Mining Scanner Cleaning Control During Stationary Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mining machines face challenges in efficiently automating the cleaning of scanning devices, which are crucial for maintaining accurate navigation and operation, especially in dusty environments, leading to reduced operational efficiency and increased manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A system is developed to automatically detect the need for cleaning scanning devices on mining machines by assessing their stationarity and environmental conditions, allowing for scheduled or operator-initiated cleaning during stationary periods, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention and extending the operational time of the scanning devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of scanning devices is performed frequently, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to increased manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the mining machine to automatically detect its own stationary state and initiate cleaning operations without external intervention. The control system monitors carrier status and autonomously triggers the cleaning mechanism when conditions are appropriate, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting the carrier's stationary state before initiating cleaning. This ensures that cleaning operations are started at the optimal moment when the machine is not moving, preparing the scanning device for maintenance before it becomes necessary, thus improving both cleaning effectiveness and operational efficiency.
2Productivity
If cleaning operations are performed during movement, then operational continuity is improved, but safety and cleaning quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the carrier's movement status and using this information to control cleaning operations. The control system receives real-time data about whether the mining machine is moving or stationary, and adjusts cleaning activation accordingly, ensuring cleaning only occurs when safe and effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the cleaning function conditional and adaptive based on operational state. Rather than a fixed cleaning schedule, the system dynamically adjusts cleaning activation according to the carrier's movement status, allowing operational continuity when moving and ensuring cleaning quality when stationary.
3Ease of operation
If automated cleaning detection is implemented, then manual intervention is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by using the existing carrier status detection infrastructure for dual purposes: both navigation operations and cleaning activation. The same sensors and control systems that monitor machine position and movement are repurposed to trigger cleaning operations, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: detect a need to clean a scanning device of the mining machine, wherein the scanning device is configured to provide scanning data to a navigation application of the mining machine; detect a carrier of the mining machine to be substantially stationary; and cause cleaning of the scanning device, in response to detecting the carrier of the mining machine to be substantially stationary.