Drill Rig Control System for Automated Parameter Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rock drilling methods rely heavily on driller skill and lack efficient parameter adjustment, leading to suboptimal drilling efficiency and speed, especially in varying drilling situations and hole types, where parameter changes are cumbersome or impossible during drilling.

Innovation Solution

The method groups holes by type and automatically selects drilling parameters based on the hole type, allowing for tailored parameter settings that enhance accuracy and efficiency by enabling quicker boom movement and optimized drilling phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drilling parameters are manually adjusted based on driller experience, then drilling flexibility is maintained, but drilling efficiency and speed are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidparameter adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-determines optimal drilling parameters for different hole types before drilling begins. The control unit stores multiple parameter sets corresponding to different hole types (e.g., exploration holes, blasting holes, support holes) and automatically selects the appropriate parameters based on the identified hole type, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during drilling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The drill rig automatically selects and applies drilling parameters without requiring driller intervention. The control unit monitors drilling conditions, identifies the hole type, and autonomously adjusts parameters to optimize drilling performance, making the system self-regulating and independent of operator skill level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If drilling parameters are fixed in advance for different hole types, then drilling speed increases, but adaptability to exceptional situations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling speedVSAvoidparameter adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts drilling parameters based on real-time monitoring of drilling conditions and identification of hole types. The control unit can switch between different pre-stored parameter sets or adjust parameters within ranges based on actual drilling progress, rock conditions, and hole type requirements, maintaining both speed and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system stores multiple parameter sets for different hole types and enables dynamic parameter changes during drilling. The control unit can modify parameters such as drill bit rotation speed, feed rate, and hydraulic pressure based on the identified hole type and real-time drilling conditions, allowing optimization for both standard and exceptional situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If manual parameter setting is used for each hole, then drilling accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling accuracyVSAvoidparameter setting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures optimal parameter sets for different hole types before drilling begins. The control unit automatically identifies the hole type based on the drilling pattern and selects the corresponding pre-determined parameters, ensuring accurate drilling without requiring time-consuming manual adjustment for each hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors drilling parameters and conditions in real-time, providing feedback to automatically adjust parameters or trigger alerts when deviations occur. This feedback mechanism ensures drilling accuracy is maintained while eliminating manual parameter setting time, as the system self-corrects based on monitored conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2064414B1Method for drilling rock
Publication Date: 2014.12.03 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY
  • EP2064414B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2064414B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2064414B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for drilling rock, wherein holes (2 to 7; 9a to 11a) to be drilled are determined prior to drilling as a drilling pattern wherein for each hole (2 to 7; 9a to 11a), a starting place, direction and hole depth for drilling are determined with respect to the rock to be drilled. In the invention, hole-type-specific drilling parameters are determined for the holes (2 to 7; 9a to 11a) to be drilled, and during a drilling phase a drill rig automatically selects drilling parameters for each hole (2 to 7; 9a to 11a) to be drilled on the basis of the hole type of the particular hole.