ROAD FINISHER WITH LIGHTING

Abstract

The road finisher comprises a material hopper for receiving paving material, a screed for compacting paving material, and a main control stand which provides an operating location for an operator on the road finisher. The main control stand comprises a floor area. The road finisher comprises a lighting unit. The lighting unit is no more than 140 cm higher with respect to a vertical direction than the floor area of the main control stand. The lighting unit is arranged such that at least 60 percent of the light output emitted by the lighting unit during operation falls onto the floor area of the main control stand.

Claims

1. A road finisher comprising: a material hopper for receiving paving material; a screed for compacting paving material; and a main control stand providing an operating location for an operator on the road finisher, wherein the main control stand comprises a floor area, wherein the road finisher comprises a lighting unit, wherein the lighting unit is arranged no more than 140 cm higher with respect to a vertical direction than the floor area of the main control stand, and wherein the lighting unit is arranged such that at least 60 percent of the light output emitted by the lighting unit during operation falls onto the floor area of the main control stand.

2. The road finisher according to claim 1, wherein a main direction of emittance of the lighting unit is inclined downward with respect to a horizontal plane by at least 10 degrees.

3. The road finisher according to claim 1, further comprising an opaque upper shield which is arranged above the lighting unit and shields the lighting unit at least from a viewing direction from above.

4. The road finisher according to claim 1, further comprising an opaque side shield which shields the lighting unit at least from a horizontal viewing direction.

5. The road finisher according to claim 1, wherein the main control stand further comprises a control panel with control elements for controlling functions of the road finisher and the lighting unit is mounted beneath the control panel.

6. The road finisher according to claim 5, wherein the main control stand further comprises a seat for an operator, and an imaginary linear connecting line between an upper end of a backrest of the seat and the lighting unit runs through the control panel or through a structure provided beneath the control panel.

7. The road finisher according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit is mounted to an underside of a component of the road finisher.

8. The road finisher according to claim 1, wherein the floor area of the main control stand is a walking surface and/or a tread surface and/or a standing surface for an operator of the road finisher.

9. The road finisher according to claim 1, wherein a luminosity and/or a light color of the lighting unit is adjustable individually.

10. The road finisher according to claim 1, further comprising a brightness sensor, wherein a control device of the road finisher is configured to adjust a luminosity of the lighting unit in dependence on a sensor output by the brightness sensor.

11. A road finisher comprising: a material hopper for receiving paving material; a screed for compacting paving material; a main control stand with a seat for an operator and with a control panel with control elements for controlling functions of the road finisher, the seat having a backrest with an upper end; and a lighting unit, wherein an imaginary linear connecting line between the upper end of the backrest and the lighting unit runs through the control panel or through a structure provided beneath the control panel.

12. The road finisher according to claim 11, wherein a main direction of emittance of the lighting unit is oriented forward or rearward with respect to a paving travel direction of the road finisher.

13. The road finisher according to claim 11, wherein a main direction of emittance of the lighting unit is inclined downward with respect to a horizontal plane.

14. The road finisher according to claim 11, wherein the lighting unit is mounted to the control panel.

15. The road finisher according to claim 11, further comprising a panel guide for sliding the control panel with respect to a sliding direction, the lighting unit mounted to an underside of the panel guide.

16. A road finisher for paving a road surface on a subgrade, the road finisher comprising: a material hopper for receiving paving material; a screed for compacting paving material; a main control stand with an operating platform and a seat unit with a seat for an operator, wherein the seat unit is movable between a first position in which the seat is present at least substantially within a width of the operating platform and a second position in which at least a portion of the seat projects laterally beyond the operating platform; and a subgrade lighting which is mounted to the seat unit and is configured in the second position of the seat unit to illuminate the subgrade.

17. The road finisher according to claim 16, wherein the subgrade lighting is mounted to an underside of the seat unit.

18. The road finisher according to claim 16, wherein the seat in the first position of the seat unit is at least substantially oriented in the paving travel direction of the road finisher.

19. The road finisher according to claim 16, wherein a main direction of emittance of the subgrade lighting is inclined downward with respect to a horizontal direction by at least 30 degrees.

20. The road finisher according to claim 16, further comprising a control device configured to activate the subgrade lighting in an automated manner when the seat unit is moved to the second position.

21. A road finisher for paving a road surface on a subgrade, the road finisher comprising: a material hopper for receiving paving material; a screed for compacting paving material; a control stand with an operating platform and a seat unit with a seat for an operator, the seat unit movable between a first position in which the seat is present at least substantially within a width of the operating platform and a second position in which the seat projects laterally beyond the operating platform; a subgrade lighting configured to illuminate the subgrade; and a control device which is configured to activate the subgrade lighting in an automated manner when the seat unit is moved to the second position.

22. The road finisher according to claim 21, wherein the control device is configured to deactivate the subgrade lighting in an automated manner when the seat unit is moved to the first position.

23. The road finisher according to claim 21, wherein the road finisher further comprises a sensor which is configured to detect a position of the seat unit, and wherein the control device controls the subgrade lighting based on an output of the sensor.

24. The road finisher according to claim 21, wherein the control device is configured to adjust a luminosity and/or a main direction of emittance of the subgrade lighting in dependence on a paving width of the screed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] The disclosure shall be further explained hereafter on the basis of embodiments with reference to the figures, where

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a road finisher according to an embodiment;

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an occupational region for an operator on the main control stand of a road finisher according to an embodiment;

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through the main control stand of a road finisher according to an embodiment with a lighting for the main control stand;

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a rear area of a road finisher at an angle from above according to an embodiment with a pivotable seat unit and subgrade lighting; and

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the rear area of the road finisher shown in FIG. 4 at an angle from below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a road finisher 1 according to an embodiment. Road finisher 1 comprises a towing vehicle 3 on which a material hopper 7 for receiving paving material is provided at the front with respect to a paving travel direction 5 of road finisher 1. A screed 11 for compacting the paving material is pulled behind towing vehicle 3 by way of traction bars 9. A main control stand 13 is provided on towing vehicle 3. Main control stand 13 provides a raised operating location for an operator on road finisher 1. From main control stand 13, the operator may see the surroundings of road finisher 1 in all directions. Main control stand 13 comprises a roof 15 or protecting the operator from the elements. Main control stand 13 comprises a floor area 17 on which the operator may stand. Floor area 17 may be configured, for example, as a metal surface, at least in sections. Floor area 17 may also be formed at least in sections by a layering, such as a rubber mat or the like. Main control stand 13 comprises a seat 19 for the operator. In addition, a control panel 21 with control elements for controlling functions of road finisher 1 is provided at main control stand 13. Control panel 21 may comprise, for example, actuatable buttons or switches. An operator seated on seat 19 may operate the control elements of control panel 21. In the embodiment shown, an outside control stand 23 is further provided at screed 11.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, main control stand 13 illustrated in the embodiment comprises two seats 19 which are spaced from one another with respect to a horizontal transverse direction 25 that is perpendicular to paving travel direction 5. Depending on the viewing point preferred for the specific paving situation, the operator may take a seat on one of the two seats 19. If the operator wishes to observe, for example, a road lane edge which in paving travel direction 5 is on the right-hand side during the paving process, then the operator may advantageously take a seat on seat 19 on the right-hand side. In the embodiment shown, control panel 21 is mounted to a panel guide 27 so as to be slidable. Panel guide 27 extends along transverse direction 25 from seat 19 on the left-hand side to seat 19 on the right-hand side. By sliding control panel 21 along panel guide 27, control panel 21 may be moved in front of the seat 19 on which the operator is currently seated. Alternatively, it would of course also be conceivable to provide only one seat 19 and to provide control panel 21 in a fixed or slidable manner in front of seat 19, for example by way of a holder.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a section (section A-A in FIG. 2) through main control stand 13 in a viewing direction along transverse direction 25. As may be seen in FIG. 3, panel guide 27 extends with respect to paving travel direction 5 in front of seat 19 in transverse direction 25. In the situation shown in FIG. 3, control panel 21 is in front of the seat 19 which is not illustrated and is therefore not visible in the figure. Control panel 21 is mounted in guide rails 29 of panel guide 27 so as to be slidable along transverse direction 25. Control panel 21 is disposed lying substantially on top of panel guide 27.

[0069] As may be seen from FIG. 3, a lighting unit 31 is mounted underneath panel guide 27. In the embodiment shown, lighting unit 31 is configured as an LED strip which extends underneath panel guide 27 along panel guide 27 in transverse direction 25. The LED strip preferably extends at least substantially along the entire extension length of panel guide 27 in transverse direction 25.

[0070] Lighting unit 31 is used to illuminate main control stand 13. In particular, if road finisher 1 is to be operated at dusk or at night, lighting unit 31 may be switched on to make it easier for the operator to operate road finisher 1 from main control stand 13. Mounting lighting unit 31 to the underside of panel guide 27 results in a relatively low mounting height of lighting unit 31 above floor area 17 of main control stand 13. Lighting unit 31 is no more than 140 cm higher with respect to a vertical direction than floor area 17 of main control stand 13. According to some embodiments, lighting unit 31 is even no more than 130 cm, or no more than 120 cm, or no more than 110 cm, or no more than 100 cm, or no more than 90 cm, or no more than 80 cm, or not more than 70 cm, or not more than 60 cm higher with respect to the vertical direction than floor area 17 of main control stand 13.

[0071] Lighting unit 31 is arranged such that at least 60 percent of the light output emitted by lighting unit 31 during operation falls onto floor area 17 of main control stand 13. According to some embodiments, lighting unit 31 is arranged such that even at least 70 percent, or at least 75 percent, or at least 80 percent, or at least 90 percent of the light output emitted by lighting unit 31 during operation falls onto floor area 17 of main control stand 13.

[0072] A main direction of emittance 33 of lighting unit 31 is inclined downward with respect to a horizontal plane. Main direction of emittance 33 of lighting unit 31 in the illustrated embodiment is inclined downward by an angle 35 with respect to a horizontal plane. Angle 35 may be, for example, at least 10 degrees, or at least 20 degrees, or at least 30 degrees, or at least 40 degrees, or at least 50 degrees, or at least 60 degrees, or at least 70 degrees, or at least 80 degrees, or approximately 90 degrees. Angle of inclination 35 of main direction of emittance 33 with respect to the horizontal plane may be selected by suitably mounting lighting unit 31.

[0073] An indirect illumination of main control stand 13 from below is created as a result of mounting lighting unit 31 inclined downward with respect to a horizontal plane at a comparatively low height above floor area 17.

[0074] An imaginary linear connecting line 37 between an upper end of a backrest 39 of seat 19 and lighting unit 31 runs through control panel 21 or, as in the present case, through a structure (panel guide 27) provided underneath control panel 21. An operator seated on seat 19 may therefore not unintentionally look directly into lighting unit 31, which could lead to the operator being blinded.

[0075] In the embodiment shown, panel guide 27 and control panel 21 themselves represent an opaque upper shield which shields lighting unit 31 from a viewing direction from above. A lateral end plate 41 of panel guide 27 represents an opaque side shield which shields lighting unit 31 from a horizontal viewing direction and thereby prevents people who are in the vicinity of road finisher 1 from being blinded.

[0076] The luminosity and/or the light color of lighting unit 31 may preferably be adjusted individually, for example by way of control elements on control panel 21. Road finisher 1 may comprise a brightness sensor 43 which in the embodiment shown is mounted in the region of seat 19. A control device 45 of road finisher 1 may be configured to adjust a luminosity of lighting unit 31 in dependence of a sensor output by brightness sensor 43. For example, control device 45 may actuate lighting unit 31 based on the sensor output in order to regulate the brightness in the region of brightness sensor 43 into a predetermined range or to a predetermined value.

[0077] Instead of the LED strip or in addition to the LED strip, lighting unit 31 may also contain other light sources, such as, for example, one or more light bulbs or one or more gas discharge lamps.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 2, seats 19 are each part of a seat unit 51. In addition to respective seat 19, seat units 51 comprise a console 53 on which seat 19 is mounted. Console 53 may comprise, for example, a plate which carries seat 19. Both seat units 51 are shown in a first position in FIG. 2. In the first position, seat unit 51 may be oriented substantially in paving travel direction 5 of road finisher 1. An operator seated on seat 19 looks forward along paving travel direction 5 of road finisher 1. As shown in FIG. 2, seat 19 of a seat unit 51 is in the first position of seat unit 51 at least substantially or completely within a width of an operating platform 55 of main control stand 13. This does not necessarily preclude individual elements of seat 19 from projecting laterally (with respect to transverse direction 25) beyond operating platform 55. For example, an armrest of seat 19 could project in part beyond operating platform 55. However, the main part of seat 19 in the first position of seat unit 51 is disposed within the width of operating platform 55. In particular, a seat base of seat 19 in the first position of seat unit 51 is disposed within the width of operating platform 55.

[0079] According to embodiments, at least one of seat units 51 is movable from the first position to a second position. FIG. 4 shows a situation in which both seat units 51 have been moved to their second position. In the second position of a seat unit 51, respective seat 19 projects laterally beyond operating platform 55. In particular in the second position, at least one third, or at least two thirds, or at least three quarters of the seat base of seat 19 may project laterally with respect to transverse direction 25 beyond operating platform 55 of main control stand 13. In the second position of seat unit 51, an operator seated on respective seat 19 has an improved view of the subgrade in the region of road finisher 1 laterally to the side of road finisher 1.

[0080] In the embodiment shown, seat unit 51 is pivoted about a vertical axis between the first position and the second position. Alternatively, seat unit 51 could be slidable between the first position and the second position. Mixed forms are also conceivable in which the motion of seat unit 51 between the first position and the second position comprises pivoting, in particular about a vertical axis, and a translational motion.

[0081] According to embodiments, road finisher 1 comprises a subgrade lighting 57. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, subgrade lighting 57 is mounted to the side of the chassis of road finisher 1 and illuminates the subgrade in a work area 59 of screed 11.

[0082] According to embodiments, control device 45 of road finisher 1 is configured to activate subgrade lighting 57 in an automated manner when seat unit 51 is moved to the second position. In this way, it may be ensured that work area 59 of screed 11 is illuminated and may therefore be easily seen when seat unit 51 is in the second position.

[0083] Control device 45 may additionally be configured to deactivate subgrade lighting 57 in an automated manner when seat unit 51 is moved to the first position.

[0084] Road finisher 1 may comprise a sensor 61 which detects the position of seat unit 51. Control device 45 may activate or deactivate subgrade lighting 57 based on an output by sensor 61.

[0085] Control device 45 may take into account the output by brightness sensor 43 when controlling subgrade lighting 57. For example, if brightness sensor 43 detects a brightness below a certain threshold value, control device 45 may control subgrade lighting 57, as described, based on the position of seat unit 51. If brightness sensor 43 detects a brightness value above the specific threshold value, control device 45 may deactivate subgrade lighting 57 regardless of the position of seat unit 51 or leave it deactivated.

[0086] A main direction of emittance of subgrade lighting 57 may preferably be inclined downward with respect to a horizontal direction by at least 30 degrees, or by at least 45 degrees, or by at least 60 degrees, or by at least 80 degrees, or by substantially 90 degrees.

[0087] The main direction of emittance of subgrade lighting 57 may be adjustable. The main direction of emittance of subgrade lighting 57 may be adjusted, for example, in an automated manner by way of control device 45 or manually by the operator. Control device 45 may be configured to adapt an illumination area illuminated by subgrade lighting 57 in dependence of a paving width of the screed. For example, control device 45 may adapt the position and/or the size of the illumination area in dependence of the paving width of the screed. The paving width of the screed may be made available to control device 45 by user input or by detection of a screed configuration. The illuminated illumination area may be effected for example, by changing a luminosity of a lighting unit of subgrade lighting 57 or by switching on or off one or more lighting elements of subgrade lighting 57.

[0088] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment in which subgrade lighting 57 is mounted to seat unit 51. In particular, subgrade lighting 57 is mounted underneath console 53 of seat unit 51. In the second position of seat unit 51, subgrade lighting 57 may illuminate work area 59 of screed 11 particularly efficiently due to its positioning. In the illustrated embodiment, console 53 of seat unit 51 comprises a shield 63 which shields subgrade lighting 57 from a horizontal viewing direction, in the embodiment shown from the front with respect to paving travel direction 5. In this way, blinding people in the vicinity of road paver 1 or other road users may be prevented particularly efficiently.

[0089] As described, subgrade lighting 57 may be controlled in an automated manner based on the position of seat unit 51. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Alternatively, for example, a switch for activating or deactivating subgrade lighting 57 could be provided.

[0090] Features relating to the illumination of main control stand 13 by lighting unit 31 have been described. In addition, features relating to the illumination of the subgrade in the region of road finisher 1 by subgrade lighting 57 have been described. Lighting unit 31 and subgrade lighting 57 could be provided together on a road finisher 1. However, it is also conceivable to provide only lighting unit 31 for illuminating main control stand 13 or, alternatively, subgrade lighting 57 for illuminating the subgrade.