Reusable Bucket Emptying Model for Mining Machine Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for automatically controlling mobile mining machines with buckets are prone to errors during the emptying process, as the movement differs between empty and full buckets, requiring manual teaching for each route, which is time-consuming and error-prone.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for defining a general-purpose bucket emptying model that can be used across multiple routes, allowing for the storage and reuse of an approved emptying movement, independent of specific routes, using a route definition unit that implements algorithms to define bucket and boom position data, enabling autonomous control without the need for manual teaching of each route.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual teaching is performed for each route to define bucket emptying movement, then the control accuracy for specific routes is improved, but the time consumption and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital model (copy) of the bucket emptying movement that can be reused across multiple routes. Instead of manually teaching the same emptying motion for each new route, the system stores the approved emptying movement as a reusable model and applies it automatically to new routes, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs the bucket emptying movement teaching in advance and stores it as a pre-defined model. This preliminary action allows the system to have the emptying movement ready before actually needing it for new routes, eliminating the need for repeated manual teaching and reducing time consumption for route introduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual teaching is performed for each route to define bucket emptying movement, then the control accuracy for specific routes is improved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By creating a reusable digital model of the bucket emptying movement, the system eliminates the need for complex manual teaching operations for each new route. The model can be automatically applied and adjusted, significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve accurate control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal emptying model that can be applied to multiple different routes and scenarios. This single model serves multiple functions across different routes, reducing the need for route-specific configurations and simplifying the overall system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If separate manual teaching is performed for each route, then the emptying movement is accurately adapted to specific route conditions, but the productivity and efficiency of introducing new routes decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement accuracyVSAvoidroute introduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the time-consuming emptying movement teaching in advance and stores it as a reusable model. When introducing new routes, the pre-prepared model can be quickly applied and adjusted to specific conditions, maintaining movement accuracy while dramatically improving route introduction efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By copying the approved emptying movement model to new routes, the system maintains consistent and accurate emptying performance across different routes without requiring repeated manual teaching, thereby improving productivity while preserving movement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2446091B1Definition of control data for automatic control of mobile mining machine
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY
  • EP2446091B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2446091B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2446091B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for arranging automatic control of a mobile mining machine equipped with a bucket. The method comprises generating a general-purpose bucket emptying model that defines at least the path of the bucket of the mining machine for emptying it. The bucket emptying model is stored on a memory means. The bucket emptying model is fetched from the memory means in response to a need to define emptying the bucket for the route. At least data defining the path of the bucket in the fetched bucket emptying model are appended to the path data for use in the automatic control of the mining machine.