Trolley Pole Actuation for Stable Contact Force on Mining Ramps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trolley-assisted mining vehicles face challenges in maintaining a consistent contact force with the trolley line, especially when traveling uphill or downhill, leading to potential wear and inefficiencies due to varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
An actuator arrangement with a trolley pole and actuators that adjust the contact force by increasing or decreasing pressure or power based on inclinometer readings, ensuring the contact force remains within a target range, using electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators to stabilize the trolley pole position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trolley-assisted mining vehicle travels uphill or downhill, then the contact force between the trolley pole and trolley line varies, but this causes wear on the trolley line and unstable power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the trolley pole position adjustable through an actuator system that can dynamically change the contact force between the trolley pole and trolley line. The actuator receives control signals based on vehicle position and terrain conditions, automatically adjusting the pole's contact pressure to maintain optimal power transfer while minimizing wear, transforming a static contact system into a dynamic adaptive one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a control system that receives information about the vehicle's position (uphill/downhill), terrain conditions, and current contact force status. This feedback loop enables the controller to adjust the actuator's output, thereby regulating the contact force to keep it within an optimal range, ensuring reliable power transfer while preventing excessive wear on the trolley line.
2Reliability
If the contact force is increased to ensure stable power transfer, then power transfer reliability improves, but the wear on the trolley line increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the contact force parameter within an optimal range rather than maintaining a constantly high force. The control system modifies the actuator's output to keep the contact force between the trolley pole and line within specified limits, ensuring sufficient power transfer stability while minimizing excessive contact pressure that would accelerate wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the contact force based on real-time conditions such as vehicle position and terrain. Instead of applying maximum force continuously, the actuator adjusts the contact pressure dynamically, applying only the necessary force to maintain stable power transfer, thereby reducing unnecessary wear on the trolley line material.
3Device complexity
If a spring lift mechanism is used to maintain trolley pole position, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot compensate for lateral movements and oscillations effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive spring lift mechanism with an active feedback-controlled actuator system. The control system receives information about vehicle position, terrain conditions, and contact force status, then adjusts the actuator's output accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to compensate for lateral movements and oscillations that a simple spring mechanism cannot handle, significantly improving contact stability while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
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
The actuator arrangement maintains a consistent contact force, reducing trolley line wear and ensuring uninterrupted power transfer even in rough mining conditions, extending maintenance intervals.
Implementation Method 1
The contact force may be configured to be maintained inside a target range by increasing or decreasing pressure or power of the at least one actuator
Implementation Method 2
The controller is coupled to at least one inclinometer of the mining vehicle configured to determine a ramp angle (ε) in relation to flat terrain
Implementation Method 3
at least one actuator, which may be configured to raise and lower the trolley pole and to press the slide against the trolley line to form a contact force
Data Source
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AI summary
Various example embodiments relate to an actuator arrangement for a trolley-assisted mining vehicle. The actuator arrangement comprises at least one trolley pole, wherein a trolley pole comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The trolley pole is arranged from the proximal end to a support arrangement. The distal end of the trolley pole comprises a slide configured to feed in electrical energy from a trolley line to and/or from the trolley-assisted mining vehicle. The actuator arrangement further comprises at least one actuator, which is configured to raise and lower the trolley pole and to press the slide against the trolley line to form a contact force between the slide and the trolley line. The contact force is configured to be maintained inside a target range by increasing or decreasing pressure or power of the at least one actuator. Also a method is disclosed.