Concave-Convex Road Marking Cutter for Noise and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road markings produce noise and vibrations that can be disturbing, and pose a risk to two-wheeler stability due to sharp transitions and water accumulation in depressions, leading to potentially dangerous steering corrections and unstable driving situations.

Innovation Solution

A cutting body with a concave cutting area adjacent to a convex cutting area, allowing for smooth transitions and reduced water accumulation, and featuring interchangeable cutting elements to create continuous, sinusoidal-like road markings that minimize noise and lateral instability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a convex cutting curve is used to create road markings, then the road marking function is achieved, but noise and vibrations are produced that disturb the environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad marking creationVSAvoidnoise and vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting body uses a concave cutting curve instead of a convex one, creating a different geometric profile for the road marking indentations. This curvature change modifies how the tire interacts with the marking, reducing the impact shock and resulting noise while maintaining the acoustic warning function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Manufacturing precision

If sharp-edged transitions are created between road surface and road marking, then the road marking is clearly defined, but two-wheeler stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad marking definitionVSAvoidtwo-wheeler stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The concave cutting curve creates rounded, smooth transitions instead of sharp edges. The indentation profile features a concave bottom with smooth curved walls, allowing two-wheeler tires to roll over gradually without sudden lateral forces that would cause instability or steering corrections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Shape

If deep depressions are milled into the road surface, then the road marking is prominent, but water accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad marking prominenceVSAvoidwater accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The concave cutting curve creates a specific indentation geometry with a concave bottom that prevents water pooling. The curved profile allows water to drain more effectively compared to deep sharp-edged depressions, reducing water accumulation while maintaining visible road markings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution reduces noise and haptic disturbance, improves two-wheeler stability by gentle tire entry into depressions, and decreases water accumulation, providing a safer and less annoying driving experience.

Implementation Method 1

When a vehicle tire rolls over, noises and vibrations are produced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The chisels cut out an indentation in the roadway

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

The cutting bodies grind into the road surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 4

The cutting bodies are set in rotation while the tool is being used and placed on the road surface to be machined. The rotational movement is overlaid with a linear movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal Force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2292844B2Cutter for generating a road marking and road marking
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 WIRTGEN GMBH
  • EP2292844B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2292844B2 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2292844B2 patent drawingFigure 5a~7c

AI summary

The unit has a drum shaped rotary unit (10) rotatable about a rotation axis, where the rotary unit receives cutting elements defining a cutting curve (15). The cutting curve forms a convex cutting region (15.2) in direction of the rotation axis, where a respective concave cutting region (15.1) is indirectly or directly adjacent to the convex cutting region on both sides. A mounting surface comprises a convex mounting portion (14.2) associated with the convex cutting region and a concave mounting portion (14.1) associated with the concave cutting region. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a road marking comprising longitudinal walls transversely to longitudinal direction of the road (2) a rumble strip cutting apparatus comprising a rotary unit rotatable about a rotational axis (3) a method for cutting a rumble strip in a road surface.