Rock Drill Rig Positioning Control Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual positioning of a drilling unit in a rock drilling rig is slow and difficult, requiring significant operator skill and time, which hampers efficient drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

A method and software product that combine manual displacement with automatic positioning, where the control unit determines the location of the drilling unit relative to the drilling plan, allowing the operator to perform initial manual displacement and then switch to automatic positioning for precise placement, reducing the operator's burden and increasing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual positioning is used to position the drilling unit at the starting point, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the positioning process becomes slow and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning process is divided into two distinct phases: rough positioning performed manually by the operator to bring the drilling unit near the target hole, and fine positioning performed automatically by the control unit to achieve precise alignment with the starting point. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, combining the flexibility of manual operation with the precision and speed of automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operator performs preliminary rough positioning to bring the drilling unit into the vicinity of the target hole before activating automatic fine positioning. This preliminary action reduces the distance the automatic system needs to cover, thereby minimizing the time required for the automated precision positioning phase while ensuring the final accuracy is independent of operator skill.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual positioning is used, then the operator can control the drilling unit, but the operator's skill level significantly affects positioning accuracy and speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator controlVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs the fine positioning operation autonomously without requiring continuous manual intervention. Once the operator initiates the automatic positioning sequence by bringing the drilling unit near the target, the control unit independently calculates the precise starting point coordinates and executes the positioning maneuver, eliminating dependence on operator skill for the critical precision phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical positioning operation is replaced with an automated control system that uses electronic signals and algorithms to achieve precise positioning. The control unit substitutes for the operator's manual dexterity and judgment in the fine positioning phase, providing consistent, repeatable accuracy regardless of operator skill level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automatic positioning is used throughout, then positioning speed increases, but the operator loses the ability to independently select and position at specific holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning speedVSAvoidoperator selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system dynamically transitions between manual and automatic modes based on the operational phase. The operator maintains full control during rough positioning to select target holes and determine positioning strategy, then seamlessly transfers to automatic mode for fine positioning. This dynamic switching preserves operator flexibility and decision-making authority while leveraging automated speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system incorporates both manual control capabilities and automatic positioning capabilities within a single integrated system. The control unit can operate in multiple modes: fully manual for maximum flexibility, fully automatic for maximum speed, or hybrid with operator-initiated automatic fine positioning. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements and operator preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1896684B1Arrangement for positioning drilling unit

Publication Date: 2012.12.26 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY

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Figure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a software product for positioning a drilling unit in a rock drilling rig, and also to a rock drilling rig. The drilling unit (5) included in the rock drilling rig (1) is manually displaced towards a starting point (14) of a hole (19) to be drilled next. A control unit (11) in the rock drilling rig (1) performs after the manual displacement (A) an automatic positioning (B) accurately to the starting point in order to initiate drilling.