Cable Bending Guide for Automated Mining Drill Rig Bolting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable handling systems for underground mining drill rigs require significant manual effort to install cable bolts, leading to inefficiencies, safety risks, and incomplete anchor installations due to the stiffness and weight of the cables.
Innovation Solution
A cable handling device comprising a first feeding assembly with a cable bending guide and a second feeding assembly with a suspension mechanism, allowing the cable to be automatically redirected and aligned with the drill rig's axis, reducing manual handling and enabling efficient cable installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling is used to push the cable into the bore hole, then the miner has direct control over cable insertion, but the heavy weight and stiffness of the cable make handling difficult, time-consuming, and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated cable feeding device that uses a roller-based drive system. The rollers are movable to accommodate cables of varying diameters, automating the cable feeding process into the bore hole while eliminating the need for miners to manually push the heavy, stiff cable
Solution Approach 2:
The cable feeding device is designed to automatically feed the cable into the bore hole without requiring continuous manual intervention. The movable rollers self-adjust to accommodate different cable diameters, enabling the system to service itself during the cable insertion process
2Reliability
If manual exertion is used to push the cable into the bore hole, then the miner can control the insertion process, but the cable may not fully penetrate the bore hole resulting in unsatisfactory anchors
Solution Approach 1:
The automated roller-based drive system replaces manual exertion, providing consistent and reliable force to push the cable fully into the bore hole. This ensures complete penetration and satisfactory anchor installation while eliminating the variability and physical limitation of manual pushing
3Adaptability or versatility
If a roller-based drive system with movable rollers is used to accommodate varying cable diameters, then adaptability is improved, but significant manual handling is still required to get the cable into the drilled bore hole
Solution Approach 1:
The movable rollers are designed to automatically adjust and self-adapt to different cable diameters without requiring manual reconfiguration. The rollers self-position to accommodate the varying cable sizes, enabling the system to handle different cable types autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The roller-based drive system incorporates movable, dynamic rollers that can adjust their position and configuration during operation. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying cable diameters while maintaining automated cable feeding functionality
4Productivity
If the cable feeding device is mounted on top of the drill rig to feed cable bolts into bore holes, then cable feeding capability is provided, but the added height prevents the device from fitting in small mine tunnels
Solution Approach 1:
The cable feeding device is designed to be mounted in a horizontal configuration along the drill rig rather than vertically on top. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the device to fit within the constrained height of small mine tunnels while maintaining full cable feeding functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A cable handling device for an underground mining drill rig, wherein the cable handling device includes a first feeding assembly having a cable bending guide and a first feeding device configured to receive a cable, grip the cable and feed the cable in a first direction into the cable bending guide. The cable bending guide is configured to guide the cable along an arcuate path such that the cable exits the cable bending guide in a second direction offset a predetermined angle to the first direction.