Unmanned cleaning vehicle and cleaning method using the same

Abstract

To provide an unmanned cleaning vehicle capable of reducing the vehicle weight and preventing idling and slip, and a cleaning method using the same.SOLUTION: The unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 has the holding part 7 for loading and holding the heavy load 8 generated at the work site on the upper part of the vehicle body 2, the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 is carried into the work site, the heavy load 8 generated at the work site is loaded on the holding part 7, and after the heavy load 8 is loaded, the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 is caused to travel and clean, thereby increasing the vehicle weight and increasing the frictional force with the wheels and the ground surface of the endless track, so that the traction can be increased and idling and slipping can be prevented.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an unmanned cleaning vehicle that moves and cleans by remote control or autonomous driving, and a cleaning method using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In steelworks and other places, materials such as ore transported by a conveyor belt fall and accumulate, which is called "mineral fall." This mineral fall needs to be periodically collected and cleaned up, and has traditionally been done using manually operated bulldozers and other similar devices. However, there is a risk of falling objects under an operating conveyor, and there are also issues with working space under low conveyors and between conveyor support legs, so remote-controlled and autonomous unmanned vehicles are being developed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-27648 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-30602 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, as unmanned vehicles become smaller, their weight can be reduced, making them easier to transport to work sites.However, as the vehicle weight becomes lighter, the friction between the wheels and tracks and the ground decreases, causing them to spin or slip.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an unmanned cleaning vehicle that is light in weight and can prevent spinning and slipping, and a cleaning method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The unmanned cleaning vehicle of the present invention has a holding section on the upper part of the vehicle body for loading and holding heavy objects generated at the work site. By transporting the unmanned cleaning vehicle of the present invention to the work site and loading heavy objects generated at the work site onto the holding section, the vehicle weight can be increased, thereby increasing the frictional force between the wheels and tracks and the ground.

[0007] The holding section is preferably box-shaped with an open top, which allows heavy objects generated at the work site to be loaded simply by placing them onto the box-shaped holding section with an open top.

[0008] Furthermore, it is desirable that the holding section has a discharge mechanism that tilts to discharge heavy objects, so that after work is completed, the holding section can be tilted by the discharge mechanism to discharge the heavy objects and reduce the vehicle weight.

[0009] The cleaning method of the present invention is characterized by comprising transporting an unmanned cleaning vehicle having a holding section for loading and holding heavy objects on top of the vehicle body to a work site, loading heavy objects generated at the work site onto the holding section, and, after loading the heavy objects, driving the unmanned cleaning vehicle to clean.

[0010] According to the cleaning method of the present invention, when the unmanned cleaning vehicle is transported to the work site, the weight of the vehicle can be reduced by not loading anything on the holding section, making it easier to move. After transporting the vehicle to the work site, heavy objects generated at the work site can be loaded onto the holding section to increase the vehicle weight, thereby increasing the friction between the wheels and tracks and the ground, thereby increasing traction and preventing spinning and slipping. After cleaning, the heavy objects can be removed from the holding section, making it easier to transport the unmanned cleaning vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] (1) By providing a holding section on the top of the vehicle body for loading and holding heavy objects generated at the work site, when the unmanned cleaning vehicle of the present invention is transported to the work site, the weight of the vehicle can be reduced by not loading anything on the holding section, making it easier to move. After transporting to the work site, heavy objects generated at the work site can be loaded onto the holding section to increase the vehicle weight, thereby increasing the frictional force between the wheels and tracks and the ground, thereby increasing traction and preventing spinning and slipping.

[0012] (2) Since the holding section is box-shaped with an open top, heavy objects generated at the work site can be easily loaded by simply placing them on the holding section, improving workability.

[0013] (3) Since the holding part has a discharge mechanism that tilts to discharge heavy objects, after work is completed, the holding part can be tilted using the discharge mechanism to easily discharge heavy objects and reduce the vehicle weight, making it possible to easily transport the unmanned cleaning vehicle of the present invention from the work site. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an unmanned cleaning vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] 1 is a schematic diagram of an unmanned cleaning vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The unmanned cleaning vehicle according to this embodiment is a vehicle that mainly collects and cleans fallen ore, which is formed when transported materials such as ore transported by a belt conveyor in a steel mill or the like fall and accumulate, and moves by remote control or autonomous driving.

[0016] In Fig. 1, an unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a tracked vehicle that travels on caterpillars 3 attached to the left and right sides of a vehicle body 2. The front of the vehicle body 2 is equipped with a movable blade (blade) 4 for pushing out fallen ore. In addition, various devices such as a camera 5 and a sensor 6 for unmanned operation are mounted on the top of the vehicle body 2.

[0017] The upper part of the vehicle body 2 is provided with a holding section 7 for loading and holding heavy objects 8 generated at the work site. The holding section 7 is box-shaped with an open top. The heavy objects 8 generated at the work site are fallen ores and the like that are to be collected and cleaned by the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1. Although not shown, the holding section 7 also has a discharge mechanism (a so-called dump mechanism) that discharges the heavy objects 8 by tilting.

[0018] When the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 configured as described above is transported to a work site, the weight of the vehicle can be reduced by not loading anything on the holding section 7, making it easier to move, and it can be easily transported to even a complex work site. After transporting it to the work site, heavy objects 8, such as ore, are loaded onto the holding section 7 at the work site, and the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 is then driven to clean. In this unmanned cleaning vehicle 1, the weight of the vehicle is increased by loading heavy objects 8 on the holding section 7, which increases the frictional force between the tracks 3 and the ground. This increases the traction of the tracks 3 and prevents them from spinning or slipping.

[0019] For example, if the holding portion 7 has a width W=500 mm, a length L=700 mm, and a depth D=100 mm, its volume is 0.035 m 3 If the weight 8 is iron ore, its specific gravity is 3.8 g / cm 3 If the void ratio is 0.4, the weight will be 79.8 kg. In other words, if the weight of the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 is set to about 50 to 60 kg to facilitate easy transport to the work site, and 79.8 kg of iron ore is loaded onto the holding unit 7 at the work site, the vehicle weight will be about 130 to 140 kg. This increases the frictional force with the ground, and increases the upper limit of spinning or slipping, so the propulsive force can be increased by using a motor with an output that corresponds to this increase.

[0020] Furthermore, in the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the various devices such as the camera 5 and sensor 6 mounted on the top of the vehicle body 2 are further covered by the holding part 7 on top of them, so these various devices are protected from falling ore during cleaning work. In particular, since heavy objects 8 such as fallen ore loaded on the holding part 7 are usually gravel or sand-like, even if a large amount of fallen ore falls, the impact is dispersed, making the holding part 7 less likely to be damaged.

[0021] Furthermore, by constructing the side plates of the box-shaped holding unit 7 from flexible materials such as flexible resin or elastomer, even if a large ore falls against the side plates, they can bend and absorb the impact. Note that the side plates of the holding unit 7 may also be configured to be wrapped in thick vinyl, rubber, etc.

[0022] After the mine fall has been cleaned, the heavy object 8 is discharged from the holding part 7. In particular, in the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the discharge mechanism tilts the holding part 7, making it possible to easily discharge the heavy object 8. Discharging the heavy object 8 reduces the weight of the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1, making it easier to transport it from the work site.

[0023] Although the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 in this embodiment is a tracked vehicle, it can also be a wheeled vehicle that runs on normal wheels. Also, in the unmanned cleaning vehicle 1 in this embodiment, the holding unit 7 is box-shaped with an open top, but a lid may be provided on the top. [Industrial Applicability]

[0024] The present invention is useful for an unmanned cleaning vehicle that moves and cleans by remote control or autonomous driving, and for a cleaning method using the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1. Unmanned cleaning vehicle 2. Body 3 endless track 4 blades 5. Camera 6 sensors 7. Holding section 8. Weight of objects

Claims

1. An unmanned cleaning vehicle with a holding section on top of the body for carrying and holding heavy loads generated at the work site.

2. 2. The unmanned cleaning vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is box-shaped with an open top.

3. The unmanned cleaning vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding portion has a discharge mechanism that discharges the heavy object by tilting.

4. Transporting an unmanned cleaning vehicle having a holding section for loading and holding heavy objects on top of the vehicle body to a work site; Loading heavy objects generated at the work site onto the holding unit; After loading the heavy object, the unmanned cleaning vehicle is driven to clean. Cleaning methods including.

5. After the cleaning, the heavy object is discharged from the holding portion and the unmanned cleaning vehicle is transported. The cleaning method of claim 4, comprising:

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