Autonomous Blasting Vehicle with Robotic Detonator Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blasting systems are laborious, prone to human error, and inefficient, especially in arduous conditions, due to manual placement of detonators and lack of effective communication in wireless systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing an autonomously controlled vehicle with robotic means to survey, program, and place detonators with calculated time delays, and pump emulsion into blast holes, with optional flexible signal-transmitting conductors, enabling efficient and error-reduced blasting system establishment, including adaptive learning for improved blasting results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual placement of detonators is used, then the blasting system can be established, but the process is laborious and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs self-navigation to locate blast holes using survey data, self-programs detonators with calculated time delays, and self-executes the blasting sequence without human intervention, thereby eliminating manual errors while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated robotic systems including robotic arms for detonator handling, automated programming interfaces for time delay configuration, and computer-controlled vehicle navigation, substituting human mechanical actions with precise automated systems
2Ease of operation
If wireless detonator system is used, then labor is reduced, but return communication from detonators to blasting machine is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where detonators transmit status information back to the blasting machine through wireless communication protocols, enabling the blasting machine to receive confirmation of detonator arming, firing status, and diagnostic data without requiring physical conductors
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves multiple functions including command transmission from blasting machine to detonators, status reporting from detonators to blasting machine, and diagnostic data exchange, replacing the single-function role of physical conductors with a multi-functional wireless protocol
3Productivity
If automated vehicle with robotic means is used, then efficiency increases and human error reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple previously separate systems (vehicle navigation, robotic manipulators, detonator programming interface, emulsion pumping system, survey data processing) are merged into a single integrated autonomous vehicle platform, sharing common control architecture, power supply, and navigation systems to manage complexity while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle performs multiple functions including navigation to blast holes, robotic detonator retrieval and programming, wireless communication coordination, emulsion pumping, and data processing, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate pieces of equipment into one multi-functional platform
Data Source
AI summary
A blasting system which is established using an autonomously controlled vehicle to traverse a blast site, moving from blast hole to blast hole and at each blast hole using robotic means to prepare each blast hole for detonation.