EP0990738A1 - Method for remotely controlling, adjusting and maintaining a spreading device - Google Patents

Abstract

The spray system (1) has a rotating head (4) and may be controlled by a module (13) placed in the driver's cab (2) on or close to the driver's seat. An elongated lead (16) may connect this unit with a central processing unit (17) which may be in a fixed location. The central processing unit may contain details of the material being sprayed on a road.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a control device, remote adjustment and maintenance of a device for spreading snow removal products mounted on a vehicle suitable carrier, such a spreading device comprising, essentially spreading means and means extraction of the latter, at regulated flow rate, into snow removal, both driven by suitable actuators in the form of motors, jacks or the like, the operation of this spreading device being controlled from a console of control, in particular placed in the cabin of the carrier vehicle and at which data can be entered spreading setpoint, such as spreading width desired, orientation, quantity of products snow removal to spread etc ...

The present invention will find particular interest in as part of the maintenance of a fleet of vehicles equipped with devices for spreading snow removal products.

We already know many devices spreading snow removal products behind a suitable carrier vehicle. In fact, such devices, if they are distinguished, essentially, by details of realization, generally include means spreading, often in the form of a disc, also called router, able to be rotated by actuators suitable, especially in the form of a motor or the like. These devices also include extraction means designed to supply, at a regulated flow rate, snow removal these spreading means.

Substantially, such extraction means arise, usually in the form of a hopper in which are dumped snow removal products, such as sand or salt. At the base of this hopper, these snow removal products are taken up via a extractor suitable configuration, for example in the form of a screw endless, conveyor belt or scrapers, especially drawn by chain. We will observe that the operating characteristics of this extractor (speed drive or other of the screw, the conveyor belt or analog) are imposed through actuators which specific to it and coming to determine the extraction rate of means for spreading snow removal products.

In some cases, such spreading devices include, still, a tank capable of containing a liquid product for winter maintenance such as brine, this product being sampled via a pump for, possibly, be added, in specified proportions, to the others snow removal products that we want to spread.

Such spreading devices also include a console control, usually placed in the vehicle cabin carrier, and at which level can be introduced setpoint data relating to the spreading conditions. So, through this console, an operator may impose the conditions under which must take place spreading, in particular the width of this spreading and the quantities of snow removal products to be applied.

In this regard, we understand that there is, necessarily, a servo-control between the operation of actuators capable of train the spreading means and that or those of the means extraction. Indeed, the extraction rate of the products of snow removal spreading equipment must be adjusted to the width spreading material, otherwise the quantity of widespread snow removal by a surface unit is likely to vary.

Furthermore, the actuators of these spreading means as well that those of the means of extraction must still be enslaved to the speed of movement of the carrier vehicle. In this regard, we will observe, in particular, that the PTO of these actuators are performed, in some cases, at the carrier vehicle itself so their conditions of are still dependent on characteristics specific to the carrier vehicle on which the spreading device.

Indeed, the latter takes position, usually at the rear of such a carrier vehicle, often on the loading platform of the latter, so that the height, relative to the ground, of the spreading means depends on the characteristics of said vehicle what which obviously affects the spreading width.

If such characteristics are known at the time of first operation of the spreading device, so this one can be perfectly tuned at that time, it should be noted that such spreading devices do not are not permanently installed on the back of a carrier vehicle insofar as these are unloaded therefrom outside the winter period. Also, it is not certain that a given spreading device takes position on the same carrier vehicle from one year to the next. In these conditions, the system should be adjusted systematically spreading device before each restarting operation which is rarely done.

It should also be noted that among the parameters which condition the operation of the spreading means and means of extraction, again intervenes, the quality of the or snow removal products. Indeed, if we take, by example, the case of salt, particle size or quality of the latter cannot be considered constant. Thus, according to the origin of this salt, it will be advisable to spread it in greater or lesser quantities to obtain a quality of snow removal determined.

In view of the above, it is understood that the adjustment of such spreading devices involves many parameters so these settings are only actually made when this spreading device is put into service for the first time and this by the manufacturer who is often the only one to master this problem.

However, it will be observed that, over time, disturbances can happen without anyone noticing. It suits, moreover, to observe that the subsequent functioning of this spreading device is often left free appreciation of the operator behind the wheel of the carrier vehicle. At this about, we will notice that the setpoint data that this operator is able to introduce, himself, at the level of operator console may lead this operator to believe that snow removal is carried out in good conditions while it it may not be so at all.

In fact, experience shows that due to the problems raised above, we tend to spread a quantity of products snow clearance often much greater than that actually necessary. Now, by coming, thus, to spread a excessive amount of snow removal products, this may have consequences on the environment, on the one hand, and on the state roads, on the other hand.

Ultimately, the present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks through a process and a control, adjustment and maintenance device to distance from such spreading devices making it possible to entrust control, adjustment and maintenance operations at even manufacturing these spreading devices which is often the only one to have all the information necessary to perform such operations.

Also, through the present invention, these different adjustment operations will be able to be done so rigorous and not approximate and empirical as it was the case so far as they depended on the only experience of the operator, driver of the vehicle carrier.

• l'on relève, d'une part, les caractéristiques de fonctionnement, telles que vitesse, positionnement ou autre, des actionneurs des moyens d'épandage et des moyens d'extraction et, d'autre part, les données de consigne d'épandage ainsi que des codes d'identification du dispositif d'épandage et du véhicule porteur ayant été préalablement introduits au niveau du pupitre de commande, pour adresser les informations relevées à une unité de traitement centrale ;
• en tenant compte des données de consigne, l'on compare les caractéristiques de fonctionnement relevées par rapport à celles déduites d'une table étalon mémorisée au niveau de l'unité de traitement centrale ;
• en cas de non concordance, on détermine, au niveau de ladite unité de traitement centrale, la ou les constantes de correction de réglage à effectuer au niveau des caractéristiques de fonctionnement des actionneurs ;
• on introduit, au niveau du pupitre de commande, la ou les constantes de correction de réglage ayant pour conséquence de corriger la ou les caractéristiques de fonctionnement de l'actionneur des moyens d'épandage et/ou des moyens d'extraction par rapport à des données de consigne déterminées.

To this end, the invention relates to a remote control, adjustment and maintenance process for a device for spreading snow removal products mounted on a suitable carrier vehicle, such a spreading device comprising, essentially, means and means for extracting the latter, at a controlled rate of snow removal products, both driven by suitable actuators, in the form of motors, jacks or the like, the operation of these spreading devices being controlled from a control console, in particular placed in the cabin of the carrier vehicle and at the level of which spreading setpoint data can be entered, such as the desired spreading width, the orientation, the quantity of snow removal products to be spread, etc ..., characterized in that:

• we note, on the one hand, the operating characteristics, such as speed, positioning or other, of the actuators of the spreading means and extraction means and, on the other hand, the spreading setpoint data as well as identification codes of the spreading device and of the carrier vehicle having been previously introduced at the control console, in order to send the information collected to a central processing unit;
• taking into account the setpoint data, the operating characteristics noted are compared with those deduced from a standard table stored at the level of the central processing unit;
• in the event of a mismatch, it is determined, at said central processing unit, the setting correction constant or constants to be carried out at the level of the operating characteristics of the actuators;
• the adjustment correction constant (s) is introduced at the level of the control console, which has the consequence of correcting the operating characteristic or characteristics of the actuator, spreading means and / or extraction means with respect to setpoint data determined.

Advantageously, according to the invention, it is defined for a determined spreading device, a standard table for each type of snow removal product likely to be applied, this for each carrier vehicle which can be equipped with a such a spreading device.

• au niveau du dispositif d'épandage, des capteurs prévus aptes à relever la ou les caractéristiques de fonctionnement des actionneurs des moyens d'épandage et des moyens d'extraction ;
• une unité de traitement centrale comportant, en mémoire, les tables étalon ;
• des moyens de raccordement, filaires ou non filaires, du dispositif d'épandage, plus particulièrement du pupitre de commande, à l'unité de traitement centrale.

The invention also relates to a control, adjustment and maintenance device allowing the implementation of this method and comprising:

• at the level of the spreading device, provided sensors capable of detecting the operating characteristic or characteristics of the actuators of the spreading means and of the extraction means;
• a central processing unit comprising, in memory, the standard tables;
• means of connection, wired or non-wired, of the spreading device, more particularly of the control console, to the central processing unit.

Advantageously, the means for connecting the device spreading at the central processing unit involve a Modem type transmission box provided capable of picking up information on operating characteristics as well as the setpoint data at the console command to transmit them, by a telephone network or analogous to the central processing unit. Such a case transmission can, moreover, define a reception box able to receive, from the central processing unit, at least the adjustment correction constants in order to enter at the console.

The advantages arising from the present invention consist, as already indicated above, in that it is possible, finally, to make a precise and not empirical adjustment of a spreading device, this with great ease in since this adjustment can be entrusted, remotely, to himself making this spreading device.

Note that, very often, operating companies and maintenance of road networks have a fleet of several spreading devices including the operations of maintenance have, until now, been a very heavy and that it is now possible to relieve part through the present invention. In addition, through maintenance carried out in a more rational way, to say allowing to have a material working in optimal conditions, it is possible to ensure spreading snow removal products made in the best conditions. This inevitably translates into an economy substantial in snow removal products.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows relating to an embodiment which is given only as indicative and non-limiting example.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématisée du dispositif de contrôle, de réglage et de maintenance d'un dispositif d'épandage placé à l'arrière d'un véhicule porteur adapté ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation synoptique du procédé apte à être mis en oeuvre au travers du dispositif illustré figure 1.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the control, adjustment and maintenance device of a spreading device placed at the rear of a suitable carrier vehicle;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the method capable of being implemented through the device illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention concerns the spreading devices 1 of snow removal, which devices 1 are provided capable of being located at the rear of suitable carrier vehicles 2.

In fact, such a spreading device 1 comprises, essentially, spreading means 3 integrating, frequently, a disc, a router 4 or the like whose rotation is ensured by means of an actuator 5 suitable, in particular an engine or the like, for spreading snow removal products from regulated means extraction 6. These spreading means 3 can also be supplemented by actuators in the form of cylinders or the like suitable for ensuring, for example, the orientation of the disc or the router 4 and therefore likely to impose the direction of spreading.

As regards the extraction means 6, the latter can be in the form of a hopper 7 capable of containing sand, salt or whatever. In the bottom 8 of this hopper 7 is usually finds a worm, a conveyor belt 9, scrapers or the like, the operation of which is ensured by a suitable actuator 12, in particular a motor or the like, and able, precisely, to take, at a regulated flow, this sand or salt to transport it towards the spreading means 3.

It will be observed that such extraction means 6 of products of snow removal can still use a tank 10 containing a liquid winter maintenance product such as brine while a pump 11, actuated by an actuator 12 ', comes to take this product from the tank 10 for either the transmit directly to the spreading means 3, i.e. add it, again with a controlled flow, to the others snow removal products spread by these spreading means 3.

It should be noted that the characteristic (s) of operation of the actuators of the extraction means 6 (respectively of the actuator 12 of the worm, of the conveyor belt 9 or other and actuator 12 'of the pump 11 of the liquid product reservoir 10) are controlled, on the one hand, to those of the actuator 5 of the spreading means 3 and, on the other hand, at the speed of movement of the vehicle carrier 2.

Insofar as the actuators 5, 12, 12 'are controlled, between them but also with respect to the speed of movement of the carrier vehicle 2 and that, in addition, their conditions of operation, to obtain a quality of snow removal determined, depend, on the one hand, on parameters such as the spreading width, the quantity of products to be spread per unit surface and, on the other hand, physical properties and chemicals of these snow removal products, their concentration or their grain size, it is imperative that we attach a special attention to the setting of such a device spreader 1 and check the derives from these settings over time, this to obtain optimal snow removal conditions.

Note, in this regard, that these spreading devices 1 also include a control console 13 taking place, usually in the cab of the carrier vehicle 2 and at level at which an operator can enter data instructions corresponding to snow removal conditions desired. Such a control console 13 is provided capable of being preprogrammed in relation to all parameters likely to have consequences on the conditions of snow removal.

This is how, during the first commissioning of the spreading device 1, it is known to perform a certain number of settings for operating conditions actuators 5, 12, 12 ′ spreading means 3 and extraction means 6. Such adjustments are made, in fact, depending on the type of carrier vehicle 2 with which the spreading device 1 or depending on the parameters specific characteristics of snow removal products used.

This stated, the present invention is intended to respond the problem of adjusting, checking and maintaining this type of spreading device 1, desired operations perform after the first start-up.

To this end, the invention implements a method which consists to take a reading of the operating characteristics actuators 5, 12 and 12 'ensuring the operation of the spreading means 3 and extraction means 6, this in fixed spreading conditions.

Note that the statement of these operating characteristics can be done via sensors 14, 15 appropriate, chosen according to the type of actuator 5, 12, 12 '. Thus, one can use sensors 14, 15 capable of measure pressure or flow, for example in the context an actuator 5, 12, 12 'in the form of a hydraulic motor or an air motor. Such sensors 14, 15 can still be in the form of inductive sensors capable of detect any rotation speed or even any other form of sensor to provide information from which we can deduce the operating characteristics said actuators 5, 12, 12 '.

Anyway, the choice of this type of sensors 14, 15 is totally within the reach of the skilled person.

Preferably, the information noted by via these sensors 14, 15 are sent to the level of the control panel 13. It will be observed that the latter has spreading setpoint data in memory which may correspond, not only to data appearing in memory when the measurement takes place but also at setpoint data having been entered at this level control panel 13, i.e. at the time of the first activation service of the spreading device 1, or even later, either by the operator of the carrier vehicle 2 when a spreading operation.

It will be observed that, in this control console 13, also have a certain number of codes have been introduced into memory of identification corresponding, in particular, on the one hand, to that of the spreading device 1 and, on the other hand, that of the carrier vehicle 2.

All the information concerning the characteristics of operation of actuators 5, 12, 12 ', the data of spreading instruction and identification codes is then addressed, via transmission means 16 appropriate, to a central processing unit 17 which has the particularity of including, in memory, standard tables. These allow to determine, precisely and by report to known setpoint data and to the carrier vehicle 2, the theoretical operating characteristics of actuators 5, 12, 12 'and this relative to the device of spreading 1 on which one wishes to intervene and, finally, depending on the characteristics of the products to be spread.

Thus, at this stage of the process, the central processing unit 17 comes first to identify the spreading device 1 as well as the carrier vehicle 2 with respect, specifically, to corresponding identification codes which have been transmitted from the control panel 13. From there, this unit central processing unit 17 searches for the reference standard table corresponding to the spreading device 1 for, finally, compare the characteristics measured by the sensors 14, 15 the theoretical characteristics, taking into account the setpoint data.

In case of drift, the central processing unit 17 has for function of determining one or more constants of adjustment correction resulting, when they are introduced into the control console 13 via transmission means 16, to correct, precisely, the or the operating characteristics of the actuators 5, 12, 12 ′ through the control members of these actuators 5, 12, 12 'with respect to said setpoint data.

Preferably, this or these constants for correcting settings are stored in a permanent memory at the central processing unit 17 and / or the control console 13. This makes it possible to follow the evolution of these constants of correction of adjustment over time, especially after several control and adjustment cycles.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention consists, during a control operation, of adjustment and maintenance of a spreading device 1, to carry out several cycles of checks, to resume, to several times, the different stages mentioned more high, this for different setpoint data, i.e. as if we were in different spreading conditions.

Preferably, during one of these control cycles, it is still planned, according to the method, to compare the constants adjustment correction (determined by comparison between real characteristics and theoretical characteristics deducted from the standard tables) at imposed limit values of these last. In particular, it is expected that when such a correction constant exceeds its value limit, an alert information is emitted from which deduces the nature of the interventions to be carried out on the spreading device 1.

Note that this method of control, adjustment and remote maintenance also makes it possible to carry out a verification of setpoint data with regard to type of vehicle 2 to which the spreading device 1 is adapted. Indeed, it will be observed, in this regard, that when loading the spreading device 1 on a specific vehicle 2, it is imperative to introduce at the console 13 characteristics of said vehicle 2 on which depend, precisely, the operating conditions of this spreading device 1. However, it is possible that an operator omits to carry out this manipulation so that the data logged in memory at level of the control panel 13 of the spreading device 1 correspond to another type of carrier vehicle having for consequence of leading to spreading conditions incorrect.

Insofar as a standard table at the unit of central processing 17 also takes into account characteristics of said vehicle 2, this processing unit central 17 through several east measurement cycles, precisely, able to see that the results obtained correspond to a vehicle other than that identified in through setpoint data read at console level 13.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means of transmission 16 involves a modem pre-equipping the spreading device 1 or able to be connected at this level last, in particular at the level of the control console 13, rendering remote data transmission possible. All particularly under these conditions, the processing unit central 17 is placed at the level of the device manufacturer 1 which is, in reality, the only one able to establish and to keep the standard tables up to date.

The advantages of the present invention consist of which it is no longer necessary to hurry, at the level of a spreading device user 1, a specialist mastering, perfectly, the technology of these devices and who is able to adjust them or even detect a fault through their own knowledge. In indeed, thanks to the present invention, it suffices for such user to connect a spreading device 1 to the unit central processing 17 of the manufacturer through the transmission means 16 so that, immediately, the manufacturer can make the required adjustment or it is in able to identify the fault and therefore the nature of the repair to which the user must engage.

Such a method and an installation according to the invention represent, for the users of a fleet of devices of spreading, saving time and therefore money in particular important. In addition, for the first time, they can ensure that their spreading device operates in conditions for the use of snow removal products cannot be better dosed, so that they again savings knowing that these snow removal products were often widespread, until then, excessively.

Claims (7)

Method for remote control, adjustment and maintenance of a spreading device (1) for snow removal products mounted on a suitable carrier vehicle (2), such a spreading device (1) essentially comprising means spreading (3) and extraction means (6) of the latter, at a controlled rate of snow removal products, both driven by suitable actuators (5, 12, 12 '), in the form of motors, jacks or others, the operation of these spreading devices (1) being controlled from a control console (13), in particular placed in the cabin of the carrier vehicle (2) and at the level of which spreading setpoint data can be entered , such as the desired spreading width, the orientation, the quantity of snow removal product to be spread, etc., characterized in that: we note, on the one hand, the operating characteristics, such as speed, positioning or other, of the actuators (5, 12, 12 ') of the spreading means (3) and of the extraction means (6) and, on the other hand, the spreading setpoint data as well as identification codes of the spreading device (1) and of the carrier vehicle (2) having been previously entered at the control console (13) for send the information collected to a central processing unit (17); taking into account the setpoint data, the operating characteristics noted are compared with those deduced from a standard table stored in the central processing unit (17); in case of mismatch, it is determined, at said central processing unit (17), the setting correction constant or constants to be carried out at the level of the operating characteristics of the actuators (5, 12, 12 '); the adjustment correction constant (s) is introduced at the control console (13), the consequence of which is to correct the operating characteristic or characteristics of the actuator (5, 12, 12 ') of the spreading means ( 3) and / or extraction means (6) with respect to determined setpoint data. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that that it is defined, for a given spreading device (1), a standard table for each type of snow removal product likely to be spread, this for each vehicle carriers (2) which can be fitted with such a device spreading (1); Method according to either of Claims 1 or 2 characterized by the fact that several cycles of control by repeatedly repeating the different steps of the method according to claim 1, each of these cycles being comparable to spreading conditions separate; Method according to any of the claims characterized in that during a cycle of control, we still proceed to compare the constants of adjustment correction, determined by comparison between real and theoretical characteristics deduced from the tables standard, with limit values imposed on these constants of correction and that an alert information is issued in the event of exceeding of said imposed limits of any of the adjustment correction constants; Method according to any of the claims previous, characterized in that through the constants of adjustment correction determined by the processing unit central (17) and inserted into the control console (13), the correction of the characteristic (s) of operation of the actuators (5, 12 '12) of the means spreading (3) and extraction (6) with respect to said data deposit; Device for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: at the level of the spreading device (1), sensors (14, 15) provided capable of detecting the operating characteristic or characteristics of the actuators (5, 12, 12 ') of the spreading means (3) and of the means of 'extraction (6); a central processing unit (17) including, in memory, the standard tables; connection means (16), wired or non-wired, of the spreading device (1), more particularly of the control console (13), to the central processing unit (17); Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmission means (16) involve a modem pre-fitting the spreading device (1) or capable of being connected at the level of the latter, in particular at the level of the control console (13).

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