Electric Road Construction Machine Charging Status Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Road construction machines with electrical drives face challenges due to longer charging cycles compared to fossil fuel refilling, increasing planning effort and operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A road construction machine equipped with a comprehensive electrical drive system, including an accumulator, a charging device, and a display device that shows indicative information about the charging status and process, allowing for better planning and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If an electric drive with rechargeable battery is used in road construction machines, then environmental friendliness and energy efficiency are improved, but charging cycles become longer than fossil fuel refilling, increasing planning effort and operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcharging cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the battery's state of charge and provides real-time feedback to the operator through a display device. This feedback mechanism allows operators to make informed decisions about machine operation and charging timing, optimizing the use of available energy and reducing unnecessary charging interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages charging processes by monitoring battery status and controlling charging operations without requiring constant operator intervention. The control unit autonomously decides when to charge and when to operate, making the system self-sufficient in managing its energy resource.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If an electric drive with rechargeable battery is used in road construction machines, then environmental friendliness and energy efficiency are improved, but operational complexity increases due to longer charging cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device serves multiple functions: it shows the state of charge, provides information about charging processes, and can display various operational parameters. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple information needs into a single interface, reducing operational complexity despite the added electric drive system.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Real-time monitoring and display of battery status provide continuous feedback to operators, enabling them to understand and plan around charging requirements without adding complex manual monitoring procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If comprehensive information about charging status and process is provided to operators, then planning and operation are simplified, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device consolidates multiple information functions into a single unit, providing comprehensive charging status and process information without requiring separate monitoring devices or complex manual checking procedures.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically collects, processes, and presents charging information without requiring operator intervention to gather data from multiple sources, making comprehensive monitoring as simple as viewing a display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies the operation of road construction machines by providing clear and accessible information about the charging status and process, reducing operator intervention and improving the overall usability of the machine.

Implementation Method 1

a rechargeable battery (103) for supplying the electric drive (104) with electrical current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

a charging device (101) for connecting the rechargeable battery (103) to an external power source (130) and for charging the rechargeable battery (103)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Accumulator charging: Electrical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP4534321A1Road construction machine with electric drive
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 JOSEPH VOEGELE AG
  • EP4534321A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4534321A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4534321A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Road construction machine comprising an electric drive, a battery for supplying the electric drive with electric current, a charging device for connecting the battery to an external power source and for charging the battery, and a display device for displaying information indicative of the battery's state of charge and/or of a charging process of the battery.