Non-contact Sensor Mining Machine Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The detection accuracy of sensors in mining machines degrades when foreign objects like dust or dirt attach to them or when they come into contact with walls, affecting the precision of distance detection between the machine and the wall.
Innovation Solution
A mining machine equipped with a non-contact sensor positioned in the front section to detect objects and distances without physical contact, including the traveling path and areas beside it, along with an obstacle detection unit and a traveling control unit to manage navigation based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a contact sensor is used to detect distance between the wall and mining machine, then detection accuracy is improved, but the sensor degrades when foreign objects attach or it contacts the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact sensor with a non-contact sensor that uses electromagnetic waves (such as laser or radio waves) to detect the distance between the mining machine and the wall. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact, preventing foreign objects like dust or dirt from degrading the sensor while maintaining detection accuracy through electromagnetic wave reflection or transmission measurements.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned to detect the wall distance, then navigation precision is improved, but the sensor may contact the wall causing detection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions a non-contact sensor in the front section of the vehicle body to detect the wall distance without physical contact. The sensor emits electromagnetic waves toward the wall and measures the reflected or transmitted waves to calculate distance, thereby maintaining navigation precision while eliminating the risk of contact-induced detection failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary between the sensor and the wall. The waves serve as a mediator to transfer information about the wall's position and distance without requiring direct physical contact, thus maintaining detection stability while achieving precise navigation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the detection area covers both traveling path and side area, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but the sensor complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a non-contact sensor with a wide detection area that simultaneously performs multiple functions: detecting obstacles in the traveling path and measuring the distance to the wall beside the path. This multi-functional sensor design covers both the front traveling path area and the side wall area, improving adaptability while avoiding the need for separate sensors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the obstacle detection function and the wall distance detection function into a single non-contact sensor system. By combining these functions in one sensor arrangement, the system achieves versatile detection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to using multiple separate sensors.
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 configuration maintains detection accuracy and prevents collisions by stabilizing distance detection between the machine and walls, enhancing navigation and reducing operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor which is provided in a front section of the vehicle body and is able to contactlessly detect an object in a detection area
Data Source
AI summary
A mining machine includes a traveling device traveling a traveling path in a mine, a vehicle body supported by the traveling device, a non-contact sensor in a front section of the vehicle body which contactlessly detects an object in a detection area, and is arranged such that the traveling path in front of the vehicle body and an area beside the traveling path are included in the detection area, an obstacle detector detecting an obstacle in the traveling path in front of the vehicle body based on an output signal of the non-contact sensor, a distance detector a distance to a wall beside the traveling path based on an output signal of the non-contact sensor, and a traveling controller controlling the traveling device based on a detection result of at least one of the obstacle detection unit and the distance detection unit.