Trackless Asphalt Screed Height Control for Precise Road Paving

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for laying mastic asphalt on road surfaces are labor-intensive and require rail-bound equipment, which limits precision and efficiency, particularly in achieving the precise height profiles necessary for high-speed road construction.

Innovation Solution

A device with a height-adjustable paving screed attached to a vehicle that can move on lateral running gears, allowing for rail-free operation and continuous height adjustment using a position determination device, enabling precise control of the asphalt surface without the need for initial rail installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rail-mounted equipment is used for installing mastic asphalt, then manufacturing precision of the asphalt surface is improved, but device complexity and preparation time increase due to rail installation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveasphalt surface precisionVSAvoidrail installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the rail guidance system from the installation process. The vehicle operates without rails, using its own onboard positioning and control systems to achieve the required surface precision, thereby removing the complexity of rail installation and positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical rail guidance system is replaced with an electronic control system comprising sensors, processors, and actuators that continuously monitor and adjust the vehicle's position and the screed's height, achieving precision through electronic feedback rather than mechanical constraints

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

2Manufacturing precision

If continuous height adjustment of the screed is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional adjusting mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreed height precisionVSAvoidheight adjustment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs continuous feedback through sensors that monitor the actual screed height and position, comparing it with the desired profile, and automatically adjusting the screed height through hydraulic or electric actuators to maintain precision without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle integrates multiple functions including propulsion, positioning, screed support, and height adjustment control into a single unified platform, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate specialized equipment for each function

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

3Loss of time

If rail-free operation is implemented, then loss of time is reduced by eliminating rail installation, but manufacturing precision may worsen without mechanical guidance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation timeVSAvoidasphalt surface precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is pre-equipped with integrated positioning systems, sensors, and control mechanisms before operation begins, enabling it to achieve precise asphalt installation without requiring preliminary rail installation, thus eliminating preparation time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle performs its own positioning and height control functions through onboard systems, serving itself without external rail guidance, thereby achieving both time efficiency and precision through autonomous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3875687B1Device for installing asphalt on a road substrate and method for producing an asphalt road
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 KIBAG BAULEISTUNGEN
  • EP3875687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A device for installing mastic asphalt (2) on a road surface (4) comprises a carriage (8) movable in a direction of travel (L) of the road surface on lateral supports (6a, 6b) and an installation screed (10) mounted on the carriage so as to be height-adjustable and oriented transversely to the direction of travel, which extends over a predetermined installation width (B) in order to smooth mastic asphalt poured onto the road surface in front of the carriage to form an asphalt pavement. The installation screed (10) is located between or in front of the lateral supports (6a, 6b).To simplify the installation process, the vehicle is designed for trackless operation and the device is equipped with adjusting means (12) for continuous height adjustment of the installation screed according to a predefined level profile of the asphalt surface, wherein the adjusting means cooperate with a position determination device (14) which comprises a vehicle-mounted component (16) and a stationary component (18).