Mining Vehicle Work Implement Calibration Using Environment Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration of mining vehicles, particularly for autonomously operating vehicles, often requires manual verification, which is inefficient and may not be timely or accurate, leading to potential operational issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for mining vehicles that utilize environment scanning to automatically detect the need for calibration by comparing actual positions and movement ranges of work implements to predefined thresholds, enabling automated calibration procedures without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual verification is used for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but calibration efficiency is low and it is not timely
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically comparing sensor data with scanner data without requiring manual verification. The mining vehicle's control system autonomously determines calibration needs and executes calibration procedures based on detected deviations, eliminating dependence on manual service personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors work implement positions through sensors and scanners, compares actual positions with target positions, and uses this feedback to automatically trigger calibration when deviations exceed thresholds. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures timely calibration without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If manual service personnel guidance is used for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but operation complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system operates autonomously without requiring manual service personnel guidance. The control system automatically processes sensor and scanner data, determines calibration needs, and executes calibration procedures, making the operation simple and self-sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical verification with automated electronic sensing and data processing. Sensors and scanners automatically capture position data, and the control system electronically processes this information to trigger calibration, eliminating the need for manual physical verification.
3Reliability
If timer-based calibration is used, then calibration can be performed periodically, but it may not be timely and operational issues may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors work implement positions and automatically triggers calibration when deviations from target positions exceed predefined thresholds. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures calibration is performed exactly when needed, improving reliability without unnecessary delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration timing is dynamic rather than static. Instead of fixed periodic intervals, the system adaptively determines calibration needs based on actual operational conditions and detected deviations, ensuring calibration is performed at the optimal moment for maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an example aspect, there is provided a method for a mining vehicle comprising a body, a work implement, and a scanner, comprising: receiving scanning data based on environment scanning, wherein the scanning data is indicative of a position of a work implement portion in relation to a body portion, receiving calibration triggering data comprising a calibration triggering threshold, for detecting a need for calibrating the work implement, processing the scanning data and the calibration triggering data to determine at least one of: - if a deviation between the target position and a current position of the work implement portion based on the scanning data meets the threshold, or - if a deviation between a target movement range and a current range of movement of the work implement portion based on the scanning data meets the threshold.