Drill Rod Handling Guides for Precise Alignment in Narrow Tunnels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for automating the supply of drilling expendables to underground mining drill rigs, particularly in narrow spaces, fail to address the challenge of aligning and connecting drill rods during deep drilling operations, leading to potential safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A handling system with a pickup mechanism and guide devices that align and connect drill rods using a first and second outer guide device, ensuring precise positioning and alignment through frustoconical guide screens and actuators, allowing automated and safe operation in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual work is used to supply drilling expendables to the drill rig, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but safety risks increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling system performs automatic pickup, transport, alignment, and connection of drill rods without human intervention. The system serves itself by using the drill rig's own drill head to engage and move the expendable, while the handling system provides the positioning and guiding infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The handling system acts as an intermediary between the magazine and the drill rig, providing a mechanical bridge that safely transfers expendables. The guide devices and pickup mechanism mediate the interaction between the automated system and the drill rig's drilling operations
2Productivity
If mechanized manipulators are used to supply expendables, then safety improves and productivity increases, but the system becomes too complex for narrow space confines
Solution Approach 1:
The handling system is divided into separate functional modules: a pickup mechanism for grasping expendables, guide devices for positioning, and a magazine for storage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while fitting within confined spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The guide devices serve multiple functions: they guide the expendable during transport, position it for connection, and can be laterally disengaged to allow drill head access. The system adapts to different operational phases without requiring separate dedicated components for each function
3Manufacturing precision
If a single guide device is used, then the system remains simple, but alignment precision is insufficient for deep drilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single-point guide to a distributed guidance system using multiple guide devices positioned at different locations and orientations. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions enables precise alignment through collaborative positioning rather than relying on a single complex guide mechanism
4Ease of operation
If the guide device remains stationary, then structural simplicity is maintained, but it interferes with drill head operation during deep drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system capable of lateral disengagement. This allows the guide to be positioned stably during alignment operations and then moved out of the way during drilling operations, adapting its state based on operational requirements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A handling system for handling expendables (1) for a drill rig (2) adapted for automated handling of the expendables (1).