Road making machine with heat pump

Solution Overview

Problem

Road finishing machines and charger vehicles face high energy costs and increased accumulator capacity requirements due to electric heating systems, which are inefficient and costly for screed heating.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a heat pump system that utilizes thermal energy from ambient air and waste heat to efficiently heat components, such as the screed, while also cooling down other components like the energy storage, thereby reducing energy consumption and maintaining a compact machine design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If electric heating systems are used to heat the screed, then the screed can be heated effectively, but energy costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreed temperatureVSAvoidenergy cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts waste heat from the exhaust gas into a useful resource for heating the screed. The exhaust gas, which would otherwise be discarded, is directed through a heat exchange system to transfer thermal energy to the screed, thereby eliminating waste and reducing the need for additional energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a heat exchange system as an intermediary between the exhaust gas and the screed. This intermediary device facilitates efficient thermal energy transfer from the exhaust gas to the screed, enabling indirect heating while maintaining system efficiency and controlling energy transfer rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If electric heating systems are used for road making machines, then components can be heated, but accumulator capacity must be enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidaccumulator capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts waste heat from the exhaust gas into a useful resource for heating the screed. The exhaust gas, which would otherwise be discarded, is directed through a heat exchange system to transfer thermal energy to the screed, thereby eliminating waste and reducing the need for additional energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system becomes self-sufficient by utilizing the vehicle's own exhaust gas as the heat source. The system heats the screed using internally generated waste heat, eliminating the need for external power sources or enlarged accumulator capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If waste heat from exhaust gas is used for heating, then energy efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas heating system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides thermal energy for screed heating, utilizes existing exhaust infrastructure, and can be integrated with existing vehicle control systems. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The heat pump system achieves a significant efficiency improvement of 300-500% in screed heating, reducing energy costs and eliminating the need for enlarged accumulator capacity, thus enhancing the overall energy efficiency and operational costs of road making machines.

Implementation Method 1

The road making machine (1) comprises a heating system (11) which includes a heat pump (14). A heat pump can be a machine which takes up thermal energy at a low temperature and transfers it as usable heat—together with the driving energy—to a system or apparatus to be heated at a higher temperature.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pump: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The heat pump system achieves a significant efficiency improvement of 300-500% in screed heating, reducing energy costs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

The implementation of a heat pump system that utilizes thermal energy from ambient air and waste heat to efficiently heat components, such as the screed, while also cooling down other components like the energy storage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS20240125059A1Road making machine with heat pump

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 JOSEPH VOEGELE AG

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a road making machine in the form of a road finishing machine for producing a paving layer, or of a charger vehicle for conveying laying material to a road finishing machine. The road making machine includes a tractor, a primary drive source, a chassis, a material bunker, and a heating system, wherein the heating system includes a heat pump.