Contrast Road Marking Apparatus Single-Pass Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for applying contrast road markings result in inconsistent thickness, alignment issues, material wastage, and increased costs due to separate application passes or the use of expensive preformed tape, which affects durability and visibility.

Innovation Solution

A contrast road marking apparatus using multiple ribbon guns to apply thermoplastic markings in a single pass with aligned application, ensuring equal thickness and minimal overlap or gap between markings, thereby preventing intermixing and optimizing material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If preformed tape is used for contrast road markings, then alignment and consistency are improved, but installation time and cost increase due to road closures required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the application of contrast markings and secondary markings into a single simultaneous operation using one vehicle with multiple ribbon guns. This merging of operations eliminates the need for separate passes and road closures required by preformed tape, achieving both alignment precision and reduced installation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-ribbon gun apparatus as an intermediary device that applies both contrast and secondary markings simultaneously. This intermediary system resolves the contradiction by providing the alignment precision of preformed tape without requiring road closures, as the markings are applied in one continuous pass

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If markings are applied in separate passes or by separate vehicles, then material wastage is reduced, but alignment precision and appearance quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial wastageVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the application of contrast and secondary markings into a single simultaneous operation using multiple ribbon guns on one vehicle. This ensures precise alignment between markings while applying material efficiently in one pass, eliminating the misalignment issues that occur with separate passes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If contrasting markings are applied simultaneously without allowing one to cool, then productivity is improved, but marking quality deteriorates due to intermixing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidmarking quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the marking application into distinct spatial zones using multiple ribbon guns positioned at different locations. Each gun applies marking to a separate area, preventing intermixing while maintaining simultaneous application and high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different marking materials with contrasting colors at different locations using separate ribbon guns. Each location receives a specific marking type (contrast or secondary) applied by a dedicated ribbon gun, ensuring quality control while maintaining simultaneous application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Illumination intensity

If lighter colored marking is applied directly above wider contrast marking, then contrast visibility is improved, but durability deteriorates due to varying thicknesses and susceptibility to removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast visibilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the application of contrast and secondary markings into a single simultaneous operation. Both markings are applied at the same time with controlled thickness, ensuring equal durability while maintaining contrast visibility, rather than applying one above the other which creates thickness variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides consistent, durable, and cost-effective contrasting road markings with improved visibility and alignment, reducing material wastage and installation costs while maintaining equal durability for both markings.

Implementation Method 1

applying contrasting thermoplastic markings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

allowing one to partially cool and become more viscous

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling and solidification: Freezing

Implementation Method 3

allowing one to partially cool and become more viscous may cause the two markings to intermix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity change with temperature: Viscometer

Data Source

PatentUS11634876B2Contrast road marking apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 CROWN USA INC

AI summary

A method for applying contrasting thermoplastic markings to a roadway in a single pass. The contrast road marking apparatus includes two or more ribbon guns configured to apply a first thermoplastic marking to a roadway surface area and a second thermoplastic marking, which comprises a color that contrasts with a color of the first thermoplastic marking, to another roadway surface area. The resulting contrast road marking has no visible or substantially negligible overlap or gap between the individual thermoplastic markings.