Mining Vehicle Cabin Suspension Pivoting to Attenuate Vibrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underground mining vehicles face challenges in maintaining a low profile while minimizing the transmission of unacceptably large loads and repetitive vibrations to the operator, as conventional attempts to lower the cabin profile often result in increased g-forces and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A cabin suspension system comprising pivot and displacement suspension units, along with shock-absorbing members, that allows the cabin to pivot and float relative to the vehicle, attenuating loads and vibrations by distributing and absorbing them before they affect the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the cabin profile is lowered to maintain a low vehicle profile, then the vehicle can travel through tunnels and shafts with low vertical clearance, but the operator experiences unacceptably large loads and repetitive vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The cabin is transformed from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamically suspended system that can pivot and float relative to the vehicle body. The suspension units allow the cabin to move dynamically in response to vehicle motion, isolating the operator from harmful vibrations and loads while maintaining a low cabin profile
Solution Approach 2:
Suspension units are introduced as intermediary elements between the vehicle body and the cabin. These units act as mediators that transmit necessary forces while filtering out harmful vibrations and loads, allowing the cabin to remain low-profile without directly transmitting vehicle shocks to the operator
2Length of moving object
If conventional methods are used to lower the cabin profile, then the vehicle maintains low vertical clearance, but g-forces increase and health and safety standards are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension units are pre-configured with attenuation members that provide cushioning before harmful g-forces and vibrations reach the cabin. This beforehand cushioning absorbs and attenuates shock forces generated during vehicle operation, protecting the operator while allowing the cabin to maintain a low profile
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
The suspension system effectively reduces g-forces and vibrations experienced by the operator, enhancing safety and compliance with health and safety standards while maintaining a low vehicle profile, and can be used to retrofit existing cabins.
Implementation Method 1
each pivot suspension unit having an attenuation member to attenuate a pivot movement of the cabin body relative to the mining vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system for a cabin of a mining vehicle. The suspension system comprises a plurality suspension units to support the cabin with respect to the mining vehicle. At least two of the suspension units are pivot suspension units, and each pivot suspension unit is pivotably mountable to the cabin and is fixedly mountable to the mining vehicle. The cabin is pivotable relative to the mining vehicle about a common pivot axis defined by the pivot suspension units. Each pivot suspension unit has an attenuation member to attenuate a pivot movement of the cabin relative to the mining vehicle. An underground mining vehicle and a cabin for a mining vehicle are also disclosed.