Mining Truck Steering Control for Trolley Line Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mining trucks operating on trolley-assisted systems face challenges in efficiently steering and maintaining electrical connection with overhead trolley lines, leading to suboptimal fuel efficiency and increased operational costs due to reliance on skilled operators for manual control of pantographs and steering.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a trolley-assist-capable mining truck that includes a steering mechanism and electronic control unit, which receives data on prospective directional changes in the on-trolley availability corridor and outputs control commands to adjust the truck's heading, enabling autonomous steering and optimized electrical connection with the trolley line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual steering and pantograph control are used by skilled operators, then the mining truck can maintain electrical connection with the trolley line, but operator fatigue increases and fuel efficiency deteriorates due to suboptimal timing and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the mining truck to autonomously control its own steering and pantograph actuation through an automated control system that receives positioning data and generates appropriate control commands, eliminating the need for operator intervention and optimizing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control system operated by the driver is replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to control steering and pantograph timing, optimizing fuel efficiency and eliminating operator fatigue
2Productivity
If automated steering control is implemented to optimize trolley line alignment, then fuel efficiency improves and operator fatigue reduces, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system performs multiple functions including receiving positioning data, determining optimal steering commands, controlling pantograph actuation, and maintaining trolley line alignment, consolidating what would otherwise require separate systems into a single multi-functional controller
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control system acts as an intermediary between the positioning data sensors and the steering/pantograph actuators, processing information and generating control commands that coordinate multiple subsystems to work together efficiently
3Reliability
If the pantograph is actuated at non-optimal timing by manual operators, then the mining truck may lose electrical connection with the trolley line, but the complexity of precise timing control avoids automation
Solution Approach 1:
The system receives positioning data and determines optimal pantograph actuation commands in advance based on predicted truck position and trolley line geometry, allowing the pantograph to be actuated at the optimal moment to ensure continuous electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives positioning data from sensors and uses this feedback to adjust steering and pantograph control commands in real-time, ensuring the mining truck maintains optimal alignment with the trolley line and reliable electrical connection
Data Source
AI summary
Operating a mining truck includes receiving data indicative of a prospective directional change in an on-trolley availability corridor, and outputting a control command to a steering mechanism of the mining truck responsive to the data. The mining truck is steered responsive to the control command from a first heading accordant with a first part of the corridor toward a second heading accordant with a succeeding part of the corridor. A related mining truck and steering system are disclosed.