Battery-Powered Mining Vehicle Short-Wheelbase Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load-haul-dump (LHD) mining vehicles have limited visibility and are constrained by their longer length and diesel-powered engines, which affect power and capacity.
Innovation Solution
Designing battery-powered mining vehicles with a smaller form factor, improved chassis structure for increased stability and traction, and enhanced visibility by reducing length and height, while maintaining high hauling capacity and power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the vehicle length is increased to improve axial weight and bucket capacity, then the hauling capacity is improved, but the ground visibility distance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a conventional long-wheelbase vehicle configuration to a short-wheelbase configuration with vertically stacked battery packs. This repositions the heavy components in the vertical dimension rather than extending the vehicle horizontally, thereby improving ground visibility while maintaining the required hauling capacity through increased vertical stacking of battery units.
2Power
If the vehicle uses diesel-powered engines to provide power, then the power output is sufficient, but the vehicle size and weight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional diesel-powered mechanical engine system with an electric power system consisting of battery packs and electric motors. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy diesel engines, transmission systems, and associated mechanical components, thereby reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining sufficient power output for mining operations.
3Power
If the vehicle uses diesel-powered engines to provide power, then the power output is sufficient, but the power density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy storage parameter from chemical fuel (diesel) to electrical energy (battery packs). This parameter change enables higher power density because electric motors can deliver peak power almost instantly without the weight penalty of large fuel tanks and engine components required for equivalent diesel power output, thereby improving the power-to-weight ratio.
4Length of moving object
If the vehicle length is reduced to improve visibility and maneuverability, then the ground visibility distance is improved, but the bucket capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the power system into multiple modular battery packs that can be stacked vertically. This segmentation allows the vehicle to maintain a compact horizontal footprint for improved visibility and maneuverability while achieving the required power and capacity through vertical stacking of energy storage units, effectively decoupling vehicle length from power and capacity requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The battery-powered mining vehicles offer improved visibility, increased maneuverability, and enhanced power-to-size ratio, resulting in better performance and cost efficiency compared to conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a power system including an electric motor, the electric motor having a peak power value
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a mining vehicle are disclosed. The embodiments provide mining vehicles that are battery powered rather than diesel powered. The embodiments also provide vehicles that have relatively high hauling capacity relative to their length and footprint (area). The embodiments also provide vehicles with improved forward and rearward ground visibility. In addition, the mining vehicles have a higher density compared to traditional vehicles, which helps to improve traction, as well as better vehicle handing and power density because of increased power relative to diesel powered vehicles.