Pneumatic Compactor Tire with Integrated Heating Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic compactors face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the sticking of hot, viscous paving materials to unheated tires, requiring external heating or spray systems to prevent adhesion, which are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic compactor with a heating element integrated within the tire, a temperature sensor, and an electronic control module that autonomously maintains the tire temperature above a minimum threshold to prevent sticking, eliminating the need for external heating systems and reducing operational costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If external heating systems or spray systems are added to prevent paving material from sticking to tires, then the sticking problem is solved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaving material sticking to tiresVSAvoidexternal heating systems and spray systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated within the tire structure itself, merging the heating function with the tire. This eliminates the need for separate external heating systems and spray systems, reducing device complexity while preventing paving material from sticking to the tires through internal thermal management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tire serves its own heating needs through an integrated heating element, eliminating dependence on external heating infrastructure. The system autonomously maintains optimal tire temperature to prevent material adhesion, making the tire self-sufficient in preventing the sticking problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If external heating systems are used to warm up tires before operation, then paving material sticking is prevented, but operational efficiency decreases due to off-site warming requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaving material sticking to tiresVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is pre-integrated within the tire structure, ready for immediate activation. This eliminates the need for off-site warming and allows the tire to be quickly heated to optimal temperature before operation, improving operational efficiency while preventing material sticking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element can be continuously or periodically activated during operation to maintain optimal tire temperature. This ensures consistent prevention of paving material sticking throughout the operational cycle, eliminating the need for separate pre-warming phases and improving overall productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If spray systems are used to prevent paving material adhesion, then sticking is reduced, but energy consumption increases due to continuous spraying requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaving material sticking to tiresVSAvoidenergy consumption for spraying

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical spray system is replaced with a thermal field approach using an integrated heating element. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous liquid spraying and the associated energy consumption, while effectively preventing paving material adhesion through controlled thermal management of the tire surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system effectively prevents paving material from sticking to the tires by maintaining a consistent temperature, reducing the need for off-site warming and external components, while optimizing energy consumption and extending machine operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element located within the compacting member... configured to energize the heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a sensor thermally coupled to the heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal coupling: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8714869B1Compactor having electronically controlled heating element

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 CATERPILLAR PAVING PROD INC

AI summary

A pneumatic compactor includes a frame and a compacting member rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to rotate in contact with a substrate of paving material. The compacting member is a tire. The compactor further includes a heating element located within the compacting member, a sensor thermally coupled to the heating element, and an electronic control module. The electronic control module is in communication with the heating element and the sensor and is configured to energize the heating element.