Integrated Rock Plate and Anchor Assembly for Rapid Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable rock bolt installations require manual attachment of expansion anchors and rock plates, which is time-consuming and unsafe until the area is suitably bolted, and the components must be aligned precisely with the rock face.

Innovation Solution

A rock plate and anchor assembly that integrates a barrel and wedges anchor with a rock plate, where the join between the rock plate and the anchor allows for movement relative to each other, enabling easier and quicker installation, including automatic application, without the need for manual alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual attachment of expansion anchors and rock plates is used, then precise alignment with the rock face is achieved, but installation time increases and safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rock plate and anchor into a single integrated assembly where the rock plate is permanently attached to the anchor body. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment and attachment operations, allowing the entire assembly to be installed as one unit, thus improving installation speed while maintaining alignment precision through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual attachment of components is required, then installation personnel can ensure proper positioning, but the area remains unsafe until bolting is complete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidinstallation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rock plate and anchor are pre-assembled into a complete unit before installation. This preliminary action ensures that proper positioning is guaranteed by design rather than by manual adjustment during installation. The pre-assembled nature allows for quicker installation that can be completed more safely, as fewer personnel need to be exposed to unsafe conditions for extended periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If three separate components (expansion anchor, rock plate, rock plate anchor) are used, then functional requirements are met, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rock plate and anchor into a single assembly, reducing the number of components from three separate pieces to two main components (the integrated rock plate-anchor assembly and the expansion anchor). This reduction in component count directly decreases the time required for installation while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4567253A1Rock plate and anchor assembly
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA (PRODUCTION SUPPLY) PTY LTD
  • EP4567253A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4567253A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a
  • EP4567253A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A rock plate and anchor assembly 22 comprising a rock plate 24 and a barrel and wedges anchor 26. The barrel and wedges anchor 26 comprising an external barrel 34 and internal cable gripping wedges 38. The barrel 34 having a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end being fixed to the rock plate by a join 62 that fixes the rock plate 24 and the barrel and wedges anchor 22 together in an assembly position. The join 62 providing a resistance load that resists movement of the rock plate 24 relative to the barrel and wedges anchor 26 from the assembly position. The rock plate 24 being movable relative to the barrel and wedges anchor 26 from the assembly position upon an external load being applied to the rock plate 24 that is greater than the resistance load of the join 62 and that is applied in a direction to move the rock plate 24 relative to the barrel and wedges anchor 26.