Road Paver Thickness Sensor Independent of Screed Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining road surface layer thickness during paving are imprecise, require additional personnel and resources, and are affected by screed vibrations and geometry changes, leading to costly repairs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A road finisher with a measuring device attached to the tractor, independent of screed geometry and movement, using sensors to determine layer thickness behind the screed, which is stable and not affected by vibrations, allowing for flexible and accurate measurements without recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound or radar systems are used to determine layer thickness, then measurement capability is provided, but additional operating personnel and repeated repositioning are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a measuring device as an intermediary component that is attached to the screed, using the screed itself as a reference. This eliminates the need for external repositioning systems while maintaining measurement capability, as the device moves with the screed and continuously measures relative to it.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device is merged with the screed structure, combining the paving function and measurement function into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate repositioning operations and allows continuous measurement throughout the paving process.
2Measurement precision
If reflective elements are placed on the surface to improve measurement precision, then localization accuracy is improved, but additional costs and time for distribution are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference function from the road surface (which would require reflective elements) and relocates it to the screed structure itself. The screed serves as the fixed reference point, eliminating the need to modify or add elements to the road surface.
3Measurement precision
If an external reference is used for thickness determination, then measurement capability is provided, but repositioning along the paving route is required
Solution Approach 1:
The screed serves multiple functions: it performs the paving function and simultaneously serves as the reference structure for measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external references that would require repositioning.
4Measurement precision
If measuring devices are attached to the screed, then layer thickness can be determined, but recalibration is required when screed is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is pre-configured to use the screed's own geometric features as the reference, rather than requiring external calibration standards. This preliminary configuration ensures that the device automatically adapts to any screed without requiring recalibration procedures.
5Measurement precision
If screed geometry and movement are used as reference for calculating layer thickness, then measurement is enabled, but inaccuracies occur due to vibrations and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device creates a geometric model or copy of the screed's reference features and uses this copied reference for measurements. This allows the system to distinguish between actual screed geometry and vibrations or contamination, maintaining measurement accuracy even when the physical screed is affected by these factors.
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
Enables precise and cost-effective layer thickness determination, reducing the need for recalibration and minimizing the impact of screed vibrations, resulting in improved measurement accuracy and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one distance sensor (1c) arranged behind the installation screed (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A road paver (100) with a tractor (50), a movable screed (4), and a measuring device (60) for determining the layer thickness (9) of a newly laid road surface (6) by the screed (4). The measuring device (60) is designed to determine the layer thickness (9) at a location (8) behind a rear edge (10) of the screed (4), relative to a direction of travel (V). The measuring device (60) is positioned on the road paver (100) such that the layer thickness (9) can be determined independently of the geometry and/or movement of the screed (4).