Shield tunneling machine boulder detection device and detection method

Abstract

This invention discloses a boulder detection device and method for tunnel boring machines (TBMs), relating to the field of TBM technology. The detection device includes: a cutterhead mounted on the TBM body, with multiple first through holes and multiple second through holes evenly distributed along the circumference of the cutterhead's surface; a sensing device including a base, multiple first sensing probes, and multiple second sensing probes, the base mounted on the TBM body, each first sensing probe corresponding to a first through hole, and each second sensing probe corresponding to a second through hole; both the first and second sensing probes include a connecting part, a pressure transmitter, and a cutting part, with a portion of the cutting part protruding from the cutterhead surface; and a control component, with the TBM body and the pressure transmitter electrically connected to the control component. This detection device is used to detect the size and location of boulders during the advancement of the TBM body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tunnel boring machine technology, and in particular to a device and method for detecting boulders during tunnel boring machine construction. Background Technology

[0002] Spherical weathering nuclei, commonly known as "isolated boulders," exist within weathered granite soil. These boulders vary in shape and size, ranging from tens of centimeters to several meters, and can have a strength exceeding 100 MPa. Due to their random burial and size distribution, their location is difficult to ascertain through geological drilling. Compared to the strength of the boulders, the strength of the surrounding weathered soil layer is much lower.

[0003] In the existing technology, during the process of controlling the rotation and advancement of the cutterhead of the tunnel boring machine (TBM), the front end of the TBM (i.e., the cutterhead) needs to withstand the pressure of the surrounding soil or sand layers. Generally, an earth pressure transmitter is installed on the cutterhead to measure the pressure and control the advancement speed of the TBM. However, it is impossible to determine the size and location distribution of the boulder after it touches the boulder, so as to further control the advancement speed and rock breaking strength of the TBM. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a boulder detection device for tunnel boring machines (TBMs), which aims to solve the technical problem of how to detect the size and location of boulders during the advancement of TBMs.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a boulders detection device for tunnel boring machines, comprising:

[0006] The cutterhead is installed on the shield machine body. The cutterhead is radially arranged with a central region, a middle circular region and an outer circular region. The surface of the central region is evenly provided with a plurality of first through holes along the circumferential direction. The surface of the middle circular region is evenly provided with a plurality of second through holes along the circumferential direction.

[0007] The sensing device includes a base, multiple first sensing probes, and multiple second sensing probes. The base is installed on the shield machine body. Each first sensing probe is installed in a first through hole, and each second sensing probe is installed in a second through hole. Each first and second sensing probe includes a connecting part, a pressure transmitter, and a cutting part. The connecting part is installed on the base, and a portion of the connecting part is located in the second through hole. The cutting part is movably connected to the through hole. The connecting part is provided with a guide post, the axis of which is parallel to the horizontal ground. A spring sleeve is fitted around the guide post. The cutting part is movably connected to the guide post and can move horizontally. The two ends of the spring sleeve abut against the connecting part and the cutting part, respectively. A portion of the cutting part protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead.

[0008] The shield machine body and the pressure transmitter are both electrically connected to the control component.

[0009] Within a preset time period, the tunnel boring machine body drives the cutterhead to rotate and advance in the horizontal direction; the same boulder abuts against several cutting sections on the surface of the cutterhead, and the cutting sections move towards the connecting section to press against the pressure transmitters. Several pressure transmitters simultaneously emit pressure signals, and the control component draws a distribution map of the boulder relative to the surface of the cutterhead based on the location of the pressure signals to determine the position and size of the boulder.

[0010] Optionally, the number of the second through holes is the same as the number of the first through holes.

[0011] Optionally, the number of the first through holes is 3 to 5.

[0012] Optionally, both the first through hole and the second through hole have a circular cross-sectional shape in the height direction;

[0013] Both the connecting part and the cutting part have circular cross-sectional shapes in the height direction.

[0014] Optionally, the base includes a first base and a second base, wherein the first sensing probe is mounted on the first base and the second sensing probe is mounted on the second base;

[0015] The surface of the second base has a third through hole for the first base to pass through;

[0016] The tunnel boring machine body is also provided with a first horizontal drive mechanism and a second horizontal drive mechanism, with the first base installed on the first horizontal drive mechanism and the second base installed on the second horizontal drive mechanism.

[0017] This invention also discloses a method for detecting boulders during tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction, which includes the following steps:

[0018] A. During a preset time period, the tunnel boring machine body drives the cutterhead to rotate and advance in the horizontal direction. Part of the cutting part protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead to abut and break up boulders in the soil.

[0019] B. During the advancement process, the same boulder abuts against several of the cutting sections on the surface of the cutterhead, and the cutting sections move toward the connecting section to press against the pressure transmitter;

[0020] C. Several of the aforementioned pressure transmitters simultaneously emit pressure signals;

[0021] D. The control component draws a distribution map of the boulder relative to the surface of the cutter head based on the location of the pressure signal to determine the position and size of the boulder;

[0022] E. The tunnel boring machine body continues to advance forward to break the isolated rock.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: In practical applications, the detection device of this invention can be used in combination with existing tunnel boring machine (TBM) bodies. Specifically, within a preset time period, the TBM body drives the cutterhead to rotate and advance horizontally. Part of the cutting section protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead to abut and break boulders within the soil at any time. During the advance, the boulders abut against several of the cutting sections on the cutterhead surface. As the cutterhead continues to advance, the cutting sections move towards the connecting section to press against the pressure transmitters. Several pressure transmitters simultaneously emit pressure signals. The control component plots a distribution map of the boulders relative to the cutterhead surface based on the points where the pressure signals occur, to determine the positional relationship and size of the boulders relative to the cutterhead. Based on the determined position and size of the boulders, the control component controls the TBM body to continue advancing forward, causing the cutterhead and cutting sections to break the boulders at a preset speed and working intensity. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram (left view direction) of an embodiment of the tunnel boring machine boulder detection device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified structural diagram of A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Working principle diagram of the middle cutter head (front view, crushing large volume boulders);

[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Working principle diagram of the middle cutter head (front view, crushing small-volume boulders).

[0029] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0030]

[0031]

[0032] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0035] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this invention is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 4As shown in this embodiment of the invention, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) boulder detection device includes: a cutterhead 2, which is installed on the TBM body 1. The cutterhead 2 has a central region 21, a middle circular region 22, and an outer circular region 23 arranged radially outward from the center. The surface of the central region 21 is uniformly provided with a plurality of first through holes (not shown in the figure) along the circumferential direction, and the surface of the middle circular region 22 is uniformly provided with a plurality of second through holes 221 along the circumferential direction; and a sensing device, including a base, a plurality of first sensing probes 31, and a plurality of second sensing probes 41. The base is installed on the tunnel boring machine body 1. Each first sensing probe 31 is installed in a corresponding first through hole, and each second sensing probe 41 is installed in a corresponding second through hole 221. Both the first sensing probe 31 and the second sensing probe 41 include a connecting part 341, a pressure transmitter 342, and a cutting part 343. The connecting part 341 is installed on the base, and a portion of the connecting part 341 is disposed within the second through hole 221. The cutting part 343 is movably connected within the through hole. The connecting part 341 is provided with a guide post 3411, the axis of which is parallel to the horizontal ground. A spring sleeve 3412 is sleeved on the outside of the guide post 3411. The cutting part 343 is movably connected to the guide post 3411 and can move horizontally. The two ends of the spring sleeve 3412 abut against the connecting part 341 and the cutting part 343 respectively. Part of the structure of the cutting part 343 protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead 2. The shield machine body 1 and the pressure transmitter 342 are both electrically connected to the control assembly 5. The control component 5 describes the following: During a preset time period, the shield machine body 1 drives the cutterhead 2 to rotate and advance in the horizontal direction; the same boulder abuts against several cutting parts 343 on the surface of the cutterhead 2, and the cutting parts 343 move towards the connecting part 341 to press against the pressure transmitter 342. Several pressure transmitters 342 simultaneously emit pressure signals, and the control component 5 draws a distribution map of the boulder relative to the surface of the cutterhead 2 based on the location of the pressure signals to determine the position and size of the boulder.

[0037] Beneficial effects of this invention: In practical applications, the detection device of this invention can be used in combination with the existing tunnel boring machine body 1. As mentioned above, the strength of the surrounding weathered soil layer is much lower than that of the boulder. However, this application utilizes the large strength difference between the soil layer and the boulder, employing a pressure sensor. In the absence of a boulder, the pressure signal of the pressure sensor is stable; in the presence of a boulder, the pressure signal changes significantly. This application proposes a solution for detecting the size and location of the boulder after the pressure signal changes during the tunnel boring machine's advancement. Specifically, within a preset time period, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) body 1 drives the cutterhead 2 to rotate and advance horizontally. Part of the cutting section 343 protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead 2 to contact and break boulders within the soil. During advancement, boulders contact several cutting sections 343 on the surface of the cutterhead 2. As the cutterhead 2 continues to advance, the cutting sections 343 move towards the connecting section 341 to press against the pressure transmitters 342. The pressure transmitters 342 simultaneously emit pressure signals. The control component 5 plots a distribution map of the boulders relative to the surface of the cutterhead 2 based on the points where the pressure signals occur, determining the positional relationship and size of the boulders relative to the cutterhead 2. Based on the determined position and size of the boulders, the control component 5 controls the TBM body 1 to continue advancing, causing the cutterhead 2 and cutting sections 343 to break the boulders at a preset speed and working intensity. Both the central region 21 and the intermediate circular region 22 of the cutterhead 2 are perforated and equipped with sensing devices to ensure maximum sensing area on the surface of the cutterhead 2. The outer circular region 23 is left un-perforated to ensure the structural strength stability of the cutterhead 2 after perforation. In the prior art, the outer shell of the pressure transmitter 342 is a one-piece machined stainless steel workpiece, which has a high processing cost. Its pressure-sensing elastomer (hereinafter referred to as the elastomer) at the measuring front end is in direct contact with the solid-liquid mixture of soil. The solid-liquid mixture of soil generally contains relatively large sand and gravel particles and other hard particles. These hard particles constantly rub and impact the elastomer, which can easily cause the elastomer to thin and become uneven in thickness over a long period of use. This will change the micro-strain of the elastomer, resulting in inaccurate measurement results. In addition, the pressure transmitter 342 is a wear part, and it generally needs to be replaced every 1000-2000 meters of tunnel boring machine travel, which has high operating costs and reduces production efficiency. To solve the above technical problems, the pressure transmitter 342 is set in a through hole and isolated from the soil by the cutting part 343. The pressure signal is generated by the dynamic movement of the cutting part 343, which will not cause wear.Meanwhile, during the tunnel boring machine's advance, small, isolated rock fragments can easily fail to be broken by the cutterhead 2 and the cutting tools, instead rolling in front of the cutterhead 2, causing severe wear on the tools and the cutterhead 2. To solve this technical problem, the cutting part 343 protruding from the surface of the cutterhead 2 is movable, meaning it can protrude from the surface of the cutterhead 2 or be pressed into the through hole by the isolated rock. This type of structure can change the position of the isolated rock fragments relative to the cutterhead 2. That is, the isolated rock fragments may fall when the cutting part 343 retracts into the through hole. When the cutting part 343 at other points protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead 2 again, it will press and grind the fragments opposite to it, increasing the rock-breaking effect.

[0038] The control component 5 plots a distribution map of the isolated rock relative to the surface of the cutterhead 2 based on the location of the pressure signal, in order to determine the position and size of the isolated rock. Figure 3 As shown, the cutting parts 343 at multiple points are touched and pressed by the same large boulder B, thereby triggering the pressure sensor. Figure 3 The dashed straight line in the middle indicates that the control component 5 connects multiple points where pressure signals are emitted, thereby allowing estimation of the approximate volume, shape, and position relative to the cutterhead 2 of the boulder B. Figure 3 The central arc-shaped dashed line represents the true shape and location of boulder B. As can be seen from the diagram, Figure 3 A total of 7 pressure sensors were triggered, and control component 5 drew a hypothetical map with the largest contour based on the signals emitted by these points. Similarly, as... Figure 4 As shown, the cutting parts 343 at multiple points are touched and pressed by the same small boulder C, thereby triggering the pressure sensor. Figure 4 The dashed straight line in the middle indicates that the control component 5 connects multiple points where pressure signals are emitted, thereby allowing estimation of the approximate volume, shape, and position relative to the cutterhead 2 of the boulder C. Figure 4 The true shape and location of the isolated rock C on the surface of the arc-shaped dashed line can be seen from the figure. Figure 4 The pressure sensors at four points are triggered, and the control component 5 draws an imaginary map with the largest contour based on the signals emitted by the points.

[0039] Supplementary explanation regarding the device in this application's technical solution: After the cutting part 343 is pressed into the through hole, if there is no isolated rock pressing down or the pressure decreases, the cutting part 343 will reset under the action of the spring sleeve 3412. To ensure the efficiency and effect of rock breaking, the cutting part 343 and the cutter head 2 are made of the same material, which will not be described in detail here.

[0040] In the technical solution of the present invention, the number of second through holes 221 is the same as the number of first through holes. Further, in the technical solution of the present invention, the number of first through holes is 3 to 5.

[0041] Preferably, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, there are five first through holes and five second through holes 221. Therefore, there are five first sensing probes 31 and five second sensing probes 41. The purpose of this structure is to ensure that the distance between each second sensing probe 41 and at least two first sensing probes 31 is the same (between the centers). That is, each second sensing probe 41 is correspondingly positioned with at least two first sensing probes 31. The distance (P1) between a second sensing probe 41 and a first sensing probe 31 is greater than the distance (P2) between two adjacent first sensing probes 31. Within the distance P1, the cutting portions 343 of the first and second sensing probes 31 can break larger fragments, and within the distance P1, they can break smaller fragments. In other words, the purpose of each second sensing probe 41 corresponding with at least two first sensing probes 31 is to limit and break fragments within the triangular area enclosed by the three cutting portions 343.

[0042] In the technical solution of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the first through hole and the second through hole 221 in the height direction is circular; the cross-sectional shape of the connecting part 341 and the cutting part 343 in the height direction is circular.

[0043] The cutting part 343 has a circular cross-section in the height direction, which is beneficial for crushing stones from the circumference of two adjacent cutting parts 343.

[0044] In the technical solution of the present invention, the base includes a first base 3 and a second base 4. The first sensing probe 31 is installed on the first base 3, and the second sensing probe 41 is installed on the second base 4. A third through hole (not shown in the figure) is opened on the surface of the second base 4 for the first base 3 to pass through. The shield machine body 1 is also provided with a first horizontal drive mechanism (not shown in the figure) and a second horizontal drive mechanism (not shown in the figure). The first base 3 is installed on the first horizontal drive mechanism, and the second base 4 is installed on the second horizontal drive mechanism.

[0045] As mentioned above, during the tunnel boring machine's (TBM) advancement process, small, isolated rock fragments can easily fail to be broken by the cutterhead 2 and the cutting tools, instead rolling in front of the cutterhead 2, causing severe wear on the tools and the cutterhead 2. To solve this technical problem, the cutting section 343 protruding from the surface of the cutterhead 2 is movable, meaning it can protrude from the surface of the cutterhead 2 or be pressed into the through hole by isolated rocks. This structural design can change the position of the isolated rock fragments relative to the cutterhead 2. That is, the isolated rock fragments may fall when the cutting section 343 retracts into the through hole. When the cutting section 343 at other points protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead 2 again, it will press and grind the fragments opposite its position, increasing the rock-breaking effect. With this structural design, the first base 3 and the second base 4 can be moved independently by the first and second horizontal drive mechanisms. Thus, the first sensing probe 31 and the second sensing probe 41 can be independently controlled to extend and retract, increasing the fluidity of rocks in front of the cutterhead 2, improving rock-breaking efficiency, and enhancing the rock-breaking effect.

[0046] This invention also discloses a method for detecting boulders during tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction, which includes the following steps:

[0047] A. During a preset time period, the tunnel boring machine body drives the cutterhead to rotate and advance in the horizontal direction. Part of the cutting part protrudes from the surface of the cutterhead to abut and break up boulders in the soil.

[0048] B. During the advancement process, the same boulder abuts against several of the cutting sections on the surface of the cutterhead, and the cutting sections move toward the connecting section to press against the pressure transmitter;

[0049] C. Several of the aforementioned pressure transmitters simultaneously emit pressure signals;

[0050] D. The control component draws a distribution map of the boulder relative to the surface of the cutter head based on the location of the pressure signal to determine the position and size of the boulder;

[0051] E. The tunnel boring machine body continues to advance forward to break the isolated rock.

[0052] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for detecting boulders during tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a shield machine and a control method thereof, and the shield machine comprises a cutter head, a control assembly, a plurality of first sensing probes and a plurality of second sensing probes. The cutter head is mounted on a shield machine body and is provided with a central region, an intermediate circular region and an outer circular region in a circular center outward radial manner. The surface of the central region is uniformly provided with a plurality of first through holes in a circumferential direction. The surface of the intermediate circular region is uniformly provided with a plurality of second through holes in a circumferential direction. The control assembly is electrically connected to the shield machine body and the pressure transmitters. During a preset time period, the shield machine body drives the cutter head to rotate and advance in a horizontal direction. The same boulder abuts against a plurality of cutting portions on the surface of the cutter head. The cutting portions move towards the connecting portions to press the pressure transmitters.

2. The boulder detection device for a tunneling machine construction according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of pressure transmitters simultaneously send pressure signals.

3. The boulder detection device for a tunneling machine according to claim 2, wherein The control assembly draws a distribution map of the boulder relative to the surface of the cutter head according to the occurrence points of the pressure signals to determine the position and size of the boulder.

4. The boulder detection device for a tunneling machine of claim 1, wherein, The base comprises a first base and a second base. The first sensing probes are mounted on the first base.

5. A method of detecting a boulder in a tunneling machine construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The second sensing probes are mounted on the second base. The surface of the second base is provided with a third through hole for the first base to pass through. The shield machine body is further provided with a first horizontal driving mechanism and a second horizontal driving mechanism. The first base is mounted on the first horizontal driving mechanism. The second base is mounted on the second horizontal driving mechanism. The number of the second through holes is the same as that of the first through holes. The number of the first through holes is 3-5. The cross-sectional shape of the first through holes and the second through holes in the height direction is circular. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting portions and the cutting portions in the height direction is circular. The method comprises the following steps: A. During a preset time period, the shield machine body drives the cutter head to rotate and advance in a horizontal direction. The cutting portions protrude from the surface of the cutter head to abut against and crush the boulders in the soil. B. During the advancing process, the same boulder abuts against a plurality of cutting portions on the surface of the cutter head. The cutting portions move towards the connecting portions to press the pressure transmitters. C. A plurality of pressure transmitters simultaneously send pressure signals. D. the control assembly draws a distribution map of the boulder relative to the surface of the cutter head according to the occurrence point of the pressure signal, so as to determine the position and size of the boulder; E. the shield machine body continues to advance forward to crush the boulder.

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