Mobile Mining Machine Control for Collision-Safe Automatic Dumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In narrow spaces such as mine tunnels, controlling the boom and bucket of a mining vehicle to dump a load into a target like a dump truck is challenging due to limited space, posing a risk of collision with walls or roofs, and manual operation is demanding for operators.
Innovation Solution
A mobile mining machine equipped with a sensor device to measure distances and heights, and a control unit to automate the dumping process by controlling movements of the machine, boom, and bucket based on threshold values to prevent collisions and optimize the dumping procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to control the boom and bucket in narrow spaces, then the operator can adjust to various situations, but the operation becomes demanding and difficult to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement of distance and height using sensor devices, and self-control of the boom and bucket through automated control unit operations, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination while maintaining adaptive performance in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated control system that uses sensor devices to measure distance and height, processes data through a control unit, and automatically actuates the boom and bucket, substituting complex manual operations with automated electronic control
2Reliability
If the boom and bucket are moved manually in limited space, then the dumping process can be controlled, but there is a risk that the boom and bucket may hit a wall or a roof or another obstacle
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from sensor devices measuring distance to obstacles and height clearance, processes this information through the control unit, and automatically adjusts boom and bucket movements to maintain safe clearance margins, preventing collisions with walls, roofs, or obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit calculates and determines the optimal dumping procedure in advance based on measured distance and height data before executing the movement, pre-planning the boom and bucket trajectory to avoid obstacles while achieving successful dumping
3Productivity
If automatic dumping is implemented using sensor data, then the dumping procedure becomes efficient and safe in confined spaces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data, calculates optimal dumping procedures, controls boom movement, controls bucket tilting, and monitors safety parameters, consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated control system that improves productivity while managing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and safe automatic dumping in confined spaces by optimizing the movement of the boom and bucket, reducing operator effort, and ensuring consistent, reliable operation even for inexperienced users.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device configured to measure a distance between a target and the mobile mining machine
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile mining machine (100), the mobile mining machine comprising: a frame (107), a bucket (103), a boom (102) having a distal end connected to the bucket, and a proximal end rotatably supported by the frame, a sensor device (10) configured to measure a distance between a target and the mobile mining machine, a control unit (CU) configured to control an action of the mobile mining machine. The control unit causes the mobile mining machine (100) to perform a predetermined action on condition that a distance measured by the sensor device (10) takes a value less than or equal to a threshold value, wherein the predetermined action comprises moving of the mobile mining machine (100), and/or stopping the mobile mining machine and/or raising and/or lowering the boom (102) and/or tilting the bucket (103).