Road Marking Grinder Truck With Automated Head Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinder trucks require highly skilled operators to precisely remove road markings, as they lack advanced positioning and control systems, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to road surfaces during the removal process.
Innovation Solution
A computer-controlled profiler system with automated guidance, including cameras, actuators, and rotary encoders, allows for precise positioning and control of grinder heads, enabling single-operator operation and improved efficiency in road marking removal, along with advanced debris collection and maintenance features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual guidance with video camera is used to steer the grinder truck, then the operator can control the grinder head along a proper trajectory, but significant experience and talent are required and the operation is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical steering with an automated computer-controlled system. The profiler automatically guides the grinder truck using sensors and computer control, eliminating the need for highly skilled manual operators while achieving precise positioning of the grinder head along the proper trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiler system performs self-positioning and self-guidance of the grinder truck. The computer-controlled system automatically adjusts the vehicle's position and orientation based on pre-stored line shape data, enabling the equipment to guide itself without requiring experienced human operators.
2Productivity
If a single operator manually controls the grinder truck, then operational efficiency is reduced, but the system is simpler to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with automated computer control. The profiler system uses computer algorithms to automatically guide the grinder truck, enabling a single operator to efficiently control multiple grinder heads simultaneously, thereby improving productivity despite increased system complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple grinder heads are used on the vehicle, then the capacity for marking removal is increased, but the control and positioning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal computer-controlled profiler system that can simultaneously manage multiple grinder heads. The single computer control system performs multiple functions including positioning, guiding, and coordinating all grinder heads, enabling increased marking removal capacity while maintaining precise control through automation.
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 precise and efficient removal of road markings, reducing the need for highly skilled operators, improving vehicle efficiency, and enhancing debris management, while allowing for precise depth control and pattern creation in road surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a camera, a controller and one or more actuators that are manipulated in response to ground markings visible in the camera field
Implementation Method 2
A rotary encoder sits against a vehicle tire to detect motion
Implementation Method 3
The grinding head takes feedback from vertical and horizontal linear actuators that have an internal encoder so as instruct the computer where the cylinder is positioned
Data Source
AI summary
A grinder truck with a computer controlled profiler in combination with a vehicle automated guidance system for guiding a vehicle and equipment secured to a vehicle for removing of road markings. The computer controlled profiler detects the position of one or more grinding, grooving, rumbling heads in the X, Y and Z position. A controller and one or more actuators are manipulated in response to ground markings visible in a camera field. A remote controller allows an operator to control grinder heads individually, and allows for precise adjustment based upon an operator's visual inspection.