Sensor-Guided Road Construction Machine Steering for Curved Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing road construction machines lack an efficient guidance system to accurately modify roadway surfaces, particularly in matching contours and curved sections, relying heavily on manual operator steering.

Innovation Solution

A guidance system for road construction machines featuring guide assemblies with a support member, lever, abutment device, sensor, and controller, which automatically adjusts the steering actuator based on detected angles to maintain alignment with structures like curbs, enabling precise modification of the roadway surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual operator steering is used to modify roadway surfaces, then the machine can be operated with simple control systems, but the operational accuracy and precision in matching contours and curved sections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational accuracyVSAvoidguidance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical steering control with an automated guidance system that uses sensors to detect the machine's position and orientation relative to the roadway structure, automatically calculates steering corrections, and actuates the steering mechanism to maintain precise alignment with the structure throughout the modification operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance system enables the machine to automatically steer itself by continuously monitoring its own position through sensors, comparing it to the desired path defined by the roadway structure, and self-correcting its orientation and direction without external manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual operator steering is used, then the control system remains simple, but the operator burden and fatigue increase during prolonged operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator burdenVSAvoidguidance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance system enables the machine to automatically steer itself by continuously monitoring its own position through sensors, comparing it to the desired path defined by the roadway structure, and self-correcting its orientation and direction without external manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously senses the machine's actual position and orientation relative to the roadway structure, compares this feedback with the desired position, and automatically adjusts the steering to eliminate deviations, maintaining precise alignment throughout the operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If automated guidance systems are implemented to improve precision, then operational accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroadway modification precisionVSAvoidguidance system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical steering control with an automated guidance system that uses sensors to detect the machine's position and orientation relative to the roadway structure, automatically calculates steering corrections, and actuates the steering mechanism to maintain precise alignment with the structure throughout the modification operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance system introduces intermediary components including sensors that detect positional information, a controller that processes this information and determines steering corrections, and actuators that execute the steering adjustments, creating a mediating control layer between the operator and the machine's steering mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances operational accuracy and reduces operator burden by providing automated guidance, improving efficiency and comfort while maintaining alignment with structures, thus facilitating precise roadway modifications.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is configured to detect a measured angle between the lever and the support member when the abutment device is abutted against the structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular detection:

Implementation Method 2

The lever is angularly biased away with respect to the support member to extend laterally outwards of the frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular bias:

Data Source

PatentUS12351994B2Guidance system for road construction machines

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 CATERPILLAR PAVING PROD INC

AI summary

A guidance system for a machine includes one or more guide assemblies. Each guide assembly includes a support member, a lever, an abutment device, a sensor, and a controller. The support member is fixedly coupled to a frame of the machine. The lever is angularly biased away with respect to the support member. The abutment device is coupled to the lever is configured to be abutted and guided on a structure extending along a direction in which the machine moves to modify a roadway surface. The sensor detects a measured angle between the lever and the support member when the abutment device is abutted against the structure. The controller controls an actuation of a steering actuator associated with one or more traction devices of the machine to turn the traction devices based on the measured angle to modify the roadway surface along an extent of the structure.