Conveyance Machine Vessel Positioning in Mine Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance machines used in tunnel mining face challenges in navigating and operating effectively within the confined and complex environment of mine tunnels, requiring specialized design and navigation systems to ensure smooth operation and efficient load handling.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance machine equipped with a traveling unit, a range sensor (including laser scanners or 3D range sensors) for geometric data output, and a processing unit to control the machine's movement and position adjustments, allowing it to autonomously navigate and load/unload in mine tunnels by detecting spatial data and relative positions, and a management system that communicates with the machine for path planning and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conveyance machine operates in a confined mine tunnel environment, then it can perform tunnel mining tasks, but its navigation and operation become more difficult compared to surface mining
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-planning the vessel's movement path and position adjustments before actual loading operations. The processing unit calculates the optimal path for the vessel to reach the loading machine and positions itself correctly in advance, ensuring smooth operations in the confined tunnel environment without last-minute maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to move not only forward and backward but also laterally in the width direction of the conveyance machine. This dynamic adjustment enables the vessel to adapt its position relative to the vehicle body to optimize loading operations within the constrained tunnel space
2Device complexity
If the vessel remains fixed on the vehicle body, then the structure is simpler, but the loading machine cannot efficiently load the vessel in confined tunnel spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position on the vehicle body. It can move in the width direction under control of the processing unit, allowing the loading machine to efficiently load the vessel even in the confined spaces of tunnel mining operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses range sensors to detect the position of the loading machine and the surrounding tunnel environment. This feedback information is processed to control the vessel's movement, ensuring it is optimally positioned for loading while avoiding collisions with tunnel walls or other obstacles
3Measurement precision
If GPS is used for position detection, then it works well in open areas, but it cannot provide precise positioning in mine tunnels
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces range sensors as intermediary devices to detect the tunnel environment and calculate the conveyance machine's position indirectly. Instead of relying on GPS satellites that cannot penetrate tunnel walls, the range sensors measure distances to tunnel walls and features to determine position through triangulation and dead reckoning methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic-based GPS system with a mechanical/optical measurement system using range sensors. This substitution enables position detection in the confined tunnel environment where electromagnetic signals from GPS cannot reach, achieving precise positioning through direct physical measurement of the surrounding space
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
Enables the conveyance machine to operate smoothly and efficiently within mine tunnels by providing precise navigation and load handling capabilities, enhancing operational safety and efficiency in tunnel mining environments.
Implementation Method 1
the range sensor includes at least one of a laser scanner and a 3-dimensional range sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The conveyance machine conveys a load. A conveyance machine includes a traveling unit, a vehicle body arranged above the traveling unit, a vessel provided on the vehicle body, a first detecting unit that detects a loading machine that loads a load on the vessel, and a processing unit that adjusts a position of the vessel according to a detected result of the first detecting unit so as the vessel to be positioned at a loading point where the loading machine performs loading.