ROAD PAVER WITH SYSTEM FOR REPLACING A HEATING DEVICE OF A BEARING BLOCK ARRANGEMENT FOR A DISTRIBUTING AUGER

Abstract

A road paver comprises a paving screed, a bearing block arrangement and a distributing auger. The bearing block arrangement comprises a bearing block, a cover and a heating device. The distributing auger is rotatably mounted at the bearing block for distributing paving material. The heating device is received in an accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement. The bearing block arrangement is configured to be selectively brought into a working configuration and into a removal configuration, wherein the heating device is removable from the accommodation space in the removal configuration, but not in the working configuration. At least a base part of the cover is connected to the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration. In the working configuration, the base part of the cover at least partially covers the heating device towards a front with respect to a paving direction of the road paver.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to European patent application number EP 23150886.2, filed Jan. 10, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a road paver with a heated bearing block arrangement for a rotatable distributing auger. In particular, the disclosure relates to the removal of a heating device from the bearing block arrangement, for example for replacing or maintaining the heating device.

BACKGROUND

From EP 2821551 B1, a road paver with a bearing structure is known which rotatably supports a screw conveyor on a machine frame of the road paver. The bearing structure can be heated by at least one heating element. According to one variant, the heating element is arranged in a cavity within the bearing structure. In another variant, the heating element is provided on an outside of the bearing structure. A protective element may be provided to protect the heating element. The protective element can be removably attached to the bearing structure.

Removing a heating element for heating a bearing structure for a screw conveyor, for example for the purpose of maintenance of the heating element or replacing the heating element, can involve a considerable amount of work.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the disclosure to provide a way of efficiently removing a heating device from a bearing block arrangement for bearing a distributing auger on a road paver.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a road paver is provided. The road paver comprises a paving screed, a bearing block arrangement and a distributing auger. The paving screed is configured for compaction of paving material. The bearing block arrangement comprises a bearing block, a cover and a heating device. The distributing auger is rotatably mounted at the bearing block for distributing the paving material. The heating device is received in an accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement. The bearing block arrangement is configured to be selectively brought into a working configuration and into a removal configuration. In the removal configuration, the heating device is removable from the accommodation space. In the working configuration, the heating device cannot be removed from the accommodation space. At least a base part of the cover is connected to the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration. In the working configuration, the base part of the cover at least partially covers the heating device towards a front with respect to a paving direction of the road paver.

The bearing block arrangement can be heated by the heating device. As a result, cooling of paving material through contact with the bearing block arrangement can be counteracted. If the bearing block arrangement is heated, material sticking to the bearing block arrangement can be reduced. The heating device can be activated before the distributing auger starts to operate in order to heat any material from a previous installation process that may have adhered in the area of the bearing block arrangement and to thus reduce the breakaway torque of the distributing auger.

The distributing auger can be arranged in front of the paving screed with respect to the paving direction of the road paver. The distributing auger can extend transversely to the paving direction. The distributing auger can be configured to distribute material in front of the paving screed transversely to the paving direction on the plane.

The road paver can include a towing vehicle. The paving screed may be connected to the towing vehicle and towed behind the towing vehicle. The bearing block arrangement and the distributing auger can be attached to the towing vehicle. Alternatively, the bearing block arrangement and the distributing auger can be attached to the paving screed.

With regard to the paving direction, the distributing auger can be arranged between the paving screed and the towing vehicle. The distributing auger can be configured to convey material between the paving screed and the towing vehicle transversely to the paving direction from the inside to the outside.

The heating device can be at least partially protected from soiling or damage in the accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement. At least in the working configuration, the heating device can be received in the accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement such that the heating device is not visible from outside the bearing block arrangement. At least in the working configuration, the heating device can be completely received in the accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement.

The removability of the heating device in the removal configuration of the bearing block arrangement can simplify maintenance or replacement of the heating device.

The cover can be attached to a side of the bearing block that faces forwards in relation to the paving direction of the road paver.

At least the base part of the cover can protect the heating device in the working configuration by at least partially covering the heating device. In particular, the base part of the cover can protect the heating device from coming into contact with paving material.

Since at least the base part of the cover is connected to the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration, it is at least not necessary to remove the cover completely in order to be able to remove the heating device. This can simplify the removal of the heating device, particularly in the case of covers with a high weight.

The cover can be made of a metallic material or comprise a metallic material. The cover can be made of steel or comprise steel.

The heating device can be electrically operated. The heating device can be configured to convert electrical power into thermal power. The heating device can comprise at least one resistance heating element. The resistance heating element can comprise at least one heating rod, or a heating wire, or a heating coil.

The heating device can be electrically connected by means of a separable plug connector. At least a part of the plug connector can be provided in the accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement.

The cover can have two side surfaces running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction. At least one of the side surfaces can be formed by the base part of the cover. Both side surfaces can be formed by the base part of the cover. The two side surfaces can be minor images of each other with respect to a plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry can be a vertical plane. The plane of symmetry can be parallel to a vertical direction and to the paving direction.

The accommodation space can be formed between the bearing block and the cover. The accommodation space can be partially or completely enclosed by the bearing block and the cover. The accommodation space can be bounded by the bearing block in the opposite direction to the paving direction of the road paver. In the paving direction of the road paver, the accommodation space can be bounded by the cover. The heating device can heat both the bearing block and the cover in the accommodation space.

The base part of the cover can make up at least 40 percent, or at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent, or at least 70 percent, or at least 80 percent, or at least 90 percent, or at least 95 percent of the total mass of the cover. Since the base part of the cover is connected to the bearing block in both the working configuration and the removal configuration, the corresponding weight does not have to be removed from the bearing block to remove the heating device.

The cover can have at least one flap part. The flap part can be pivotable about a pivot axis to change the configuration of the bearing block arrangement between the working configuration and the removal configuration. The flap part can be connected to the bearing block and/or held on the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration. The flap part can be part of the base part of the cover. The pivot axis may be an at least substantially vertical pivot axis. The pivot axis can be an at least essentially horizontal pivot axis. The pivot axis can be an inclined pivot axis.

The removal configuration can be achieved by pivoting just one flap part. However, it would also be conceivable for several flap parts of the cover to be pivoted in order to enable or simplify removal of the heating device.

In particular, the cover can have two flap parts which can be pivoted about a common pivot axis in order to change the configuration of the bearing block arrangement between the working configuration and the removal configuration. The common pivot axis can be an at least essentially horizontal pivot axis. The common pivot axis may be an at least substantially vertical pivot axis. The common pivot axis may be an inclined pivot axis. The pivot axis can run along a boundary between two side surfaces of the cover that run towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction. The pivot axis can run centrally between the two side surfaces of the cover running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction. The flap parts can each have or form one of the two side surfaces of the cover running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction.

In embodiments, the cover may only comprise the base part. If the cover comprises only the base part, the complete cover is connected to the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration. Alternatively, the cover can have at least one additional part, which is detachably attached to the bearing block independently of the base part in the working configuration and is detached from the bearing block in the removal configuration. By removing the additional part, the bearing block arrangement can be moved to the removal configuration. When the additional part has been removed, the heating device can be accessible for removing the heating device.

The bearing block arrangement may include a clamping element. The clamping element can be configured to clamp the heating device against a support structure. The bearing block arrangement can be moved from the working configuration to the removal configuration by releasing the clamping element. The clamping element may be configured to be screwed into the bearing block or into the cover to clamp the heating device against the support structure. The support structure can be part of the bearing block or attached to the bearing block. The support structure can be part of the cover or attached to the cover. The support structure can comprise a tensioning element, in particular a spring.

The cover can include a heating device holder. The heating device holder can hold the heating device in position in the working configuration and release the heating device in the removal configuration. The heating device holder can comprise a screw holder for the heating device.

The cover can be configured as a plow body. In the working configuration, the base part of the cover can form at least part of a shape of the plow body that tapers forward with respect to the paving direction of the road paver. Due to a shape that tapers towards the front with respect to the paving direction of the road paver, the plow body can have a reduced resistance for paving material surrounding the plow body.

The shape of the plow body, which tapers towards the front with respect to the paving direction, can have two side surfaces running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction. At least one of the side surfaces can be formed by the base part of the cover. Both side surfaces can be formed by the base part of the cover. The two side surfaces can be minor images of each other with respect to a plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry can be a vertical plane. The plane of symmetry can be parallel to a vertical direction and to the paving direction.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a method for removing a heating device from a bearing block arrangement of a road paver is provided. The road paver comprises a bearing block arrangement. The bearing block arrangement comprises a bearing block, a cover and a heating device. The heating device is received in an accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement. A distributing auger for distributing paving material is rotatably mounted at the bearing block. The bearing block arrangement is transferred from a working configuration to a removal configuration. At least one base part of the cover is connected to the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration. In the working configuration, the base part of the cover at least partially covers the heating device towards the front with respect to a paving direction of the road paver. The heating device is removed from the accommodation space in the removal configuration.

Transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration can involve pivoting a flap part of the cover about a pivot axis. Pivoting can release an opening for removing the heating device.

Transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration may involve removing an additional part of the cover from the bearing block.

Transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration can involve opening the accommodation space.

Before removing the heating device from the accommodation space, a clamping element can be released, which clamps the heating device against a support structure.

Transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration can involve loosening a screw connection between the heating device and the bearing block arrangement.

The cover can be configured as a plow body. In the working configuration, the base part of the cover can form at least part of a shape of the plow body that tapers towards the front with respect to the paving direction of the road paver.

The shape of the plow body, which tapers towards the front with respect to the paving direction, can have two side surfaces running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction. At least one of the side surfaces can be formed by the base part of the cover. Both side surfaces can be formed by the base part of the cover. The two side surfaces can be mirror images of each other with respect to a plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry can be a vertical plane. The plane of symmetry can be parallel to a vertical direction and to the paving direction.

As described, the disclosure relates to a road paver and a method for removing a heating device from a bearing block arrangement of a road paver. Features described in relation to the road paver can be transferred to or combined with the method. Features described in relation to the method can be transferred to the road paver or combined with it. The road paver can be suitable, adapted and/or configured for carrying out the method. The method can be carried out by means of the road paver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, embodiments according to the disclosure are explained further with reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a road paver according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a bearing block arrangement according to an embodiment, viewed from the front at an angle.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show different embodiments of a hinged cover.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a cover with a base part and an additional part.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show different embodiments of a cover with a screw connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a road paver 1 according to an embodiment. The road paver 1 comprises a towing vehicle 3 with a travel drive and a paving screed 5. The paving screed 5 is attached to the towing vehicle 3 via towing bars 7 and is pulled by the towing vehicle 3. With respect to a paving direction 9 of the road paver 1 at the front of the towing vehicle 3, a hopper 11 is provided for receiving paving material. The paving material from the hopper 11 is conveyed to the rear against the paving direction 9 via conveying devices on the towing vehicle 3 and is presented to the paving screed 5.

A distributing auger 13 is provided in relation to the paving direction 9 between the paving screed 5 and the towing vehicle 3. The distributing auger 13 extends transversely to the paving direction 9 and distributes paving material in front of the paving screed 5 transversely to the paving direction 9. The distributing auger 13 is attached to the towing vehicle 3 via a bearing block arrangement 15. The distributing auger 13 is rotatably mounted on the bearing block arrangement 15.

FIG. 2 shows the bearing block arrangement 15 viewed from the towing vehicle 3. The bearing block arrangement 15 comprises a bearing block 17 which, in the embodiment shown, has a bearing 19 which rotatably supports the distributing auger 13. A cover 21 is attached to the bearing block 17 at the front in the paving direction 9. In the embodiment shown, the cover 21 is configured as a plow body. The cover 21 comprises two side surfaces 23, 25 running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction 9. Due to the tapered shape of the cover 21, the cover 21 offers comparatively low resistance for the paving material running around the cover 21. In the embodiment shown, the cover 21 is connected to the bearing block 17 via screw connections 27.

An accommodation space 29 (see FIGS. 3 to 8), in which a heating device 31 is received, is formed between the bearing block 17 and the cover 21. The heating device 31 can be configured as an electrical resistance heating element in the form of a heating rod.

In the situation shown in FIG. 2, the bearing block arrangement 15 is provided in a working configuration. In the working configuration, the heating device 31 cannot be removed from the accommodation space 29. In order to enable replacement or maintenance of the heating device 31, the bearing block arrangement 15 can be brought into a removal configuration in which the heating device 31 can be removed from the accommodation space 29.

FIGS. 3 to 8 show different embodiments of the cover 21, which can be used in particular in the road paver 1 shown in FIG. 1 or in the bearing block arrangement 15 shown in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the side surfaces 23, 25 of the cover 21 running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction 9 can each be pivoted about an axis 33, 35 assigned to the respective side surface 23, 25. In the embodiment shown, the axes 33, 35 are vertical axes. By pivoting the side surfaces 23, 25, the accommodation space 29 between the bearing block 17 and the cover 21 can be made accessible. The bearing block arrangement 15 can therefore be transferred from the working configuration to the removal configuration by pivoting the side surfaces 23, 25 about the axes 33, 35 in order to enable removal of the heating device 31.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the bearing block arrangement 15 can also be transferred from the working configuration to the removal configuration by pivoting the side surfaces 23, 25. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, however, in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 both side surfaces 23, 25 are pivoted about a common axis 37. In the embodiment shown, the common axis 37 is a vertical axis.

In FIG. 5, the bearing block arrangement 15 can also be converted from the working configuration to the removal configuration by pivoting the side surfaces 23, 25. In FIG. 5, the side surface 23 can be pivoted about the axis 39 and the side surface 25 about the axis 41. The axes 39 and 41 are horizontal axes.

FIGS. 3 to 5 each show both side surfaces 23, 25 pivotable. However, it may already be sufficient to pivot only one of the side surfaces 23, 25 in order to bring the bearing block arrangement 15 into the removal configuration.

In FIGS. 3 to 5, the entire cover 21 can be regarded as the base part 42 of the cover 21, which is connected to the bearing block 17 both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the cover 21 in which only a part of the cover 21 forms a base part 42, which remains connected to the bearing block 17 both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration. In addition to the base part 42, the cover 21 in FIG. 6 comprises an additional part 44. In FIG. 6, the line 40 represents a separation between the base part 42 and the additional part 44. In order to bring the bearing block arrangement 15 from the working configuration to the removal configuration, the additional part 44 can be removed from the bearing block 17 by loosening the screw connections 27 connecting the additional part 44 to the bearing block 17. The base part 42, on the other hand, can remain connected to the bearing block 17. Due to the (at least) two-part nature of the cover 21, it is not necessary to remove the complete cover 21 in order to make the accommodation space 29 accessible.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the cover 21. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the cover 21 comprises an opening 43 through which the heating device 31 can be inserted into the accommodation space 29. In the embodiment shown, the opening 43 is open at the top so that the heating device 31 can be inserted or removed along a vertical direction. Within the accommodation space 29, a spring is provided as a support structure 45 for the heating device 31. The opening 43 has an internal thread. A clamping element 47 with an external thread can be screwed into the opening 43. When the heating device 31 is inserted, the clamping element 47 presses on the heating device 31 from above in the screwed-in state and presses it against the support structure 45. In order to transfer the bearing block arrangement 15 from the working configuration to the removal configuration, the clamping element 47 can be unscrewed from the opening 43. The support structure 45, which is configured as a spring, then pushes the heating device 31 upwards so that the heating device 31 protrudes from the opening 43 and can be removed. The cover 21 remains connected to the bearing block 17 during the entire process.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 essentially corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, however the clamping element 47 is part of the heating device 31. Due to the connection between the heating device 31 and the clamping element 47, the heating device 31 can be removed directly by gripping the clamping element 47 upwards after loosening the screw connection between the clamping element 47 and the opening 43.

The opening 43 with the internal thread can be referred to as the heating device holder.

In each of FIGS. 7 and 8, the entire cover 21 can be viewed as the base part 42 of the plow body 21, which is connected to the bearing block 17 in both the working configuration and the removal configuration.

Claims

1. A road paver comprising: a paving screed for compacting paving material;a bearing block arrangement comprising a bearing block, a cover and a heating device; anda distributing auger rotatably mounted at the bearing block for distributing paving material;wherein the heating device is received in an accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement;wherein the bearing block arrangement is configured to be selectively brought into a working configuration and into a removal configuration, wherein the heating device is removable from the accommodation space in the removal configuration, but not in the working configuration;wherein at least a base part of the cover is connected to the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration; andwherein in the working configuration the base part of the cover at least partially covers the heating device towards a front with respect to a paving direction of the road paver.

2. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation space is formed between the bearing block and the cover.

3. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the base part of the cover comprises at least 40 percent of a total mass of the cover.

4. The road paver according to claim 3, wherein the base part of the cover comprises at least 50 percent of the total mass of the cover.

5. The road paver according to claim 3, wherein the base part of the cover comprises at least 70 percent of the total mass of the cover.

6. The road paver according to claim 3, wherein the base part of the cover comprises at least 80 percent of the total mass of the cover.

7. The road paver according to claim 3, wherein the base part of the cover comprises at least 95 percent of the total mass of the cover.

8. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one flap part which is pivotable about a pivot axis for changing the configuration of the bearing block arrangement between the working configuration and the removal configuration.

9. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises two flap parts which are pivotable about a common pivot axis for changing the configuration of the bearing block arrangement between the working configuration and the removal configuration.

10. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an additional part, which in the working configuration is detachably attached to the bearing block independently of the base part and in the removal configuration is detached from the bearing block.

11. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the bearing block arrangement comprises a clamping element, wherein the clamping element is configured for clamping the heating device against a support structure.

12. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a heating device holder, wherein the heating device holder is configured to hold the heating device in a position in the working configuration and release the heating device in the removal configuration.

13. The road paver according to claim 1, wherein the cover is configured as a plow body, and wherein the base part of the cover in the working configuration forms at least a part of a shape of the plow body that tapers forward with respect to the paving direction of the road paver.

14. The road paver according to claim 13, wherein the shape of the plow body tapering forward with respect to the paving direction in the working configuration has two side surfaces running towards each other at an acute angle along the paving direction.

15. A method for removing a heating device from a bearing block arrangement of a road paver, wherein the bearing block arrangement comprises a bearing block, a cover and the heating device, wherein the heating device is received in an accommodation space of the bearing block arrangement, wherein a distributing auger for distributing paving material is rotatably mounted at the bearing block, and wherein the method comprises: transferring the bearing block arrangement from a working configuration to a removal configuration, wherein at least a base part of the cover is connected to the bearing block both in the working configuration and in the removal configuration, wherein the base part of the cover in the working configuration at least partially covers the heating device towards a front with respect to a paving direction of the road paver; andremoving the heating device from the accommodation space in the removal configuration.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration comprises pivoting a flap part of the cover about a pivot axis, thereby clearing an opening for removing the heating device.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration comprises disassembling an additional part of the cover from the bearing block.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration comprises opening the accommodation space.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein before the removing the heating device from the accommodation space, a clamping element is released, which clamps the heating device against a support structure.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the transferring the bearing block arrangement from the working configuration to the removal configuration comprises loosening a screw connection between the heating device and the bearing block arrangement.