Mining Machine Zone Attachment Using Position Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mining automation systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently attaching mining machines to operation zones without user intervention, particularly due to unreliable positioning technologies, which can lead to incorrect attachments and compromised safety.

Innovation Solution

A system that utilizes a combination of positioning devices and reliability ratings to automatically attach mining machines to operation zones based on the accuracy of detected positions, allowing attachment without user confirmation when reliability criteria are met, and controlling operations accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic attachment of mining machines to operation zones is implemented without reliability assessment, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but reliability and safety deteriorate due to incorrect attachments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment process efficiencyVSAvoidattachment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary reliability assessment of positioning data before executing the attachment operation. The control device evaluates positioning reliability indicators in advance, and only proceeds with automatic attachment when the reliability meets predetermined thresholds, thus preventing incorrect attachments while maintaining automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors positioning reliability indicators and provides feedback to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device dynamically adjusts whether to proceed with automatic attachment or request manual confirmation, creating a closed-loop control system that balances automation with safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If user confirmation is required for all attachment operations, then reliability is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to increased manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment accuracyVSAvoidattachment process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies user confirmation requirements selectively rather than universally. When positioning reliability is high, automatic attachment proceeds without user confirmation (partial action). When reliability is uncertain, user confirmation is requested (excessive action). This partial application of confirmation requirements optimizes both safety and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If positioning technology with higher accuracy is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter being measured from raw position coordinates to positioning reliability indicators. By evaluating the reliability of positioning data rather than relying solely on high-precision positioning hardware, the system achieves accurate attachment decisions using existing positioning technologies, thus avoiding the need for more complex and expensive positioning systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If automatic attachment is implemented without reliability assessment, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of harmful factors increases due to incorrect zone assignments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment operation simplicityVSAvoidsafety risks from incorrect attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary reliability assessment before executing automatic attachment, evaluating positioning data quality in advance. This preliminary action prevents harmful outcomes by identifying unreliable positioning scenarios before they can cause incorrect attachments, while maintaining operational simplicity for reliable cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4707531A1Attachment of a mining machine to an operation zone
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY
  • EP4707531A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4707531A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4707531A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Example embodiments relate to controlling of a mining machine. An apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory including 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: receive an indication of a position of the mining machine; determine that the position of the mining machine is within an operation zone; determine a reliability rating for the position of the mining machine; attach the mining machine to the operation zone without requesting, via a user interface, a confirmation of the attachment of the mining machine to the operation zone, in response to determining that the reliability rating meets a condition; and control operation of the mining machine based on the mining machine being attached to the operation zone.