Mining System Vertical Road Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The movement of loading machines in mining tunnels hinders the movement of other vehicles, leading to decreased productivity.

Innovation Solution

A mining system that includes a frame structure with a loading machine operating on a dedicated work road surface and mined material-transport vehicles using a separate transport passage below the frame, allowing simultaneous operation without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the loading machine operates in the travel passage, then it can load ore directly, but it hinders the movement of transport vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading operation simplicityVSAvoidtransport vehicle movement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tunnel cross-section is segmented into two distinct operational zones: a work road surface at the upper level for loading machine operations, and a transport passage at the lower level for vehicle movement. This spatial segmentation allows both functions to occur simultaneously without interference, resolving the contradiction between loading simplicity and transport efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from horizontal/linear space usage to vertical/three-dimensional space utilization. By stacking the work road surface above the transport passage within the same tunnel cross-section, the system enables concurrent operations in different vertical layers, eliminating the hindrance to vehicle movement while maintaining direct loading capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the loading machine reciprocates between mining site and travel passage, then it can perform loading duties, but it blocks other moving vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading machine operational capabilityVSAvoidvehicle movement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The operational space is divided into distinct zones: the loading machine operates on the work road surface while transport vehicles move on the transport passage below. This segmentation eliminates path conflicts and allows continuous, uninterrupted vehicle movement while the loading machine reciprocates freely without blocking vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure acts as an intermediary element that supports the work road surface and loading machine operations above while leaving the lower transport passage clear for vehicle movement. This intermediary structure enables both functions to coexist without direct interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If transport vehicles use the same passage as loading machine, then tunnel space is utilized, but operations interfere with each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetunnel space utilizationVSAvoidsimultaneous operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maximizes tunnel space utilization by using the vertical dimension to create stacked operational layers. The work road surface is positioned at the upper level while the transport passage occupies the lower level, allowing full utilization of the tunnel cross-sectional area and enabling simultaneous operations without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The tunnel interior is segmented into functional zones: the upper work road surface for loading operations and the lower transport passage for vehicle movement. This segmentation allows both types of operations to occur concurrently in different spatial zones, maintaining high productivity while efficiently utilizing the available tunnel space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3828381B1Mining system
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP3828381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3828381B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3828381B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mining system (100) includes: a first tunnel that reaches a dump site and includes a first road surface (13); a second tunnel that crosses the first tunnel, reaches a mining site, and includes a second road surface (22) positioned above the first road surface (13); a frame (30) that includes a lower surface (31a) provided above the first road surface (13) of the first tunnel and forming a transport passage (P) between the first road surface (13) and the lower surface (31a) and an upper surface (31b) forming a work road surface (S), on which a loading machine operates, together with the second road surface (22); and a moving vehicle that is capable of traveling on the first road surface (13) and is capable of passing through the transport passage (P).