Rock-Surface Drill Bit Storage for Flexible Rig Bit Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for changing and managing drill bits in rock drilling rigs are cumbersome, often requiring onboard magazines or handling mechanisms, which add weight and complexity, and lack flexibility in storage location and management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing drilled drill bit storages formed in the rock surface, managed by a control unit that assists in automated or semi-automated bit pickup, allowing flexible and efficient drill bit storage and exchange without onboard magazines or handling arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If onboard magazines or handling mechanisms are used for drill bit storage and exchange, then drill bit management is enabled, but rig weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit storage function is extracted from the rock drilling rig itself and relocated to external drill bit storages formed in the rock surface. The rig only retains essential drilling components while drill bit management is handled through coordination with external storage locations, thereby reducing rig weight and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit acts as an intermediary between the rock drilling rig and external drill bit storages. It manages position data, coordinates drill bit pickup operations, and enables automated or semi-automated bit exchange without requiring physical handling mechanisms on the rig.
2Ease of operation
If fixed onboard magazine locations are used, then drill bit storage is available, but flexibility in storage location selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drill bit storage system transitions from fixed onboard locations to dynamic external locations formed in the rock surface. The control unit stores and manages position data for multiple potential storage locations, allowing the system to adaptively select optimal locations based on drilling operations and site conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage solution moves from the third dimension (onboard rig space) to the rock surface plane, utilizing the surrounding rock environment as storage space. This dimensional shift provides unlimited potential storage locations without constraining rig design or operation.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple drill bit storage locations are created, then storage capacity increases, but positioning and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback mechanisms by storing position data for each drill bit storage location and using this information to automatically position the rig during drill bit pickup operations. This feedback loop simplifies management of multiple storage locations through automated coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit creates and manages digital copies of storage location information (position data) rather than requiring physical markers or complex identification systems at each location. This digital representation simplifies the positioning and management of multiple storage sites.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement and method for handling drill bits used for drilling drill holes into a rock surface. The arrangement includes and implements at least one drilled drill bit storage, which is outside a rock drilling rig and is formed by drilling one or more drill holes into the rock surface. A control unit is provided and configured to manage position data of the drilled drill bit storage, whereby the control unit can assist pickup of the drill bit from the drilled drill bit storage.