U.S. patent application number 15/697708 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for road paver with spraying device.
This patent application is currently assigned to JOSEPH VOEGELE AG. The applicant listed for this patent is JOSEPH VOEGELE AG. Invention is credited to Tom GLOECKNER, Frank GRIMM, Ingo HERZBERG, Harald REUFELS.
Application Number | 20180066404 15/697708 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56883709 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180066404 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HERZBERG; Ingo ; et
al. |
March 8, 2018 |
ROAD PAVER WITH SPRAYING DEVICE
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a road paver that comprises a tractor
with a material hopper and a machine frame. The machine frame is
pivotably connected to the paving screed by pulling arms and a
material spreading auger is disposed in a gap between the tractor
and the paving screed. A longitudinal conveyor device extends
through a tunnel between the material hopper and the gap. The road
paver according to the disclosure is characterized by a spraying
device that is configured for injecting a liquid into the gap
between the tractor and the paving screed or into the tunnel or
into the material hopper.
Inventors: |
HERZBERG; Ingo;
(Angelbachtal, DE) ; GRIMM; Frank;
(Edingen-Neckarhausen, DE) ; GLOECKNER; Tom;
(Kaiserslautern, DE) ; REUFELS; Harald;
(Vettelschoss, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JOSEPH VOEGELE AG |
Ludwigshafen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
JOSEPH VOEGELE AG
Ludwigshafen
DE
|
Family ID: |
56883709 |
Appl. No.: |
15/697708 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 2019/2075 20130101;
E01C 19/20 20130101; E01C 2301/50 20130101; E01C 19/48
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/20 20060101
E01C019/20; E01C 19/48 20060101 E01C019/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2016 |
EP |
16187612.3 |
Claims
1. A road paver comprising: a tractor including a material hopper
and a machine frame; a paving screed pivotably connected to the
machine frame by pulling arms; a material spreading auger disposed
in a gap between the tractor and the paving screed; a longitudinal
conveyor device that extends through a tunnel between the material
hopper and the gap; and a spraying device that is configured for
injecting a liquid into the gap between the tractor and the paving
screed or into the tunnel or into the material hopper.
2. The road paver according to claim 1 wherein the spraying device
is disposed in the gap.
3. The road paver according claim 1 wherein the spraying device is
fastened on the machine frame or on the paving screed.
4. The road paver according to claim 1 wherein the spraying device
is fastened on at least one of the pulling arms or on a fastening
device that is configured to connect the paving screed to the
pulling arms.
5. The road paver according to claim 1 wherein the spraying device
has one or more outlet devices through which the liquid may
selectively flow.
6. The road paver according to claim 5 wherein each of the one or
more outlet devices has an adjusting element that is configured for
variable adjustment of a liquid flow out of the respective outlet
device.
7. The road paver according to claim 5 wherein the one or more
outlet devices comprises multiple outlet devices, and wherein an
adjusting element is provided, which is configured for variable
adjustment of a liquid flow to a group of the outlet devices,
wherein the group of outlet devices comprises at least two outlet
devices.
8. The road paver according to claim 1 wherein an inflow device is
provided on the spraying device.
9. The road paver according to claim 8 wherein the inflow device is
fastened detachably on the spraying device.
10. The road paver according to claim 1 further comprising an
adjusting unit for variable adjustment of a liquid flow to the
spraying device.
11. The road paver according to claim 10 further comprising an
inflow device provided on the spraying device, and wherein the
adjusting unit is disposed on the inflow device and/or on the
spraying device.
12. The road paver according to claim 10 further comprising an
inflow device provided on the spraying device, wherein the
adjusting unit is disposed between the spraying device and the
inflow device.
13. The road paver according to claim 10 wherein the adjusting unit
is electronically controllable.
14. The road paver according to claim 10 wherein the adjusting unit
has an adjustable flow controller for adjusting the liquid
flow.
15. The road paver according to claim 1 wherein the spraying device
is arranged between two of the pulling arms.
16. A road paver comprising: a tractor including a material hopper
and a machine frame; a paving screed pivotally connected to the
machine frame; a material spreading auger disposed in a gap between
the tractor and the paving screed; a longitudinal conveyor device
that extends through a tunnel between the material hopper and the
gap; and a spraying device configured to inject a liquid into the
gap between the tractor and the paving screed or into the tunnel or
into the material hopper.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a)-(d) to European patent application number EP
16187612.3, filed Sep. 7, 2016, which is incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates to a road paver.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Road pavers are mostly used in road construction. There,
they are used for spreading, smoothing and compacting of different
types of bulk material. The bulk material can for example be
asphalt mixtures. But materials, which are used for the
substructure that carries the different asphalt layers of a road,
can also be spread, smoothed and compacted by road pavers.
[0004] In some cases, the substructure is moistened from above by
means of tank vehicles with sprinkling systems after preparation by
a road paver or a grader. Therefore, the substructure has to be
accessed by these vehicles. Compacting by means of rollers can take
place afterwards. As the substructure materials are often loose
bulk materials, i.e., without the addition of binding agents,
driving on the substructure has negative consequences for the
surface quality of the substructure and hence for the quality and
stability of the future road.
SUMMARY
[0005] A purpose of embodiments according to the disclosure is to
improve the surface quality of substructure layers in road
construction.
[0006] A road paver according to the disclosure comprises a tractor
with a material hopper and a machine frame, wherein the machine
frame is pivotably connected to a paving screed by pulling arms. A
material spreading auger is disposed in a gap between the tractor
and the paving screed. A longitudinal conveyor device extends
through a tunnel between the material hopper and the gap. The road
paver according to the disclosure is characterized by a spraying
device that is installed for spraying a liquid into the gap between
the tractor and the paving screed or into the tunnel or into the
material hopper. Therefore, the substructure bulk material can be
moistened prior to smoothing and, where applicable, compacting so
that--possibly with the exception of the final compacting roller
vehicles--no further vehicles have to drive over the installed
substructure. Additional advantages of spraying into the gap
between the tractor and the paving screed consist in the liquid
being mixed with the paving material, which ensures a more
homogeneous water distribution in the substructure. In addition,
swirling of dust is reduced. In connection with the present
disclosure, spraying and/or injection shall be understood as
spreading a liquid. In this process, vaporization or fogging can
take place. However, this is not required for implementing the
disclosure. A spraying and/or injection process in the sense of the
present disclosure can also mean, for example, that the liquid
flows out of a tube end. The liquid can for example be water.
[0007] It is advantageous for the spraying device to be disposed in
the gap. This way, the path that the liquid has to travel from the
spraying device to the destination can be reduced and liquid
losses, e.g., through evaporation, can be avoided.
[0008] It is possible for the spraying device to be fastened on the
machine frame or on the paving screed. However, it is equally
conceivable for the spraying device to be fastened on at least one
of the pulling arms or on a fastening device that is disposed for
connecting the paving screed to the pulling arms.
[0009] It is expedient for the spraying device to have one or
several outlet devices where the liquid selectively flows out. In
particular, if there are multiple outlet devices, it can be
advantageous to let the liquid flow out on only one or multiple
ones of the outlet devices as required. In particular, the
direction and the quantity of the liquid that flows out per time
unit can be adjustable as will be described in greater detail in
the following.
[0010] It is particularly advantageous if the outlet devices have
respectively one adjusting element that is configured for variable
adjustment of a liquid flow out of the respective outlet device.
This way, the liquid flow and/or the liquid flows can be adapted
even more accurately to the requirement. The adjusting elements can
be operable manually or automatically. Mechanical or electrical
actuation can be provided. In addition, the adjusting elements can
be remote-controlled and/or operable directly on the adjusting
element. The adjusting element and/or the adjusting elements can
for example be one or multiple ball valves. The outlet devices can
have for example one or multiple spraying nozzles, tongue-type
nozzles or vaporization devices. However, also one or multiple tube
ends is/are conceivable.
[0011] The spraying device can preferably have one or multiple
coupling devices. For example, two coupling devices can be disposed
on opposite sections of the spraying device.
[0012] It is possible that an inflow device is disposed on the
spraying device. Said inflow device can enable and/or facilitate
supply of the spraying device with liquid. For this purpose, the
inflow device can be connected to the spraying device for example
through the coupling device and/or one of the coupling devices. The
inflow device can comprise for example a supply line. The inflow
device can extend from the spraying device to a different location
of the road paver and therefore facilitate the connection of the
spraying device to a liquid supply such as a hydrant, a tank truck
or a liquid supply carried along by the road paver or an on-board
liquid reservoir.
[0013] It is advantageous for the inflow device to be fastened
detachably on the spraying device. Therefore, it can be decided
situationally if and/or where the inflow device is required or
useful, and it is possible that the liquid supply is connected
directly, i.e., without using an inflow device, to the spraying
device, for example via the coupling device.
[0014] It is particularly advantageous if an adjusting unit for
variable adjustment of a liquid flow to the spraying device is
provided. This can enable an adjustment of the liquid flow to the
spraying device up to a complete switch-off. This can be
advantageous in relation to an individual adjustment at the outlet
device. The adjusting unit can for example be a valve or a flow
controller. An adjusting unit can be provided alternatively or in
addition to the adjusting element(s).
[0015] Different variants of arranging the adjusting unit are
possible. For example, it is conceivable for the adjusting unit to
be disposed on the inflow device and/or on the spraying device. An
arrangement on the inflow device and the spraying device can for
example exist if the adjusting unit is provided between the two.
The adjusting unit can be disposed for example on an end section of
the inflow device that faces away from the spraying device or on
the end section of the inflow device that faces the spraying
device.
[0016] Advantageously, the adjusting unit can be controlled
electronically. This way, activation, deactivation or adjustment of
the liquid flow can occur automatically and depending on different
parameters. Examples for such parameters are for example the
actuation of a driving main switch, the velocity of different
conveyor devices of the road paver such as the material spreading
auger or of so-called scraper belts that may be provided, or the
state of different material quantity sensors such as ultrasound or
paddle sensors. In addition, or as an alternative to an electronic
control, also a hydraulic or pneumatic control of the adjusting
unit is conceivable. These may enable or facilitate the automation
explained above as well.
[0017] In a further variant, the adjusting unit can have an
adjustable flow controller for adjusting the liquid flow.
[0018] Regardless of the control of the adjusting unit, it is
advantageous in addition for the adjusting elements to be
controllable in an electronic way. Therefore, activation,
deactivation or adjustment of the liquid flow can occur
automatically and depending on different parameters. Examples for
such parameters are the operation of a driving main switch, the
velocity of different conveyor devices of the road paver, e.g., the
material spreading auger or so-called scraper belts that may be
provided, or the state of different material quantity sensors such
as ultrasound or paddle sensors. In addition, or as an alternative
to an electric control, also a hydraulic or pneumatic control of
the adjusting element(s) is conceivable. These may enable or
facilitate the automation explained above as well.
[0019] In a further variant, the adjusting element(s) can have an
adjustable flow controller for adjusting the liquid flow.
[0020] It is conceivable for the spraying device to be disposed
between two of the pulling arms. Such an arrangement is in
particular advantageous for rigid, non-extended paving screeds. In
extending screeds or screeds that are widened by rigid widening
parts, widening units can be mountable on the spraying device, in
particular by one or multiple ones of the previously mentioned
coupling devices. Said widening units can have one or multiple
further outlet devices that may correspond to the ones of the
spraying device. It is conceivable for the widening units to be not
disposed between two pulling arms, but only next to one of said
pulling arms. It is also possible that the widening units extend
laterally beyond the width of the tractor. It is advantageous for
the widening units to have a variable width, e.g., by extending
devices.
[0021] The disclosure relates to a road paver of the previously
described type. In the following, an embodiment will be explained
in greater detail by means of drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional road
paver;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of parts of the road paver
according to the disclosure with a spraying device;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a spraying device
according to the disclosure according to a first embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a spraying device
according to the disclosure according to a second embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a schematic display of different components
that can be provided for open-and/or closed-loop control of an
amount of liquid spread by the spraying device;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a road paver according to
the disclosure according to a further embodiment; and
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a detail view of parts of a road paver
according to the disclosure with a spraying device according to a
further embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein.
However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely exemplary and that various and alternative forms may be
employed. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Some features
may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular
components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a road paver 1 as known from the state of the
art. It comprises a tractor 2 and a paving screed 3 that is
disposed behind said tractor in the direction of travel. The
tractor 2 comprises a machine frame 4 and a material hopper 5 that
can be fastened on the machine frame 4. In the area of the material
hopper 5, a longitudinal conveyor device, which can comprise for
example one or two scraper belts 22, is provided. The longitudinal
conveyor device extends through a tunnel 26 between the material
hopper 5 and the gap 7. The paving screed 3 is pivotably installed
on the machine frame 4 by pulling arms 6. A gap 7 is provided
between the tractor 2 and the paving screed 3. For the sake of
simplicity, the previously used reference signs for the respective
components will be used further for the description of a road paver
according to the disclosure in the following.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a detail view that illustrates only selected
components of a road paver 1 according to the disclosure for a
better overview. Out of the previously mentioned components, in
particular the pulling arms 6 are visible. Moreover, the gap 7,
which is provided between the tractor 2 and the paving screed 3,
can be seen. Thanks to the display of only selected components, it
can now also be seen that a material spreading auger 8 is disposed
in the gap 7. Likewise, a fastening device 9, which is installed
for connecting the paving screed 3 to the pulling arms 6, can be
seen. A spraying device 10 is provided in the present embodiment.
Said spraying device can for example be disposed in the gap 7. It
is connected to an inflow device 12 through a coupling device 11. A
coupling piece 13 is provided on the end section of the inflow
device 12 that faces away from the spraying device 10. The coupling
piece 13 can be installed for the connection with a liquid supply.
The liquid supply can for example be a hydrant, a tank truck or a
liquid tank that is carried along on the road paver 1.
[0032] FIG. 3 displays the spraying device 10. Now it is apparent
that said spraying device has two coupling devices 11a, 11b in the
present embodiment. These are disposed on opposite sections of the
spraying device 10 in the present embodiment. However, this can be
provided differently depending on the installing situation. In the
present embodiment, only one inflow device 12, which is connected
to a first coupling device 11a, is provided. A second coupling
device 11b is closed by a closure 14. Embodiments of the
disclosure, in which multiple inflow devices 12 are provided, which
can be connected to multiple coupling devices 11, are possible as
well.
[0033] An adjusting unit 15 is provided in the present embodiment.
This adjusting unit 15 can be used to adjust a liquid flow to the
spraying device 10 in a variable way. As an example for an
arrangement suitable for this purpose, FIG. 3 shows the arrangement
of the adjusting unit 15 between the spraying device 10 and the
inflow device 12. Alternatively, however, the adjusting unit 15
could also be disposed for example on the end section of the inflow
device 12 that faces away from the spraying device 10.
[0034] Six outlet devices 16 are provided in the present
embodiment. However, this number shall only be regarded as
exemplary and can be adapted in a suitable way depending on the
purpose of use. For variable adjustment of a liquid flow that flows
out of the respective outlet device 16, one adjusting element 17 is
provided on each outlet device 16. As indicated in FIG. 3, said
adjusting elements can for example be ball valves. In addition, the
outlet devices 16 of the described embodiment comprise spreading
elements 18. These can be configured to spread the liquid flow that
flows out of the respective outlet device 16 and/or to guide said
flow in a specific direction. In the illustrated embodiment,
tongue-type nozzles are shown in an exemplary way as spreading
elements 18 by which both spreading as well as an orientation of
the liquid flow can be achieved. However, other spreading elements
18 are also possible, e.g., spraying nozzles, vaporization devices
or a simple tube end.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a spraying device 10 according to a further
embodiment. A widening unit 19a, 19b is provided on each of the
coupling devices 11a and 11b. As shown in FIG. 4, these widening
units can each have one furcation 20a, 20b. On a first furcation
20a of a first widening unit 19a, the inflow device 12 can be
connected. A second furcation 20b of the second widening unit 19b
is closed by means of the closure 14. However, it is also possible
that a second inflow device 12 is provided on the second furcation
20b. Outlet devices 16 are also provided on the widening units 19a,
19b. Said outlet devices have the same configuration possibilities
as the outlet devices 16 described with reference to the first
embodiment. It is conceivable that they have the same
configurations as the outlet devices 16 provided on the spraying
device 10. Alternatively, it is possible that the outlet devices 16
are configured differently.
[0036] Both the adjusting elements 17 as well as the adjusting unit
15 are displayed as simple ball valves in the described
embodiments. However, this shall only be understood in an exemplary
way. Any devices, which are suitable to variably adjust an amount
of liquid that flows through the respective part per time unit, are
possible. In particular, valves that are configured to vary a flow
cross-section are conceivable. It is for example possible that the
adjusting element(s) 17 and/or the adjusting unit(s) 15 each
comprise an adjustable flow controller 17a, 15a. In addition,
devices for creating a variable pulsed operation, which creates a
variable number of spraying pulses per time unit, or devices for
changing the pressure in the respective tube are possible.
[0037] An adjustment of the amount of liquid per time unit can
occur for example mechanically, electromechanically, hydraulically
or pneumatically. It is further conceivable that the adjustment can
be effected on the respective adjusting element 17 and/or the
adjusting unit 15. In addition, or as an alternative, a remote
actuation can be provided. An electromechanical, hydraulic or
pneumatic actuation that can be triggered and/or implemented
remotely by a control unit 21 (see FIG. 5) is particularly
advantageous. The control device 21 can in this context be an
electronic, a hydraulic or pneumatic control device. It can
comprise a closed control loop or an open control path.
[0038] The actuation can occur in an automated way depending on
different parameters of the road paver, e.g., of the actuation of a
driving main switch 23, a velocity of different conveyor devices of
the road paver 1, for example of the material spreading auger 8 or
the scraper belts 22, or one or multiple output signal(s) of one or
multiple material quantity sensor(s) 24 (see FIG. 5) that can be
provided for detecting different material amounts at different
locations in or on the road paver 1.
[0039] FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic representation of a
possible embodiment of the actuation of the adjusting element(s) 17
and/or the adjusting unit(s) 15. Inputs 25 are taken into account
during actuation of the adjusting element(s) 17 and/or the
adjusting unit(s) 15. Inputs 25 shall be understood as parameters
that can be taken into account for an automated actuation of the
adjusting element(s) 17 and/or the adjusting unit(s) 15; the ones
mentioned in the previous section are illustrated exemplarily in
FIG. 5.
[0040] It should be clear that not all of the inputs 25 displayed
at the top of FIG. 5 have to be implemented. It is also conceivable
to consider only one or multiple of these inputs 25 during
actuation of the adjusting element(s) 17 and/or the adjusting
unit(s) 15. Likewise, it should be clear that, as an alternative,
only the adjusting element(s) 17 or only the adjusting unit(s) 15
can be actuated by the control device 21 and/or depending on one or
multiple of the inputs 25.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a road paver 1 according to a further
embodiment of the disclosure. This road paver has a spraying device
10 that is configured for injecting a liquid into the material
hopper 5. It is fastened on the machine frame 4. In this embodiment
as well, the spraying device 10 has several outlet devices 16. Said
outlet devices have the same configuration possibilities as the
outlet devices 16 described with regard to the first and second
embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a detail view of a road paver 1 according to a
further embodiment of the disclosure. Dashed lines indicate that a
spraying device 10 is disposed within the tunnel 26. This spraying
device is configured for injecting liquid into the tunnel 26, in
particular on the material that is conveyed through the tunnel 26.
In this embodiment as well, the spraying device 10 has several
outlet devices 16. These outlet devices have the same configuration
possibilities as the outlet devices 16 described with regard to the
first and the second embodiment. Alternatively, it is conceivable
that the spraying device 10 is disposed outside of the tunnels 26
and configured for injecting liquid into the tunnel.
[0043] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms
according to the disclosure. In that regard, the words used in the
specification are words of description rather than limitation, and
it is understood that various changes may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the
features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to
form further embodiments according to the disclosure.
* * * * *