EP3434422B1 - Container for a paver module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container for storing and providing at least one modular road finisher assembly designed for detachable assembly on a road finisher according to claim 1.

Known road finishers are trained to produce new road surfaces. Such road finishers include a material bunker for receiving paving material, a longitudinal conveyor system, which transports the paving material out of the material bunker in the opposite direction to the paving direction and feeds it to a transverse distribution auger attached to the rear of the chassis of the road finisher, which spreads the paving material in front of a paving screed attached to the road finisher and pulled behind. The screed has heating and compaction units that compress the paving material provided into a new layer of road surface.

It is also known that conventional road finishers use modular assemblies for specific purposes. For example, a measuring beam device assembled as a module can be fastened to a road finisher, and leveling of the screed can be controlled based on its measurements. Such a measuring beam device as such comprises a multiplicity of components which are built together and which can be fastened as a whole to the road finisher. Furthermore, it is known that, depending on the paving width to be produced, modular extensions can be attached to the extension screed. The optionally attachable modules make the road finisher versatile.

In practice, however, the storage, the provision of the components belonging to a module, their transport and their proper assembly on the road finisher have proven to be problematic. In particular, it is difficult for such road finisher modules to keep all the associated components together over a long period of time, to protect them adequately, to enable simple assembly and to make them available reliably for use on different construction sites. It is also problematic that even the lack of individual components of a road finisher assembly can lead to a delay on the construction site. However, the resulting downtimes drive up the production costs.

The US 6,123,208A , US 4,921,100A and U.S. 2009/0311065 A1 each disclose storage and transport racks for individual components, in particular for body parts, which are provided in the respective frame at the site of assembly line assembly.

The DE 10 2014 207 572 A1 , U.S. 2009/0078665 A1 and CN 205 989 314 U each disclose workshop trolleys in which small parts can be accommodated in stock. The respective workshop trolleys are also suitable for holding tools.

US 6,598,756 B1 discloses a collapsible container which, when assembled, is configured to store and deliver vehicle panel parts to an automobile manufacturer's assembly line. The vehicle panels can be stored close to one another by means of a storage system designed within the container.

US 9,051,696 B1 discloses a road paver system with various add-on modules. The paver system can be maneuvered onto a transport vehicle.

The invention is therefore based on the object of improving the storage and the provision of a modular road finisher assembly designed for detachable assembly on a road finisher.

This object is achieved by means of a container according to claim 1.

Improved developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a container for storing and providing at least one modular road finisher assembly designed for detachable assembly on a road finisher. The container includes a storage system by means of which individual components of the paver assembly can be positioned within the container in a standardized arrangement.

According to the invention, the storage system lays out the standardized arrangement in such a way that the respective components of the road finisher assembly can be checked for completeness by an operator in view of their assembly sequence on the road finisher by visual inspection along a sequence determined between opposite boundaries of the container.

According to the invention, there is therefore a direct relationship between the standardized arrangement of individual components of the road finisher assembly within the container and their order of assembly on the road finisher, which the operator can use to check in a simple manner whether the respective components of the road finisher assembly are completely in place Containers are stored and provided. Here, the operator benefits above all from the fact that he can see more easily against the conceptual background of the assembly sequence whether individual components of the road finisher assembly are missing in the storage system of the container, in which case he could act quickly to prevent delays on the construction site.

In particular, the invention offers the advantage that in advance, i.e. before the beginning of the attachment of the road finisher assembly to the road finisher, it is immediately visible whether it is completely available for use. In other words, uncontrolled cultivation can be prevented from occurring. In particular, inexperienced personnel benefit from the container system according to the invention, because the components made available therein can be properly attached to the road finisher even without routine.

In the container, add-on parts can be sensibly grouped with regard to their intended use. It is possible to arrange respective add-on parts grouped in the container in such a way that they are easily identifiable individually based on their positioning relative to one another, but also as a bundle, i.e. as a functionally related module. It is conceivable that the respective grouped add-on parts can be checked for completeness using RFID technology, for example using an RFID transponder reading system. According to one variant, a container, in particular the container (attached parts and/or groups) contained therein, can be clearly assigned to predetermined process parameters, primarily a working width, a tractor type and/or a screed type. Each container can thus have corresponding purposes. Consequently, it is possible to send the right container, ie loaded with the right components, to the right construction site for the specific purpose.

Fasteners associated with the respective add-on parts are preferably stored in the container, with which they can be fastened to the road finisher or feeder at the place of use. These are, for example, screws, washers, quick release skewers or similar fasteners.

The link between the standardized arrangement of individual components and their order of assembly on the road finisher also favors the fact that the modular road finisher assembly, which can be assembled from the individual components, remains complete in the container, so that the container, together with its stored road finisher assembly, can be used reliably on different construction sites. The main reason for this is that the inventive concept is advantageous not only for the initial check with regard to the completeness of the road finisher assembly in the container, but also with regard to the order in which it is removed and the order in which it is put away. As a result, the container system according to the invention can remain complete, clean and fully operational over the long term.

The container according to the invention also reduces the risk of individual components of the road finisher assembly being lost. Their standardized, predetermined arrangement in the storage system obviously signals whether all the components of the road finisher assembly have been returned to their intended storage location in the container after they have been used. The absence of a component can preferably be identified easily by means of an existing gap in the storage system.

As road finisher assemblies, functional assemblies come into consideration for use in the invention, which as a module, comprising several components that can be assembled or mounted on the road finisher, can be fastened to the road finisher according to a specific assembly plan and, if their use is no longer required, dated road finishers can be dismantled again step by step. Such add-on modules make it possible for the road finisher to be retrofitted for special purposes without having these functional assemblies in its standard version.

A measuring bar device, a docking assembly provided for a loading process, components for establishing the working width, for example widening modules for the screed, material bunker installation modules to improve the mixing of the paving material, add-on modules for night work, in particular lighting units for attachment to the road finisher, auger modules, for the optional widening of the sideways material transport in front of the screed and/or a thermography module for generating and processing individual measured values of the newly laid road surface layer.

The standardized arrangement of individual components of the road finisher assembly means that their arrangement in the storage system is not arbitrary, but that a special place is provided for each component. The individual components can therefore always be found in the right place at the required time.

The storage system preferably defines the standardized arrangement at least in part as an assembly plan, in that the individual components of the road finisher assembly are positioned for removal from the container according to the predetermined assembly sequence for attachment to the road finisher. As a result, the individual components of the road finisher subassembly for mounting on the road finisher can be removed from the container one after the other in such a way that they can be mounted on the road finisher straight away. This can prevent individual components from being haphazardly removed from the container and then first being placed on the ground before they are installed on the road finisher because they were removed from the container contrary to the predetermined order of installation. This is particularly undesirable in the case of sensitive, expensive sensor units. The storage system not only ensures that order is created within the container, but also helps ensure that the respective components are removed from the container in the correct order for assembly on the road finisher, so that they can be continuously added to the road finisher overall can. In other words, the placement of the respective components of the road finisher assembly within the container is selected in such a way that it specifies the removal sequence for mounting the respective components on the road finisher, i.e. visually shows the operating personnel which mounting sequence should be carried out so that the respective components are properly attached to the road finisher to be attached. Conversely, the standardized placement of respective storage locations within of the container at the same time be an aid for the operating personnel with regard to the dismantling of the respective components from the road finisher in order to properly secure them back in the container.

It is particularly clear when the storage system positions the individual components of the road finisher assembly one above the other in an ascending or descending direction within the container in view of their assembly sequence for removal and/or that the storage system arranges the individual components of the road finisher assembly side by side in the container in such a way that the respective components provided along a direction determined between opposite side walls of the container for removal. The operator, who takes the individual components of the road finisher assembly out of the container or puts them in again, is thus given a removal or loading direction that is designed in such a way that it corresponds to the assembly sequence (when putting away against this) of the individual components on the road finisher is equivalent to. In other words, the component removed first from the container in the right direction is mounted on the road finisher first, or the component removed first from the road finisher is placed back in the container first, counter to the removal direction. The operator, in particular, benefits from this design, because he is already provided with an assembly master plan in view of the arrangement of the individual components in the storage system of the container. When loading the components, he is also informed by the storage system, its structure and its loading direction, at which location the respective components are to be properly stored in the container.

The storage system is preferably designed to accommodate a measuring beam device, an add-on module and/or components for establishing the working width of the screed, in particular widening parts for a screed of the road finisher, within the container as a modular road finisher assembly. A comparison of the standardized arrangement of the individual components in the container with their assembly sequence on the road finisher brings with it considerable advantages for their step-by-step installation on the road finisher.

The individual components of the road finisher assembly can be made available in the container in a particularly clear manner by configuring the storage system as a shelving unit. This also offers advantages in terms of a compact design of the container.

The storage system expediently has several profile plates for supporting the respective components of the road finisher assembly. These are easy to manufacture and contribute little overall to the overall weight of the container. In addition, the profile plates can be arranged inside the container in such a way that they also give it stability. Preferably the respective profile plates are detachably fastened in the container and can be replaced or supplemented by other profile plates depending on the road finisher assembly to be transported, so that the storage system, i.e. the "inner workings" of the container, can be easily converted or retrofitted.

A plurality of receptacles are preferably formed in the respective profile plates, the respective shape of which is essentially adapted to a cross section of a component to be received therein. This means that the components can be safely stored in the container for transport.

The individual components of the road finisher assembly can preferably be locked on the storage system without the use of tools. In particular, the individual components can be stored without tools and/or removed from the storage system without tools. This saves time when loading and unloading the container and also ensures that the individual components are secured for transport in the container.

To simplify the construction of the container, it can be provided that individual components and/or subassemblies of the modular road finisher assembly can be fixed at least in one direction inside the container by their own weight at the storage locations provided for them. For this purpose, for example, form-fitting holders could be formed within the container, in which bearing projections of the respective components can engage. Spring steel locks can be used to fix individual components, in particular to fix parts of the screed, for example screed extensions. With the help of the spring steel locks, individual components, add-on parts and/or assemblies can be attached to the container floor in a non-slip manner.

In particular for the removal and storage of elongate components of the road finisher assembly, it is advantageous if the container is accessible for this purpose at least from one side wall, in particular from a longitudinal side wall. From there it is also easy to check whether the road finisher assembly is completely placed in the container.

It is particularly advantageous if all stored components are directly accessible and visible in the storage system. In other words, the handling of each component does not depend on another component.

An expedient variant provides that the container has a fixed roof. For the individual components accommodated therein, the fixed canopy offers an excellent protective function, in particular protection from the weather, be it while the container is being transported on a truck or while it is on the construction site.

A variant provides that the container is designed to be open from below or has openings. Even if one or more components of the road finisher assembly are stored wet in the container, the moisture can escape from the container through the floor, which is open in some places. This means that the inside of the container can be reliably kept dry. It would also be conceivable to design the bottom of the container with a slight incline, so that reliable drainage can take place as a result. As a result, retained water or accumulated water can be easily drained out of the container.

For logistical purposes, the container can be stackable. Individual containers can thus be stacked on top of each other on the construction site and/or in the warehouse to save space. The container is preferably designed for forklift transport. For this purpose, it can have at least one alignment aid for engaging the fork of the forklift truck on the ground.

According to one embodiment, at least one eyelet for lifting the container is formed on the container, in particular on the fixed roof. The container can thus be easily moved using a crane, in particular lifted off a truck.

The container preferably essentially comprises a standing area of a size and shape corresponding to two Euro pallets lying alongside one another. This makes it ideal for transporting on a truck.

For safe use on the construction site, the container can be designed to be lockable. The container is preferably made of lightweight construction. In particular, the outer walls of the container are riveted so that paintwork applied to them is not damaged.

According to one variant, the container has at least one lighting unit for illuminating the storage system. This is particularly helpful for night work on the construction site. It would also be useful for controlled handling at night if the lighting unit is configured to sequentially illuminate the respective components of the road finisher assembly stored in the storage system according to their assembly sequence on the road finisher. For example, an LED assembly installed in the container could be considered.

The container is preferably configured in such a way that manual removal is permitted, in particular for small parts and lightweight components. It is also advantageous if the container can be removed by crane for removing or storing heavy components, i.e. it can be accessed from above by the crane hoist. However, heavier components can also be stored in the container in such a way that they can be removed from the container ergonomically by hand.

According to one embodiment variant, the container is in the form of a universal container, i.e. it is configured to accommodate a number of different road finisher assemblies. As an alternative to this, there is the possibility that the container is only designed to provide a specific road finisher assembly, possibly depending on the type of road finisher and/or the type of screed.

In order to create an improved completeness check, visual placeholders can be provided within the container so that the construction site personnel can see at a glance whether the container provided by means of the container is complete. In particular, it could be provided that places within the container that have to be filled before starting work are marked with a predetermined color code, in particular at least partially with green color.

Another visually appealing effect can be achieved if locks for the respective components of the road finisher assembly are marked in a signal color, in particular red at least in places. The construction site personnel can thus easily identify at which points within the container components need to be secured. Furthermore, a simple visual check can be used to quickly check whether all components are securely locked.

Preferably, latches provided within the container are self-locking, i.e. the latches are mounted in such a way that they cannot be removed without tools and thus accidentally lost.

The container itself and/or storage plates that are detachably fastened to it are preferably configured in such a way that individual components and/or add-on parts for the road finisher, for example screed extensions, can be delivered to it by navigating the road finisher. It would be conceivable that a screed of the road finisher is raised and extended sideways in such a way that a side screed attachment is placed directly on its storage location in the container.

Figur 1

einen Straßenfertiger, woran eine vom erfindungsgemäßen Container bereitgestellte Straßenfertigerbaugruppe befestigbar ist,

Figur 2a

eine schematische Darstellung des Straßenfertigers aus Figur 1 mit einer daran modulartig befestigen Straßenfertigerbaugruppe in Form einer Messbalkenvorrichtung,

Figur 2b

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einzelner am Straßenfertiger montierter Komponenten der Messbalkenvorrichtung aus Figur 2a,

Figur 3

einen Container zum Aufbewahren und Bereitstellen einer Straßenfertigerbaugruppe,

Figur 4

eine Darstellung des Innenaufbaus des Containers gemäß Figur 3,

Figur 5

der Container mit einer darin aufbewahrten Straßenfertigerbaugruppe aus einer ersten Seitenansicht sowie

Figur 6

der Container mit einer darin aufbewahrten Straßenfertigerbaugruppe aus einer zweiten Seitenansicht.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. Show it:

figure 1

a road finisher to which a road finisher assembly provided by the container according to the invention can be attached,

Figure 2a

a schematic representation of the road paver figure 1 with a paver assembly in the form of a measuring beam device attached in a modular manner thereto,

Figure 2b

shows an enlarged view of individual components of the measuring beam device mounted on the road finisher Figure 2a ,

figure 3

a container for storing and providing a road finisher assembly,

figure 4

a representation of the interior structure of the container according to figure 3 ,

figure 5

the container with a road finisher assembly stored in it from a first side view and

figure 6

the container with a paver assembly stored therein from a second side view.

figure 1 shows a road finisher 1 for laying a new road surface layer 2. The road finisher 1 stores a paving material 3 in a bunker 4, from which the paving material 3 is conveyed backwards, counter to a paving travel direction F, to a paving screed 5 attached to the road paver 1. The screed 5 is designed to compact the paving material 3 to form the new road surface layer 2 .

Figure 2a shows the road finisher 1 figure 1 in a schematic representation, including an attached paver assembly 6. This is according to Figure 2a designed as a measuring beam device 7 which is designed in particular for leveling purposes of the screed 5 . The measuring bar device 7 comprises a number of individual components 8 which, assembled as a module, are attached to the side of the road finisher 1 . Furthermore shows Figure 2a schematically that an add-on module 9 is attached to the screed 5 . This is, for example, a plank widening.

Figure 2b shows individual components 8 of the measuring bar device 7 in an enlarged, assembled representation. All components 8 of the measuring beam device 7 are attached to the road finisher 1 according to a predetermined assembly plan M with regard to their attachment. Based on the shown assembly plan M of the respective components 8 according to Figure 2b an assembly sequence for the attachment of the individual components 8 can be derived.

figure 3 shows a container 10 in a perspective view. The container 10 is designed to store and provide at least one modular road finisher assembly 6 designed for detachable assembly on the road finisher 1 . The container 10 includes a lid 11 configured as a fixed canopy. Two eyelets 12 are attached to the lid 11 for lifting the container 10 . Furthermore, projections 13 are formed in the respective corner regions of the cover 11, which serve as stacking aids.

In figure 3 the container 10 is shown closed. The container 10 comprises a long side wall 14 and an opposite long side wall 15. Furthermore, the container 10 comprises a short side wall 16 and an opposite short side wall 17. figure 3 also shows that stacking receptacles 19 are formed on a floor 18 of the container 10 in the respective corner regions, which are used to accommodate the above-mentioned projections 13 of a container 10 arranged underneath. Furthermore, transport frames 20 are provided below the side wall 14 on the floor 18, into which a fork of a forklift truck can enter to transport the container 10.

figure 4 shows an interior structure of the container 10. The container 10 has a storage system 21 which is arranged in an interior space 22 of the container 10. FIG. The storage system 21 has profile plates 23 arranged next to one another, which are present together as a shelf unit for the individual components 8 of the road finisher assembly 6 . A plurality of locks 24 are formed on the respective profile plates 23 in order to lock the individual components 8 of the road finisher assembly 6 on the storage system 21 . The locks 24 are designed for tool-free operation. The respective profile plates 23 comprise several receptacles 27.

figure 4 also shows that the bottom 18 of the container 10 is open. For the bottom 18 according to figure 4 formed by means of transverse struts 25 arranged next to one another. The cross braces 25 form in figure 4 a base for attaching the respective profile plates 23 from. Next shows figure 4 a lighting unit 26 for illuminating the storage system 21, in particular in the figures 5 and 6 shown components 8.

Parts of the respective in the Figures 3 and 4 Side walls 14, 15, 16, 17 shown can be designed as shell panels. In particular, these shell panels can be configured in such a way that the respective sides of the container 10 are divided by a total of two U-shaped or, as in figure 3 shown by four L-shaped shell panels open and close respectively.

figure 5 shows the in figure 4 Container 10 shown with stored in the storage system 21 components 8 of the road finisher assembly 6. According to figure 5 are beam-like components 8 in the Figures 2a and 2b shown bar measuring device 7 stored. However, this only serves to explain the concept according to the invention and is not limited to this assembly.

The individual components 8 are in figure 5 arranged one above the other in the storage system 21 and are positioned using a standardized arrangement 8a to 8h in descending direction Y according to their order of assembly on the road finisher 1, i.e. according to their intended removal from the container 1. For the attachment or assembly of the respective components 8 , the operator removes the respective components 8 one after the other according to the (removal) direction Y from the storage system 21 and mounts the removed components 8 accordingly on the road finisher 1 . The standardized arrangement 8a to 8h thus specifies the order of assembly on the road finisher 1 in descending direction Y. Alternatively, the storage system 21 for arranging the components 8 could be configured in such a way that it arranges the respective components 8 next to one another so that they can be moved along a direction (X) determined between opposite side walls (14, 15, 16, 17) of the container (10). are made available for collection.

figure 6 shows the in figure 5 illustrated open container 10 from behind. The storage system 21 also provides components 8 arranged one above the other on this side of the container 10 for removal in the descending direction Y`. The components 8 on this page can form a further road finisher assembly or associated parts of the road finisher assembly 6 according to FIG figure 5 form. figure 6 shows that the individual components 8 can be removed according to a sequence 8i to 8p in the descending direction Y` in order to be installed on the road finisher 1 according to this removal sequence, i.e. possibly the previously in figure 5 components shown 8 supplement.

The in the figures 5 and 6 stored components 8 are intended to serve as an example for a road finisher assembly 6 that can be removed from the container 10 according to the invention, in order to according to your predetermined (removal) direction 8a to 8p to be sequentially mounted on the road finisher 1.

The container according to the invention is ideal for use on construction sites. It contains an intelligent storage system that simplifies the use of components stored in it. Road finisher assemblies can be provided using the container in such a way that they can be easily mounted on the road finisher. In addition, the components accommodated in the container are reliably available in a standardized form for proper use on several construction sites and are accommodated therein in an advantageously protected manner. The container according to the invention can be used for the advantageous storage and provision of different road finisher assemblies that are used in a modular manner on the road finisher.

Claims (15)

1. Container (10) with at least one therein provided modular road paver assembly (6) designed for detachable mounting on a road paver (1), the container (10) comprising a storage system (21) for storing and providing the at least one modular road paver assembly (6), characterized in that by means of the storage system (21) individual components (8) of the road paver assembly (6) are positioned within the container (10) in a standardized arrangement (8a - 8p), and in that by means of the storage system (21) the individual components (8) of the road paver assembly (6) are arranged along a sequence determined between opposite boundaries of the container (10) in view of their assembly sequence on the road paver (1), such that the individual components (8) can be checked for completeness by an operator by means of a visual inspection.
2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage system (21) defines the standardized arrangement (8a - 8p) at least partially as an assembly plan (M), in that the individual components (8) of the road paver assembly (6) are positioned for removal from the container (10) according to the predetermined assembly sequence for their attachment to the road paver (1).
3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage system (21) positions the individual components (8) of the road paver assembly (6) one above the other in ascending or descending direction (Y, Y') in view of their assembly sequence for removal and/or that the storage system (21) arranges the individual components (8) of the road paver assembly (6) side by side such that the respective components (8) are provided along a direction (X) determined between opposite side walls (14, 15, 16, 17) of the container (10) for removal.
4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage system (21) is designed to receive a measuring beam device (7) or at least one add-on module (9) for a paving screed (5) of the road paver (1) within the container (10) as a modular road paver assembly (6).
5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage system (21) is configured as a shelf unit.
6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage system (21) comprises a plurality of profile plates (23) for supporting the components (8) of the road paver assembly (6).
7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual components (8) of the road paver assembly (6) can be locked to the storage system (21) without tools.
8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) is accessible from at least one side wall (14, 15).
9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all components (8) are positioned directly accessible and visible in the storage system (21).
10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) has a fixed roof (11).
11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) is open from below.
12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) is designed to be stackable.
13. Container according to one of the above claims, characterized in that at least one eyelet (12) for lifting the container (10) is formed on the container (10), in particular on the fixed roof (11).
14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) essentially forms a standing area in a size and shape corresponding to two Euro pallets lying side by side.
15. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) has at least one lighting unit (26) for illuminating the storage system (21).

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