Road Paving Area Correction for Complex Edge Shapes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road paving machines face challenges in accurately constructing road surfaces with complex shapes, particularly areas with protrusions like stormwater inlets, where the existing design data may not account for these difficulties.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus is provided that includes a specifying part to identify areas on the road surface that are difficult to construct based on changes in the road edge shape and operating speed of the paving machine, and a correction part to adjust the construction area accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the road paving machine attempts to construct areas with complex shapes and protrusions (e.g., stormwater inlets), then the construction area coverage is improved, but the construction quality and feasibility deteriorate due to inability to properly pave these areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction area coverageVSAvoidconstruction quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and identifies problematic areas (protrusions, complex shapes) from the overall construction area using image processing and edge detection. These areas are then separated into an 'excluded area' that will not be attempted for construction, allowing the machine to focus only on constructible areas and maintain high construction quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the construction area before actual paving begins. By detecting edge changes and identifying excluded areas in advance through image processing and comparison with design data, the system prepares construction information that guides the paving machine to avoid problematic areas, ensuring construction quality from the start.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the road paving machine operates at higher speeds to improve productivity, then the construction efficiency is improved, but the ability to accurately detect and respond to edge shape changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction efficiencyVSAvoidedge shape detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously captures images of the construction area and performs real-time edge detection and analysis. The detected edge information is fed back to update the excluded area identification and guide the paving machine's operations, allowing the system to maintain accurate detection even at higher operating speeds through continuous monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4564117A1Information processing apparatus, road surface paving system, road paving machine, and program
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
  • EP4564117A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4564117A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4564117A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes: a specifying part configured to specify an area to be excluded from a road surface to be constructed by a road paving machine according to a change in a shape of an edge of the road surface to be constructed by the road paving machine, based on information on an operating speed of the road paving machine; and a correction part configured to correct an area of the road surface to be constructed, based on the area to be excluded specified by the specifying part.