Flexible Drill Rod Guiding System for Low Profile Mines

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Solution Overview

Problem

In low profile and extra low profile mines, the need for long rock reinforcement bolts requires continuous drilling, which is inefficient and risky due to the need for manual extension of drill rods, and existing drill rod technologies lack durability and adaptability in confined spaces.

Innovation Solution

A hollow, flexible, and rotatable drill rod system with a guiding element system that includes an inner guide and an outer support arrangement to maintain the drill rod's straightness and flexibility, along with a flushing medium hose to reduce friction and wear, allowing for continuous drilling and improved rod longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If manual rod extension is used for continuous drilling in low profile mines, then drilling can be extended beyond machine height, but productivity decreases and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling depthVSAvoiddrilling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous drilling by eliminating the need to stop and manually extend rods. The drill rod system maintains continuous rotation and feeding action throughout the drilling process, allowing drilling depth to exceed machine height without interrupting the useful action of cutting rock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a flexible drill rod as an intermediary element that transmits rotational motion and drilling force from the feed unit to the drill bit. This flexible rod acts as a mediator that can bend and extend beyond the machine's physical height constraints while maintaining continuous drilling action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If manual rod extension is used, then drilling depth can be increased, but safety risks increase due to manual handling in confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling depthVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drill rod system is designed to feed and extend itself automatically through the feeding mechanism without requiring manual intervention. The rod propels itself forward during drilling and can be extended automatically, eliminating the need for workers to manually handle rods in confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible drill rod serves as an intermediary that eliminates direct human contact with the drilling process at depth. Instead of workers manually positioning and extending rods, the flexible rod system mechanically accomplishes this function, reducing safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid guiding elements are used for the drill rod, then guidance is provided, but adaptability to feed unit movements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to movements

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible drill rod with a flexible outer casing that can bend and deform to accommodate movements of the feed unit and drill bit. This flexible shell maintains guidance and structural integrity while adapting to dynamic movements during drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding system transitions from rigid to dynamic flexibility. The drill rod's flexibility allows it to dynamically adapt its shape and position in response to feed unit movements, maintaining guidance stability while accommodating operational dynamics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If flexible drill rod is used for continuous drilling, then adaptability to movements is improved, but durability and stress resistance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to movementsVSAvoidrod durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible drill rod uses a specially designed flexible shell structure that provides both flexibility for movement adaptation and sufficient strength for durability. The shell material and construction are engineered to resist wear, bending stresses, and mechanical loads while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The drill rod likely employs composite material construction combining flexible and strong properties. This allows the rod to simultaneously achieve flexibility for adapting to movements and sufficient strength for withstanding drilling stresses and maintaining durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3693535B1Drilling arrangement, drilling machine and method

Publication Date: 2021.06.09 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY

Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3~4

AI summary

A drilling arrangement, a mine drilling machine and a method. The arrangement comprises - a hollow, flexible and rotatable drill rod (2), - a feed unit (1) for feeding and rotating said drill rod (2), - a feed beam (4) arranged to support the feed unit (1), - a guiding element system (5) arranged to support a section of the drill rod (2) entering the rotation unit (1), the guiding element system (5) comprising -- an inner guide (6), arranged to envelop said section of the drill rod (2), -- an outer support arrangement (9) arranged to support and guide a first length of the inner guide (6) in/on a carrier (10) of the mine drilling machine, and -- the inner guide (6) being movable in its lengthwise direction in the outer support arrangement (9).