Soil Compactor Path Control for Uniform Compaction Levels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil compaction methods struggle to ensure a sufficient but not excessive compaction level, as they rely on manual verification of compactor travel and compaction effects, which can lead to inconsistent results and potential soil structure damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and soil compactor system that uses location and travel data to generate an as-built model of compaction level, determining boundaries and an up-to-date travel path, and continuously measures and updates compaction levels to ensure accurate and controlled compaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual verification of compactor travel and compaction effects is used, then the compaction process is simple to operate, but the compaction level consistency and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction level consistencyVSAvoidmeasurement and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual verification methods with automated electronic measurement and control systems. Location data from GPS receivers and compaction measurements from sensors are processed by a control unit to automatically monitor and control compaction levels, eliminating the need for manual verification while ensuring consistent and reliable compaction results.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where compaction measurements are continuously taken and compared against target compaction levels. The control unit receives location data and compaction measurements, processes this information, and provides feedback to adjust the compaction process, ensuring consistent compaction quality and reliability throughout the work area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If excessive compaction effect is applied to ensure sufficient compaction level, then the compaction reliability is improved, but the soil structure integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction level assuranceVSAvoidsoil structure damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously receives compaction measurements and location data, comparing actual compaction levels against target values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the compaction process in real-time, ensuring sufficient compaction is achieved without applying excessive compaction effects that would damage soil structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of compaction parameters based on real-time measurements and location data. The system adapts the compaction process to local conditions, modifying compaction intensity and coverage area dynamically to achieve reliable compaction while protecting soil structure from excessive compaction damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple passes over each area are performed to achieve sufficient compaction, then the compaction level is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction level achievementVSAvoidcompaction work efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from compaction measurements and location tracking to determine when sufficient compaction has been achieved in each area. This eliminates unnecessary multiple passes by providing real-time information about compaction status, allowing the compactor to move to new areas once target compaction levels are reached, thereby improving productivity while maintaining compaction quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit plans and monitors the compaction process in advance, using location data to track which areas have been compacted and to what level. This preliminary planning and monitoring prevents redundant passes by ensuring each area is compacted only as many times as necessary to achieve the target compaction level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If automated location tracking and compaction measurement systems are implemented, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation and compaction measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem component quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives and processes location data from GPS receivers, collects compaction measurements from sensors, compares measurements against target values, and controls the compaction process. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate systems into a single integrated unit, improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines location tracking functionality and compaction measurement functionality into an integrated system managed by a single control unit. By merging these functions, the system achieves high measurement precision for both location and compaction levels while avoiding the complexity of having completely separate tracking and measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures precise control over compaction levels, preventing excessive compaction and ensuring uniformity across the work area, thereby maintaining soil integrity and achieving the desired compaction without overlap or undercompaction.

Implementation Method 1

producing, by at least one soil compacting device forming part of the soil compactor, pressure pulses or vibrations to the soil to be compacted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

producing, by at least one soil compacting device forming part of the soil compactor, pressure pulses or vibrations to the soil to be compacted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure pulses: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

driving the soil compactor a sufficient number of times over each part of the area to be compacted a weight of the soil compactor provides the sufficient compaction level of soil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4029996B1Method for compacting soil and soil compactor
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 NOVATRON
  • EP4029996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4029996B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4029996B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for compacting soil by a soil compactor comprising at least one soil compacting device, and a soil compactor. The method comprises generating an as-built model of compaction level covering at least a work order area to be compacted, determining boundaries for the work order area and determining location data for an area over which the at least one soil compacting device travels. Furthermore, it is generated an up-to-date travel path to be driven to cover the work order area by the at least one soil compacting device by using compactor operation for compacting soil and measurement function for measuring the compaction level of soil while compacting. The soil compactor is driven according to the up-to-date travel path and a location-specific as-built compaction level of soil and determined boundaries for the work order area are saved to the as-built model of compaction level.