Inclination-Based Jack Levelling for Drilling Debris Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling machine levelling systems restrict jack extension, limiting the machine's height and leading to excessive dust and debris fallout during drilling operations, which affects hole accuracy and requires frequent re-drilling.
Innovation Solution
An inclination-based levelling system that uses sensors to monitor roll and pressure data to calculate debris volume and adjust jack positions, allowing for customizable machine height settings to manage debris spread and maintain accurate hole depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the jack extension is restricted to bring the machine into a levelled and stable state, then the machine achieves stability and levelness, but the machine sits low to the work surface which causes excessive debris fallout and reduces drilling accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The levelling system transitions from a static, fixed jack extension limit to a dynamic, adjustable extension limit. The controller dynamically modifies the maximum jack extension based on real-time sensor feedback about debris volume and machine inclination, allowing the system to adapt between stability-focused and precision-focused operating states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of jack extension limit from a fixed value to a variable value that depends on debris volume and drilling conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system optimizes both machine stability and hole depth accuracy for different operating scenarios.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the jack extension is restricted to bring the machine into a levelled and stable state, then the machine achieves stability, but excessive fallback occurs when retracting the drill bit from the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the jack extension limit based on real-time debris volume measurements. When debris volume is high, the system allows greater jack extension to raise the machine higher, reducing fallback and the need for re-drilling, thereby maintaining productivity while preserving stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback about debris volume and machine inclination to continuously adjust the jack extension limit. This closed-loop control ensures that the machine maintains optimal height for minimizing fallback while remaining stable, directly improving drilling efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the machine is raised to a greater height from the work surface, then debris can spread beyond the limits of the dust hood and fallback is reduced, but the machine requires extended jack operation beyond typical levelling needs
Solution Approach 1:
The levelling system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: traditional machine levelling plus dynamic height adjustment for debris management. By integrating debris volume sensing and automated jack control, the system handles both stability and precision requirements through a single unified control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the appropriate jack extension based on sensor data about debris volume and machine inclination. The controller self-adjusts the jack operation without requiring manual intervention, simplifying operation despite the enhanced functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and controllers are added to enable inclination-based levelling and debris volume calculation, then jack position can be dynamically adjusted, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions using a unified architecture: monitoring machine inclination, calculating debris volume, determining optimal jack extension, and controlling jack operation. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity compared to separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically processes sensor data and makes control decisions without requiring external intervention or complex user programming. The system self-configures and self-optimizes based on real-time conditions, reducing the operational complexity despite enhanced adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling machine includes an inclination-based levelling system. The drilling machine includes a frame with front and rear portions, and a plurality of support jacks including a pair of rear jacks proximate the rear portion of the frame and a front jack proximate the front portion of the frame. Each jack is extendable and retractable. The drilling machine also includes a sensor configured to monitor and transmit sensor data, the sensor data including at least one of a roll of the drilling machine and a pressure. A controller operatively associated with the sensor, is configured to calculate a volume of debris to be produced during an operation of the drilling machine, to select a machine height setting based on the calculated volume of debris, and to extend and retract the plurality of support jacks according to the selected machine height setting.