Cable Feeder Roller Mechanism for Drill Rig
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rock drilling and bolting rigs face challenges in efficiently inserting cables into rock surfaces due to the complexity of fluid power actuation and management of external hoses, which can lead to overstressing and snagging, increasing maintenance needs and reducing rigidity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cable feeder system with internal fluid passages and a compact drive system featuring a first roller for rotation and pivoting, and a second roller for rotation and translational movement, supported by an extendable base frame and feed frame, eliminating the need for external hoses and reducing complexity with a low-height profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external hoses are used for fluid power actuation, then the system can be actuated, but the hoses can lead to overstressing and snagging, increasing maintenance needs and reducing rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid power actuation system directly into the cable feeder structure, merging the hydraulic lines and actuation mechanisms with the feeder body. This eliminates external hoses by incorporating internal fluid passages and mounting the drive unit and rollers as an integrated assembly, thereby reducing maintenance needs from hose-related issues while maintaining actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the fluid power components within the cable feeder structure, placing hydraulic lines, actuators, and drive mechanisms inside or within the structural boundaries of the feeder. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external hoses by containing all fluid power infrastructure within the feeder's own volume, reducing both maintenance needs and structural complexity
2Productivity
If a compact drive system with pivoting and translational rollers is used, then the cable insertion efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic mechanisms where the first roller is supported for pivoting movement about a pivot axis and the second roller is supported for translational movement. These dynamic capabilities allow the rollers to adapt to cable positioning variations and maintain optimal engagement, enhancing cable insertion efficiency while the movements are constrained within controlled degrees of freedom to manage complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system with pivoting and translational rollers serves multiple functions: it guides the cable, applies driving force for insertion, and compensates for positioning variations. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated roller mechanism rather than separate components, the system enhances productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Strength
If internal fluid passages are used, then the rigidity is maintained and hoses are eliminated, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the structural support function with the fluid power transmission function by integrating internal fluid passages directly into the feeder's structural components. This merging allows the same structural elements to provide both mechanical support (maintaining rigidity) and fluid conduits, eliminating the need for separate hose assemblies while managing manufacturing complexity through functional integration
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
This solution enhances the efficiency of cable insertion by minimizing moving parts, reducing maintenance, and maintaining rigidity through internal fluid passages, while providing a compact and low-complexity design for rock drilling and bolting operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first roller supported on the first support for rotation and configured to drive a cable, and a second roller supported on the second support for rotation and configured to drive the cable
Implementation Method 2
The cable feeder includes at least one actuator in fluid communication with the internal fluid passages of the rod
Data Source
AI summary
A cable feed tool includes a first support, a second support coupled to the first support, a first roller supported on the first support for rotation and configured to drive a cable, and a second roller supported on the second support for rotation and configured to drive the cable. The first roller is also supported for pivoting movement relative to the second support about a pivot axis. The second roller is also supported for translational movement relative to the first support.