Road finisher with automatic engine controller

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-propelling machine for processing bituminous or concrete pavement material, in particular a road finisher or a feeder. The machine comprises an internal combustion engine as a primary drive source, a controller for the engine, said controller receiving control signals, at least one additional drive unit for functional and operational components of the machine as well as at least one hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic medium reservoir. The invention is characterized in that the controller is configured for automatically causing starting and/or stopping of the engine in response to receipt of at least one specific control signal.

1 . A self-propelling machine for processing bituminous or concrete pavement material, comprising
 an internal combustion engine as a primary drive source for propelling the machine,   a controller for the engine, said controller receiving control signals,   at least one pump drive unit, hydraulic-motor drive unit or hydrostatic drive unit for functional and operational components of the machine, and   at least one hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic medium reservoir,   
       wherein the self-propelling machine comprises a localization and/or navigation system, which localization and/or navigation system is configured for generating a control signal for the controller, 
       wherein the controller is configured for automatically causing starting and/or stopping of the engine in response to receipt of at least one specific control signal. 
     
     
         2 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor is provided for generating a control signal. 
     
     
         3 . A machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         4 . A machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor is configured for measuring the temperature of a screed of the road finisher. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the localization and/or navigation system is infrared-transmitter, radio or satellite-based. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A machine according to  claim 1 , including in combination with the localization and/or navigation system, means are provided for ascertaining the current distance to and/or an expected time of arrival of some other road works vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A machine according to  claim 9 , wherein said means are configured for generating a control signal for the controller. 
     
     
         11 . A machine according to  claim 1 , including a starting device for starting the engine in response to receipt of a respective control signal. 
     
     
         12 . A machine according to  claim 11 , including an energy store is provided for supplying the starting device with energy also in the deactivated condition of the engine. 
     
     
         13 . A machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the energy store comprises a battery. 
     
     
         14 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the self-propelling machine is a road finisher or a feeder for a road finisher.