Steerable Mine Detonation Apparatus for Vehicle Path Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mine roller systems fail to effectively sweep the path of wheeled vehicles around bends, leading to incomplete mine detection and increased risk of damage from detonation, as they are not steerable enough to maintain alignment with the vehicle's path and are often too close to the vehicle, increasing the risk of explosion damage.
Innovation Solution
A steerable mine roller system with spaced apart ground engaging members and a feedback-controlled steering mechanism that adjusts to maintain alignment with the vehicle's path, using actuators and a linkage system to ensure the rollers follow the vehicle's path, even around corners, and are positioned at a safe distance to reduce explosion damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mine roller system is positioned close to the vehicle to effectively detect mines, then the mine detection capability is improved, but the risk of explosion damage to the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the ground engaging members steerable through a steering mechanism with actuators. This allows the rollers to dynamically adjust their position and orientation relative to the vehicle, maintaining optimal detection capability while being able to increase distance when needed to reduce explosion damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a steering mechanism that receives input signals from sensors detecting the vehicle's position and path. This feedback system continuously adjusts the roller position to maintain alignment with the vehicle's path while managing the distance to balance detection effectiveness and explosion damage protection.
2Device complexity
If the mine roller system uses fixed non-steerable rollers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to follow the vehicle's path around bends is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static fixed rollers to dynamic steerable rollers by incorporating a steering mechanism with actuators. This enables the ground engaging members to adapt their orientation and position to follow the vehicle's path around bends while maintaining the ability to detect mines effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering mechanism integrates multiple functions: it steers the rollers to follow the vehicle's path, maintains alignment during straight-line travel, and allows the rollers to caster relative to the frame. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified actuator system that responds to various input signals.
3Area of stationary object
If the ground engaging members are spaced apart to cover more path area, then the mine detection coverage is improved, but the alignment control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control signals from sensors that monitor the vehicle's position and path to continuously adjust each ground engaging member's position. This feedback system maintains alignment control even when members are spaced apart, ensuring comprehensive path coverage while managing the increased complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the ground engaging members into multiple spaced-apart units, each capable of independent steering and positioning. This segmentation allows each member to independently follow the vehicle's path while collectively providing comprehensive coverage. The linkage system coordinates the movement of these segmented members to maintain overall alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable mine detonation apparatus is adapted to be pushed by a steered vehicle. The apparatus comprises a frame and at least two spaced apart ground engaging members adapted to support the apparatus and adapted to exert a force on mines in the apparatus' path sufficient to cause detonation thereof. At least one ground engaging member is steerable, and at least one steerable ground engaging member is attached to the frame so as to pivot with respect thereto about a substantially vertical axis and is connected to a steering linkage, the apparatus further comprising a steering mechanism operatively connected to the steering linkage and, in use, to the pushing vehicle. An actuator is adapted to vary the configuration of the steering mechanism.