Screed Angle Feedback Control for Uniform Paving and Lower Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Poor paving practices, such as incorrect setup and adjustment of the screed, lead to suboptimal results and accelerated wear on asphalt paving machines, particularly when using a floating screed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of angle sensors on the main and extender screed plates, connected to a controller that adjusts the paving angles independently using actuators, based on historical paving data to ensure optimal positioning and minimize operator errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operators manually set and adjust the screed, then the machine can be operated flexibly, but incorrect setup and adjustment lead to suboptimal paving results and accelerated wear on the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates angle sensors that continuously monitor the paving angle of the screed plates and provide feedback to the controller. The controller compares the measured angles with the desired optimal angles and automatically adjusts the screed position to maintain the correct angle, eliminating reliance on operator skill while ensuring consistent paving quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated angle adjustment system enables the paving machine to self-correct its screed positioning without external intervention. The system autonomously monitors its own operational parameters and makes real-time adjustments to maintain optimal paving conditions, reducing the need for skilled manual operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the screed is set at a fixed angle, then the setup is simple, but it cannot adapt to different paving conditions leading to poor paving results
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed, static screed angle to a dynamic, adjustable angle that can change in real-time based on paving conditions. The angle sensors and actuators enable continuous adjustment of the screed plates to maintain optimal angles throughout the paving process, adapting to varying material flow and road conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The screed is divided into multiple independently controllable segments (main screed plate and extender screed plate), each equipped with its own angle sensor and actuator. This segmentation allows each section to be adjusted independently to the optimal angle, providing fine-grained control over the paving surface while managing system complexity through modular design.
3Manufacturing precision
If the main screed plate and extender screed plate are adjusted together as one unit, then the control mechanism is simpler, but they cannot have different paving angles leading to uneven paving
Solution Approach 1:
The screed assembly is segmented into the main screed plate and extender screed plate as separate, independently controllable units. Each segment has its own angle sensor and actuator, allowing them to be positioned at different angles simultaneously. This segmentation enables precise control over the paving surface geometry, accommodating variations in material distribution and road profile.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the screed (main plate and extender plate) are allowed to have different paving angles optimized for their specific locations and functions. The extender plate can be adjusted to a different angle than the main plate to compensate for material buildup or variations in the roadbed, ensuring uniform paving quality across the entire width.
Data Source
AI summary
A paving machine can include a frame; a screed coupled to the frame; and the screed including a main screed plate and an extender screed plate, each of the main screed plate and the extender screed plate having an angle sensor associated therewith, the angle sensor for each of the main screed plate and the extender screed plate being positioned and configured to determine a paving angle of the main screed plate and the extender screed plate; and a controller, the controller configured to receive the paving angles of the main screed plate and the extender screed plate from the angle sensors and to change the paving angle of the main screed plate and the paving angle of the extender screed plate independently of each other.