Sensor-Based Correction Unit for Road Paver Screed Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in constructing road pavements lies in achieving a precise overlap between adjacent strips to ensure uniformity and prevent structural issues such as rim formation or breakage due to excessive or insufficient material, which is difficult to control manually, leading to potential road damage from vehicle stress or water infiltration during freezing conditions.

Innovation Solution

A correction unit for a road paving machine equipped with a sensor device that senses the underlying surface and provides a sensing signal to adjust the side plate of the screed relative to a line, allowing for precise control of the overlap without altering the driving direction of the machine, thereby automating the correction process and improving precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual control of overlap is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but precision and consistency of overlap control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverlap precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated sensor-based system. A sensor detects the position of the existing pavement edge, and this information is fed to a control system that automatically adjusts the screed or paver position, eliminating reliance on operator skill and attention while maintaining system simplicity through direct sensor-to-control integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-correction by using the sensor to continuously monitor the overlap condition and automatically adjusting the paving equipment position. The control system serves itself by processing sensor data and making real-time position corrections without external intervention, ensuring consistent precision throughout the paving operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If overlap is increased to prevent breakage, then pavement density improves, but rim formation occurs due to excess material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepavement integrityVSAvoidsurface uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor continuously detects the position of the existing pavement edge and provides this information to a control system. The control system processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the paving equipment position in real-time, maintaining the optimal overlap range to prevent both breakage and rim formation through continuous monitoring and correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the paving equipment position based on real-time sensor detection of the existing pavement edge. Rather than using a fixed overlap setting, the system continuously adapts the overlap distance to match actual field conditions, ensuring optimal pavement integrity and surface uniformity throughout the paving operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If overlap is decreased to avoid rim formation, then surface uniformity improves, but pavement density decreases leading to breakage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface uniformityVSAvoidpavement integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system receives continuous feedback from the sensor detecting the existing pavement edge position and automatically adjusts the paving equipment to maintain the optimal overlap range, preventing both excessive overlap that causes rims and insufficient overlap that causes breakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically optimizes the overlap distance by continuously detecting actual field conditions through the sensor and adjusting the paving equipment position in real-time, ensuring the overlap remains within the optimal range for both surface uniformity and pavement integrity under varying construction conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If automated correction system is implemented, then overlap precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition control precisionVSAvoidcorrection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual control operations with a simplified automated system consisting of a sensor for detecting pavement edge position and a control system that processes this information to automatically adjust equipment position, achieving high precision through electronic control rather than mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor acts as an intermediary between the existing pavement and the control system, converting physical edge position into detectable signals. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system by providing a direct, automated measurement interface that eliminates the need for complex manual measurement and adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3310964B1Correction unit
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 TF TECHNOLOGIES AS
  • EP3310964B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3310964B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3310964B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a correction unit (13) for correcting the position of a side plate (2, 2') of a screed (4) of a road paving machine (1) for constructing a road pavement relative to a line (12) on an underlying surface on which the road paving ma- chine (1) is adapted to move, the correction unit (13) comprising a sensor device, where the sensor device is adapted to sense at least part of said underlying surface comprising the line (12) and identify a displacement of the side plate (2, 2') of the screed (4) of the road paving machine (1) relative to the line (12) on the underlying sur- face and provide a sensing signal for controlling the position of the side plate (2, 2'). The present invention further relates to a screed (4) and a road paving machine (1) comprising the correction unit (13).