Underground Zone Passage Control for Continuous Autonomous Haulage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zone passage control systems in underground worksites face challenges in efficiently managing access and operation of autonomously operating mobile vehicles across multiple zones, particularly in ensuring safe and uninterrupted operation while allowing access for personnel and other vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates a fusion zone management approach, using position information and detection units to prevent control commands for autonomously operating vehicles in specific zones, allowing for dynamic merging and demerging of zones based on operational states and detected objects, thereby optimizing autonomous operations and minimizing interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If zones are merged to allow uninterrupted autonomous vehicle operation, then productivity is improved, but safety control is worsened due to reduced access restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts zone configurations by merging zones when autonomous vehicles need uninterrupted operation, and separating zones when safety control is prioritized. The passage control unit can change the operational state of zones in real-time based on vehicle positions and operational requirements, allowing the system to adapt between productivity and safety needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of zones by altering their merged/separated state. When zones are merged, the passage control unit modifies the access control parameters to allow continuous autonomous operation. When zones are separated, the parameters are adjusted to restore access restrictions and safety controls.
2Reliability
If zones are separated to maintain safety control, then reliability is improved, but productivity is worsened due to increased access restrictions and operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts zone configurations by merging zones when autonomous vehicles need uninterrupted operation, and separating zones when safety control is prioritized. The passage control unit can change the operational state of zones in real-time based on vehicle positions and operational requirements, allowing the system to adapt between productivity and safety needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of zones by altering their merged/separated state. When zones are merged, the passage control unit modifies the access control parameters to allow continuous autonomous operation. When zones are separated, the parameters are adjusted to restore access restrictions and safety controls.
3Reliability
If access control is enforced to prevent unauthorized entry, then safety is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to restricted access for personnel and vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the worksite into multiple operational zones with different access control levels. By dividing the worksite into distinct zones (first zone, second zone, etc.), the system can apply different access control rules to each zone, allowing personnel and vehicles to access only authorized areas while maintaining overall safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts zone configurations by merging zones when autonomous vehicles need uninterrupted operation, and separating zones when safety control is prioritized. The passage control unit can change the operational state of zones in real-time based on vehicle positions and operational requirements, allowing the system to adapt between productivity and safety needs.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for zone passage control in an underground worksite comprising a plurality of operation zones for autonomously operating mobile vehicle operations, the method comprising: receiving position information of at least one autonomously operating mobile vehicle in a fusion zone merged of at least a first zone and a second zone associated with a first passage control unit, and in response to detecting a mobile object by a second passage control unit associated with the first zone, performing: checking position of the at least one autonomously operating mobile vehicle, in response to an autonomously operating mobile vehicle being positioned in the second zone, preventing a control command to stop the autonomously operating mobile vehicle in the second zone, and demerging the first zone and the second zone.