Laser Scanner Sensor System for Road Finisher Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road finishing machines rely on manual steering and leveling, which is labor-intensive and prone to errors, necessitating an automated solution for precise distance and angle adjustments to maintain alignment with references during asphalt paving.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising a laser scanner and evaluation unit that detects objects as references by analyzing distance and intensity values across a specified angular range, allowing for precise determination of distance and angle adjustments to maintain alignment with references, thereby automating the steering and leveling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual steering and leveling are used, then operator flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but operator workload increases and measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical steering and leveling operations with an automated sensor-based system. A laser scanner automatically measures distance and angle to references, and an evaluation unit processes this data to control the finishing machine's positioning, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the finishing machine to automatically determine its own position and orientation relative to references without continuous human intervention. The sensor system continuously monitors and adjusts steering and leveling parameters autonomously, allowing the machine to self-correct its alignment while reducing operator workload to supervisory levels.
2Productivity
If automated steering is implemented using sensor systems, then productivity and measurement precision improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser scanner serves multiple functions within the system: it measures distance to references, determines angular position, and provides data for both steering control and leveling control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors for each measurement task, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit acts as an intermediary that processes raw sensor data and translates it into control signals for the finishing machine. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing data processing and coordination, managing the complexity of coordinating multiple sensors and actuators through a single intelligent interface.
3Manufacturing precision
If continuous precise adjustment of steering is required, then alignment accuracy improves, but response time and measurement frequency increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback control where the laser scanner repeatedly measures the finishing machine's position and orientation relative to references, and the evaluation unit uses this feedback to make real-time adjustments to steering and leveling. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures high alignment accuracy while managing control complexity through systematic error correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system operates continuously during paving operations, constantly monitoring alignment parameters and making incremental adjustments rather than periodic corrections. This continuous action maintains high precision throughout the paving process without requiring complex batch-processing control systems, as the adjustment is an ongoing seamless operation.
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 sensor system enables precise automation of steering and leveling, reducing operator workload and ensuring accurate alignment with references, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of asphalt paving operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first laser scanner that can be arranged on the construction machine and is configured to search a specified angular range for objects and to determine corresponding distance values, which describe the distance to the one or several objects, together with corresponding intensity values, which describe an intensity of a reflection resulting at the one or several objects
Implementation Method 2
intensity values, which describe an intensity of a reflection resulting at the one or several objects
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system for a construction machine, in particular a road finishing machine, includes a laser scanner and an evaluation unit. The laser scanner can be arranged on the construction machine or the road finishing machine itself and is configured to search a specified angular range for objects and to determine angles of the specified angular range according to distance values describing the distance to the one or several objects together with corresponding intensity values describing an intensity of a reflection resulting at the one or several objects. The evaluation unit is configured to detect an object as a reference together with corresponding angles based on a known pattern including the distance values and the intensity values across the angles. Further, the evaluation unit is configured to determine a distance to the reference and/or an angle with respect to the reference.