Forward-Spreading Road Vehicle with Rear Cab

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing road construction materials spreading vehicles face hazards such as tipping, collision with overhead obstacles, and risk to road workers due to the need for precise backward maneuvering over freshly laid bitumen, while modified designs with forward spreading systems compromise handling and stability.

Innovation Solution

A road construction materials spreading vehicle with a rearward spreader box and dual driving controls, including a side shift mechanism and conveyor system, allowing safe and accurate spreading of aggregate stone while minimizing sharp turns and reducing the need for backward maneuvering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the truck backs to spread aggregate stone, then the aggregate can be applied accurately onto bitumen, but the truck is prone to tipping, rolling, or contacting overhead obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaggregate placement accuracyVSAvoidvehicle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional spreading operation by enabling the truck to spread aggregate stone while moving forward instead of backward. The tipper body is designed to discharge material forward of the cab, allowing the truck to travel in the forward direction during spreading operations, thereby eliminating the safety hazards associated with backward movement while maintaining spreading accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If a guide walks near the back of the truck to assist the driver, then the stone can be guided to fall correctly, but the guide is at risk of being injured by the reversing truck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestone distribution controlVSAvoidrisk to road workers

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the direction of operation so the truck moves forward during spreading, the hazardous reversing situation is eliminated. The guide can safely walk forward or remain stationary while the truck approaches from behind, removing the risk of the guide being run over while maintaining the ability to monitor and guide stone distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms including cameras and sensors that provide real-time information to the driver about stone distribution patterns and the position of guides or workers, allowing precise control without requiring a guide to walk in hazardous positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the truck turns 180 degrees on the newly formed road surface, then the truck can return to pick up a new load of stone, but the wheels cause significant damage to the road surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereloading efficiencyVSAvoidroad surface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the truck to operate in a continuous forward direction by spreading aggregate forward of the cab. This allows the truck to complete spreading operations and return to the stone pile along the same roadway without requiring 180-degree turns on the newly formed surface, thereby preventing wheel damage while maintaining reloading efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The truck can perform preliminary spreading operations at the end of the roadway before needing to return, creating a transition zone that allows for safer turning maneuvers away from the critical newly formed surface areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If a forward spreading system is used, then the truck can spread stone while travelling forward, but the front axle becomes overloaded making steering difficult and the vehicle unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward spreading capabilityVSAvoidvehicle handling stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the spreader mechanism specifically at the front of the tipper body rather than distributing weight uniformly. The tipper body is designed with a localized spreader box and conveyor system that delivers aggregate forward of the cab, concentrating the spreading function in a specific area while maintaining overall vehicle balance and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11821151B2Road construction materials spreading vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 QFE HLDG PTY LTD

AI summary

When spreading aggregate material onto a layer of bitumen/wet bitumen, when forming a road surface, the aggregate is commonly spread from a truck in reverse, potentially causing accidents and injuries. Safety is improved by providing a spreading vehicle that can be driven in the direction in which it is spreading the aggregate material. This is achieved by providing a second driving cab and driver controls at a location that would normally be considered the rearward end of the vehicle. The second driver cab is above a conveyor system conveying aggregate material from a hopper of the vehicle to a spreader box. The second driver cab allows the vehicle to be driven in the direction it is spreading material, by a driver who is facing the direction of travel, and who can see if the vehicle is about to hit anything or run into a worker in the surrounding area.