Impact-Resistant Ballast Weight for Soil Compactors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Soil compaction machines with concrete weights are prone to damage from impact, leading to operational interruptions and work stoppages due to the limited pressure resistance of concrete, which can result in broken pieces and the need for replacement.

Innovation Solution

The use of an impact-resistant casing made from high-strength materials, filled with a concrete core and reinforced structures, provides the necessary pressure and impact resistance, ensuring the weight remains functional even after damage, with fastening means anchored in the concrete core for enhanced stability and attachment to the machine frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If concrete ballast weights are used, then the weight provides necessary mass for the soil compaction machine, but the concrete has limited pressure resistance and can break off under impact loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveballast weightVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining concrete core with impact-resistant casing materials (such as plastic or composite layers). The concrete provides the necessary mass and compressive strength, while the impact-resistant casing provides shock absorption and protection against impact loads, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The impact-resistant casing serves as a protective shell that is applied beforehand to the concrete core. This casing acts as a cushioning layer that absorbs impact forces before they reach the concrete, preventing direct impact loads from causing the concrete to break off while maintaining the ballast weight's functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If concrete ballast weights are used, then the machine achieves required stability and weight, but damage requires replacement or repair causing operational downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoiddamage repair
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The ballast weight is segmented into distinct functional components: the concrete core providing mass and the impact-resistant casing providing protection. This segmentation allows the casing to be replaced independently if damaged, while the concrete core remains intact and functional, minimizing operational disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The impact-resistant casing provides beforehand protection that prevents damage to the concrete core. When damage occurs, the protective casing can be replaced without replacing the entire ballast weight assembly, reducing repair complexity and operational downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the ballast weight is made entirely of concrete, then manufacturing is simple, but the weight lacks impact resistance and fragments under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidimpact damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining easily manufactured concrete core with impact-resistant casing materials. The concrete core can be manufactured using standard concrete pouring processes, while the impact-resistant casing is applied as a protective layer, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while adding impact protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The impact-resistant casing acts as a protective shell or thin film layer applied over the concrete core. This shell provides impact resistance and prevents fragmentation while allowing the concrete core to maintain its manufacturing simplicity and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3258015B1Soil compactor and method for producing a ballast weight for a soil compactor
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 HAMM AG
  • EP3258015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3258015B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3258015B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5b

AI summary

A soil compaction machine, in particular a roller (1), with a machine frame (2) which supports a body (4), wherein at least one ballast weight (6) adapted to the body (4) is attached to the machine frame (2), it is provided that at least one ballast weight (6) has at least partially an impact-resistant covering (8) which forms part of the body (4).