Rock Drilling Rig Control System Intuitive Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The difficulty in positioning and moving the drilling unit in rock drilling operations, particularly in fan drilling, where operators need to change directions frequently, leading to increased mental load and reduced efficiency due to complex kinematics and joint management.

Innovation Solution

A control system that allows operators to control the drilling unit by moving a manual control member in intuitive directions, with the system determining the corresponding movements and target positions, focusing on one coordinate or direction angle at a time, thereby simplifying the operation and maintaining the drilling unit within a predetermined plane or pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the drilling unit is positioned using traditional control methods that directly control individual actuators or joints, then the positioning can be achieved, but the operator's mental load increases and operation becomes difficult due to complex kinematics and joint management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of positioning drilling unitVSAvoidcomplexity of joint management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the complex boom joint actuators. Instead of directly controlling individual actuators, the control system receives high-level positioning commands and automatically calculates the required actuator movements, thereby simplifying the operator's task while managing the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical control of multiple joints with an automated control system that uses computational algorithms to determine actuator commands. This substitution of mechanical control with intelligent automation reduces the operator's burden of managing complex joint kinematics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the operator manually manages multiple boom joints and actuators to position the drilling unit, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the operation time and efficiency are reduced due to the need to coordinate multiple movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling operation efficiencyVSAvoidtime for positioning movements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system pre-calculates the required actuator movements and coordinates them automatically, eliminating the time the operator would spend manually sequencing joint movements. The system prepares and executes the coordinated motion plan in advance, reducing positioning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system merges the control of multiple independent actuators into a single unified control interface. By combining the coordination function into the control system, the operator only needs to provide a single positioning command, and the system handles the complex multi-actuator coordination automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the control system allows direct control of individual actuators for precise positioning, then positioning precision is maintained, but the operator's mental load and difficulty of operation increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of drilling unitVSAvoidease of controlling drilling unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs self-service by automatically calculating and executing the coordinated actuator movements required to achieve the desired drilling unit position. The system serves itself by managing the complex control calculations, freeing the operator from the burden of manual coordination while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system transforms the control parameters from low-level actuator commands to high-level positioning commands. By changing the parameter representation from individual joint angles to desired drilling unit position, the system maintains precision while dramatically simplifying the operator's interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2539530B1Rock drilling rig, method for rock drilling, and control system of rock drilling rig
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY
  • EP2539530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2539530B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2539530B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a rock drilling rig, a method for rock drilling and a control system of a rock drilling rig. The rock drilling rig (1) comprises a drilling unit (6) for drilling drill holes (21) as a drill hole pattern. The location of the drilling unit is determined and the control unit (16) is arranged to control by means of a control member (19), on the basis of the given target position, actuators (19) influencing the position of the drilling unit. Each individual direction of motion of the control member is arranged to influence the target position in relation to only one coordinate or direction angle. Further, the directions of motion of the control member are arranged to be intuitive in relation to the directions of motion of the drilling unit.