High-Pressure Selector Valve for Autonomous Mine Vehicle Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mine vehicles lack a clear prioritization of brake systems between control system and manipulation system, posing safety concerns when transitioning between manned and autonomous operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hydraulic brake system with a high-pressure selector valve that connects pressure oil from both the autonomous brake control valve and the standard brake valve to the hydraulic brake, allowing for efficient operation based on operator input or autonomous control instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both control system brake and manipulation system brake are equipped in autonomous mine vehicle, then braking functionality is improved for different operational modes, but brake system complexity increases and prioritization control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate brake systems (control system brake and manipulation system brake) into a unified brake system with a single hydraulic brake unit. The high-pressure selector valve merges the hydraulic pressure sources from both systems, allowing them to work cooperatively rather than independently, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability for different operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-pressure selector valve acts as an intermediary device between the two brake systems. It receives hydraulic pressure from both the control system brake and manipulation system brake, selects the higher pressure source, and transmits it to the hydraulic brake. This intermediary component simplifies the control logic by automatically resolving the prioritization issue through pressure comparison rather than requiring complex control system intervention.
2Reliability
If high-pressure selector valve is added to manage both brake systems, then brake actuation priority is improved for safety, but hydraulic system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure selector valve is designed to automatically determine and select the higher pressure source without requiring external control signals or complex decision-making systems. The valve structure itself performs the selection function based on pressure differential, making the system self-regulating and reducing the need for additional control components, thus limiting the increase in hydraulic system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure as the key parameter for prioritization control. By comparing pressure levels from different brake systems and automatically selecting the higher pressure source, the patent transforms a complex control problem (which system should activate) into a simple physical parameter comparison (which system has higher pressure), thereby improving reliability while minimizing added complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate brake systems are used for manned and autonomous operation, then operational flexibility is improved, but safety control and coordination between systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The unified brake system with high-pressure selector valve serves multiple functions: it supports both autonomous braking control and manual braking operation, automatically manages priority between systems, and ensures safety through pressure-based selection. This multi-functional design maintains operational flexibility for different modes while simplifying safety control, as the valve automatically handles system coordination without requiring complex control logic.
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
This configuration ensures safe and efficient braking in various operational modes by prioritizing brake actuation by the operator or autonomous control, enhancing safety and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump that is driven by the engine and delivers the hydraulic oil in the hydraulic oil tank as pressure oil
Implementation Method 2
pressure oil at a higher pressure between the pressure oil supplied from the standard brake valve and the pressure oil supplied from the autonomous brake control valve is supplied from the high-pressure selector valve to the hydraulic brake
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous traveling vehicle, equipped with autonomous traveling function on a standard machine, has a high-pressure selector valve placed on a flow path in which pressure-oil is supplied from a standard brake valve (SBV) installed in the standard machine to a hydraulic brake. A flow path is installed to connect the high-pressure selector valve and an autonomous brake control valve (ABCV) that is supplied with pressure-oil delivered by a hydraulic pump. Further, an autonomous traveling controller is installed to perform control for autonomous travel, and an autonomous brake controller is installed to perform open or close control on the ABCV in response to a braking instruction from the autonomous traveling controller. When the brake pedal is stepped on, the pressure-oil flows from the SBV to the hydraulic brake, and when the autonomous traveling controller outputs a stop instruction, the pressure-oil flows from the ABCV to the hydraulic brake.