Rock Bolter Synchronous Feed Rail Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rock drilling and bolting systems face inefficiencies and misalignment issues during the indexing process, leading to time-consuming and costly ground support operations in mining.
Innovation Solution
A novel system and method that synchronously rotates the drill feed and bolter feed rails using a rotary mechanism with L-shaped pivot arms and an actuator, allowing for precise alignment of the bolter feed with the drilled hole, eliminating the need for separate retraction and indexing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the drill feed is retracted and indexed separately, then the bolter can be positioned for bolting, but misalignment occurs between the bolter and the drilled hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drill feed rail and bolter feed rail into a single integrated rail system that rotates as one unit. The drill feed and bolter feed are both mounted on the same rotating rail assembly, allowing them to move synchronously between drilling and bolting positions without separate indexing operations, thereby eliminating misalignment issues
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating feed rail system serves multiple functions: it supports both the drill feed and bolter feed, enables synchronized movement between drilling and bolting positions, and maintains precise alignment throughout the transition. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate retraction and indexing steps
2Productivity
If separate retraction and indexing steps are used, then the bolter can be repositioned, but operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by maintaining the feed rail in a horizontal operating position throughout the transition from drilling to bolting. The synchronized rotation of the drill feed rail and bolter feed rail ensures that both feeds remain engaged with the rock face continuously, eliminating idle time during retraction and indexing operations
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the drill feed and bolter feed into a single rotating rail assembly, the patent eliminates sequential operations and achieves simultaneous movement. The integrated system rotates both feeds together in one motion, reducing the total number of operational steps and minimizing time loss
3Manufacturing precision
If the drill feed rail and bolter feed rail are separate, then each can be independently controlled, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drill feed rail and bolter feed rail into a single integrated rotating rail system. Both feeds are mounted on the same rail assembly that rotates synchronously, ensuring that the bolter feed remains precisely aligned with the drilled hole throughout the transition from drilling to bolting operations
Data Source
AI summary
A rock drilling and bolting system includes a frame, a drill feed rail rotationally supported on the frame, the drill feed rail having a drill feed slidable on the drill feed rail and a bolter feed rail rotationally supported on the frame, the bolter feed rail having a bolter feed slidable on the bolter feed rail. The system further includes a rotary mechanism comprising a first pivot arm and a parallel second pivot arm that rotationally couples the bolter feed rail to the drill feed rail and an actuator mounted to the frame and the rotary mechanism for simultaneously rotating the drill feed rail and the bolter feed rail between a drilling position for drilling and a bolting position for bolting.