Mobile Concrete Finishing Machine with Steerable Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete finishing machines are difficult to maneuver in limited spaces and require multiple operators, struggle with quick access to lanes adjacent to repair areas, and are inefficient with high-viscosity quick curing concrete, which is challenging to level and finish.
Innovation Solution
A mobile concrete finishing machine with steerable wheels that can pivot 90 degrees, allowing it to travel longitudinally and laterally, and featuring telescoping frames to straddle holes, along with vibrators and screed rollers to level and smooth uncured concrete, enabling efficient operation by a single or limited number of operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional concrete finishing machines are used, then they can finish concrete surfaces, but they are difficult to maneuver in limited spaces and require multiple operators
Solution Approach 1:
The machine incorporates steerable wheels that can pivot 90 degrees between longitudinal and lateral orientations, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the machine's movement direction. This enables a single operator to maneuver the machine into restricted spaces and position it correctly for finishing operations without requiring multiple operators to physically guide or reposition the equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The machine features telescoping frames that can extend and retract, allowing the finishing mechanism to be positioned at different distances from the machine body. This segmentation of the finishing assembly from the main chassis enables the machine to operate in confined spaces while maintaining full finishing capability
2Speed
If existing finishing machines are used, then they can process concrete, but they struggle with quick access to lanes adjacent to repair areas
Solution Approach 1:
The steerable wheels enable the machine to rapidly transition between traveling mode (longitudinal movement) and finishing mode (lateral positioning over the repair area). The wheels can pivot 90 degrees on demand, allowing the machine to quickly access adjacent lanes and position itself over repair areas without requiring complex setup or multiple operators to reposition the equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The machine serves dual functions: it can travel longitudinally along the road for rapid access to different repair locations, and it can position itself laterally over repair areas for finishing operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning equipment and allows quick transition between different operational modes
3Productivity
If conventional finishing methods are used, then they can handle normal concrete, but they are inefficient with high-viscosity quick curing concrete
Solution Approach 1:
The machine incorporates vibrators that apply mechanical vibration to the high-viscosity quick curing concrete during the finishing process. This vibration reduces the effective viscosity of the concrete, allowing it to flow and level more easily under the screed rollers, thereby maintaining high finishing efficiency despite the concrete's naturally high viscosity
Solution Approach 2:
The machine changes the physical state of the high-viscosity concrete through vibration, temporarily reducing its resistance to flow. This parameter change allows the concrete to be finished efficiently with roller screeds rather than requiring traditional high-power vibratory screeds
4Productivity
If traditional roller screeds are used, then they can finish concrete, but they require two workers to pull and are difficult to use in restricted access situations
Solution Approach 1:
The roller screeds are self-propelled through the concrete by the rotation of the rollers themselves, eliminating the need for operators to manually pull or guide the finishing mechanism. The rollers advance automatically as they finish the concrete, allowing a single operator to control the finishing process without requiring physical effort to move the heavy screed assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The manual pulling mechanism traditionally required for roller screeds is replaced with a self-propelled roller system. The mechanical effort previously applied by two workers to pull the screed is substituted with the self-propelling action of the rotating rollers moving through the concrete under their own weight and rotational force
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 machine can rapidly move to and finish concrete in restricted spaces, efficiently handling high-viscosity concrete, and transition between traveling and finishing modes, overcoming the limitations of existing machines.
Implementation Method 1
Vibrators held by hand or mounted on a mobile truss and inserted into the uncured concrete are also used to level the concrete by vibrating and increasing the fluidity of the poured mass so it levels by gravity
Implementation Method 2
motor driven rollers pulled by hand over a section of concrete to be finished or mounted on a mobile frame are also known for use in finishing poured concrete
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment is pivotally connected to a compact loader and operable to level uncured concrete. A base of the attachment is removably securable to the loader and a horizontal roller support is pivotally connected to the base on a first side thereof and pivotal about a vertical pivot axis. A screed roller is suspended from the roller support and driven by a drive motor which may be mounted in the tube forming the roller. The roller support and attached screed roller pivot between a stowed position extending along a side of the loader, generally parallel to the direction of travel, and an extended position in which the roller support and screed roller extend up to approximately ninety degrees to the side of the loader. Pivot bearings are preferably included on both sides of the base so that the roller support may be pivotally mounted on either side.