Milling Machine Parallel Head Control for Road Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current milling machines for road surfaces are limited in their ability to efficiently mill specific areas, such as diagonal grooves, and lack precision and automation, leading to labor-intensive processes and safety concerns due to water accumulation and aquaplaning risks.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled milling machine with adjustable milling heads and an opto-electronic detection system that can mill multiple parallel strips simultaneously, equipped with a stabilizing and leveling device, allowing for precise alignment and operation on varying road slopes, and capable of driving independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple individual milling machines are used to mill parallel strips, then milling coverage is increased, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilling coverageVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple milling machines into a single integrated vehicle-mounted system with multiple milling heads arranged in parallel. This allows simultaneous milling of multiple parallel strips across the road surface, achieving the same milling coverage as multiple individual machines but with reduced labor intensity and time consumption since one vehicle performs the work of several machines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The milling vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that can simultaneously perform multiple milling operations on different road lanes. The system can mill parallel strips across multiple lanes in one pass, making a single vehicle universal enough to replace multiple specialized machines while improving operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If manual guidance is used for milling machines, then operational flexibility is maintained, but positioning precision and safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates optoelectronic detection systems that scan the road surface and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This allows the milling vehicle to automatically adjust its position and milling head locations based on detected road features, lane markings, and slope variations, achieving high positioning precision while maintaining operational flexibility through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The milling system performs self-positioning and self-alignment using onboard sensors and control systems. The optoelectronic detection system automatically identifies the correct milling locations and guides the milling heads without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to service itself in terms of positioning and alignment while improving both precision and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If road surface is milled without precise leveling, then operational simplicity is maintained, but water drainage and road safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidwater accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optoelectronic detection systems to continuously monitor road surface slopes and elevation changes. This feedback information is used by the control system to dynamically adjust the vertical position of milling heads, ensuring that milled strips are created at the correct depth and angle to promote proper water drainage while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of the milling heads based on real-time road condition detection. The vertical position, depth, and angle of milling heads are automatically adjusted according to detected slope variations and elevation changes, ensuring optimal drainage geometry without requiring complex manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3292247B1Milling machine for road surfaces or pavements
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 AQUATEC IQ TECH GMBH
  • EP3292247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3292247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3292247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a milling machine (100) comprising a bottom side (11) on which at least two milling heads (1a-1f) are individually movable and controllable in at least one translational movement (15a-15f) in one transverse rail (13a-13f) each, the rails running parallel to one another.