Wireless Initiation Device with Separable Shock-Resistant Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless initiation devices for rock blasting are vulnerable to damage from dynamic shock pressures and accelerations during blasts, which can lead to misfires or premature detonations, and are also susceptible to water and explosive contents, necessitating costly shock-resistant housings and hazardous material handling.
Innovation Solution
A wireless initiation device design comprising a separable head unit and initiation unit, where the initiation unit is configured to discharge initiation energy independently upon receipt of a signal, allowing the head unit to be constructed for durability and the initiation unit to withstand shocks, with connectors ensuring electronic communication and power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless initiation devices are constructed with integrated housings to protect against shock pressures and accelerations, then reliability under blasting conditions is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The initiation device is divided into separate modular components: a head unit containing the power source and processing module, and an initiation unit containing the initiation module. These modules can be manufactured, tested, and assembled independently, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability through specialized design of each component for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The initiation module is extracted as a separate connectable unit from the head unit. This allows the initiation module to be optimized specifically for withstanding shock pressures and accelerations without requiring the entire device to be constructed with equally robust (and complex) housing throughout.
2Ease of manufacture
If base charge is connected to power source prior to deployment, then device assembly is simplified, but risk of inadvertent detonation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a head unit with power source and an initiation unit with base charge, connected via mateable connectors. This physical separation allows safe handling and assembly of components without the base charge being permanently connected to the power source, reducing inadvertent detonation risk while maintaining ease of assembly through simple connector coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are designed to be coupled together as a preliminary action before deployment, establishing the electrical connection between power source and base charge only when the device is fully assembled and ready for use. This ensures proper connections are made without requiring the base charge to be connected to the power source during manufacturing or storage.
3Device complexity
If initiation module is integrated with head unit, then device structure is simplified, but risk of damage from shock pressures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The initiation module is separated into its own connectable unit rather than being integrated into the head unit. This segmentation allows the initiation module to be housed in a separate shock-resistant enclosure optimized for withstanding blasting conditions, while the head unit can have a different structural design, overall simplifying the protective requirements for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The initiation module is extracted as a separate unit that can be connected to the head unit through mateable connectors. This extraction allows the initiation module to be protected by a specialized shock-resistant housing designed specifically for the high-pressure environment, without requiring the entire head unit to be constructed with equally robust protective structures.
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 design reduces the risk of damage to the initiation device by allowing separate construction and testing of the head and initiation units, minimizing costs and ensuring reliable operation even under harsh blasting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a processing module for processing wireless electromagnetic communications signals received by an electromagnetic receiver system associated with the processing module
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless initiation device comprises a power source, a processing module, a first housing and an initiation unit. The processing module processes wireless electromagnetic communications signals received by an electromagnetic receiver system associated with the processing module. The wireless electromagnetic communications signals includes a wireless electromagnetic communications signal representative of a FIRE command. The processing module is configured to generate an initiation signal upon receipt of the FIRE command. At least one of the power source and the processing module is disposed in the first housing, and the first housing has a first connector. The initiation unit has a second housing within which is disposed an initiation module that is configured to discharge initiation energy sufficient to initiate an explosive charge associated with the device. The initiation module is connected to, or connectable with, the processing module such that initiation module can receive an initiation signal from the processing module. The initiation unit also has a second connector that is configured to mate with the first connector, thereby connecting the first and second housings. The initiation module is configured to execute a sequence upon receipt of the initiation signal, the sequence resulting in discharge of initiation energy from the initiation unit.