Mobile Explosive Platform Suspension for Accurate Weighing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for weighing bulk explosives or their constituents during transport on mine sites with rough terrain are ineffective due to load cell structures that fail to bear the full weight of the tanks, leading to compromised measurements and potential damage from uneven terrain forces.

Innovation Solution

A mobile platform with a suspension system that counteracts forces affecting the load cell structure, allowing meaningful weight measurements by enabling vertical displacement and maintaining the load cell's operational integrity, combined with a conduit system for efficient explosive delivery and a mixing apparatus to prevent explosive migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If load cells are used to weigh bulk explosive or constituents during transport on rough terrain, then weight measurement capability is provided, but the load cells are unable to counteract forces from uneven terrain causing measurement compromise or cell damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement accuracyVSAvoidload cell structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system divides the support function into multiple independent components: load cells for measurement and suspension elements for force absorption. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system provides beforehand cushioning by positioning suspension elements between the tank and frame to absorb and counteract forces from uneven terrain before these forces can reach and damage the load cells, protecting the measurement system in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Measurement precision

If the suspension system bears none of the tank weight during normal operation, then load cell measurement accuracy is maintained, but the system must still counteract forces from uneven terrain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement accuracyVSAvoidterrain-induced forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension elements act as intermediaries between the tank and the frame, selectively transmitting only vertical gravitational forces to the load cells while filtering out and counteracting harmful forces from uneven terrain through controlled vertical displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system provides beforehand cushioning by positioning suspension elements between the tank and frame to absorb and counteract forces from uneven terrain before these forces can reach and damage the load cells, protecting the measurement system in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the tank is rigidly fixed to prevent shifting, then measurement stability is improved, but the ability to counteract terrain forces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetank position stabilityVSAvoidforce counteraction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system introduces controlled dynamics by allowing vertical displacement of the tank relative to the frame. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to terrain variations while maintaining measurement stability through the load cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system divides the support function into multiple independent components: load cells for measurement and suspension elements for force absorption. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10184770B2Mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosive

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 LDE INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosives to a blast hole. One embodiment of the platform provides the ability to obtain weight information relating to the contents of a tank that is associated with the platform and that, in operation, contains either the bulk explosive or a constituent of the explosive. The platform comprises a vehicle with a frame, a tank, a load cell structure for connecting the frame and the tank and providing weight data relating to the contents of the tank, and a suspension system that prevents relative movement of the frame and the tank that could compromise the load cell structure. Another embodiment of the platform provides a tank for holding an explosive composition and a rotary shaft that supports a mixing blade that mixes the explosive composition within the tank. The platform further comprises bearing structure for supporting the rotary shaft that is located to deter any of the explosive composition from entering the bearing. A further embodiment of the platform comprises a conduit structure for discharging a bulk explosive into a blast hole that includes a substantially rigid tube with an outlet port for discharging a bulk explosive into the blast hole. The tube is adapted to rotate about a vertical axis such that the outlet port can be moved towards and away from the vehicle along an arc of less than 180°. In one embodiment, the outlet port can be positioned substantially adjacent to an operator's station to allow an operator to readily view the loading of the explosive into the blast hole.