Remote Control Input Device for Earth Drilling Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current earth drilling devices require multiple operators on site, increasing operational effort and costs, as the operator must remain in the driver's cab to control the drilling process, limiting flexibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A remote control input device is designed to allow operators to control earth drilling devices from various locations, reducing the need for additional personnel by enabling parameter input for operations such as starting or stopping drilling, adjusting torque, speed, and other drilling parameters, thus allowing for more flexible and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator remains in the driver's cab to control the earth drilling device, then the control and monitoring are reliable, but the number of personnel required increases and operational flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent control units. The original control device in the driver's cab is divided into a first control unit, and additional second control units are provided that can be positioned elsewhere on the worksite. This allows the operator to control the earth drilling device from multiple locations, improving flexibility while maintaining control reliability through redundant control points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Additional control devices act as intermediaries between the operator and the earth drilling device. These second control units transmit control signals to the device, enabling the operator to control drilling operations from remote positions without directly being in the driver's cab, thus enhancing operational flexibility while maintaining reliable control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple operators are provided on site to monitor and control the earth drilling device, then the operational reliability is improved, but the personnel costs and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional control units are designed to perform multiple functions. They can control drilling parameters, monitor operational status, and provide emergency stop capabilities. This multi-functionality allows a single operator to manage various tasks from a remote position, reducing the need for multiple specialized personnel while maintaining operational reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to provide self-monitoring and self-control capabilities through the distributed control units. The system can automatically transmit operational data and status information to the control devices, reducing the need for additional monitoring personnel and simplifying operational complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the operator is positioned in the driver's cab, then the control access is direct and reliable, but the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accessVSAvoidtask efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control capability is extended from a single fixed location (driver's cab) to multiple spatial dimensions by placing additional control units at different positions on the worksite. This allows the operator to move between locations and perform different tasks simultaneously, such as controlling drilling from one position while monitoring or performing other tasks from another position, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing control accessibility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3998392A1System comprising an earth boring device and an input device, method for controlling operation of an earth boring device and use of an earth boring device
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 TRACTO TECHN
  • EP3998392A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3998392A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3998392A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising an earth drilling device with a control device for operating the earth drilling device, wherein the system further comprises an input device functionally coupled to the control device for entering at least one parameter for the operation of the earth drilling device, in particular a parameter that causes drilling to start with the earth drilling device or to stop drilling carried out with the earth drilling device, wherein the input device is designed as a remote control.