Soil Compactor with Integrated Marking Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current soil compaction processes in road construction and airport runway production require separate equipment and additional steps for applying road markings, increasing complexity and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A soil compactor with a rotating roller and integrated marking units, including a marking unit that can be immovably or movably supported on the compactor structure, allowing for simultaneous compaction and marking of soil material, with features like edge pressing units, guide rails, and control systems for precise marking application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate equipment is used for applying road markings after soil compaction, then marking application is achieved, but device complexity and process steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplified production of soil structureVSAvoidadditional equipment for marking application
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the marking application device with the soil compactor by mounting a marking material application device on the compactor. This allows marking material to be applied to the soil material during the compaction process itself, eliminating the need for separate marking equipment and subsequent processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The soil compactor is transformed into a multi-functional device that performs both compaction and marking application functions. The compactor structure serves dual purposes: compacting the soil material while simultaneously applying marking material through the integrated marking device, reducing the need for additional specialized equipment.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If marking units are immovably supported on compactor structure, then defined positioning of marking material is achieved, but flexibility for complex shapes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefined positioning of marking materialVSAvoidflexibility for complex marking shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs marking units that can move relative to the compactor structure along guide rails. This dynamic positioning system allows the marking units to be relocated to different positions during operation, enabling the creation of complex marking shapes while maintaining precise positioning control through the guide rail mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Guide rails serve as an intermediary mechanism between the compactor structure and the marking units. The guide rails provide a controlled pathway that enables precise movement and positioning of the marking units, allowing them to achieve both defined positioning and flexibility for complex shapes through structured guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple marking units with guide rails are used, then complex marking shapes are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplex marking shapesVSAvoidguide rail and marking unit drive system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The marking system is divided into multiple independent marking units, each capable of moving along guide rails. This segmentation allows complex marking shapes to be created by coordinating multiple simpler units rather than requiring a single complex mechanism, making the system more manageable and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables simplified and efficient production of soil structures by integrating marking processes into the compaction phase, reducing the need for additional equipment and steps, while allowing for precise and complex road marking designs.

Implementation Method 1

a soil compactor with which soil material, in particular asphalt, can be compacted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

at least one marking unit carried on the compactor structure for applying marking material to soil material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial deposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4389977A1Soil compactor for compacting soil material and method for operating such a soil compactor
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 HAMM AG
  • EP4389977A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4389977A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4389977A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A soil compactor for compacting soil material, in particular asphalt, comprises at least one compactor roller (14, 16) rotatable on a compactor structure (30) about a roller rotation axis (W) that is essentially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction (L) of the compactor and at least one marking unit (26, 26') carried on the compactor structure (30) for applying marking material (M) to soil material (12) driven over by the soil compactor (10).