Retractable Sensor Mounting for Underground Mining Vehicle Impacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underground mining vehicles face challenges in maintaining sensor functionality and visibility due to harsh underground conditions, restricted operator view, and potential damage from collisions with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a movable guard member and biasing mechanism that protects sensors by retracting them within the vehicle perimeter during impacts, ensuring continuous visibility and sensor integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is fastened outside the vehicle perimeter to improve visibility, then the sensor can detect obstacles and surroundings better, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to external impacts and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting plate is designed to be movable between an extended position (for optimal visibility) and a retracted position (for protection). The biasing member enables automatic transition between these positions, making the mounting structure dynamic rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the sensor to occupy the optimal position only when conditions permit, while automatically retreating when danger is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard member is positioned to protrude beyond the sensor mounting plate, creating a preliminary protective barrier that intercepts potential impacts before they reach the sensor. This preliminary anti-action prevents harmful forces from directly acting on the sensor, allowing it to remain in the extended vulnerable position without suffering damage.
2Reliability
If the sensor is retracted inside the vehicle perimeter to protect it from impacts, then the sensor is safer, but the visibility and detection capability of the surroundings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable mounting plate with biasing member allows the sensor to dynamically adjust its position based on operational needs. When protection is prioritized, the plate retracts; when visibility is needed, the plate extends. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by making position adjustment possible rather than requiring a fixed compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can proactively retract the sensor mounting plate before potential hazards arise, or extend it when the environment is safe. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for upcoming conditions, ensuring the sensor is in the optimal position for each situation rather than being limited to a fixed position.
3Device complexity
If a fixed sensor mounting structure is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to changing operational conditions requiring both extended visibility and protected positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure incorporates a movable plate with biasing member that automatically transitions between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic element adds minimal complexity while enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member provides automatic restoring force that enables the mounting plate to self-adjust between positions without requiring external control systems or complex actuation mechanisms. This self-service capability achieves adaptability with minimal added complexity, as the system uses its own mechanical properties rather than requiring external control infrastructure.
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 enhanced visibility and protects sensors from external forces, maintaining their functionality and integrity during underground operations.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member fastened between the movable plate and the mounting plate... The movable plate has two positions: a resting position... and a retracted position... and the biasing member is biasing the movable plate to the resting position
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system of underground mining vehicles, which system is arranged to be fastened at a perimeter of an underground mining vehicle, comprising a sensor (1) and a stand (2), wherein the stand comprises a mounting plate (3) for fastening the stand (2) to the underground mining vehicle, a movable plate (4) fastened moveably to the mounting plate (3), a guard member (7a, 7b, . . . ) fastened to the movable plate (4), and a biasing member (9a, 9b, . . . ) fastened between the movable plate (4) and the mounting plate (3). The sensor (1) is fastened to the movable plate (4). The movable plate (4) has two positions: a resting position, and a retracted position, and the biasing member (9a, 9b, . . . ) is biasing the movable plate (4) to the resting position.