Road Finishing Machine Conveyor Control via Pilot Anticipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road finishing machines experience latency in material throughput control, leading to sudden acceleration of conveyor systems and resulting in extreme load peaks, engine stops, and suboptimal road quality due to delayed sensor detection of material demand changes.
Innovation Solution
A pilot control system for the conveyor rate of road finishing machines, which adjusts based on detected laying parameters, such as spread width, screed position, and travel speed, to anticipate and smoothly adjust material delivery rates, reducing load peaks and maintaining constant conveyor speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If open-loop or closed-loop control with sensors is used to regulate conveyor speeds, then material throughput can be adjusted, but latency occurs between detecting material demand changes and the control reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates and anticipates future material throughput requirements based on current laying parameters (spread width, thickness, density, feed rate) before the actual demand occurs. This preliminary calculation allows the conveyor system to be pre-adjusted, eliminating the latency that occurs when waiting for sensor detection and reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of the conveyor rate based on predicted operational changes (such as screed extension) before these changes actually affect material demand. This proactive approach prevents the delayed reaction that causes load peaks.
2Productivity
If the control system reacts to sensor-detected material throughput changes, then material demand can be compensated, but sudden acceleration occurs causing extreme load peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit anticipates material throughput requirements by calculating future demand based on current laying parameters and predicted operational changes. This allows smooth, gradual adjustment of conveyor speed before actual demand changes occur, preventing sudden accelerations and load peaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary counter-adjustments to prevent load peaks before they occur. By calculating future material requirements and pre-adjusting conveyor speed, the system counteracts the tendency toward sudden acceleration and extreme load demands on the engine.
3Productivity
If conveyor rate is sharply adjusted to compensate for increased material demand, then material throughput increases, but engine performance limits are reached causing engine stops
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates future material throughput requirements based on laying parameters and predicted operational changes, then gradually adjusts conveyor speed in advance. This prevents sudden sharp adjustments that would cause the engine to reach performance limits and stop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts conveyor speed based on real-time laying parameters and predicted operational changes, optimizing the rate of adjustment to match engine performance capabilities. This dynamic control prevents the conveyor rate from exceeding engine power limits.
4Productivity
If sensor-based control is used to detect material throughput, then material distribution can be regulated, but road quality deteriorates due to delayed reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates future material throughput requirements based on laying parameters (spread width, thickness, density, feed rate) and predicted operational changes. This preliminary calculation enables smooth, continuous material distribution adjustment, maintaining constant precompaction quality without the delays inherent in sensor-based reactive control.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a road finishing machine with a controllable longitudinal conveyor device and a transverse conveyor device for mixed laying material disposed in the rear in the direction of motion. The road finishing machine furthermore comprises a control unit for adjusting a delivery rate of the longitudinal conveyor device and/or the transverse conveyor device. The control unit is connected with a sensory mechanism for determining a mixed laying material quantity or rate and adjusts the delivery rate in response to a signal from the sensory mechanism representing the mixed laying material quantity or rate. The control unit can be pilot controlled in response to laying parameters by a pilot control unit.