GPS Paint Carriage Control for Accurate Roadway Mark Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roadway marking technologies require significant manual labor, pose safety risks to workers, and struggle with accurately replicating existing mark paths on repaved or resurfaced roadways, especially when dealing with changing construction conditions and limited GPS positional accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A GPS-based control system that uses a combination of GPS antennas, signal processors, and hydraulic steering control units to accurately position and align material dispensing nozzles on a moving vehicle, allowing for the replication of existing mark paths with improved positional accuracy and reduced manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used to determine roadway center and paint markings, then workers can directly control the painting process, but worker safety is at significant risk and the process is highly labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses GPS receivers and automated control to position the paint carriage and apply markings without continuous manual intervention. The vehicle itself navigates using GPS guidance, and the paint application is controlled automatically based on pre-programmed parameters, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring constant human operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning and painting operations with an automated control system that uses GPS receivers, microprocessors, and automated paint dispensing mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for workers to physically measure, mark, and paint the roadway, thereby improving safety while maintaining operational capability.
2Measurement precision
If GPS-based automated positioning is used for material dispensing, then positional accuracy can be improved and manual labor reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces GPS receivers as intermediary devices that mediate between the vehicle's position and the paint dispensing system. These receivers capture satellite signals and provide positional data to the control system, serving as an intermediary layer that enables accurate positioning without requiring direct complex mechanical measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes GPS data for positioning, controls paint dispensing timing and location, manages carriage movement, and coordinates various system components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving high positioning accuracy.
3Productivity
If multiple workers are required to measure and paint roadway segments, then task completion can be monitored and adjusted in real-time, but the process becomes highly labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs the entire roadway marking process autonomously using GPS navigation and automated paint dispensing. The vehicle navigates itself along the desired path and the paint system automatically applies markings at the correct locations and intervals, eliminating the need for multiple workers to measure, mark, and paint manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous roadway marking operation without the interruptions inherent in manual processes. The automated vehicle can maintain steady speed and continuous paint application along the entire roadway segment, whereas manual processes require frequent stops for worker coordination, measurement, and paint refilling.
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 system enables efficient and safe replication of roadway marks with enhanced accuracy and reduced manual labor, improving operational safety and adaptability to changing road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic steering control units to accurately position and align material dispensing nozzles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A GPS-based control system for positioning a nozzle projection onto a predetermined roadway mark path includes a vehicle having an attached paint carriage which is laterally movable with respect to the vehicle, a first GPS antenna, a first GPS receiver responsive to the first GPS antenna, a first signal processor for determining the geographical location of the first GPS antenna, a linear motion and position sensor, a GPS location processor for determining the absolute GPS location of the paint carriage, a coordinate transform processor for transforming the absolute GPS location of the paint carriage into a location in a coordinate system other than GPS, a comparator for comparing the location of the paint carriage in the other coordinate system to a desired roadway mark path according to the other coordinate system, and a control system for positioning the nozzle projection onto the roadway mark path.