Steerable Mine Detonation Apparatus Path Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mine roller systems for wheeled vehicles fail to effectively sweep the path of the vehicle, especially around bends, leading to incomplete mine detonation and increased risk of damage from explosive blasts due to close proximity of detonating wheels to the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A steerable mine roller system with spaced apart ground engaging members and a feedback-controlled steering mechanism that adjusts to maintain path alignment, allowing the rollers to be positioned ahead of the vehicle and maintain a safe distance, reducing the risk of detonation damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detonating wheels are positioned close to the vehicle to effectively sweep the path, then the mine detonation effectiveness is improved, but the risk of vehicle damage from explosive blasts increases
Solution Approach 1:
A frame structure acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the detonating wheels, allowing the wheels to be positioned at a safe distance from the vehicle while still effectively sweeping the path. The frame transmits the vehicle's motion to the wheels while maintaining spatial separation, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of proximity for effectiveness and distance for safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the detonating wheels are positioned ahead of the vehicle to maintain safe distance, then the vehicle safety is improved, but the path coverage effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steerable wheels mounted on the frame provide dynamic adaptability, allowing the system to adjust its configuration based on terrain and vehicle motion. This dynamic positioning enables the wheels to maintain effective path coverage while preserving the safe distance from the vehicle, resolving the contradiction between safety and effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If the wheels are fixed in position on the frame, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to follow the vehicle path around bends deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steerable wheel mechanism introduces controlled dynamics to the system, enabling the wheels to actively follow the vehicle's path around bends. The steering capability allows the wheels to adapt their orientation dynamically, maintaining path following accuracy without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback-controlled steering mechanism automatically adjusts the wheel orientation based on the vehicle's motion, making the system self-regulating. This reduces the need for complex external control systems while maintaining high path following accuracy, as the system serves itself through automatic adjustment.
4Measurement precision
If a feedback-controlled steering mechanism is added to maintain path alignment, then the path following accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback-controlled steering mechanism is implemented to maintain accurate path alignment. Sensors detect the vehicle's position and orientation, and this information feeds back to the steering control system, which automatically adjusts the wheel orientation. This feedback loop ensures high path following accuracy while keeping the control system relatively simple through automatic regulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A steerable mine detonation apparatus is adapted to be pushed by a steered vehicle (10). The apparatus comprises a frame (4) and at least two spaced apart ground engaging members (1-3) adapted to support the apparatus and adapted to exert a force on mines in the apparatus' path of sufficient to cause detonation thereof. At least one ground engaging member (1-3) is steerable, and at least one steerable ground engaging member (1-3) is attached to the frame (4) 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 (5,31) adapted to vary the configuration of the steering mechanism, is controlled to provide that, in use, the turning radius of at least a part of the innermost ground engaging member is less than or equal to the a turning radius of the innermost wheel of the pushing vehicle, and the turning radius of at least a part of the outermost ground engaging member is greater than or equal to the a turning radius of the outermost wheel of the pushing vehicle.