External Power Supply Unit for Lighter Mining Work Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mining and construction equipment face challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency, as existing solutions often require complex and heavy internal energy systems that are difficult to maintain and transport, and are not adaptable to varying external energy sources.
Innovation Solution
The use of an external supply unit with electrical energy storage and conversion capabilities, allowing for remote energy supply to work devices, reducing internal component complexity and weight, and enabling flexible energy adaptation and extended operating times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal energy storage devices and converters are integrated into work devices, then energy supply reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the energy supply function into two independent parts: the work device and the external supply unit. The external supply unit contains the energy storage device and converter, which are separated from the work device but connected via a connection means, allowing independent optimization of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device and converter are extracted from the work device and placed in an external supply unit. This extraction reduces the complexity and weight of the work device while maintaining reliable energy supply through the external connection
2Reliability
If internal energy storage devices are integrated into work devices, then energy supply reliability is improved, but weight of work device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy energy storage device and converter are extracted from the work device and placed in an external supply unit. The work device only carries minimal necessary components, significantly reducing its weight while the external supply unit provides the required energy through connection means
3Reliability
If components are integrated inside work device housing, then energy supply reliability is improved, but maintenance and repair difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the energy supply components into the external supply unit, which is physically separated from the work device. This segmentation allows the external supply unit to be accessed, maintained, and repaired independently without disassembling the work device housing
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device and converter are extracted from the work device housing and placed in the external supply unit. This extraction makes these components easily accessible for maintenance and repair operations, eliminating the need to open and work within the confined space of the work device housing
4Adaptability or versatility
If work devices are equipped with internal energy storage, then operational independence is improved, but transportation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the equipment into separable components: the work device and the external supply unit. During transportation, these components can be moved separately, reducing the complexity of handling and transporting a single integrated heavy unit
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the work device and external supply unit is designed to be dynamic and adaptable. The connection means allows the components to be easily connected and disconnected, providing flexibility in transportation and deployment scenarios
5Adaptability or versatility
If converters are integrated into work devices, then energy adaptability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The converter is extracted from the work device and placed in the external supply unit. This extraction provides the energy adaptation function without increasing the complexity or size of the work device, as the converter operates independently in the external unit
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
This solution decreases maintenance downtime, increases component lifespan, simplifies transportation, and allows for efficient energy use regardless of external energy quality, while reducing the size and weight of work devices and enhancing safety by relocating sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrical energy storage device that is configured to supply energy to the at least work device
Implementation Method 2
at least one converter that is configured to convert electrical energy from an external electricity supply to electrical energy that is suitable for the at least one work device
Data Source
AI summary
Mining or construction equipment including at least one work device and at least one external supply unit that includes at least one of: at least one electrical energy storage device that is configured to supply energy to the at least one work device and/or at least one converter that is configured to convert electrical energy from an external electricity supply to electrical energy for the at least one work device and to supply the electrical energy to the at least one work device. The mining or construction equipment also includes at least one branched or unbranched connection that is configured to connect at least one of the components arranged on the at least one external supply unit to the at least one work device.