Robotic Vehicle for Hang-Up Assessment and Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

In block cave mining, unstable material often becomes trapped in suspended locations, posing hazards to workers when attempting to release it, with existing methods like manual explosives and mortar rounds being risky and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A remotely operated robotic vehicle is deployed to assess and resolve hang-ups by drilling and inserting explosives, allowing for safe and controlled release of trapped material from a safe distance, using a mobile command vehicle for operation and communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual methods inserting explosives are used, then the trapped material can be released, but workers are exposed to significant physical risk from sudden material release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker safetyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A robotic vehicle acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous hang-up location. The robot travels to the drawbell, positions itself near the trapped material, and executes the explosive insertion under remote control, eliminating direct worker exposure to the danger zone while maintaining operational capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, motors, and controlled movement mechanisms. The robot autonomously navigates to the target location, positions the drill, and executes explosive insertion without direct human physical intervention, substituting mechanical automation for manual labor in hazardous conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If mortar rounds are launched remotely, then worker safety is improved, but a relatively large amount of explosives is required and success is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker safetyVSAvoidexplosives quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system performs preliminary positioning and assessment actions before explosive insertion. The robot navigates to the precise location of the hang-up, scans the area with sensors to identify optimal drill points, and positions itself accurately before inserting the explosive charge, enabling precise targeting that reduces explosives consumption compared to mortar rounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies explosive force locally at the precise location of the trapped material through targeted drill holes positioned by the robot. This localized application of explosives, rather than the dispersed impact of mortar rounds, concentrates the energy where needed, improving effectiveness while reducing the total quantity of explosives required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If manual explosive insertion is performed, then the material can be released, but the worker must be located in an unsafe position above or below the suspended material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidworker hazard exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic vehicle serves as an intermediary that physically enters the hazardous zone to perform explosive insertion, while the human operator remains in a safe control environment. The robot carries the explosive charges and drill equipment into the drawbell, positions itself near the hang-up, and executes the insertion remotely, eliminating the need for workers to occupy unsafe positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 robotic system significantly reduces worker exposure to hazards by enabling precise and controlled removal of suspended material, optimizing the process through geo-spatial data and sensor feedback for improved hang-up removal scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

The robotic vehicle is operative to image the hang-up

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

drill at least one insertion hole into one or more selected pieces of material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical drilling:

Implementation Method 3

insert at least one explosive charge into each of the at least one insertion holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExplosion: Explosion

Data Source

PatentUS10443382B2System and method for hang-up assessment and removal

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 PENGUIN AUTOMATED SYST

AI summary

A system and method for relieving hang-ups, comprising a mobile command vehicle operative to transport a robotic vehicle to a control location remote from a hang-up location; the robotic vehicle operative to advance from the control location to the hang-up location, scan the hang-up location, transmit scanning information to the command vehicle, and receive positioning commands to position the robotic vehicle for drilling into the hang-up location, implant an explosive, and withdraw.