Work Machine Route Control Using Map Perfection in GPS-Denied Mines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mining machines face productivity deterioration due to difficulties in acquiring accurate positional data using GPS in challenging mine environments, leading to impaired route adherence and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A work machine management system incorporating a position detecting device, non-contact sensors, map data accumulation, and a travel route generation unit that identifies map data perfection to generate optimal travel routes, ensuring the machine can navigate effectively even when GPS data is unreliable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to detect position of mining machine, then position detection is possible, but position detection becomes unreliable in challenging mine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces map data as an intermediary between the GPS position detection and the travel route control. When GPS detection becomes unreliable in challenging mine environments, the system switches to using pre-stored map data to determine the mining machine's position and generate travel routes, ensuring continuous reliable operation without direct GPS dependency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-acquiring and storing map data of the mine area before GPS becomes unreliable. This map data includes terrain information, road networks, and landmark positions, which are prepared in advance to enable alternative position determination when GPS signal is lost or inaccurate
2Manufacturing precision
If mining machine travels along set travel route using GPS, then route adherence is achieved, but productivity deteriorates when GPS data is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic travel route generation system that adapts to changing environmental conditions. The system continuously monitors GPS availability and dynamically switches between GPS-based route following and map data-based route generation, ensuring both route adherence accuracy and continuous productivity regardless of GPS availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the actual position of the mining machine is continuously compared with the target position on the travel route. When GPS data becomes unavailable, the feedback loop switches to using map data for position estimation, maintaining the closed-loop control necessary for route adherence while preventing productivity loss
3Reliability
If map data is accumulated using position detecting device and non-contact sensor, then navigation reliability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the position detecting device serve multiple functions: it is used both for real-time GPS position detection during normal operation and for accumulating map data when GPS is unreliable. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated map data collection equipment, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while still improving navigation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of position detection and map data accumulation into a unified process. The same position detecting device and control system are used for both real-time navigation and map building, combining multiple functions into existing system components rather than adding separate dedicated systems, thus limiting complexity growth
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 system enhances mining machine productivity by enabling reliable travel route generation and execution, even in environments where GPS data is inaccurate, thereby maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor configured to detect, in a non-contact manner, an object existing in the workplace
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine management system includes: a position detecting device that detects a position of a work machine traveling in a workplace; a non-contact sensor that detects an object existing in the workplace in a non-contact manner; map data that accumulates information on existence and a position of the object existing in the workplace on the basis of detection data obtained by the position detecting device and detection data obtained by the non-contact sensor; a travel route generation unit that generates a travel route where the work machine travels; and an identifying unit that identifies perfection of map data. The travel route generation unit generates the travel route where the work machine travels on the basis of the perfection of the map data identified by the identifying unit.