Soil Compaction Machine Electronic Control and Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soil compaction machines face issues with mechanical complexity, high maintenance requirements, and the need for qualified personnel, leading to increased risk of component failure and downtime, especially in rental scenarios where maintenance and repair are often irregular or inadequate.

Innovation Solution

A soil compaction machine equipped with an operating state determination device that includes an error detection unit, a high-resolution screen for displaying digitized operating instructions, and a data interface for remote monitoring and maintenance, allowing for timely and simplified troubleshooting and maintenance by less qualified personnel, reducing downtime and improving machine reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of excitation units are used to improve steering properties and form lateral force vectors, then the steering capability is improved, but the mechanical complexity increases considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering capabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical steering control with electronic control systems. A control unit receives steering commands and electronically adjusts the excitation units, eliminating the need for complex mechanical steering linkages and reducing overall mechanical complexity while maintaining steering capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the excitation units for compaction, manages steering by forming force vectors, monitors operating parameters, and communicates with external systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If hydraulic motors are arranged on the vibration plate to enable individual control of exciters, then the control precision is improved, but the complexity and mechanical stress on components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic motors with electric motors that are controlled electronically by a control unit. This substitution eliminates the complexity of hydraulic systems, reduces mechanical stress on components, and maintains precise control capability through electronic signal adjustment of motor parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as motor speed, torque, and phase angles of the excitation units. This allows precise control of each exciter without requiring complex mechanical linkages or hydraulic systems, as parameter changes directly translate to desired mechanical behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If maintenance is performed irregularly or not at all to reduce service interruptions, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability decreases due to wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidcomponent reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors operating parameters such as temperature, vibration, and motor performance, and provides feedback to the operator. This enables condition-based maintenance where service is performed based on actual component condition rather than fixed schedules, maintaining reliability while minimizing interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects early signs of component wear and degradation before failures occur. By providing advance warning through the control unit, operators can perform maintenance proactively rather than reactively, preventing sudden breakdowns and ensuring continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If qualified personnel are required for repairs to ensure proper maintenance, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases for rental scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance qualityVSAvoidoperational accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit provides automated diagnostic functions and maintenance guidance that enable less qualified personnel to perform basic maintenance tasks. The system self-monitors its condition and provides structured information about required maintenance actions, reducing dependency on highly skilled technicians while maintaining maintenance quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the complex machine systems and the operator. It translates complex mechanical conditions into understandable information and provides step-by-step guidance for maintenance, bridging the gap between technical complexity and operator capability.

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

The solution enables long-term, reliable operation of soil compaction machines by providing immediate assistance to operators, reducing troubleshooting times, and allowing maintenance by less qualified personnel, thus minimizing machine downtime and extending the service life, while also facilitating remote service and spare part management.

Implementation Method 1

vibration frequency of the compaction plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The opposite rotation of the unbalanced shafts operated at the same number of revolutions causes the centrifugal forces generated by the unbalances to reinforce or compensate for each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3954831B1Soil compaction machine
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 WEBER MASCHENTECHN 57334 BAD LAASPHE DE
  • EP3954831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3954831B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-operated and/or remotely controlled soil compaction machine (1), comprising a compaction plate (2) and a compaction drive (3) that drives the compaction plate (2), and an operating state determination device (10) for determining one or more operating states. The operating state determination device (10) includes a fault detection unit (11) for identifying faulty operating states among the determined operating states, wherein the fault detection unit (11) has a memory (12) with a fault list (L) of potential faulty operating states that are linked to digitized operating instructions (A), and wherein the fault detection unit (11) is configured to output an error message for a detected faulty operating state based on the fault list (L) via a screen (30), comprising an output of the linked digitized operating instruction (A).