Road Paver Screed Heating Control via Dynamic Engine Speed Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled road finishers inefficiently manage energy consumption during paving operations, leading to unnecessary environmental burden and limited fuel savings, as they lack precise control over power requirements and heating efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that measures current consumption between the electric screed heating and generator to determine regenerative power requirements, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the combustion engine speed and output voltage to match actual power needs, thereby optimizing energy use and reducing operational readiness risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the diesel engine runs at rated speed to ensure continuous operational readiness, then the power supply to working units is reliable, but noise emissions and fuel consumption increase unnecessarily during interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment of the diesel engine based on real-time monitoring of generator power output and paving operation status. The control system automatically reduces engine speed during interruptions when full power is not needed, while maintaining rated speed when continuous operational readiness is required. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the engine speed flexible rather than fixed, allowing optimization of fuel consumption without sacrificing reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control system that continuously monitors generator current output, paving operation status, and engine speed. The control unit processes this feedback information to determine whether to maintain or reduce engine speed. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust engine speed based on actual power requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining operational readiness and reducing fuel consumption during interruptions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the generator is designed to supply sufficient electrical power at reduced speed, then fuel savings are achieved, but the savings potential remains small when continuous operational readiness is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by reducing engine speed only to the extent necessary during interruptions, rather than maintaining full rated speed. The control system determines the minimum speed required to meet actual power demands during non-paving periods, achieving fuel savings proportional to the reduction in operational activity. This partial adjustment resolves the contradiction by avoiding excessive speed reduction that would compromise readiness while capturing available fuel savings.
3Ease of operation
If the driver manually controls the speed of the diesel engine, then adjustments to power requirements can be made, but the driver cannot know the actual power requirement and may burden the environment with unnecessary noise and exhaust fumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the diesel engine control system to automatically determine and adjust engine speed based on monitored generator power output and paving operation status. The control system independently makes speed adjustment decisions without requiring driver input or knowledge of actual power requirements. This automation resolves the contradiction by eliminating the information gap between the driver and actual power needs, preventing unnecessary noise and emissions while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
4Temperature
If excitation voltage at the generator is changed to vary electrical output, then heating process on the paver screed can be increased or decreased, but no significant fuel savings are achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the excitation voltage of the generator to vary its electrical output power. The control system modifies excitation voltage based on monitored generator current and power output, enabling precise control of electrical power delivered to the screed heating elements. This parameter adjustment allows independent control of heating intensity without requiring changes in engine speed, resolving the contradiction by decoupling temperature control from fuel consumption through electrical parameter optimization.
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 approach enables better energy management, reducing noise emissions and fuel consumption by operating the internal combustion engine at lower speeds while ensuring reliable power supply to the screed heating, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a generator (5) for converting motor power supplied by the internal combustion engine (3) into electrical power
Implementation Method 2
at least one heater (8, 9) for heating a screed (2) of the road finisher with the electrical power
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for operating a self-propelling road paver which can be controlled using a machine controller (10), in which an internal combustion engine (3) supplies motor power for drives of a hydraulic system (4) and for a generator (5) in order to generate generator power for supplying at least one electric screed heater with electrical energy, and the motor power and generator power are changed by means of a motor controller (7) and generator control (6), wherein before and/or during the installation process current measurements of the current flowing between an electric screed heater, dimensioned independently of the frequency, and the generator (5) are carried out in order to determine and measure a generator power which is taken up currently at least by the electric screed heater.