Road Finisher Subsurface Temperature Sensor for Compaction Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road finishers face challenges in accurately measuring subsurface temperatures due to heat stress and interference from freshly paved layers, which affects compaction processes and paving quality.
Innovation Solution
A road finisher equipped with a temperature sensor aligned to detect subsurface temperatures in front of the screed, independent of screed movement, reducing heat exposure and interference, and capable of transmitting georeferenced data for adjusting paving parameters and compaction schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is attached to the screed to measure the temperature of the newly laid paving layer, then the temperature data can be used for compaction control, but the measuring instrument is exposed to increased heat stress and measurement results can be disrupted by rising aerosols or vapors
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the screed and relocated to the road finisher body, separating the measurement function from the heat-generating paving process. This allows the sensor to measure subsurface temperature without being directly exposed to the harmful thermal environment and aerosols generated by hot asphalt laying.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsurface temperature serves as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine the temperature of the newly laid paving layer. By measuring the temperature of the subsoil in front of the screed, the system infers the initial temperature conditions of the asphalt layer without directly measuring the asphalt itself, thus avoiding heat stress and aerosol interference.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is positioned close to the screed for accurate measurement, then temperature data can be obtained, but the measurement is disturbed by screed leveling movements and functional conflicts with other measuring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the screed assembly and mounted on the road finisher body instead. This physical separation eliminates the functional conflicts with other screed-mounted measuring systems (such as thickness measurement systems) and removes the sensor from the complex mechanical environment of screed leveling movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach shifts from directly measuring the paving layer in the horizontal plane to measuring the subsurface temperature in the vertical dimension. The sensor points downward to measure subsoil temperature, which provides information about the initial temperature conditions without being affected by horizontal screed movements or conflicts with other lateral measuring systems.
3Productivity
If the temperature sensor measures the newly laid paving layer, then compaction parameters can be adjusted, but the measurement requires complex mounting arrangements that are difficult to maintain and may interfere with other systems
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the complex screed mounting arrangement and relocated to the road finisher body, which provides a stable, accessible, and simple mounting location. This reduces maintenance complexity while still enabling compaction process optimization through subsurface temperature measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsurface temperature measurement serves as an intermediary that provides sufficient information for compaction control without requiring direct measurement of the paving layer. This indirect measurement approach simplifies the mounting requirements while maintaining the ability to optimize compaction parameters based on initial temperature conditions.
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
This solution provides accurate and reliable subsurface temperature measurements, improving paving quality by allowing for optimal screed heating regulation and compaction adjustments, reducing material defects and ensuring consistent layer thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor (15) which is attached to the road finisher (1) and aligned with the subsoil (5) in such a way that it can detect a temperature of at least one area of the subsoil (5)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A road paver (1) comprising a screed (7) for laying a paving layer (6) on a substrate (5) and at least one temperature sensor (15). According to the invention, the temperature sensor (15) is attached to the road paver (1) and aligned with the substrate (5) such that it can detect the temperature of at least one area (5a) of the substrate (5) that lies in front of the screed (7) when viewed in the direction of travel F. According to the invention, the temperature data of the substrate area can be georeferenced and sent to a subsequent compaction vehicle (22) to determine a rolling pattern, which then determines or adjusts its rolling pattern accordingly.