Ore Transport Vehicle Flap-Conveyor Layout for Tunnel-Limited Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to enhance excavation efficiency by transporting a large amount of ore in a single instance while navigating the size limitations imposed by the cross-sectional area of mine tunnels and accommodating ores of various shapes and sizes at a high filling rate.

Innovation Solution

A mined material transport vehicle with a conveyor system and rotatable movable flaps that form a storage space, allowing for efficient conveying and storage of ores, even with varying shapes, by rotating the flaps between two positions to optimize space utilization and prevent spillage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the size of the transport vehicle is increased to transport a large amount of ore at one time, then the excavation efficiency is improved, but the vehicle cannot pass through the tunnel due to size limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle body is divided into multiple segments including a hopper section, conveyor section, and storage section that can be independently configured. The ore storage capacity is segmented across these sections, allowing the vehicle to maintain a compact overall size while achieving large storage capacity through modular arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle utilizes three-dimensional space optimization by arranging the conveyor belt in a folded configuration and positioning the storage section above and around the conveyor. This vertical and lateral space utilization allows maximum ore storage within the tunnel clearance constraints.

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

2Quantity of substance

If the vehicle is designed to accommodate ores of various shapes and sizes, then the filling rate is improved, but the vehicle structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling rateVSAvoidvehicle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle employs a movable discharge gate at the rear of the hopper section that can be dynamically adjusted during operation. This dynamic component allows the vehicle to adapt to different ore types and sizes without requiring multiple fixed structural configurations, maintaining simplicity while achieving high filling rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt speed and discharge gate position are adjustable parameters that can be optimized for different ore characteristics. By changing these operational parameters rather than the physical structure, the vehicle accommodates various ore shapes and sizes while maintaining a simple overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration enables improved excavation efficiency by allowing for the transportation of a large amount of ore at once, maintaining a high filling rate, and ensuring efficient mining and transport operations despite tunnel size constraints.

Implementation Method 1

a conveyor provided on the vehicle main body and having a conveying surface extending to be capable of conveying a mined material in in forward-rearward directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConveyor mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

a pair of movable flaps extending in the conveying direction, that is, along the conveying surface, on both sides of the conveying surface in a vehicle width direction, forming a storage space together with the conveying surface, and being rotatable about an axial line extending in the conveying direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Implementation Method 3

a drive unit configured to rotate the movable flaps about the axial line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical drive:

Data Source

PatentEP3858666B1Mined object transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP3858666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3858666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mined material transport vehicle includes: a vehicle main body (10) capable of moving forward and rearward; and a loading platform (20) provided on the vehicle main body, wherein the loading platform (20) includes: a conveyor provided on the vehicle main body and having a conveying surface capable of conveying a mined material in a conveying direction (C) extending in a forward-rearward directions; a pair of movable flaps (50) that extend in the conveying direction (C) on both sides in a vehicle width direction of the conveying surface, form a storage space together with the conveying surface, and are rotatable about lateral axial lines extending in the conveying direction (C); and lateral cylinders (70) for rotating the movable flaps (50) about the lateral axial lines.