Automated Machine Control via Area Isolation for Underground Worksites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated systems for managing machines at underground worksites face challenges in navigating through obstructions, barriers, and personnel presence, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety hazards during payload transportation between load and dump points.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising on-board monitoring modules to detect operational parameters and area isolation control modules to identify machine and personnel barriers, coupled with a machine control module that uses site maps to automate traversal and control operations, ensuring safe and efficient navigation between load and dump points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated traversal control is implemented without barrier detection, then operational efficiency is improved, but safety is worsened due to collision risks with barriers and personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an area isolation control module as an intermediary system that detects barriers and personnel using sensors (optical, acoustic, or electromagnetic) and communicates this information to the machine control module. This mediator enables automated operation while maintaining safety by providing real-time barrier detection without requiring manual intervention during traversal.
2Reliability
If comprehensive barrier detection systems are deployed, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control modules
Solution Approach 1:
The area isolation control module is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting various types of barriers (machine barriers, personnel barriers), identifying different barrier types through sensor signals, communicating with the machine control module, and controlling machine shutdown. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated module rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
3Ease of operation
If real-time monitoring of operational parameters is implemented, then operational control is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous sensor operation and data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring modules continuously track operational parameters (position, speed, load status) and the area isolation control module continuously monitors for barriers and personnel throughout the machine's operation. This continuous monitoring enables real-time automated control decisions without interrupting machine operation, maintaining ease of operation while optimizing energy use by only activating shutdown procedures when actual barrier detections occur rather than continuously testing safety conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automated operation of a plurality of machines deployed on an underground worksite is provided. The system includes a monitoring module provided on-board each of the plurality of machines. The system also includes an area isolation control module associated with the underground worksite. The system further includes a machine control module coupled to the monitoring module and the area isolation control module.