Modular Transport Vehicle for Underground Mining Machines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly and disassembly of full-face machines, used for underground rock excavation, are time-consuming and limited to straight-line mining due to their complex nature and large size, making them inflexible for use in confined or curved mining routes.

Innovation Solution

A transport vehicle with a chassis and receiving frame designed to accommodate longitudinal modules of full-face machines, allowing for efficient transportation and handling in cramped spaces, featuring a U-shaped chassis with crawler tracks and a detachable receiving frame that can be inserted and removed axially, enabling modular assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If full-face machines are used for underground rock excavation, then high excavation speed and efficient construction can be achieved, but the machines are too large and complex for flexible use in confined or curved mining routes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation speedVSAvoidflexibility in mining routes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The full-face machine is divided into multiple longitudinal modules that can be detached and transported separately. Each module can be handled independently by the transport vehicle, allowing the machine to be disassembled for navigation through confined spaces and reassembled at the destination to maintain high excavation productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If full-face machines are designed as large integrated systems, then high excavation efficiency is achieved, but assembly and disassembly become time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation efficiencyVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is segmented into standardized longitudinal modules with detachable connections, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly operations compared to traditional integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modules are designed with pre-configured connection interfaces and attachment points that facilitate quick coupling and decoupling operations, reducing the time required for assembly and disassembly while maintaining the integrity of the complete machine system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If traditional transport methods are used for large full-face machines, then the machines can be moved, but they cannot be efficiently transported and handled in cramped underground conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidhandling in cramped spaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the full-face machine into longitudinal modules, each module becomes compact enough to be handled by the transport vehicle in confined underground environments, while the complete machine can be reassembled when space permits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transport vehicle utilizes vertical space by positioning the receiving frame between its traveling vessels, allowing modules to be loaded and transported in a compact configuration that fits within the limited horizontal clearance of underground mining areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If full-face machines are designed as modular longitudinal modules, then flexible transport and reconfiguration are enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular reconfigurationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving frame is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different longitudinal modules through standardized interfaces. This universal design allows the same receiving frame structure to handle various module types, reducing overall system complexity despite the modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving frame acts as an intermediary device between the transport vehicle and the longitudinal modules. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the interaction between the vehicle and diverse modules, managing the complexity of modular operations through a single mediating component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 flexible and efficient movement and reconfiguration of full-face machines in underground mining, allowing for the creation of curved or branched mining routes by breaking down the machine into manageable longitudinal modules for transport and reassembly.

Implementation Method 1

The elongate navigable vessels can be provided with wheels, walking mechanisms or, preferably, with crawler tracks to form crawler navigable vessels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3292020B1Transport vehicle, receiving frame and method for moving a full thickness cutting machine
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 HAZEMAG & EPR
  • EP3292020B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3292020B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3292020B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport vehicle for transporting longitudinal modules of a full thickness cutting machine, comprising a chassis which has two crawlers, between which there is formed a receiving space for a receiving frame for a longitudinal module of the full thickness cutting machine. The invention further relates to a method for moving a full thickness cutting machine which is built up from at least two longitudinal modules. According to the invention, the longitudinal modules can be released from one another and the released longitudinal modules are successively received by a receiving frame of a transport vehicle.