Paver Mat Variation Control via Sensor-Based Speed Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Paving machines experience deviations and defects in the paved mat due to the impact during the interfacing process with material supply trucks, which requires manual communication and expensive hydraulic dampening devices to mitigate, but existing solutions do not effectively control the contact to reduce these issues.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses sensors to assess the distance between the paving machine and the material supply machine, with a control system to match the speeds of both machines before contact, allowing for soft and controlled interfacing without the need for expensive dampening devices, by controlling the acceleration and deceleration of either machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If manual communication and hydraulic dampening devices are used to manage the interface between supply truck and paving machine, then the impact during contact is cushioned, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact during interfacingVSAvoidhydraulic dampening devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive hydraulic dampening devices with a control system that uses sensors to detect distance and communicates between the supply truck and paving machine. The supply truck operator controls the interfacing process by adjusting speed and position based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for mechanical cushioning devices while still reducing impact on the paving mat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors mounted on the paving machine detect the distance to the supply truck and transmit this information to the supply truck operator. This real-time feedback allows the operator to adjust the supply truck's position and speed to achieve smooth interfacing without causing impact-induced deviations in the paved mat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the supply truck backs up to contact the paving machine to deliver material, then material transfer is enabled, but impact causes deviations and defects in the paved mat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial transferVSAvoidpaved mat uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the supply truck operator slow down and carefully position the truck just before contact with the paving machine. The sensor system provides advance warning of the approaching contact, allowing the operator to make final adjustments to speed and position to ensure smooth material transfer without impacting the screed and causing mat deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If expensive hydraulic dampening devices are used to reduce impact, then the effect of bump to paving machine is reduced, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebump to paving machineVSAvoidcost effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex hydraulic dampening devices with a simpler, more cost-effective sensor-based communication system. The solution uses affordable sensors and electronic communication to achieve the same protective effect by preventing impact through operator control, rather than absorbing impact through expensive mechanical devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10685564B1Reducing paver mat variation during supply machine interface

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 CATERPILLAR PAVING PROD INC

AI summary

A system for controlling the interface between a paving machine and material supply machine. The system includes a sensor or other means for sensing a distance between the paving machine and the material supply machine and a control system in operable communication with the sensor or other means for sensing and in operable communication with either or both of an operational system of the paving machine and an operational system of the material supply machine to take control of the acceleration or deceleration of either or both of the paving machine and material supply machine.