Mining Vehicle Survey Unit With Vibration-Isolated Position Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current position measurement methods for mining vehicles in mines are impractical due to vibrations and require prepared surfaces, leading to inaccurate measurements and increased workload.

Innovation Solution

A survey unit with an optical measurement device and a stand stabilizer mechanism that allows decoupling from vehicle vibrations, stabilizing on uneven surfaces without preparation, and using electromagnetic or acoustic signaling for coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the survey unit is positioned on the mining vehicle to move continuously, then measurement continuity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement continuityVSAvoidposition determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The survey unit is divided into two independent parts: a vibration-resistant survey device and a vibration-prone vehicle-mounted component. The survey device remains stationary on the vehicle while the mounted component follows the vehicle's movements, allowing continuous measurement without transmitting vibrations to the measurement apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the survey unit and the mining vehicle. This coupling allows the survey unit to move with the vehicle while isolating the optical measurement device from direct vibration transmission, enabling both continuity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the survey unit is carried manually from one measurement point to the next, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to increased workload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The survey unit is mounted on the mining vehicle itself, allowing it to automatically follow the vehicle's movements without requiring manual transport. The vehicle's own motion provides the positioning mechanism, eliminating the need for surveyors to carry the equipment between points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the survey unit is positioned on a prepared floor surface with rails or lines, then measurement stability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome preparation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurvey unit stabilityVSAvoidsurface preparation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The requirement for prepared floor surfaces with rails or lines is completely removed from the system. The survey unit derives its stability from the vehicle-mounted platform and coupling mechanism rather than from external prepared surfaces, eliminating the need for such infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Improves measurement accuracy and reduces workload by stabilizing the survey unit on debris-covered surfaces, minimizing vibration influence and eliminating the need for surface preparation.

Implementation Method 1

navigation is based on repeated measurements of the position of the mining vehicle's drill head using a total station that measures the position of prisms attached to the rock surface relative to prisms attached to the drill head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4390050B1Survey device for determining a position of a mining vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR GMBH
  • EP4390050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390050B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A survey unit comprises an optical measurement device configured to measure a position of a mining vehicle or a support vehicle in the mine, at least part of a coupling means configured to couple the survey unit to the mining vehicle or the support vehicle so that the survey unit can move in association with the movement of the mining vehicle or the support vehicle in a state of coupling between the survey unit and the mining vehicle or the support vehicle, and a stand stabilizer mechanism configured to level or stabilize the position of the survey unit on a standing surface in the mine on which the survey unit is positioned.