Autonomous Mining Vehicle for Explosive Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for explosive deposition in mining, both manual and semi-automated, are prone to human error, ergonomic risks, and lack complete automation, failing to provide efficient, safe, and predictable results.
Innovation Solution
A fully autonomous vehicle equipped with GPS, high precision geo-positioning, an electronic processor, and a robotic arm capable of performing all steps of explosive deposition without human intervention, including precise explosive calculation and detonator assembly, using multiple claws and magazines for efficient explosive handling and buffering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual explosive deposition is performed by operators, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but worker safety is compromised and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs explosive deposition autonomously without human intervention. The robotic vehicle independently navigates to drill holes, deposits explosives to precise depths, and buffers holes using automated mechanisms, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle explosives while maintaining high deposition accuracy through electronic control and GPS positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations by operators are replaced with an automated robotic system. The vehicle uses electronic processors, GPS receivers, and automated mechanical arms to perform explosive handling, deposition, and buffering operations, substituting human mechanical actions with controlled mechanical systems that eliminate direct worker exposure to harmful explosive materials.
2Extent of automation
If semi-automated vehicles are used for explosive deposition, then some automation is achieved, but complete independence from human intervention is not attained
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves complete automation by performing all deposition tasks independently. The vehicle autonomously navigates using GPS, identifies drill holes, calculates required explosive quantities based on hole depth and diameter, deposits explosives to exact specifications, and buffers holes without any human intervention, thereby achieving both full automation and reliable predictable results through consistent electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through its electronic processor that receives data from GPS receivers about hole locations, depths, and diameters. The processor uses this feedback information to automatically adjust explosive quantities and deposition parameters for each hole, ensuring predictable and reliable results while maintaining complete automation without human intervention.
3Measurement precision
If operators manually measure and deposit explosives, then precise control is possible, but time consumption and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Manual measurement and deposition processes are replaced with automated electronic systems. The vehicle uses GPS receivers to precisely measure hole locations and depths, electronic processors to calculate explosive requirements, and automated mechanisms to deposit explosives at high speed. This substitution maintains measurement precision through electronic sensing while dramatically increasing productivity by eliminating manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating explosive quantities and deposition parameters before actual deposition. The electronic processor receives advance information about hole characteristics from GPS measurements and prepares deposition plans automatically, enabling both precise measurement control and high-speed execution without time-consuming manual calculations or preparations.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a vehicle configured for the deposition of explosives in holes of open-pit exploration mines, wherein the vehicle is able to perform all seven steps carried out in the manual explosive deposition process, automatically, completely free of human intervention. Also described is a method of use of the aforementioned vehicle.