Cold Scarification Recycling Assembly for Small-Area Road Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road surface restoration methods are cumbersome, costly, and inefficient for small areas, requiring bulky machines and additional hot conglomerate layers, and do not allow exclusive use of recycled material.

Innovation Solution

A compact, integrated scarification and recycling assembly that can be connected to a mobile arm of an operating machine, performing scarification and recycling in a single pass, using a regenerating fluid to regenerate and redeposit milled conglomerate directly on the road surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dedicated regeneration machines are used to recycle milled material, then the road surface can be restored, but the operation becomes burdensome and time-consuming due to multiple machines and steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoration efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of machines required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines scarification, recycling, and paving functions into a single integrated machine. The scarifier mill removes and shreds asphalt, the recycler adds binding agents and water to regenerate the material, and the paver redistributes it all in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate dedicated machines for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single machine performs multiple functions: it acts as a scarifier to remove damaged asphalt, a recycler to regenerate the milled material with binding agents and water, and a paver to redistribute the regenerated material. This multi-functional approach replaces the traditional multi-machine system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If milled material is set aside in a dedicated regeneration machine, then recycling can be performed, but the process requires bulky supporting machines and is not suitable for small zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for small zonesVSAvoidbulkiness of machines
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the scarification, recycling, and paving functions into one compact machine, the system eliminates the need for bulky supporting machines. The integrated design allows the machine to perform all operations in sequence without requiring additional equipment, making it suitable for small zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If regenerated milled conglomerate is used as a carrier layer, then road traffic can operate, but a further layer of new hot conglomerate must be deposited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of new material requiredVSAvoidsimplicity of restoration process
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the milled material by adding binding agents and water during the recycling process, transforming it into a regenerated material with sufficient binding properties. This allows the regenerated material to form a complete, functional road surface layer without requiring an additional hot conglomerate layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of time

If multiple operations are performed separately, then each function can be optimized, but the restoration process becomes more time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoration timeVSAvoidoperation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine performs scarification, recycling, and paving in a continuous one-pass operation. The scarifier removes material, the recycler immediately regenerates it with binding agents and water, and the paver continuously redistributes the regenerated material, eliminating idle time between operations and significantly reducing total restoration time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient, cost-effective restoration of small road surface areas with minimal additional material, reducing time and labor costs, and eliminating the need for bulky machines and additional hot conglomerate layers.

Implementation Method 1

a scarification group (10) provided with an excavation tool (100) for removing the conglomerate material of one or more layers of asphalt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical abrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a recycling group (20) provided with a mixing and shredding element (200) for the regeneration of the milled conglomerate (C) into regenerated milled conglomerate (CR)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 3

using a regenerating fluid to regenerate and redeposit milled conglomerate directly on the road surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4433648B1Cold scarification and recycling assembly for restoring a road pavement, methods for restoring a road surface with such assembly and use of a mixture of bitumen or a mixture containing a hydrocarbon binding agent in such assembly
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SIMEX ENGINEERING SRL
  • EP4433648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4433648B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4433648B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cold scarification and recycling assembly (1) for restoring a damaged road pavement (P) is suitable for being directly connected to a mobile arm of an operating machine (2) and comprises: • a scarification group (10), housed in a first region (D) of the scarification and recycling assembly and comprising an excavation tool (100) for removing the conglomerate material of one or more asphalt layers along a linear advancement path along a working surface (S) of the road pavement, for obtaining a scarified conglomerate material (C); • a recycling group (20), housed in a second region (R) of the scarification and recycling assembly and comprising a mixing and shredding element (200) of the scarified conglomerate material, said second region being arranged downstream of the first region, so that the scarified conglomerate material from the scarification group may be received by the recycling group for the regeneration thereof into regenerated conglomerate material (CR); • drive means (102, 202) suitable for moving the excavation tool and the mixing and shredding element; • an interception device (30) which at least partially separates the first region from the second region to convey the passage of the scarified conglomerate material from the first region to the second region; • a water and/or regenerating fluid dispensing device (40), suitable for dispensing water and/or regenerating fluid directly in the first region and/or in the second region; methods for restoring a road surface and use of the cold scarification and recycling assembly (1).