Adjustable Fresh Air Outlet for Paver Operator Breathing Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road construction machine systems for extracting vapors and aerosols from pavers and feeder vehicles are insufficient in preventing their penetration into the driver's operating area, requiring improved methods for targeted fresh air supply.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable fresh air device with a detachable element and holder, featuring a flexible hose or gooseneck design, integrated with a sensor unit for air quality measurement and a light source for air quality indication, which can be manually adjusted and retrofitted to provide targeted fresh air supply and improved air quality monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If extraction systems are used to extract vapors and aerosols from road pavers, then vapor extraction is improved, but the extraction performance is insufficient to prevent vapors from entering the driver's operating area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor extractionVSAvoidvapor penetration into operating area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to extract all vapors from the source, the invention inverts the approach by directly supplying fresh air to the driver's breathing zone. The fresh air device with outlet opening positioned near the driver's mouth and nose delivers clean air directly, bypassing the problem of vapor extraction entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces fresh air as an intermediary substance between the vapor source and the driver. By positioning the outlet opening to deliver fresh air directly to the driver's breathing area, it creates a protective barrier of clean air that prevents vapor penetration without requiring complete vapor extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a shielding device with air curtain is arranged around the operator's station, then vapor prevention is improved, but constructional complexity increases considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor preventionVSAvoidshielding device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential function needed for vapor prevention - supplying fresh air to the driver's breathing zone - without implementing the complex shielding device structure. By taking out just the air supply function and positioning the outlet opening strategically, it achieves vapor prevention with minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating a comprehensive air curtain around the entire operator station, the invention applies fresh air supply locally and precisely where needed - at the driver's mouth and nose area. This localized approach achieves effective vapor prevention without the complexity of a full shielding system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If fresh air is supplied through fixed ducts in the vehicle cabin, then air supply is provided, but targeted supply to the operator's mouth and nose is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supplyVSAvoidtargeted air supply positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the fresh air supply dynamic and adjustable by allowing the outlet opening to be positioned at different locations relative to the driver. The detachable element with holder can be adjusted to various positions, enabling the system to adapt to different driver positions and requirements, achieving targeted supply to the mouth and nose area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fresh air device is segmented into a detachable element with outlet opening and a holder, allowing independent positioning and adjustment. This segmentation enables the outlet opening to be precisely positioned near the driver's breathing zone while maintaining ease of installation and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4253656B1Control unit with fresh air device
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 JOSEPH VOEGELE AG
  • EP4253656B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4253656B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4253656B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5C

AI summary

The invention relates to a fresh air device (10, 13) for an operating unit (9, 12, 18) of a road construction machine (100A, 100B), wherein the fresh air device (10, 13) has at least one element (19) with at least one outlet opening (20) for fresh air (L) and at least one holder (22) for the element (19), wherein the element (19) can be adjusted to different positions (P1, P2) relative to the operating unit (10, 13) by means of the holder (22).