Road Paver Screed Heating Timing for Reduced Idle Energy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for heating a paving screed on a road paver require pre-heating before operation, which is inefficient, economically challenging, and not environmentally friendly, as they demand precise planning and consume unnecessary energy.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a control unit that automatically heats the screed by determining a start time based on a specified operation time, using energy sources like accumulators or fuel cells, and considering environmental parameters to minimize idle heating time and energy consumption, ensuring the screed reaches the working temperature just before operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the screed is heated before the paver is started, then the material can be reliably heated to the desired temperature, but the paver requires partial operation before actual work can begin, leading to time loss and energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of material heatingVSAvoidtime for pre-heating operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is activated in advance of the actual paving operation to pre-heat the screed to the required operating temperature. The control unit calculates the necessary start time based on the predetermined commissioning time and environmental parameters, initiating heating before the paver begins its working cycle, thus ensuring the screed is ready without delaying production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, precipitation, brightness) and adjusts the heating duration and intensity accordingly. This feedback mechanism optimizes the pre-heating process by extending or reducing heating time based on actual weather conditions, ensuring reliable screed temperature while minimizing energy waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the screed is heated in advance to ensure operating temperature, then material application can proceed smoothly, but precise planning is required and energy is consumed during idle periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoothness of material applicationVSAvoidenergy consumption during idle heating
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is made dynamic by continuously adjusting heating parameters based on real-time environmental conditions. The control unit modifies heating intensity and duration according to weather changes, ensuring the screed reaches optimal temperature with minimal energy consumption while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (heating power, duration, timing) based on environmental parameters. By adapting heating settings to actual weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation, the system optimizes energy usage while ensuring the screed is properly heated for smooth material application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the operator manually plans the heating schedule, then heating can be coordinated with work requirements, but this is challenging and requires precise planning under changing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of heating coordinationVSAvoidcomplexity of planning process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically performs the planning and coordination of the heating schedule without requiring manual operator intervention. It independently calculates the optimal start time based on the predetermined commissioning time and environmental parameters, eliminating the need for complex manual planning while ensuring heating is properly coordinated with work requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies operation planning, reduces energy consumption, and makes the heating process more ecologically and economically compatible by optimizing the heating time and energy use, allowing for efficient and timely heating of the screed.

Implementation Method 1

Automatic heating of the screed by supplying energy to a heating device of the screed from an energy source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4283044A1Method for heating an installation board of a road finisher
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 JOSEPH VOEGELE AG
  • EP4283044A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4283044A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4283044A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for heating a screed of a road paver, the method comprising: - Obtaining a predetermined time for commissioning the screed; - Obtaining a start time for beginning the heating of the screed based on the predetermined time; - Automatically heating the screed by supplying energy to a heating device of the screed from an energy source from the start time.