Monorail Hoist Positioning via Encoder Wheel and Rack Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning technologies for underground monorail hoists in coal mines, such as UWB, are unreliable due to high construction and maintenance costs and are prone to errors when network equipment fails, making precise positioning challenging for unmanned operations.
Innovation Solution
A high-precision positioning system utilizing gear-type displacement measuring devices with positioning wheels and inertial measuring units, which calculate displacement on I-beam tracks to achieve accurate positioning, reducing errors and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UWB positioning technology is used, then positioning can be implemented in underground environments, but construction and maintenance costs are high and reliability decreases when network equipment fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the complex UWB network system and implements it through a standalone odometer device with encoder wheels that directly measure displacement on the I-beam track, eliminating dependency on network infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic UWB positioning system with a mechanical measurement system using encoder wheels that engage with the I-beam track, utilizing mechanical engagement for direct displacement measurement without network signals
2Measurement precision
If traditional odometers are used for positioning, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates due to calculation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical odometers with an encoder wheel system that uses optical or magnetic encoding to measure rotation, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct mechanical displacement measurement to rotational measurement through encoder wheels, converting linear position problems into rotational encoding problems that offer higher precision with simpler mechanics
3Measurement precision
If gear-type displacement measuring device is used, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the displacement measurement function directly into the positioning wheel structure by integrating encoder wheels with the I-beam track rack, creating a unified system that reduces overall complexity while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning wheel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the driving element for the monorail hoist and the measurement element for displacement detection, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices and reducing system 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
The system provides accurate and reliable high-precision positioning of monorail hoists by reducing calculation errors and improving positioning accuracy, outperforming existing methods like UWB and odometers, especially in underground environments.
Implementation Method 1
The positioning wheel is in engagement transmission with a rack at a lower end of the bottom plate of the I-beam track
Implementation Method 2
The positioning wheel is provided with a rotation angle sensor configured to detect a rotation angle of the positioning wheel
Implementation Method 3
position and attitude information of the monorail hoist are extracted by utilizing an inertial measuring unit to recognize a travelling direction
Data Source
AI summary
A high-precision positioning system for a monorail hoist in a mine includes two gear carriers symmetrically arranged on both sides of an I-beam track. Each of the gear carriers includes a positioning wheel and a plurality of travelling wheels. The travelling wheels are travelling on an upper end face of a bottom plate of the I-beam track, and the positioning wheel is in engagement transmission with a rack at a lower end of the bottom plate of the I-beam track. The gear carriers include an installation bracket and a connecting seat configured to connect the monorail hoist. The installation bracket includes an inertial measuring unit and a single-chip microcomputer that are electrically connected with each other. The positioning wheel includes a rotation angle sensor and the rotation angle sensor is electrically connected to the single-chip microcomputer. A headstock at both ends of the monorail hoist includes a coordinate updating unit.