7, a transverse conveyor 8, a drive device 9 and a paving screed 10. The travel units 2 may be, for example, crawler tracks and / or wheels. The machine frame 3 may designate a support structure, in particular the main support structure, of the road paver 1 and be supported by the travel units 2. The paving material hopper 4 may be located in a front region of the road paver 1 when viewed in a forward direction A, which usually corresponds to the paving direction of the road paver 1 during paving operation, and may comprise, for example, adjustable side walls in order to move paving material 58 received in the storage space formed by the paving material hopper 4 onto the longitudinal conveyor 6. The longitudinal conveyor 6 may, for example, be a scraper belt or the like, by means of which the paving material 58 may be transported from the paving material hopper 4 rearward against the forward direction A and deposited there, for example, on an underlying ground U. To drive the conveyor operation of the longitudinal conveyor 6, a longitudinal conveyor drive device 7, for example configured as an electric or hydraulic motor, may be included in the road paver 1.

[0074] The transverse conveyor 8 may be provided to distribute paving material 58, in particular paving material deposited on the underlying ground U, over the current paving width of the road paver 1. The transverse conveyor may be height-adjustable, i.e., adjustable in the vertical direction V. In FIG. 1, the lifted position of the transverse conveyor 8 is indicated by a solid line and the lowered position of the transverse conveyor 8' is indicated by a dotted line.

[0075] In the paving direction or forward direction A behind the transverse conveyor 8, the road paver 1 may comprise a paving screed 10, which is mounted on a tractor part of the road paver 1 via drawbars 11 and may be pulled by said tractor part over the paving material 58 laid out on the underlying ground and distributed transversely for smoothing and / or compaction purposes. The paving screed 10 may also be height-adjustable relative to the tractor or the machine frame 3 of the road paver 1 (in FIG. 1, the lifted position is designated 10 and a lowered position is designated 10').

[0076] The drive device 9 may provide the drive energy required for traveling and working operation of the road paver 1. The drive device may be an internal combustion engine, for example. It is also possible to use a partially electric, in particular diesel-electric, or fully electric drive system of the road paver, in which case the drive unit 9 may also have an electric energy storage unit, one or more electric motors, etc., for example. The road paver 1 may also have an operator platform 29. Said operator platform may be operated by an operator traveling on the road paver 1, although it is also possible for the road paver 1 to be configured as a remote-controlled, highly automated or autonomously operating machine.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of possible details of the possible structure of the transverse conveyor 8. It may have a transverse conveyor drive device 12, a right cross conveyor 13 and a left cross conveyor 14. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 drives a conveying movement of the right and left cross conveyors 13, 14. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may thus in particular designate a torque source which, in particular in drive connection with the right and / or the left cross conveyors 13 / 14, supplies a drive torque required for conveying operation of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14, i.e., drives the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 in conveying operation. For this purpose, the transverse conveyor drive device 12 may, for example, comprise one or more drive motors, in particular hydraulic or electric motors, or be configured as a drive and / or transfer gear, which is driven on a gear input side by a tractor side drive motor, for example. The right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 may each be configured as a screw conveyor 17 with, for example, one or more conveyor screws 18, which run around a central support tube 19 or a central conveyor shaft. In transverse conveying operation, the cross conveyors 13 and 14 may each rotate about a rotation axis, wherein the right cross conveyor 13 may rotate about the rotation axis 15 and the left cross conveyor 14 may rotate about the rotation axis 16 during conveying operation. The rotation axes 15 and / or 16 may run parallel or coaxially to the respective longitudinal extension direction B of the right cross conveyor 13 and / or the left cross conveyor 14.

[0078] FIG. 2 also illustrates that the transverse conveyor drive device 12, and thus also the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14, may be arranged on a bearing block 20 and may be height-adjustable relative to the machine frame 3 via said bearing block. The bearing block may, for example, be configured as a lifting carriage or the like.

[0079] Finally, FIG. 2 illustrates that the road paver 1, and in particular the transverse conveyor 8, may comprise an adjusting device 21, the possible structure and mode of operation of which are illustrated in more detail in the following examples. However, it should be noted at this point that the adjusting device 21 is configured such that the inclination of at least one, in particular both, of the cross conveyors 13, 14 can be adjusted by it. To explain this in more detail, FIG. 2 shows a coordinate system with a y-axis running in the vertical direction, a z-axis extending horizontally in the forward direction A and an x-axis running transversely and in particular horizontally and perpendicular to the forward direction. In FIG. 2, the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 are in a so-called zero position. The zero position may be characterized in particular by the fact that the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 run with their respective rotation axis 15, 16, for example, horizontally and in the x-direction, i.e., perpendicular to the forward direction.

[0080] The adjusting device 21 may now be configured such that the inclination of the right cross conveyor 13 and / or the left cross conveyor 14, in particular with regard to their respective rotation axis 15 / 16, i.e., the longitudinal extension axis, which preferably extends coaxially or at least parallel to the respective rotation axis 15, 16, in the horizontal plane (xz plane; an inclination adjustment in this plane is also referred to as adjustment of a horizontal inclination) and / or in the transverse plane, i.e., the plane perpendicular to the forward direction (xy plane; an inclination adjustment in this plane is also referred to as adjustment of a transverse inclination) can be adjusted, i.e., changed relative to the zero position. Individual inclinations can be determined here, for example, by projecting the road paver 1 into a virtual horizontal projection plane (= horizontal inclination) or into a virtual projection plane running perpendicular to the forward direction (= transverse inclination). The examples of the function and / or mode of operation of the adjusting device 21 shown in the following figures are essentially based on a transverse inclination adjustment, and it is noted that these adjustment examples also refer additionally or alternatively to a possible adjustment in the horizontal plane.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows the transverse conveyor 8 itself in a rear view, as in FIG. 2, with the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 both being in the zero position. The angle of inclination between, for example, the longitudinal extension directions B or rotation axes 15 and 16 of the right and left cross conveyors relative to one another is thus 0°, or 180°, both in the horizontal plane (xz plane) and in the transverse plane (xy plane).

[0082] FIG. 4 now shows different inclination adjustments by the adjusting device 21 compared to FIG. 3. Using the left cross conveyor 14, FIG. 4 illustrates that the adjusting device 21 may be configured such that, starting from the zero position, it is possible to adjust the inclination in one direction, for example downwards by the inclination angle W' in the vertical direction, and / or in the other direction, for example upwards by the inclination angle W'' in the vertical direction. For this purpose, it is possible, as shown in the present embodiment example, that only the left cross conveyor 14 is rotated, for example about a pivot point formed by the adjusting device 21, i.e., for example, about a rotation axis formed by the adjusting device 21.

[0083] The inclination adjustment of one or both of the cross conveyors 13, 14 may also be coordinated and / or coupled with other elements of the road paver 1. This may, for example, involve one or more material guide walls 22. Viewed in the forward direction A, these may be arranged in front of the right and / or left cross conveyors and facilitate, for example, a channeled transverse distribution of the paving material 58. It is now possible that these material guide walls 22 are also adjustable with regard to their inclination, for example by the same angle W', as illustrated for such a material guide wall 22 by the right cross conveyor by way of example in FIG. 4 (adjustment from the zero position 13 to the exemplary transversely inclined position 13'). In FIG. 4, this is shown by way of example using the longitudinal extension direction of the material walls 22 / 22' running along the upper edge of the material guide walls 22 / 22' as shown by respective dashed lines.

[0084] FIG. 4 further illustrates that the adjusting device 21 may be configured such that the inclination of the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 may be adjusted independently and / or at different inclination angles W to one another.

[0085] According to FIG. 5, one or more support devices 23 are provided. The one or more support devices 23 may be configured to stabilize the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 in one or more adjustment positions and / or also to drive an adjustment movement for adjusting an inclination of the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14. In other words, this means that the one or more support devices 23 may support the relative orientation of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 during conveying operation and at the same time, in particular, may also be part of the adjusting device 21 or may interact with parts thereof.

[0086] For example, the support device 23a according to FIG. 5 supports the left cross conveyor 14 with regard to its connection of its outer end face, which is opposite the transverse conveyor drive device, to a tractor side holding structure 57, for example the machine frame 3 and / or the bearing block 20. In the alternative embodiment with the support device 23b, on the other hand, the cross conveyor 13, in this case the one on the right side, is supported, with respect to its longitudinal extension, in a region located, in particular centrally, between the two end faces of the cross conveyor 13. According to FIG. 5, it is also possible to provide several support devices 23 per cross conveyor 13 / 14, as further illustrated, for example, with the additional support devices 23c and 23d in FIG. 5.

[0087] The one or more support devices 23 may have one or more rotary bearings, for example radial bearings configured as rolling bearings, in particular at the connection point to the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14, such that the right and / or left cross conveyor 23 can rotate about their respective longitudinal extension axes and at the same time can be supported by the one or more support devices 23.

[0088] The right and / or left cross conveyors 13 and / or 14 may be connected via the respective support devices to the machine frame 3 (or a region of the road paver 1 stationary relative to the machine frame) and / or to the bearing block 20. The connection to the machine frame 3 may have the advantage that considerably higher support forces may be provided. A connection to the bearing block 20, on the other hand, may have the advantage that the one or more support devices 20 do not have to be adjusted with regard to their adjustment positions when the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 are adjusted in height, in particular by adjusting the height of the bearing block 20, but would be moved in parallel. In both cases, however, the connection is made to the tractor side support structure 57 and not, for example, to the paving screed 10.

[0089] FIGS. 6-10 illustrate further details of possible configuration variants of the road paver 1, in particular the transverse conveyor 8. Figures“A” are in each case rear views of the transverse conveyor 8 (for reasons of clarity, the conveyor screws 18 are not shown, but only the respective support tube 19 is indicated) while figures“B” are top views of a central region in the horizontal plane xz with respect to the width extension of the transverse conveyor 8.

[0090] With reference to figures B, it can be seen in these figures that the drive connection of the transverse conveyor drive device 12 may be made, for example, via an output shaft 24 coming from the tractor of the road paver. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may then, for example, be configured as a transfer gear 26, in particular an angular gear, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, it may also be a bearing shaft or a static bearing connection, for example to the bearing block 20. The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may additionally or alternatively also be configured as a drive motor 27, in particular a hydraulic motor or electric motor. A drive shaft 24 may then be dispensed with. However, instead of the drive shaft 24, a connection 25 to a source of electrical and / or hydraulic energy is then required, as explained in more detail below.

[0091] FIG. 6 thus shows an alternative embodiment of a transverse conveyor 8 (A = rear view and B = enlarged detail top view). The transverse conveyor drive device 12 may therefore be configured as a transfer gear 26, for example, which transmits incoming drive energy to the right and / or left cross conveyors 13, 14 via the output shaft 24. The adjusting device 21 may have one or more joint devices 28, for example in the form of cardan joints, which enable the right and / or left cross conveyors 13, 14 to be adjusted in their respective inclination, in particular transverse inclination in the xy plane. The joint devices 28 also form the swivel bearings, which define the respective pivot point of the inclination adjustment movement about which the right or left cross conveyors 13, 14 are rotated during an inclination adjustment, in particular at least partially in the xy plane and / or in the zx plane. The relative position of the transfer gear itself relative to the bearing block 20, for example, does not change.

[0092] The embodiment example according to FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment example of FIG. 6 essentially in that both the right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 are segmented and accordingly the right cross conveyor 13 has a first cross conveyor segment 13a and a second cross conveyor segment 13b, and the left cross conveyor 14 has a first cross conveyor segment 14a and a second cross conveyor segment 14b. The two cross conveyor segments a and b of a cross conveyor are each connected to one another via a further adjusting device 21', so that the angular position of the two cross conveyor segments a and b relative to one another is also variable, in particular their inclination or angle Wx relative to one another, particularly in the xy plane, can be adjusted variably relative to one another. For example, one or more of the previous variants may be used for this purpose. It will further be appreciated that one or more suitable bearing or support devices 23 may be associated with each segment a and b, although not shown in FIGS. 7A and B for reasons of clarity. Such a conveyor shaft or such a cross conveyor thus comprises one or more articulation points 59, in particular formed by a respective joint device 28 of the adjusting device 21, in relation to the respective longitudinal extension direction B.

[0093] According to the embodiment example of FIG. 8, the transverse conveyor drive device 12 may also be configured as a drive motor 27, for example. It is possible that the respective cross conveyor (in the present embodiment example the right cross conveyor 13) is connected to the drive motor 27 via the adjusting device 21, for example again in the form of a cardan joint or the like. However, it is also possible for the one or more cross conveyors 13 to be directly connected to the drive motor 27 without an intermediate adjusting device 21, in particular, for example, via a rigid shaft connection. In this case, the adjusting device 21 may then be configured as a swivel joint about which the drive motor 27 can be swiveled together with the respective cross conveyor (in the present embodiment example, the left cross conveyor 14). For this purpose, the swivel joint may have or be configured as a swivel bearing 30 such that the drive motor together with the left cross conveyor 14 can be swiveled about a swivel axis 31, which may, for example, run in the forward direction A, i.e., in the xz plane, in particular, for example, relative to the machine frame 3, in order to adjust the inclination of the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14.

[0094] The example embodiment shown in FIG. 9 has a similar structure to FIG. 8, with one of the two drive motors 27a and 27b being associated with each of the cross conveyors 13 and 14. These can both be swiveled relative to, for example, the machine frame of the road paver 1 via a swivel bearing 30a and 30b. The two drive motors 27a and 27b can be swiveled, for example in the xy plane, about the common swivel axis 31 or also about one swivel axis each, wherein these two swivel axes may run coaxially to one another or also non-coaxially, in particular parallel to one another.

[0095] In the preceding embodiment examples, the transverse conveyor drive device 12 is arranged rather centrally in relation to the width of the road paver 1. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 differs in this respect, as it has two drive motors 27 (first drive motor 27a and second drive motor 27b) on the respective outer or opposite end faces of the left cross conveyor 14 and the right cross conveyor 13. The two cross conveyors 13 and 14 may be connected to each other via the adjusting device 21, for example in the form of a common articulation device, or also via separate joint devices, for example to the machine frame 3 and / or the bearing block 20. Even though it is possible that between the torque sources configured as drive motors 27a and / or 27b and the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14 there is in each case a further joint device (as for example in the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 and 7), FIG. 10 shows a variant in which the two drive motors 27a and 27b can each be rotated about a swivel axis 31 together with the respective cross conveyor 13 / 14 in order to adjust the inclination.

[0096] FIGS. 11A and B now illustrate further possible details of the configuration and mode of operation of the inclination adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14. FIG. 11A shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a height-adjustable cross conveyor in a lowered position and FIG. 11B in a lifted position.

[0097] The height adjustment, i.e., the adjustment in vertical direction y of the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 is carried out jointly with the aid of a height adjusting device 32, for example comprising one or more hydraulic cylinders or other lifting actuators acting between the machine frame 3 and the transverse conveyor drive device 12 and / or the bearing block 20. Since the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 are held in position not only by the adjusting device 21, which is connected to the transverse conveyor 12 at the face sides, but also by the support devices 23, which in this case additionally connect the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 to the machine frame 3, a height adjustment also affects the inclination adjustment of the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 due to the overall gear structure obtained by this design. In order to compensate for this, the support device 23 in this case, for example, comprises respective linear actuators 34, the length adjustment of which can be used to adjust the lifting position while maintaining a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14. A length compensation element 60 is thus provided, for example in the form of one or more linear actuators 34, which can be used to compensate for distance changes of attachment points of the support device 23 and / or the adjusting device 21 caused by the height adjustment. This may be controlled manually or by a control unit, for example, as explained in more detail below. In this case, the linear actuators 34 of the support device 23 therefore also act as part of the adjusting device 21, as they can also be used to change the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14.

[0098] The embodiment example shown in FIGS. 12A and B differs from the embodiment example shown in FIGS. 11A and B essentially in that the right and the left cross conveyors 13 / 14 each have an adjusting arm 33 projecting perpendicularly from the longitudinally extended cross conveyor 13 / 14 towards the machine frame 3, at which the respective support device 23 (or the corresponding part of the adjusting device 21) can establish the connection to the machine frame 3. This means, for example, that required travel lengths for the respective linear actuator 34 can be reduced.

[0099] Accordingly, particularly in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, there is a dependency between the inclination adjustment and the height adjustment of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 / 14 when, for example, a bearing block 20 is adjusted relative to the machine frame 3, in particular in its height. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 13A and B, 14 and 15, for example, are different. These are each wherein the adjustment of the inclination of the right and left cross conveyors 13 and 14 is functionally separated or decoupled from the height adjustment of the transverse conveyor 8. In other words, this means that the adjusting device 21 with the corresponding support devices 23 is independent of the height adjusting device 32.

[0100] FIGS. 13A (= lifted position) and FIG. 13B (= lowered position) illustrate this since, for example, in this variant all elements of the adjusting device 21 and the support device 23 are articulated to a region of the road paver 1, specifically in particular the bearing block 20, which is adjusted in height together with the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14 during an adjustment driven by the height adjusting device 32. This means that not only the cross conveyors 13 / 14 themselves are moved along with this height adjustment movement, but also the complete adjusting device 21 and the complete support device 23. This means that it is not necessary to compensate for a current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyor 13 / 14 when adjusting the height.

[0101] In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 14, the linear actuators 34 have been replaced by crank gears 35, each having an eccentric disk 36 and a crank arm 37.

[0102] Finally, in the embodiment example of FIG. 15 (in which an optionally available height adjusting device 32 is not shown), a central linear actuator 34 is provided, which ultimately drives a link mechanism with several links 38 for adjusting the inclination of the right and left cross conveyors 13 / 14. If the links 38 are rigid links that are not variable in length, the inclination adjustment of the right and left cross conveyors are positively coupled to each other in this embodiment. This embodiment may therefore also be referred to as a positive coupling device 56. However, it is also possible to configure one or both of the links 38 as linear actuators 34 at the same time and in this way also enable the inclination of the right and left cross conveyors to be set at least at different angles to one another.

[0103] The schematic diagram according to FIG. 16 illustrates further optional features of a possible structure of parts of a road paver 1. As shown, the road paver 1 may comprise a control unit 39, for example in the form of a computer device with one or more computer programs for execution. The control unit 39 may be configured to control one or more components of the road paver 1. For example, the control unit 39 may be configured to control the height adjusting device 32 of the transverse conveyor 8, a height adjusting device 40, via which the paving screed 10 can be adjusted in height, the transverse conveyor drive device 12, the adjusting device 21 and / or the support device 23. It is also possible that not only the inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors 13 and 14 can be adjusted or changed, but also the inclination of the paving screed 10 or a right screed half 41 relative to a left screed half 42 and / or relative to the machine frame 3. This is shown schematically in FIG. 16 by a view against the forward direction A of the screed halves 41 and 42 located behind the cross conveyors 13 and 14. The shown crown profile position of the right screed half 41 relative to the left screed half 42 (i.e., the angle between the two longitudinal lower edges of the two screed halves when projected into the vertical plane, i.e., the xy plane perpendicular to the forward direction A), which can be set, for example, via an adjusting device 43 with one or more actuators, has an inclination angle W. The right cross conveyor 13 and the left cross conveyor 14 may be positioned at a same angle of inclination W to each other with respect to the course of their longitudinal extension axes in this plane, as shown in FIG. 16. The same may apply to any material guide walls 22 if provided, as also indicated in FIG. 16.

[0104] The road paver 1 may have a sensor device 44 for controlling, in particular also automatically, for example, the adjustment of the inclination by the control unit 39. In particular, this sensor device may also be provided for detecting one or more current operating states of one or more elements of the road paver 1, in particular the cross distribution device 8 and / or the paving screed 10. In particular, one or more sensors 45 for direct and / or indirect detection of a current inclination of the right cross conveyor 13 and / or the left cross conveyor 14 and / or the right screed half 41 and / or the left screed half 42 and / or one or more material guide walls 22 may be provided for this purpose. One or more sensor signal lines 46 (only partially designated in FIG. 16) may be included, via which the sensor or sensors transmit sensor data to the control unit 39, and / or one or more control signal lines 47 (only partially designated in FIG. 16) may be included, via which the control unit 39 transmits control signals to the actuators to be controlled.

[0105] The road paver 1 may also include a display and operating device 48. This device may, for example, comprise input means via which an operator can enter an inclination adjustment of the transverse conveyor 8 and / or the paving screed 10. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible that a current inclination of the transverse conveyor 8 and / or parts thereof and / or the paving screed 10 and / or parts thereof is displayed. Control instructions entered by an operator at the display and operating device 48 may be transmitted to the control unit 39, for example, via the input command line 49.

[0106] Finally, FIG. 17 illustrates in a flow chart possible steps of a method 50 for operating a road paver 1. A step of the method 50 may comprise adjusting 51 an inclination of at least one right or left cross conveyor 13 / 14 of a transverse conveyor device 8 with the aid of an adjusting device 21. Said adjusting 51 may be performed during an ongoing paving process, in particular continuously, or, for example, at the start of a paving process or before the start of a paving process.

[0107] Adjusting 51 of the right cross conveyor 13 may be performed independently of adjusting 51 the left cross conveyor 14. However, it is also possible to couple the inclination adjustment of the two cross conveyors 13 and 14 with each other, in particular such that both cross conveyors 13 and 14 are inclined in opposite directions but by same angle values.

[0108] It may be ideal if adjusting 51 the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors 13, 14 comprises rotating the at least one cross conveyor 13, 14 relative to a transverse conveyor drive device 12 about a pivot point 52 formed by a joint device 28 arranged on an output side of the transverse conveyor drive device 12. Such pivot points 52 are indicated, for example, in FIG. 6A and, depending on the viewing perspective, may be based, for example, on a swivel or rotation axis 53 (indicated in FIG. 6B). Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible that adjusting 51 at least one of the two cross conveyors 13, 14 comprises rotating a transverse conveyor drive device 12 about a swivel axis 31 together with the at least one cross conveyor 13, 14, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

[0109] As mentioned above, the transverse conveyor 8 may be adjustable in the vertical direction y using the height adjusting device 32, for example to adapt to different paving thicknesses. For this purpose, adjusting 51 may be performed in a compensation mode 53 and / or in an adjustment mode 54. In compensation mode 53, when a height of the transverse conveyor is adjusted in a compensation mode controlled by a control unit, adjusting 51 of the adjusting device 21 may be performed such that the inclination of the cross conveyors 13 and 14 of the transverse conveyor 8 is unchanged before and after the height adjustment. It is also possible for the respective inclination to remain unchanged during the height adjustment process or to be adjusted accordingly following a height adjustment. The adjustment mode 55, on the other hand, refers to adjusting controlled by the control unit 39 such that when at least two screed halves of a paving screed are adjusted, adjusting 51 the adjusting device 21 of the right and left cross conveyors 13, 14 is performed such that the inclination of the cross conveyors 13, 14 is at least partially adapted to the inclination of the at least two screed halves. Additionally or alternatively, adjusting an inclination of material guide walls 22 arranged in front of the right and left cross conveyors in the forward direction may also be performed accordingly when adjusting the inclination of at least the right or left cross conveyor 13, 14 of the transverse conveyor 8 with the aid of the adjusting device 21 and / or adjusting the inclination of the right and / or left screed halves 41, 42.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0110] 1 road paver

[0111] 2 travel unit

[0112] 3 machine frame

[0113] 4 paving material hopper

[0114] 5 storage space for paving material

[0115] 6 longitudinal conveyor

[0116] 7 longitudinal conveyor drive device

[0117] 8 transverse conveyor

[0118] 9 drive device

[0119] 10 paving screed

[0120] 11 drawbar

[0121] 12 transverse conveyor drive device

[0122] 13 right cross conveyor

[0123] 13a first cross conveyor segment

[0124] 13b second cross conveyor segment

[0125] 14 left cross conveyor

[0126] 14a first cross conveyor segment

[0127] 14b second cross conveyor segment

[0128] 15 rotation axis of right cross conveyor

[0129] 16 rotation axis of left cross conveyor

[0130] 17 screw conveyor

[0131] 18 conveyor screw

[0132] 19 support tube

[0133] 20 bearing block

[0134] 21 adjusting device

[0135] 22 material guide wall

[0136] 23 support device

[0137] 24 output shaft

[0138] 25 connection to energy supply

[0139] 26 transfer gear

[0140] 27 drive motor

[0141] 27a first drive motor

[0142] 27bsecond drive motor

[0143] 28 joint device

[0144] 29 operator platform

[0145] 30 swivel bearing

[0146] 31 swivel axis

[0147] 32 height adjusting device

[0148] 33 adjusting arm

[0149] 34 linear actuator

[0150] 35 crank gear

[0151] 36 eccentric disk

[0152] 37 crank arm

[0153] 38 link

[0154] 39 control unit

[0155] 40 height adjusting device

[0156] 41 right screed half

[0157] 42 left screed half

[0158] 43 paving screed adjusting device

[0159] 44 sensor device

[0160] 45 inclination sensor

[0161] 46 sensor signal line

[0162] 47 control signal line

[0163] 48 display / input device

[0164] 49 input command line

[0165] 50 method

[0166] 51 adjust an inclination

[0167] 52 pivot point

[0168] 53 rotation axis

[0169] 54 compensation mode

[0170] 55 adjustment mode

[0171] 56 positive coupling device

[0172] 57 tractor side holding structure

[0173] 58 paving material

[0174] 59 articulation point

[0175] 60 length compensation element

[0176] A forward direction

[0177] B longitudinal extension device

[0178] U underlying ground

[0179] V vertical direction

[0180] W inclination angle

[0181] x horizontal extension transverse to forward direction

[0182] y extension in vertical direction, i.e., perpendicular to x and y

[0183] z horizontal extension in forward direction

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0072]Like parts or functionally like parts are designated by like reference numerals in the figures. Recurring parts are not necessarily designated separately in each figure.

[0073]FIG. 1 shows various elements of a road paver 1. The road paver may comprise travel units 2, a machine frame 3 supported by the travel units 2, a paving material hopper 4 with a storage space 5 for paving material 58, a longitudinal conveyor 6, a longitudinal conveyor drive device 7, a transverse conveyor 8, a drive device 9 and a paving screed 10. The travel units 2 may be, for example, crawler tracks and / or wheels. The machine frame 3 may designate a support structure, in particular the main support structure, of the road paver 1 and be supported by the travel units 2. The paving material hopper 4 may be located in a front region of the road paver 1 when viewed in a forward direction A, which usually corresponds to the paving direction of the road paver 1 during paving operation, and may comprise, for e...

Claims

1. A road paver, comprisingtravel units;a machine frame supported by said travel units;a paving material hopper with a storage space for paving material;a longitudinal conveyor configured to convey paving material located in the paving material hopper in longitudinal direction out of the hopper rearward against a forward direction of the road paver for depositing the paving material on an underlying ground, a longitudinal conveyor drive device being provided for driving a longitudinal conveying operation of the longitudinal conveyor;a transverse conveyor configured to convey the paving material laid on the underlying ground transversely to the forward direction on the underlying ground, the transverse conveyor comprising a right cross conveyor and a left cross conveyor as seen in the forward direction of the road paver, and a transverse conveyor drive device being provided for driving a transverse conveying operation of the transverse conveyor;a paving screed configured to smooth and compact the paving material distributed on the underlying ground by the transverse conveyor, wherein:an adjusting device is provided, which is configured such that at least one of the two cross conveyors can be adjusted with regard to its inclination, in particular transverse inclination.

2. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device is configured such that at least one of the two cross conveyors can be inclined in vertical direction about a pivot point, in particular such that it can be used to adjust an angular position between a longitudinal extension direction of the right cross conveyor and a longitudinal extension direction of the left cross conveyor relative to one another.

3. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor are each configured as at least one screw conveyor rotatable about a rotation axis in transverse conveying operation, and in that the longitudinal extension direction of the right cross conveyor corresponds to the rotation axis of the right cross conveyor and the longitudinal extension direction of the left cross conveyor corresponds to the rotation axis of the left cross conveyor.

4. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein a respective drive connection is provided between the transverse conveyor drive device and the right cross conveyor and between the transverse conveyor drive device and the left cross conveyor, wherein the adjusting device has at least one joint device as part of the drive connection, via which a drive torque provided on an output side of the transverse conveyor drive device is transmitted to at least one of the two cross conveyors, and wherein the inclination of at least one of the cross conveyors is adjusted about at least one pivot point formed by the at least one joint device.

5. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the transverse conveyor drive device has, on its output side, a respective joint device both to the right cross conveyor and to the left cross conveyor, by means of which a drive torque provided on the output side of the transverse conveyor drive device is transmitted to each of the two cross conveyors.

6. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device comprises a swivel bearing of at least a part of the transverse conveyor drive device, which is adjustable about a swivel axis, and in that, in order to adjust the inclination of at least a part of the transverse conveyor, the transverse conveyor drive device itself is swiveled at least partially about the swivel axis of the transverse conveyor drive device.

7. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the transverse conveyor drive device has a first drive motor for driving the right cross conveyor and a second drive motor for driving the left cross conveyor, wherein the adjusting device is configured such that the first and / or second drive motors are adjustable about a respective swivel axis, in particular about a common swivel axis, in order to respectively adjust the inclination of the right cross conveyor and the left cross conveyor.

8. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the right or left cross conveyors is configured as a conveyor shaft comprising several cross conveyor segments, wherein a respective joint device is arranged between adjacent cross conveyor segments of one of the cross conveyors such that the conveyor shaft has one or more articulation points.

9. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device comprises a support device configured to support at least one of the cross conveyors on a tractor side holding structure, the support device having at least one length compensation element configured such that changes in distance between attachment points of the support device on the tractor side holding structure of the at least one cross conveyor which occur with an inclination adjustment of the at least one cross conveyor are compensated.

10. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein that the tractor side holding structure is the machine frame and / or a height-adjustable bearing block mounted on the machine frame.

11. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device has at least one of the following elements:a linear actuator for adjusting the inclination, in particular comprising a hydraulic cylinder or a worm gear;a crank gear;a link mechanism;a sensor device configured such that it can be used to determine the current inclination of the right and / or left cross conveyors.

12. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein a control unit is provided which controls the operation of the adjusting device, and in that the control unit is configured such that it has a compensation mode in which, when a height of the transverse conveyor is adjusted relative to the machine frame of the road paver, it controls the adjusting device such that the current inclination of the transverse conveyor remains unchanged.

13. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the paving screed comprises a right and a left screed half adjustable relative to one another in their angular position transverse to the forward direction, and in that a control unit is provided which controls the operation of the adjusting device, wherein the control unit is configured such that it has an adjustment mode, in which, when the angular position of the right and left screed halves relative to one another is changed, it controls the adjusting device such that the angular position of the right and left cross conveyors is at least partially adapted to the changed angular position of the right and left screed halves.

14. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein material guide walls are provided in the forward direction in front of the right and left cross conveyors, which are configured to guide paving material conveyed by the left and right cross conveyors in a transverse conveying direction, wherein at least one coupling device is provided which couples an inclination adjustment of the right and left cross conveyors to an inclination adjustment of at least a part of the material guide walls.

15. A method for operating a road paver according to claim 1, comprising adjusting an inclination of at least one right or left cross conveyor of a transverse conveyor by means of an adjusting device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein adjusting the inclination of the right cross conveyor is performed independently of adjusting the inclination of the left cross conveyor.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein adjusting of the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors comprises:rotating the at least one cross conveyor relative to a transverse conveyor drive device about a pivot point formed by a joint device arranged on an output side of the transverse conveyor drive device; and / orrotating a transverse conveyor drive device about a swivel axis (53) together with the at least one cross conveyor.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises at least one of the following steps:at least one of the two cross conveyors has two or more cross conveying segments in drive connection with one another via a joint device, and in that adjusting the inclination of at least one of the two cross conveyors comprises adjusting an inclination of two or more cross conveyor segments of a cross conveyor relative to one another;during a height adjustment of the transverse conveyor in a compensation mode controlled by a control unit, adjusting the adjusting device is performed such that the inclination of the cross conveyors of the transverse conveyor is unchanged before and after the height adjustment;when the inclination of at least two screed halves of a paving screed is adjusted, an adjustment mode controlled by a control unit comprises adjusting the adjusting device such that the inclination of the cross conveyors is at least partially adapted to the inclination of the at least two screed halves;at least partially adjusting an inclination of material guide walls arranged in the forward direction in front of the right and left cross conveyors when the inclination of at least the right or left cross conveyors of the transverse conveyor device is adjusted with the aid of the adjusting device.

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