Wave-Off Alert Guidance for Mine Vehicle Loading Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mining environments, particularly open pit surface mining, the inefficiency of heavy equipment operations is hindered by blind spots, large turning radii, and slow braking capabilities of vehicles like mine haul trucks and shovels, leading to reduced efficiency and potential collisions, which can result in significant downtime and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a position sensor and human-machine interface (HMI) to detect when a vehicle's heading and speed are outside predefined thresholds, issuing a wave-off alert to guide the operator in aligning the vehicle correctly within a loading zone by comparing current data with aggregate data from successfully navigated vehicles, ensuring safe and efficient positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the vehicle size is increased to improve material handling capacity, then the hauling efficiency is improved, but the blind spots and turning radius increase making navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guidance system comprising a position sensor, controller, and HMI as an intermediary between the operator and the vehicle controls. This mediator provides real-time navigation assistance by comparing actual vehicle position with desired path, enabling large vehicles to navigate difficult areas despite their inherent size-related limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring vehicle position via GPS receivers and comparing it against pre-stored path data. The HMI provides real-time feedback to the operator through visual displays showing deviation from the desired path, allowing the operator to make corrective steering adjustments
2Productivity
If the vehicle speed is increased to improve operational efficiency, then the material transport rate is improved, but the collision risk and braking distance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing optimal paths and calculating desired vehicle orientation and speed at each position along the path before the vehicle reaches those points. This allows the operator to anticipate required maneuvers in advance, enabling safer high-speed operation through difficult terrain
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual vehicle position and compares it with the pre-calculated desired path, providing real-time feedback on deviation. This enables the operator to maintain higher speeds while still having timely warning to correct course before collisions occur
3Reliability
If the vehicle maneuvers tentatively to avoid collisions, then the safety is improved, but the navigation time and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance system provides continuous feedback on vehicle position relative to the desired path, enabling operators to navigate more confidently and efficiently. This real-time information reduces the need for overly cautious, slow maneuvers while maintaining safety through informed decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-calculating and storing optimal paths with desired speed and orientation data, the system allows operators to plan maneuvers in advance rather than reacting slowly to immediate conditions. This preliminary preparation enables faster, more efficient navigation while maintaining safety
4Measurement precision
If the positioning precision is increased to improve loading accuracy, then the loading efficiency is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard GPS receivers with augmentation through continuous feedback comparison against pre-stored path coordinates. This feedback mechanism achieves high positioning precision using relatively simple, off-the-shelf components rather than complex specialized equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal GPS receivers and standard computing components that serve multiple functions: position determination, path comparison, desired path calculation, and operator guidance. This multi-functionality achieves high precision without requiring specialized expensive equipment for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle is provided herein that includes a position sensor configured to identify a location of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A human-machine interface (HMI) is operatively coupled with the vehicle. A controller is in electronic communication with the position sensor and the HMI. The controller is configured to access one or more databases to identify a first location, a first heading, and a first speed for the vehicle, and to identify a first aggregate heading value and a first aggregate speed value associated with the first location; determine that either the heading or the speed of the vehicle is outside of acceptable ranges; and issue a wave-off alert to the HMI when the vehicle is outside of acceptable ranges.