Automated Blade Cross Slope Transition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual control of cross slope by operators in mobile construction equipment, such as motor graders, often results in improper cross slope establishment, leading to poor road surfaces, inadequate water flow, and increased operating costs, especially at intersections and transitions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile construction equipment system with a movable blade and a controller that receives target cross slope inputs and automatically transitions the blade from one position to another to maintain smooth cross slope transitions, utilizing sensors and user inputs to adjust the blade's position and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual control of cross slope by operators is used, then the equipment can operate with simple control mechanisms, but the cross slope establishment becomes improper leading to poor road surfaces and inadequate water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operator control with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect blade position and road surface conditions, then automatically adjusts the blade to maintain proper cross slope. This substitution of mechanical/manual control with an automated control loop resolves the contradiction by achieving precise cross slope establishment without relying on operator skill or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system enables the equipment to self-adjust the blade position based on sensor feedback about the road surface condition. The system monitors its own performance and automatically corrects deviations from the desired cross slope, making the equipment self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual operator intervention while maintaining high precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated blade transition system is implemented, then cross slope transition smoothness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the blade position and road surface conditions, and the controller automatically adjusts the blade to maintain the desired cross slope. This feedback mechanism ensures smooth cross slope transitions by continuously correcting deviations, while the automated nature of the feedback loop actually simplifies operation despite increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors blade position, detects road surface conditions, calculates the optimal blade setting for desired cross slope, and actuates the blade adjustment. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated control system, the patent manages device complexity while achieving superior cross slope transition smoothness.
3Reliability
If proper cross slope is maintained, then water drainage is improved, but more time and resources are required for precise blade adjustment and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system continuously monitors and adjusts the blade position to maintain proper cross slope throughout operation. This continuous adjustment ensures consistent water drainage performance without requiring periodic manual interventions or re-adjustments, thereby maintaining high reliability while actually reducing total time investment by eliminating repeated manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system proactively maintains the optimal blade position to ensure proper cross slope before drainage problems occur. By continuously preventing deviations from the desired cross slope rather than correcting them after they occur, the system ensures reliable water drainage while minimizing the time and resources needed for corrective maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile construction equipment includes: a blade that is movable with respect to the mobile construction equipment, the blade imparting at least one cross slope on a surface on which the mobile construction equipment is operating; and a controller for receiving at least a first target cross slope, a second target cross slope, and at least one input, and, based on the at least one input, transitioning the blade from a first blade position to impart the first target cross slope on the surface to a second blade position to impart the second target cross slope on the surface.