MACHINE AND METHOD FOR LAYING WELL-PACKED FOUNDATIONS FOR PAVER BLOCKS

Abstract

Present invention discloses a machine (100) and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks. The machine (100) includes a substrate flow control system (104) and a foundation retention system (106) embedded in a truss-based cradle frame (102). The substrate flow control system (104) controls the flow of a substrate material. The foundation retention system (106) stabilises a foundation formed by the substrate material during the wet condition. The truss-based cradle frame (102) is configured to hold the assembly of the substrate flow control system (104) and the foundation retention system (106). Further, the machine (100) enables a user to generate a well-packed foundation for a paver block arrangement through the controlled flow of the substrate material to form the foundation of a pre-defined thickness on a ground track and stabilising the foundation employing the foundation retention system (106) by the movement of the machine (100).

Specification

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of paver block laying machines. In particular, it relates to a machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] A popular ornamental technique for constructing a pavement or hard-standing is block paving. Common applications for block paving include roads, courtyards, driveways, pavements, and walkways. Because of the interlocking's strength and the flexibility to swap out individual blocks, block paving is a fantastic surface option for roads and walkways. Block paving is usually installed by workers specialised in that field because they know the best way to lay and interlock the bricks correctly. Paver block laying machines are also employed to perform the task because depending on the size of the space being paved it usually takes a few days to finish the work by human workers. One of the Japanese patent application publications, JP2006241838A, entitled "Push-roller device of paving machine", discloses a push-roller device of a paving machine capable of preventing the occurrence of a construction fault marking a screed mark up a paving surface by easing and absorbing impact. Another existing Chinese patent publication, CN214271512U, entitled "Double-block type ballastless track supporting layer paver", discloses a double-block type ballastless track supporting layer paver. Another existing Chinese patent publication, CN109281241A, entitled "The road-finishing machine or charging vehicle of ejector apparatus with material transferring process", discloses a road-finishing machine with material transferring process.
[0004] However, the existing machines are limited in many ways. The existing machines require complex machinery that may limit the workforce and make it hard to fix by individuals. Also, the existing machines are expensive compared to traditional options as the cost of specialised parts and limited suppliers make the overall initial cost significantly higher than traditional competitors. Moreover, few of the existing machines use brand-new technology that requires new methods of manufacturing that may not be as widely spread and accessible to common people, and this may limit the practical service time. Hence, there exists a need for a machine that provides a distinct solution that overcomes the limitations of prior art facilitating paver block layering with foundation stabilization.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks.
[0007] It is another object of the present disclosure that relates to a machine and method that automatically controls the flow rate of the substrate material to give a foundation layer with a perfect thickness and is well-packed.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure that relates to a machine and method which enable the user to set layer thicknesses of the foundation in advance providing consistency and ease of operation.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure that relates to a machine and method which employs a foundation retention machine using an elastic polymer net to stabilize the foundation by properly embedding and tensioning the net during the substrate laying process to attain the foundation with structural integrity.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure that relates to a machine and method which modulate the flow rate of the substrate in real-time for obtaining a foundation with uniform substrate thickness.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention relates to the field of paver block laying machines. In particular, it relates to a machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks. In specific, it relates to a machine and method that automatically controls the flow rate of the substrate material to give a foundation layer with a perfect thickness and is well-packed.
[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a machine for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks. The machine includes a substrate flow control system and a foundation retention system embedded in a truss-based cradle frame. The substrate flow control system is configured to control the flow of a substrate material. The foundation retention system is configured to stabilise a foundation formed by the substrate material during the wet condition. The truss-based cradle frame is configured to hold the assembly of the substrate flow control system and the foundation retention system. Further, the machine is configured to enable a user to generate a well-packed foundation for a paver block arrangement through the controlled flow of the substrate material to form the foundation of a pre-defined thickness on a ground track and stabilising the foundation employing the foundation retention system by the movement of the machine.
[0013] In an aspect, the substrate flow control system includes a pair of control valves coupled to a substrate container. The pair of control valves are configured to control a flow rate of the substrate material stored in the substate container to get deposited on the ground track. Further, the substrate flow control system includes a valve controller coupled to the pair of control valves. The valve controller is configured to actuate the pair of control valves to control an opening size of the pair of control valves thereby controlling the flow rate of the substrate material. The valve controller includes a user interface configured to enable the user to set the pre-defined thickness of the substrate layer forming the foundation. Further, the valve controller includes an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) coupled to the user interface. The ECU is configured to determine an optimal flowrate and an instantaneous velocity to attain the pre-defined thickness. Further, the valve controller includes an accelerometer coupled to the ECU. The accelerometer is configured to attain the instantaneous velocity used to modulate the opening size of the pair of control valves. Furthermore, the valve controller includes a stepper motor coupled to the ECU and the pair of control valves by a pair of tensioning cables and the stepper motor is configured to perform the modulation process to modulate the opening size of the pair of control valves
[0014] In an aspect, the substrate flow control system is configured to measure the velocity of the machine to accurately control the flow rate of the sand by opening the pair of control valves. The opening and closing of the pair of control valves are controlled by the tensioning caused by the stepper motor on a retainer torque spring through the pair of tensioning cables. The retainer torque spring is coupled to an outlet hole of the pair of control valves and the pair of tensioning cables.
[0015] In an aspect, the foundation retention system includes a net attachable to the ground and configured to obtain retention abilities during the wet condition by giving the foundation a precise structure by extending across the foundation, wherein the net is laid simultaneously with the substrate material during a laying process. Further, the foundation retention system includes a net tensioning roller coupled to a front portion of the substrate container and the net tensioning roller is configured to maintain the position and tension in the net during the laying process by partially embedding the net in the substrate material.
[0016] In an aspect, the net is embedded in the substrate during the laying process by passing through the machine and assigning the net in place by the net tensioning roller. The net is fixed on the ground by fixing a first end of the net at a first end of a required pavement by employing a plurality of nails and extending across the path while passing through the machine and fixing a second end of the net at a second end of the required pavement by the plurality of nails after the machine completely passes through the required pavement.
[0017] In an aspect, the truss-based cradle frame includes a pair of front roller wheels and a pair of rear roller wheels coupled to the substrate container. The pair of front roller wheels and the pair of rear roller wheels are configured to facilitate compression of the foundation while maintaining a flat level and required thickness across the complete stretch of the operation. The pair of rear roller wheels is configured to perform an actual compression of the net into the substrate material after the partially embedding by the net tensioning roller. Further, the truss-based cradle frame includes a handle coupled to the pair of front roller wheels and the pair of rear roller wheels, and the handle is configured to allow the user to push the machine in the required direction.
[0018] In an aspect, the truss-based cradle frame is configured to transfer the load to the pair of front roller wheels and the pair of rear roller wheels once the user pushes the handle to move the machine. The pair of front roller wheels and a pair of rear roller wheels are a pair of metallic cylindrical shells filled with concrete to facilitate good compression of the foundation.
[0019] In an aspect, the substrate container includes a front port and a rear port configured to dispense the substrate material. The front port is positioned adjacent to the pair of front roller wheels, and the rear port is positioned adjacent to the pair of rear roller wheels. The opening width of the front port and the rear port is controlled by the pair of control valves coupled at the mouth of the front port and the rear port to determine the volume of substrate material ejected from the substrate container and thereby the pre-defined thickness of the foundation layer.
[0020] In an aspect, the machine is configured to dispense the substrate material from the front port of the substrate container initially to pass through the net to form a lower half of the substrate while opening the rear port of the substrate container to form an upper half of the substrate by positioning the net in the middle of the lower half of the substrate and the upper half of the substrate formed.
[0021] In an aspect, a method for facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks by a machine. The method includes step of activating, by a user, the machine by setting a pre-defined thickness of a substrate layer forming a foundation of a pavement employing a user interface and filling a substrate container with a desired amount of a substrate material. Further, the method includes step of moving, by the user, the machine in a required direction over the pavement by pulling a handle of the machine. Further, the method includes step of controlling, by an ECU, a volume of the substrate material dispensed from the substrate container by controlling an opening width of a pair of control valves to attain the pre-defined thickness of the substrate layer forming the foundation. Further, the method includes steps of positioning, a net in the middle of the substrate material by employing a foundation retention system to stabilise the foundation formed by the substrate material. Furthermore, the method includes steps of generating, a well-packed foundation for a paver block arrangement through the controlled flow of the substrate material to form the foundation of the pre-defined thickness on a ground track and stabilising the foundation employing the foundation retention system by the movement of the machine up to a desired length of the pavement.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0024] In the figures, similar components, and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates (a) an exemplary architecture of the proposed machine 100 facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks, and (b) an exemplary architecture of the valve controller employed in the proposed machine 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary diagram 200 showcasing the processes involved in the foundation laying process by the machine 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram 300 of the method for facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks by the machine 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described with respect to FIG 1-3.
[0030] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of paver block laying machines. In particular, it relates to a machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks. In specific, it relates to a machine and method that automatically controls the flow rate of the substrate material to give a foundation layer with a perfect thickness and is well-packed.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates (a) an exemplary architecture of the proposed machine 100 facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks, and (b) an exemplary architecture of the valve controller employed in the proposed machine 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, (a) the exemplary architecture of the proposed machine 100 facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks, and (b) the exemplary architecture of a valve controller 114 employed in the proposed machine 100. The machine 100 may include a substrate flow control system 104 and a foundation retention system 106 embedded in a truss-based cradle frame 102. The substrate flow control system 104 can be configured to control the flow of a substrate material. The foundation retention system 106 can be configured to stabilise a foundation formed by the substrate material during the wet condition.
[0033] In an embodiment, the substrate flow control system 104 may include a pair of control valves 112 coupled to a substrate container 108. The pair of control valves 112 are configured to control a flow rate of the substrate material stored in the substate container to get deposited on the ground track. Further, the substrate flow control system 104 may include a valve controller 114 coupled to the pair of control valves 112. The valve controller 114 can be configured to actuate the pair of control valves 112 to control an opening size of the pair of control valves 112 thereby controlling the flow rate of the substrate material.
[0034] In an embodiment, the substrate container 108 may include a front port 110-1 and a rear port 110-2 configured to dispense the substrate material. The front port 110-1 is positioned adjacent to a pair of front roller wheels 122-1, and the rear port 110-2 is positioned adjacent to the pair of rear roller wheels 122-2. The opening width of the front port 110-1 and the rear port 110-2 is controlled by the pair of control valves 112 coupled at the mouth of the front port 110-1 and the rear port 110-2 to determine the volume of substrate material ejected from the substrate container 108 and thereby the pre-defined thickness of the foundation layer.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate material can include, but not limited to: a sand, a gravel, a grit, a crushed stone, and the like. In an instance, the substrate container 108 stores the sand used to form the foundation and by employing the pair of ports, the front port 110-1 near the front wheel and the rear port 110-2 beside the rear wheel, the sand is dispensed to the ground.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, referring to FIG. 1(b), the pair of control valves 112 may include a first control valve 112-1 and a second control valve 112-2. In an instance, the opening width of the front port 110-1 may be controlled by the first control valve 112-1 and the opening width of the rear port 110-2 may be controlled by the second control valve 112-2.
[0037] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 1(b), the valve controller 114 may include a user interface 116 configured to enable the user to set the pre-defined thickness of the substrate layer forming the foundation. Further, the valve controller 114 may include an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 126 coupled to the user interface 116. The ECU 126 can be configured to determine an optimal flow rate and an instantaneous velocity to attain the pre-defined thickness. Further, the valve controller 114 may include an accelerometer 128 coupled to the ECU 126. The accelerometer 128 can be configured to attain the instantaneous velocity used to modulate the opening size of the pair of control valves 112.
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 116 may include a control button 132 and a display unit 134. The control button 132 may allow the user to select the desired thickness levels displayed on the display unit 134.
[0039] In an embodiment, the valve controller 114 may include a stepper motor 130 coupled to the ECU 126 and the pair of control valves 112 by a pair of tensioning cables 136 and the stepper motor 130 can be configured to perform the modulation process to modulate the opening size of the pair of control valves 112.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of tensioning cables 136 may include a first tensioning cable 136-1 and a second tensioning cable 136-2. In an instance, the stepper motor 130 may be coupled to the first control valve 112-1 through the first tensioning cable 136-1 employing a first pulley 138-1 and to the second control valve 112-2 through the second tensioning cable 136-2 employing a second pulley 138-2.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, ECU 126 may collect the required foundation thickness data from the user and modulate the opening of the control valves by using the stepper motor 130. The opening of the control valves may be modulated for the velocity of the machine 100 during the pushing by the user by getting data from an accelerometer 128 to dispense the perfect volume of the substrate material.
[0042] In an embodiment, the substrate flow control system 104 can be configured to measure the velocity of the machine 100 to accurately control the flow rate of the sand by opening the pair of control valves 112. The opening and closing of the pair of control valves 112 are controlled by the tensioning caused by the stepper motor 130 on a retainer torque spring 124 through the pair of tensioning cables 136. The retainer torque spring 124 is coupled to an outlet hole of the pair of control valves 112 and the pair of tensioning cables 136.
[0043] In an embodiment, the foundation retention system 106 may include a net 118 attachable to the ground and configured to obtain retention abilities during the wet condition by giving the foundation a precise structure by extending across the foundation, wherein the net 118 is laid simultaneously with the substrate material during a laying process. Further, the foundation retention system 106 may include a net tensioning roller 120 coupled to a front portion of the substrate container 108 and the net tensioning roller 120 can be configured to maintain the position and tension in the net 118 during the laying process by partially embedding the net 118 in the substrate material.
[0044] In an embodiment, the net 118 is embedded in the substrate during the laying process by passing through the machine 100 and assigning the net 118 in place by the net tensioning roller 120. The net 118 may be fixed at a first end by a plurality of nails on the ground at one end of a required pavement. The net 118 may be extended across the path while passing through the machine 100 and the second end of the net 118 may be fixed by nails at a second end of the required pavement once the machine 100 completely passes through the required pavement.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the net 118 can be an elastic polymer-based net. The net tensioning roller 120 can be a free spinning roller present below the front port 110-1 of the substrate container 108.
[0046] In an embodiment, the truss-based cradle frame 102 can be configured to hold the assembly of the substrate flow control system 104 and the foundation retention system 106. The truss-based cradle frame 102 may include a pair of front roller wheels 122-1 and a pair of rear roller wheels 122-2 coupled to the substrate container 108. The pair of front roller wheels 122-1 and the pair of rear roller wheels 122-2 are configured to facilitate compression of the foundation while maintaining a flat level and required thickness across the complete stretch of the operation. The pair of rear roller wheels 122-2 can be configured to perform an actual compression of the net 118 into the substrate material after the partial embedding by the net tensioning roller 120. In an instance, the truss-based cradle frame 102 can be a tubular truss made of a rigid metal.
[0047] In an embodiment, the truss-based cradle frame 102 may include a handle 102-1 coupled to the pair of front roller wheels 122-1 and the pair of rear roller wheels 122-2, and the handle 102-1 can be configured to allow the user to push the machine 100 in the required direction. The truss-based cradle frame 102 can be configured to transfer the load to the pair of front roller wheels 122-1 and the pair of rear roller wheels 122-2 once the user pushes the handle 102-1 to move the machine 100. The pair of front roller wheels 122-1 and a pair of rear roller wheels 122-2 are a pair of metallic cylindrical shells filled with concrete to facilitate good compression of the foundation.
[0048] In an embodiment, the machine 100 can be configured to enable a user to generate a well-packed foundation for a paver block arrangement through the controlled flow of the substrate material to form the foundation of a pre-defined thickness on a ground track and stabilising the foundation employing the foundation retention system 106 by the movement of the machine 100.
[0049] In an embodiment, the machine 100 can be configured to dispense the substrate material from the front port 110-1 of the substrate container 108 initially to pass through the net 118 to form a lower half of the substrate while opening the rear port 110-2 of the substrate container 108 to form an upper half of the substrate by positioning the net 118 in the middle of the lower half of the substrate and the upper half of the substrate formed.
[0050] As can be understood by those ordinary skill in the art, although FIG. 1 shows exemplary components of the machine 100, in different embodiments, the machine 100 may include fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, or additional functional components than depicted in FIG. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the machine 100 may perform functions described as being performed by one or more other components of the machine 100.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary diagram 200 showcasing the processes involved in the foundation laying process by the machine 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0052] In an embodiment, referring to FIG.2, the exemplary diagram 200 showcases the processes involved in the foundation laying process by the machine 100. At step 202 the net 118 may be fixed on the ground by fixing a first end of the net 118 at a first end of a required pavement by employing a plurality of nails. At step 204 the machine 100 may dispense the substrate material stored in the substrate container 108 through the front port 110-1 initially to form a lower half of the substrate. At 206 the net 118 may be extended across the path while passing through the machine 100 and the substrate from the substrate container 108 dispensed onto the net 118. By opening the rear port 110-2 to form an upper half of the substrate by positioning the net 118 in the middle of the lower half of the substrate and the upper half of the substrate formed. At 208, the rear roller wheel passes through the substrate material to perform an actual compression of the net 118 into the substrate material after the partial embedding of the net 118 by the net tensioning roller 120. Further, fixing a second end of the net 118 at a second end of the required pavement by the plurality of nails once the machine 100 completely passes through the required pavement to get a well-packed foundation at step 210.
[0053] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram 300 of the method for facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks by the machine 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0054] In an embodiment, referring to FIG.3, the method 300 for facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks by the machine 100. The method includes step 302 of activating, by a user, the machine 100 by setting a pre-defined thickness of a substrate layer forming a foundation of a pavement employing a user interface, and filling the substrate container 108 with a desired amount of the substrate material. Further, the method includes step 304 of moving, by the user, the machine 100 in a required direction over the pavement by pulling a handle 102-1 of the machine 100. Further, the method includes step 306 of controlling, by an ECU 126, a volume of the substrate material dispensed from the substrate container 108 by controlling an opening width of a pair of control valves 112 to attain the pre-defined thickness of the substrate layer forming the foundation. Further, the method includes step 308 of positioning, the net 118 in the middle of the substrate material by employing a foundation retention system 106 to stabilise the foundation formed by the substrate material. Furthermore, the method includes step 310 of generating, a well-packed foundation for a paver block arrangement through the controlled flow of the substrate material to form the foundation of the pre-defined thickness on a ground track and stabilising the foundation employing the foundation retention system 106 by the movement of the machine 100 up to a desired length of the pavement.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the machine 100 is employed to lay a foundation for a pavement with sand. The sand used to form the foundation is held in a sand dispensing bucket. The bucket has a pair of ports, one near the front wheel and the other beside the rear wheel. The openings of the ports are controlled by the control valve present at the mouth of the ports. The opening width of the valves may determine the volume of sand ejected and thereby the final thickness of the foundation layer. The opening of the valve is actively controlled by the valve controller system that uses the stepper motor, the accelerometer, the ECU, the user interface, and the tensioning cables. ECU collects the required foundation thickness data from the user and modulates the opening of the valve by using the stepper motor. The opening of the valve is modulated to the velocity of the user while in action by getting data from an accelerometer to dispense the perfect volume of sand. A pair of roller wheels present on the front and rear of the machine facilitate movement of the machine. The handle that exists on the user end of the frame is used to push the device. The machine employs the foundation retention system that uses a polymer net to stabilise the foundation. The net is embedded in the substrate during the laying process of the sand foundation by passing the net through the machine and assigning the net in place by the net tensioner. The net is fixed at both ends of the pavement by nails on the ground. Thus, the machine automatically controls the flow rate of the sand to give the perfect thickness of the foundation layer that is also well packed by the heavy rollers and stabilise the foundation by net embedding.
[0056] If the specification states a component or feature "may", "can", "could", or "might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0057] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" may include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" may include "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0058] It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been elaborated for a machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks. However, the teachings of the present disclosure are also applicable for other types of applications as well, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure. However, the machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks is also equally implementable in other industries as well, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure without any limitation.
[0059] Accordingly, the present disclosure is a machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks.
[0060] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0061] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the disclosure when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0062] The present disclosure provides a machine and method for laying well-packed foundations for paver blocks.
[0063] The present disclosure provides a machine and method that automatically controls the flow rate of the substrate material to give a foundation layer with a perfect thickness and is well-packed.
[0064] The present disclosure provides a machine and method which enables the user to set layer thicknesses of the foundation in advance providing consistency and ease of operation.
[0065] The present disclosure provides a machine and method which modulates the flow rate of the substrate in real-time for obtaining a foundation with uniform substrate thickness, which is crucial for the long-term durability of the foundation.
[0066] The present disclosure provides a machine and method which employs a foundation retention machine using an elastic polymer net to stabilize the foundation by properly embedding and tensioning the net during the substrate laying process to attain the foundation with structural integrity.
[0067] The present disclosure provides a machine and method which enables users to effectively lay an even and well compressed foundation without requiring a lot of skill or familiarity with the task.
[0068] The present disclosure provides a machine and method which integrates a simplistic machine assembly with parts that are all off the shelf and can be easily fixed and maintained, and can accurately cater to the parameters set by the user.
[0069] The present disclosure provides a machine and method which is cost effective.
, Claims:1. A machine (100) facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks, the machine (100) comprising:
a substrate flow control system (104) and a foundation retention system (106) embedded in a truss-based cradle frame (102), wherein the substrate flow control system (104) is configured to control the flow of a substrate material, wherein the foundation retention system (106) is configured to stabilise a foundation formed by the substrate material during the wet condition, wherein the truss-based cradle frame (102) is configured to hold the assembly of the substrate flow control system (104) and the foundation retention system (106),
wherein the machine (100) is configured to enable a user to generate a well-packed foundation for a paver block arrangement through the controlled flow of the substrate material to form the foundation of a pre-defined thickness on a ground track and stabilising the foundation employing the foundation retention system (106) by the movement of the machine (100).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate flow control system (104) comprising:
a pair of control valves (112) coupled to a substrate container (108), and the pair of control valves (112) are configured to control a flow rate of the substrate material stored in the substrate container (108) to get deposited on the ground track; and
a valve controller (114) coupled to the pair of control valves (112), and the valve controller (114) is configured to actuate the pair of control valves (112) to control an opening size of the pair of control valves (112) thereby controlling the flow rate of the substrate material,
wherein the valve controller (114) comprising:
a user interface (116) configured to enable the user to set the pre-defined thickness of the substrate layer forming the foundation;
an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (126) coupled to the user interface (116) and the ECU (126) is configured to determine an optimal flowrate and an instantaneous velocity to attain the pre-defined thickness;
an accelerometer (128) coupled to the ECU (126) and the accelerometer (128) is configured to attain the instantaneous velocity used to modulate the opening size of the pair of control valves (112); and
a stepper motor (130) coupled to the ECU (126) and the pair of control valves (112) by a pair of tensioning cables (136) and the stepper motor (130) is configured to perform the modulation process to modulate the opening size of the pair of control valves (112).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the substrate flow control system (104) is configured to measure the velocity of the machine (100) to accurately control the flow rate of the substrate material by opening the pair of control valves (112),
wherein the opening and closing of the pair of control valves (112) is controlled by the tensioning caused by the stepper motor (130) on a retainer torque spring (124) through the pair of tensioning cables (136),
wherein the retainer torque spring (124) is coupled to an outlet hole of the pair of control valves (112) and the pair of tensioning cables (136).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation retention system (106) comprising:
a net (118) attachable to the ground and configured to obtain retention abilities during the wet condition by giving the foundation a precise structure by extending across the foundation, wherein the net (118) is laid simultaneously with the substrate material during a laying process; and
a net tensioning roller (120) coupled to a front portion of the substrate container (108) and the net tensioning roller (120) is configured to maintain the position and tension in the net (118) during the laying process by partially embedding the net (118) in the substrate material.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the net (118) is embedded in the substrate during the laying process by passing through the machine (100) and assigning the net (118) in place by the net tensioning roller (120),
wherein the net (118) is fixed on the ground by fixing a first end of the net (118) at a first end of a required pavement by employing a plurality of nails and extending across the path while passing through the machine (100) and fixing a second end of the net (118) at a second end of the required pavement by the plurality of nails after the machine (100) completely passes through the required pavement.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the truss-based cradle frame (102) comprising:
a pair of front roller wheels (122-1) and a pair of rear roller wheels (122-2) coupled to the substrate container (108), wherein the pair of front roller wheels (122-1) and the pair of rear roller wheels (122-2) are configured to facilitate compression of the foundation while maintaining a flat level and required thickness across the complete stretch of the operation, wherein the pair of rear roller wheels (122-2) is configured to perform an actual compression of the net (118) into the substrate material after the partial embedding by the net tensioning roller (120); and
a handle (102-1) coupled to the pair of front roller wheels (122-1) and the pair of rear roller wheels (122-2), and the handle (102-1) is configured to allow the user to push the machine (100) in the required direction.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the truss-based cradle frame (102) is configured to transfer the load to the pair of front roller wheels (122-1) and the pair of rear roller wheels (122-2) once the user pushes the handle (102-1) to move the machine (100),
wherein the pair of front roller wheels (122-1) and the pair of rear roller wheels (122-2) are a pair of metallic cylindrical shells filled with concrete to facilitate good compression of the foundation.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the substrate container (108) comprises:
a front port (110-1) and a rear port (110-2) configured to dispense the substrate material, wherein the front port (110-1) is positioned adjacent to the pair of front roller wheels (122-1), and the rear port (110-2) is positioned adjacent to the pair of rear roller wheels (122-2),
wherein the opening width of the front port (110-1) and the rear port (110-2) is controlled by the pair of control valves (112) coupled at the mouth of the front port (110-1) and the rear port (110-2) to determine the volume of substrate material ejected from the substrate container (108) and thereby the pre-defined thickness of the foundation layer.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine (100) is configured to:
dispense the substrate material from the front port (110-1) of the substrate container (108) initially to pass through the net (118) to form a lower half of the substrate while opening the rear port (110-2) of the substrate container (108) to form an upper half of the substrate by positioning the net (118) in the middle of the lower half of the substrate and the upper half of the substrate formed.

10. A method (300) for facilitating the laying of well-packed foundations for paver blocks by a machine (100), the method (300) comprising:
activating (302), by a user, the machine (100) by setting a pre-defined thickness of a substrate layer forming a foundation of a pavement employing a user interface and filling a substrate container (108) with a desired amount of a substrate material;
moving (304), by the user, the machine (100) in a required direction over the pavement by pulling a handle (102-1) of the machine (100);
controlling (306), by an ECU (126), a volume of the substrate material dispensed from the substrate container (108) by controlling an opening width of a pair of control valves (112) to attain the pre-defined thickness of the substrate layer forming the foundation;
positioning (308), a net (118) in the middle of the substrate material by employing a foundation retention system (106) to stabilise the foundation formed by the substrate material; and
generating (310), a well-packed foundation for a paver block arrangement through the controlled flow of the substrate material to form the foundation of the pre-defined thickness on a ground track and stabilising the foundation employing the foundation retention system (106) by the movement of the machine (100) up to a desired length of the pavement.

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