Drilling Unit Distance Control for Accurate Rock Surface Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock drilling technologies rely on preconfigured drilling plans that may not accurately reflect the actual rock surface, requiring manual adjustment by operators, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, reducing the effectiveness of automated drilling.
Innovation Solution
Implementing distance measurement sensors, such as radar or ultrasound, on the drilling unit to measure the distance to the rock surface in real-time, allowing for precise control of the drilling unit's movement and updating the drilling plan based on the actual surface profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If preconfigured drilling plans are used, then automated drilling can be initiated, but the drilling plan may not accurately reflect the actual rock surface requiring manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of the rock surface using laser or ultrasonic sensors before drilling operations begin. This advance measurement creates an accurate digital model of the actual rock surface topology, which is then used to pre-calculate and adjust drilling positions, ensuring both automation and precision from the start without requiring manual reconfiguration during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously scans the rock surface and feeds this real-time data back to the control system. The control system compares the actual surface profile with the planned drilling positions and automatically adjusts the drilling plan accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that automated drilling maintains high precision even when rock surface variations occur during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of drilling plan is performed, then drilling position accuracy can be improved, but it is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated optical/electronic measurement and control system. Laser or ultrasonic sensors automatically measure rock surface distances, and a computer control system automatically calculates and adjusts drilling positions, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining or improving precision and significantly increasing operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling system performs self-adjustment by automatically scanning the rock surface, processing the distance data, and modifying its own drilling plan without external human intervention. The control system serves itself by continuously optimizing drilling positions based on real-time surface measurements, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments and reducing human error.
3Measurement precision
If distance measurement sensors are implemented on drilling unit, then real-time control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling unit is designed with multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. For example, the scanning system can be used for both distance measurement and rock surface characterization, and the control system handles both positioning and drilling parameter optimization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
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 accurate, automated drilling by avoiding manual reconfiguration, reducing errors, and improving the efficiency and applicability of automatic drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
distance measurement sensors, such as radar or ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
distance measurement sensors, such as radar or ultrasound
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Example embodiments related to controlling of a drill rig. An apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: cause scanning of a rock surface by at least one scanning device coupled to a drilling unit of the drill rig; determine, based on the scanning of the rock surface, a distance between the drilling unit and the rock surface at a planned hole position; control movement of the drilling unit towards the planned hole position based on the distance between the drilling unit and the rock surface at the planned hole position; and cause the drilling unit to drill a hole at the planned hole position