Wireless Electronic Initiation Device for Detonators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for activating detonators in blasting operations, such as those using shock tubes, are time-consuming, hazardous, and prone to accidental initiation, with difficulties in automatic installation and reliable signal transmission due to the complexity of long wire connections and environmental interference.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electronic initiation device that uses wireless communication and energy transfer to connect and activate detonators, eliminating the need for physical binding of shock tubes, enabling safe and automatic installation, and ensuring reliable signal transmission through frequency selection and energy storage management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shock tubes are bound and bundled together to transmit initiation signals, then the initiation system can be assembled, but the process becomes very time consuming and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical binding and bundling of shock tubes with a wireless electronic initiation system. The initiation device uses wireless communication to transmit initiation signals to detonators, eliminating the need for physical connection of long shock tubes. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic/wireless systems resolves the contradiction by enabling fast installation without the time-consuming and dangerous binding processes.
2Reliability
If long shock tubes are used to transmit initiation signals, then detonators can be activated, but the risk of accidental initiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shock tube transmission system with a wireless electronic initiation system. The initiation device communicates with detonators wirelessly, eliminating the long shock tubes that pose accidental initiation risks. This maintains reliable initiation signal transmission while removing the harmful factor of accidental initiation through physical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication system between the initiation device and detonators. Instead of direct physical connection through shock tubes, the wireless system acts as an intermediary that transmits initiation signals without requiring physical contact, thereby maintaining reliability while eliminating accidental initiation risks.
3Extent of automation
If shock tubes are bound and bundled together, then the initiation system can be assembled, but automatic installation becomes impossible or extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical binding and bundling system with a wireless electronic initiation system. The initiation device uses wireless communication to automatically activate detonators without requiring physical assembly of shock tubes. This substitution enables automatic installation by eliminating the complex mechanical operations that previously made automation impossible.
4Reliability
If long shock tubes are used in the blasting site, then detonators can be activated, but environmental obstacles and other shock tubes interfere with signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shock tube transmission system with a wireless electronic initiation system. The wireless communication system is not affected by physical obstacles or environmental interference in the same way as long shock tubes. This enables the system to adapt to various environmental conditions and obstacles without compromising signal transmission reliability.
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 solution reduces the risk of accidental detonation and environmental damage by allowing for safe, efficient, and automatic installation of detonators, while minimizing the risk of early or unintended blasting and ensuring reliable communication and energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a second wireless communication device (104) for receiving energy in a wireless manner outside from the initiation device and charge the energy storage (105) by the received energy
Implementation Method 2
The initiation device may comprise an output or connector for connecting the initiation device to the shock tube, such as electrodes implemented by teeth or pins, which can be pressed through the shock tube, for example, so that when ignite a spark is induced between the electrodes thereby activating the shock tube
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless electronic initiation device for a detonator via a shock tube comprises an initiation member for initiation the shock tube and an energy storage for providing initiation energy to said initiation member. The initiation device comprises also a wireless communication device with a receiver for receiving an initiation command in a wireless way from an initiation arrangement. The initiation device comprises also a controller, which is configured to determine said received initiation command and based on said received initiation command configured to activate said initiation member to ignite the detonator initiator (108) by the energy fed from the energy storage.