Road Construction Machine With Real-Time Texture-Based Asphalt Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional road construction methods rely on average texture measurements, leading to inconsistent asphalt application, which can result in over-application or under-application, causing slippery surfaces, wastage, and damage, and are labor-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A machine equipped with sensors and a specially programmed processor to detect surface texture in real-time, determining precise material application amounts and automatically applying them to ensure optimal road construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If average texture measurements are used to determine asphalt application rate, then the planning process is simplified, but the application precision deteriorates leading to over-application or under-application
Solution Approach 1:
The road surface is divided into multiple segments along its length, with each segment having its own texture measurement and corresponding asphalt application rate. The spray bar is also segmented into multiple independently controllable nozzle groups, allowing each segment to receive customized asphalt application based on its specific texture characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different asphalt application rates are applied to different locations along the road based on local texture measurements. The system transitions from a uniform average application rate to location-specific variable application rates, ensuring each area receives the precise amount needed for its specific surface conditions.
2Device complexity
If manual texture measurements are taken to generate the application plan, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the time consumption and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The texture measurement and asphalt application processes are merged into a continuous operation. The sensor continuously measures surface texture as the spray truck moves along the road, and the controller continuously adjusts the asphalt application rate in real-time, eliminating the interruption between separate measurement and application phases.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical texture measurement methods (such as sand circle tests) are replaced with electronic sensors that automatically detect surface texture. The mechanical process of manual measurement and plan calculation is substituted with automated electronic sensing and computer-controlled adjustment of the spray system.
3Device complexity
If the asphalt application rate is fixed based on average measurements, then the control system is simpler, but the adaptability to surface variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The asphalt application rate transitions from a static fixed value to a dynamic variable that continuously adjusts based on real-time surface texture measurements. The spray bar and nozzle groups can dynamically change their output rates as the truck moves along different road segments with varying textures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback loop where surface texture is continuously measured by sensors, the measurements are processed by the controller, and the controller adjusts the asphalt application rate accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to surface variations without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of building a road is disclosed. The method may include moving a machine over a surface on which the road is to be built, and generating a signal indicative of a texture of the surface during movement of the machine over the surface. The method may also include detecting a location of the texture on the surface, and determining, using a specially programmed processor, an amount of a material to be applied to the location of the texture on the surface based on the signal. The method may further include automatically applying the amount of material to the location of the texture on the surface to build the road.