Cleaning machine for a road or pavement or gutter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual operation of road cleaning machines requires high skill, concentration, and physical effort, leading to inefficiencies and ergonomic challenges due to the need for precise control of brooms and vehicle positioning while navigating around obstacles and maintaining effective debris collection.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a 3D camera and pattern recognition software with machine control functions to automate broom positioning and vehicle steering, allowing for reliable and efficient debris collection by identifying the road edge and adjusting broom distance, reducing operator strain and improving safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual control of broom positioning and vehicle steering is used, then the operator can navigate and clean the road, but the operation requires high skill, concentration, and physical effort, reducing efficiency and increasing ergonomic challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation through autonomous pavement tracking. The 3D camera captures road geometry, pattern recognition software identifies the road edge, and the controller automatically positions the broom system without continuous manual intervention. This self-positioning capability reduces operator skill requirements and physical effort while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated optical-mechanical system. The 3D camera and pattern recognition software substitute for human visual assessment, while the automated controller replaces manual steering and broom positioning mechanisms. This substitution reduces the physical and cognitive burden on operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If automated pavement tracking with 3D camera and pattern recognition is implemented, then broom positioning accuracy and consistency are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroom positioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The 3D camera serves as an intermediary that captures road geometry information without requiring direct physical contact or complex mechanical measurement systems. The pattern recognition software acts as an intermediary that processes visual data to identify road edges, replacing complex mechanical positioning systems with optical sensing and computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning and measurement systems with an optical sensing system (3D camera) and computational processing (pattern recognition software). This substitution achieves high positioning precision while avoiding the mechanical complexity of traditional automated guidance systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the operator manually monitors all cleaning parameters and navigates the vehicle, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but operator fatigue increases and safety attention to traffic is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperator fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated pavement tracking system performs self-monitoring and self-positioning functions. The 3D camera continuously captures road geometry, the pattern recognition software automatically identifies road edges, and the controller maintains optimal broom positioning without operator intervention. This reduces operator fatigue and allows continuous attention to traffic safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback through the 3D camera monitoring road geometry and the pattern recognition software detecting road edge position. This feedback loop enables the controller to automatically adjust broom positioning in real-time, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing operator workload and improving safety through reduced fatigue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4073321B1Cleaning machine for a road or pavement or gutter
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 RAVO BV
  • EP4073321B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3d

AI summary

Cleaning machine (1) for a road or pavement or gutter. These machines are used to remove objects, such as small items, such as leaves, and dirt from a road or the like, using a broom system (3) for cleaning the road or the like, and typically a storage for removed objects and dirt.