Abstract
The disclosure relates to a fresh air means or device for a driver control panel or for an external control console of a road making machine which is configured in the form of a road finishing machine or a charger vehicle for a road finishing machine. The fresh air means comprises at least one blower unit for generating an air flow, at least one filter unit for filtering the air flow formed by means of the blower unit, and an air discharge unit including at least one air outlet opening for the filtered air flow. Furthermore, fresh air means is designed as a modular attachment apparatus configured to be removably attached to the driver control panel or to the external control console.
Claims
1. A fresh air device for a driver control panel or for an external control console of a road making machine which is configured as a road finishing machine or a charger vehicle for a road finishing machine, wherein the fresh air device comprises a blower unit for generating an air flow, a filter unit for filtering the air flow formed by the blower unit, and an air discharge unit including at least one air outlet opening for the filtered air flow, wherein the fresh air device is designed as a modular attachment apparatus configured to be removably attached to the driver control panel or to the external control console.
2. The fresh air device according to claim 1, wherein the blower unit includes a centrifugal fan or an axial-flow fan.
3. The fresh air device according to claim 1, wherein the blower unit is connectable with a power supply source of the road making machine, and/or the fresh air device includes at least one separate accumulator for an operation of the blower unit.
4. The fresh air device according to claim 1, wherein the air discharge unit includes at least one operating element for adjusting a speed of the blower unit.
5. The fresh air device according to claim 1, wherein the filter unit is positioned upstream of the blower unit seen in a direction of flow, and/or the filter unit includes a filter housing for receiving a replaceable filter element.
6. The fresh air device according to claim 5, wherein the filter unit comprises at least one housing expansion stage for the filter housing that is configured to receive at least one further filter element.
7. The fresh air device according to claim 1, wherein the air discharge unit includes a mounting plate to which the blower unit and/or the filter unit is fastened.
8. The fresh air device according to claim 7, wherein the air discharge unit includes a first mounting for removably attaching the fresh air device at the driver control panel or at the external control console, the first mounting being also provided, together with the mounting plate, for forming a fan housing for the blower unit.
9. The fresh air device according to claim 8, wherein the first mounting is removably connected with a second mounting that is fastenable to the driver control panel or the external control console.
10. The fresh air device according to claim 9, wherein a connection point formed between the first mounting and the second mounting is mounted to be freely accessible by an operator above the driver control panel or the external control console.
11. The fresh air device according to claim 1, wherein the air flow sucked in through the filter unit by the blower unit is distributable by the blower unit as a filtered fresh air flow to at least two flow channels formed within the air discharge unit.
12. The fresh air device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one air outlet opening of the air discharge unit comprises first and second air outlet openings, and the at least two flow channels comprise first and second flow channels that are designed to guide the filtered fresh air flow generated by the blower unit in opposite directions to the first and second outlet openings, respectively, of the air discharge unit.
13. The fresh air device according to claim 11, wherein the air discharge unit comprises a cover for covering the at least two flow channels.
14. The fresh air device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one air outlet opening includes adjustable louvers.
15. The fresh air device according to claim 1, wherein the fresh air device is mountable to the driver control panel or to the external control console such that the at least one air outlet opening formed thereat is positioned next to an operating surface of the driver control panel or the external control console.
16. A road making machine which is configured as a road finishing machine or a charger vehicle for a road finishing machine, comprising the fresh air device according to claim 1.
17. The road making machine according to claim 15, further comprising a driver control platform and an external control platform, wherein the driver control platform is open at least at a side and includes a driver control console, and wherein the fresh air device is fastened to the driver control console or to the external control platform.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] Embodiments of the disclosure will be illustrated more in detail with reference to the following figures as examples. In the drawings:
[0051] FIG. 1 shows a road making machine configured as a road finishing machine;
[0052] FIG. 2 shows an external control console of an external control platform of the screed present at the road finishing machine of FIG. 1 in an isolated representation;
[0053] FIG. 3 shows a road making machine configured as a charger vehicle in a perspective representation;
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a driver control panel in an isolated representation with a fresh air means or device removably fastened to it;
[0055] FIG. 5 shows the assembly of FIG. 4 in a perspective representation from behind;
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the driver control panel with the fresh air means fastened to it;
[0057] FIG. 7 shows the fresh air means in an isolated representation;
[0058] FIG. 8 shows the fresh air means of FIG. 7 without cover;
[0059] FIG. 9 shows the fresh air means isolated, in a perspective representation from behind;
[0060] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the fresh air means;
[0061] FIG. 11 shows a sectional representation through the fresh air means;
[0062] FIG. 12 shows an external control console according to FIG. 2 with a fresh air means fastened to it from a first perspective; and
[0063] FIG. 13 shows the external control console with the fresh air means fastened to it from a rear view.
[0064] Equal technical components are always provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0065] FIG. 1 shows a road making machine 1 which is present as a road finishing machine 2. The road finishing machine 2 has a material bunker 3 in which bituminous laying material E can be stored which can be processed into a new road pavement by means of a screed 4 towed by the road finishing machine 2. While the road finishing machine 2 is driving in the direction of travel R for installing the new road pavement, the laying material E is transported out of the material bunker 3, by means of a longitudinal conveying means not shown in FIG. 1, against the direction of travel R to a further, not shown transverse distributor screw which spreads the laying material E in front of the screed 4.
[0066] The road finishing machine 2 comprises a driver control platform 5 with an open design on which a driver seat 6 is positioned for a driver of the road finishing machine 2. In the direction of travel R in front of the driver seat 6, a driver control panel 7 is mounted. The driver control panel 7 offers an operating surface 8 for the driver by which the driver can control the operation of the road finishing machine 2, in particular control and/or monitor processes running at it. The driver control panel 7 shown in FIG. 1 can be adjusted along a guide path 9 transverse to the direction of travel R. To this end, the driver control panel 7 forms a suited slide which can be shifted on the guide path 9 and be fixed along the same at a desired position for the driver.
[0067] FIG. 1 furthermore shows that at external sides of the screed 4, one external control station 10, such as an external platform, is formed. At the external control station 10, an external control console 11 is fastened by means of which an operator walking along next to the screed 4 can control and/or monitor the operation of the screed 4. In particular by means of the external control console 11, an operation of the components installed in the screed 4, for example settings of compacting units and/or heating means operating therein, can be controlled.
[0068] FIG. 2 shows the external control console 11 in an isolated representation. The external control console 11 of FIG. 2 has an operating surface 12 with a plurality of buttons 13 and a display 14 for displaying process parameters adjusted at the screed 4.
[0069] FIG. 3 shows a charger vehicle 15. Such a charger vehicle 15 can drive in front of the road finishing machine 2 shown in FIG. 1 during the production of a new paving layer and provide it with laying material E. The charger vehicle 15 has a material bunker 16 from which the laying material E can be transported, by means of a longitudinal conveying means 17, into the material bunker 3 of the road finishing machine 2 driving behind in the direction of travel R.
[0070] The charger vehicle 15 has a driver control platform 18 with an open design on which a driver seat 60 as well as a driver control panel 19 mounted in front of the driver seat 60 in the direction of travel R is provided. The driver control panel 19 can approximately have the constructive dimensioning of the driver control panel 7 of the road finishing machine 2 of FIG. 1. An operating surface provided at the driver control panel 19 is, of course, configured in view of the functions of the charger vehicle 15.
[0071] FIG. 4 shows, in an isolated representation, the driver control panel 7 of the road finishing machine 2 with a fresh air means or device 20 removably attached to it. Instead of the driver control panel 7, the driver control panel 19 of the charger vehicle 15 could also be employed as a fastening point for removably attaching the fresh air means 20. Moreover, the external control console 11 of FIG. 2 would also be possible as a fastening point for removably attaching the fresh air means 20. The fresh air means 20 then optionally has a constructive design adapted for the external control console 11.
[0072] The fresh air means 20 present in FIG. 4 is a modular attachment apparatus M for removably fastening it to the driver control panel 7, that means it could also be easily dismounted from the driver control panel 7 without affecting the functioning of the driver control panel 7 thereby.
[0073] The fresh air means 20 of FIG. 4 comprises an air discharge unit 21 with a cover 22. The air discharge unit 21 has two air outlet openings 23a, 23b through which fresh air flows into the region of the driver who is positioned in front of the driver control panel 7. The power of a fresh air flow provided from the air outlet openings 23a, 23b can be adjusted by means of an operating element 24 (e.g., dial, knob, or button) formed in the cover 22. FIG. 4 further shows that the air outlet openings 23a, 23b each comprise louvers 25a, 25b which serve to adjust a direction of flow of the fresh air. The louvers 25a, 25b could optionally be designed to adjust an air volume flow formed through the air outlet openings 23a, 23b.
[0074] It is shown in FIG. 4 that the cover 22 of the air discharge unit 21 forms a recess 26a above the air outlet opening 23a, and a further recess 26b below the air outlet opening 23b. The respective recesses 26a, 26b take care of a compact design of the air discharge unit 21. In particular, the recess 26b gives the driver a good view onto the display 27 formed under it, at the driver control panel 7, to be able to monitor process parameters of the road making machine 1 adjusted thereat. By the recess 26a, the driver can better view over and beyond the air discharge unit 20, for example to monitor a material filling level in the material bunker 3 of the road finishing machine 2.
[0075] FIG. 5 shows the attachment of the modular fresh air means 20 represented in FIG. 4 at the driver control panel 7 from a rear perspective. The fresh air means 20 of FIG. 5 has a filter unit 28 which is fastened on the rear side of the air discharge unit 21 at a mounting plate 29 positioned at it. The filter unit 28 has a filter housing 30 in which a filter element 31 is received. FIG. 5 furthermore shows that the mounting plate 29 forms lateral projections 32a, 32b.
[0076] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the modular assembly of FIG. 5. The air discharge unit 21 has a first mounting 33 (see FIG. 11) with an external section 34 which is screwed to an upper section 35 of a second mounting 36. A connection point 37 formed between the external section 34 of the first mounting 33 and the upper section 35 of the second mounting 36, as can in particular also be seen in FIG. 4, is positioned above the driver control panel 7, freely accessible for the driver, so that he or she can easily attach or detach the fresh air means 20 at the driver control panel 7. The second mounting 36 can remain at the driver control panel 7 or also be detached from the driver control panel 7.
[0077] FIG. 6 furthermore shows that the upper section 35 of the second mounting 36 is connected with a lower section 39 by means of a step form 38. The upper section 35, the step form 38 and the lower section 39 can be present as an integrally manufactured form part, for example be bent from a sheet blank. At the lower section 39, a mounting base 40 is formed which is present corresponding to a constructive design of a substructure 41 formed at the driver control panel 7 to be attached thereto by positive engagement.
[0078] FIG. 7 shows the fresh air means 20 including the second mounting 36 fastened thereto in an isolated representation. In this configuration, or as an alternative without the second mounting 36, the fresh air means 20 is present as a modular attachment apparatus M which can be easily attached and detached, in particular to various types of road finishing machines, to a driver control panel 7 provided at it to supply the driver with fresh air. Even if the respective types of road finishing machines have slightly differing driver control panels 7, the second mounting 40 could be present and correspondingly adapted, so that the substantial construction of the fresh air means 20 is applicable as a standard attachment apparatus across all series.
[0079] FIG. 8 shows the fresh air means 20 of FIG. 7 without cover 22. FIG. 8 shows that on a side of the mounting plate 29 facing away from the filter unit 28, a blower unit 42 is arranged. The blower unit 42 is present as a centrifugal fan 43.
[0080] The centrifugal fan 43 is surrounded by fresh air guiding profiles 44a, 44b positioned on the mounting plate 29. An air flow 45 axially sucked in through the filter unit 28 by means of the centrifugal fan 42 (cf. FIG. 11) is radially distributed by the centrifugal fan 43 to the two flow channels 47a, 47b shown in FIG. 8 as a filtered fresh air flow 46a, 46b. The fresh air flow 46a, 46b will exit through the two air outlet openings 23a, 23b into the region of the driver control platform 5 of the road finishing machine 2 whereby the air quality on the control platform 5 is improved for the driver.
[0081] According to FIG. 8, the two air outlet openings 23a, 23b are formed in respective plate parts 48a, 48b which are integrated, in the assembled state of the fresh air means 20, in the cover 22 (cf. FIG. 11).
[0082] FIG. 9 basically shows the representation of FIG. 5, only without the driver control console 7. Therefore, FIG. 9 shows the fresh air means 20 in an isolated representation from behind.
[0083] FIG. 10 basically shows the representation of FIG. 6, only without the driver control console 7, wherein the fresh air means 20 is shown in a side view.
[0084] FIG. 11 shows a sectional representation of the fresh air means 20. One can see in FIG. 11 that the filter housing 30 receives both a first filter element 49a and a second, further filter element 49b. The two filter elements 49a, 49b are arranged in series in the direction of the axial air flow 45 one behind the other to create an additional filter effect. The second filter element 49b can be supported by means of a housing expansion stage 50 fastened to the filter housing 30. The housing expansion stage 50 is fastened at the filter housing 30 by means of quick locks 51a, 51b in FIG. 11.
[0085] According to FIG. 11, the first mounting 33 includes, apart from the external section 34, also an internal section 52 which is fastened to the mounting plate 29 spaced apart from the latter. A blower accommodation space 53 in which the centrifugal fan 43 is positioned is formed between the internal section 52 and the mounting plate 29. FIG. 11 in particular shows that the internal section 52 of the first mounting 33 forms, together with the mounting plate 29 and the air guiding profiles 44a, 44b, a fan housing 44 for the centrifugal fan 43.
[0086] FIG. 11 furthermore shows that between the cover 22 and the internal section 52 of the first mounting 33, a hollow space 55 is formed in which electronic components can be received.
[0087] FIG. 12 shows the external control console 11 of FIG. 2 with a fresh air means or device 20 mounted thereto. The fresh air means 20 has a filter unit 28 which comprises, according to FIG. 12, a box-shaped filter housing 30. An air discharge unit 21 connected with the filter housing 30 is positioned above the filter housing 30. A blower unit 42 which is positioned between the filter unit 28 and the air discharge unit 21 is indicated in a dashed line. The blower unit 42 can be completely received within the air discharge unit 21 according to the design of the fresh air means 20.
[0088] FIG. 12 furthermore shows that the air discharge unit 21 forms two flow channels 47a, 47b leading away from the blower unit 42 mounted therein. The two flow channels 47a, 47b form air outlet openings 23a, 23b from which fresh air exits for an operator positioned at the external control platform 10.
[0089] FIG. 13 shows the construction of FIG. 12 from a perspective from behind.
[0090] The fresh air means 20 includes a mounting 33 by means of which it is fastened to a tube 56 of the external control station 10. While the mounting 33 for fastening the fresh air means 20 is shown here, it would absolutely be conceivable to mount the fresh air means 20 with a comparable fastening technique to that of the fresh air means 20, i.e., using a first mounting and a second mounting according to the first mounting 33 and the second mounting 36. The fastening of the blower unit 42 can be designed similar to the fastening of the blower unit 42, in particular corresponding to the construction of FIG. 11.
[0091] It can be easily seen in FIG. 13 that the fresh air means 20 forms an attachment module M for the external control console 11 which can be perfectly attached, in particular retrofitted, at the external control station 10just as the fresh air means 20 on the driver control platform 5.
