MINE VEHICLE AND METHOD OF DETERMINING POSITION AND DIRECTION OF MONITORED OBJECT

Abstract

A method of determining position and direction of an object of a mine vehicle, the mine vehicle including at least one scanning device for scanning surroundings of the mine vehicle and producing a point cloud data. The mine vehicle has a control unit, which is provided with reference data on the monitored object. The control unit is configured to search the monitored object from the scanned point cloud data and to determine position and direction of the object.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mine vehicle, which is provided with a scanning device for scanning surroundings of the mine vehicle in order to produce point cloud data in a machine coordinate system.

The invention further relates to a method of and a control unit for determining position and direction of a monitored object of a mine vehicle.

The field of the invention is defined more specifically in the independent claims.

Mine vehicles are used in underground and surface mines, construction sites and at other work sites. The mine vehicle may be provided with one or more mine work devices for performing determined mine work tasks at the work sites. The mine vehicle may be a rock drilling rig or a loader, for example. Positioning of the mine work devices may require use of extensive and complicated position systems. The known solutions have shown to contain some disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved mine vehicle and method for determining position and direction of a monitored object of the mine vehicle.

The mine vehicle according to the invention is characterized by the features of independent apparatus claim.

The control unit according to the invention is characterized by the features of a further independent apparatus claim.

The method according to the invention is characterized by the features of independent method claim.

An idea of the disclosed solution is that the mine vehicle is provided with one or more scanning devices for scanning surroundings of the mine vehicle. Position and orientation of one or more object of the mine vehicle is monitored in a machine coordinate system of the mine vehicle. The monitored object is located inside a reach area of the scanning device whereby operational scanning data comprising point cloud data is produced of the monitored object. The scanning data is input to at least one control unit capable to process the point cloud data. The point cloud data comprises data on coordinates for the points detected by the scanning. The control unit is provided with reference data on the monitored object whereby the control unit may compare the scanned data to the reference data. The control unit may then search the monitored object from the produced point cloud data and may determine coordinates for the found points in the machine coordinate system. On the basis of the coordinates of the points defining the searched object, the control unit may determine position and direction of the monitored object. The control unit may be provided with one or more processors for executing one or more point cloud processing programs and/or searching algorithms in order to perform the disclosed procedures.

An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the position and direction determination of the monitored object of the mine vehicle may be carried out without a need for extensive measuring equipment. An additional advantage is that the disclosed solution is suitable for any type of mine vehicles and does not require any modifications to their basic structures. Further, the solution may provide improvements to accuracy of the position and direction determination. A feasible further advantage is that the disclosed solution may obtain a strong statistical certainty for the produced results because repeating the scanning and analyzing processes is easy and fast. The detected position and direction data of the monitored object may be used for whatever purposes.

According to an embodiment, the control unit is provided with reference data comprising a design point cloud data of the monitored object, which is converted from a 3D design data of monitored object of the mine vehicle. The monitored object is inside a reach area of the scanning device and is thereby recorded in the produced operational point cloud data. The control unit is configured to execute the point cloud processing program for comparing the design point cloud data with the operational scanning data in order to detect the monitored object in the operational point cloud data and to determine position and direction of the monitored object in the machine coordinate system.

According to an embodiment, the control unit may determine coordinates of any point of the design point cloud data, including also points, which are non-visible in the scanned operational point cloud data. This embodiment allows choosing one or more points inside the monitored object and defining coordinates of the chosen points. This way, any point defining the monitored object may be chosen as a target to monitoring, and not only points which are located on the visible outer surface.

According to an embodiment, shape of the one or more monitored object in the machine coordinate system is input to the control unit. The control unit is configured to examine the operational point cloud data in order to find a point cloud pattern matching with the input shape of the at least one monitored object. Further, the control unit is configured to determine position and orientation of the detected one or more monitored object.

According to an embodiment, shape of the one or more monitored object in the machine coordinate system is input to the control unit. Point cloud data of the shape of the monitored object may be produced by initial scanning of the monitored object. The produced point cloud data may be utilized as reference point cloud data for searching the monitored object. The initial scanning is easy and fast to execute and may be done anywhere. Another advantage is that no additional data of the monitored object is required.

According to an embodiment, the monitored object is provided with at least one supplementary identifier or marker in order to facilitate the searching and position detection processes. Surface shape of the identifier may have a predetermined configuration and the control unit is provided with data on the shape of the identifier. Execution of the point cloud processing program in the control unit is configured to search and detect the shape of the identifier from the scanned point cloud data whereby the monitored object is recognized by means of the initial point cloud data of the identifier. The supplementary identifier may be arranged to a basic structure of the mine vehicle or a mine work device of the mine vehicle. The supplementary identifier does not have any use for the normal operation of the mine vehicle, such as drilling, bolting, loading etc.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle or the mine work device is provided with one or more supplementary identifiers comprising spherical or curved surfaces. The spherical surface creates a special point pattern in the scanning data and is therefore easy to search and detect. The control unit may comprise a searching algorithm for examining the scanning data and finding the predetermined point patterns.

According to an embodiment, the supplementary reference object arranged to the mining vehicle has predetermined two-dimensional configuration. An outer rim of the supplementary reference object may be a square, a circle, or any other form which deviates clearly from shapes of the structural components of the mine vehicle. The shape of the supplementary reference object is input to the control unit and is thereby easy to search and detect in the scanning data. The control unit may comprise a searching algorithm for examining the scanning data and finding predetermined point patterns.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises one or more booms. The boom may comprise a fastening portion for providing the boom with a mine work device, measuring device or tool. A distal end of the boom, the fastening portion of the boom or any other selected part or portion of the boom may be selected to be the monitored object.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises at least one boom and at least one mine work device at a distal end portion of the boom. The mine work device or at least one part of the mine work device is determined to be the monitored object. The mine work device may be provided with one or more tools, whereby the tool may serve as the monitored object. The tool may be a drilling tool comprising a drill bit, for example.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises a feed beam and a rock drilling machine supported on the feed beam. The control unit is configured to determine position and direction of the feed beam, and is configured to record the determined data as drill hole position and direction data when the feed beam is positioned at the drill hole. In this embodiment the feed beam is the monitored object. Alternatively, the monitored object may be the rock drilling machine or a drilling tool connected to the rock drilling machine. The mine vehicle provided with the rock drilling machine may be a rock drilling rig or bolting rig.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises a bucket or shovel serving as a mine work device. The bucket and shovel may be arranged to a boom and may be determined to be the monitored object. The disclosed solution may be arranged to search the bucket or shovel and determine position and orientation of the bucket, shovel or distal end of the boom, or any other portion of the boom. The mine vehicle may be a wheel loader or an excavator, for example.

According to an embodiment, the mine work device may be a rock breaking hammer arranged at a distal end portion of a boom. The breaking hammer may be the monitored object.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises one or more of the following mine work devices: a charging device, feeding device, injection device or shotcreting device. The mine work device may be searched and the position and orientation may be determined.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises a loading platform or corresponding load carrying space serving as a mine work device. The load carrying platform may be the monitored object.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises a man cage arranged at a distal end of a boom. The man cage may serve as a mine work device and may be the monitored object.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises at least one boom provided with at least one mine work device. The scanning device and the control unit are serving as a boom position measuring arrangement for detecting position and orientation of the mine work device.

According to an embodiment, the boom is without any physical boom or joint position sensor. Instead of boom sensors, the scanning device and the control unit are serving as a boom position measuring arrangement for detecting position and orientation of the mine work device. Thanks to this embodiment, the structure may be more robust since there is no electronics in critical areas of the boom. Furthermore, joints of the boom may be designed to be more robust since no space for sensors needs to be designed in. An additional advance may that joint clearances and boom deflection have no effect on measurement accuracy. Moreover, since no sensors are used, there is no need for calibration measurements of the sensors.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises at least one mine work device. The scanning device and the control unit are serving as a position measuring arrangement for detecting position and orientation of the mine work device, whereby no need for any additional measuring devices or sensors exists. Thus, the positioning system may be simple.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises at least one boom provided with at least one mine work device. The boom is instrumented and comprises one or more boom or joint position sensors or measuring devices. The disclosed solution may be utilized for calibrating the sensors. This embodiment allows the sensors or measuring devices to be calibrated after maintenance or when new sensors are installed, for example.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises at least one boom provided with at least one mine work device. The boom is instrumented and comprises one or more boom or joint position sensors or measuring devices for determining the position of the boom. The disclosed solution comprising scanning, searching and point cloud processing is used for determining the position and direction of the mine work device at a desired first position, or initial/reference position, where after the boom is moved to a desired location and the new position is determined by means of the sensors or measuring devices of the boom. Thus, the position of the monitored object may be determined by using scanning technique when the scanning device has good visibility to the monitored object, and when the monitored object is moved so that the visibility is poor then the conventional measuring means of the boom may be utilized.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises at least two scanning devices located at a distance from each other so that the scanning devices have different coverage and range. The use of several scanning devices may increase detection coverage of the scanning, whereby the scanners may find the monitored object more securely. Alternatively, one or more scanning devices may be arranged movably so that they may be moved to suitable locations if visibility of the monitored object is poor and the search of the monitored object is not successful.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle is provided with a scanning module. The scanning module comprises a frame and mounting means for fastening the frame to the mine vehicle detachably. Thus, the scanning module is readily mountable to any mine vehicle. The scanning module further comprises at least one scanning device and at least one control unit for processing the scanned data. The scanning module may also be provided with at least one data communication device allowing data communication between the scanning module and at least one control device external to the scanning module. The control unit of the scanning module may process the scanned data and may provide a control unit of the mine vehicle with the position and direction information. Thereby the control unit of the mine vehicle needs not necessarily be equipped with point cloud processing and searching programs, for example.

According to an embodiment, the control unit is provided with data on position and direction of the at least one scanning device in the machine coordinate system. Thus, in this embodiment the scanning device is positioned accurately to a pre-determined position, the location of which is input to the control device. The scanning device may have a specific place on a carrier, whereby coordinates of the position are known in the machine coordinate system of the mine vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the position of the scanning device is not pre-determined, but is instead determined by utilizing scanning and point cloud matching. The control unit may be provided with a detection procedure for detecting position and direction of the scanning device in the machine coordinate system. The control unit may also be provided with a point cloud matching program allowed to be executed in the processor. The mine vehicle comprises at least one reference object, which is searched by scanning. An initial first point cloud data is input to the control unit. The first point cloud data comprises stored reference model of the mine in a mine coordinate system. At least one second point cloud data is produced by the scanning device of the mine vehicle and is input to the control unit. The second point cloud data comprises operational scanning data of the current position of the mining vehicle. The control unit executes the point cloud matching program in order to match the operational second point cloud data to the reference first point cloud data and determines position and direction of the scanning device in the mine coordinate system on the basis of the determined matching between the operational point cloud data and the reference cloud data. Thereafter, the control unit executes a coordinate transformation process to determine the position of the scanning device in the machine coordinate system on the basis of the position and direction of the scanning device in the mine coordinate system. Thanks to this embodiment, the scanning device or scanning module may be mounted at any location on the mine vehicle and still the accurate location of the device may be determined.

According to an embodiment, the monitored object is arranged in connection with a structural element being connected to the carrier by means of at least one joint. Then the monitored object is movable relative to the carrier. The monitored object may be located at the distal end portion of a boom or the monitored object may be a portion or section of the boom. The control unit may be provided with kinematic data on the movable structural element for determining possible movement paths of the monitored object. The kinematic data may be utilized in collision prevention measures, for example. Furthermore, based on the kinematic data additional information may be provided for the operator.

According to an embodiment, the control unit is provided with data on position and orientation of the mine vehicle in a mine coordinate system. The position of the mine vehicle may be determined by utilizing scanning positioning techniques, on-board position measuring devices, satellite positioning signals or fixed positioning infrastructure such as positioning markers, for example. The control unit is configured to execute a coordinate transformation process to determine the position and direction of the monitored object in the mine coordinate system on the basis of the detected position and direction of the monitored object in the machine coordinate system. Thanks to this embodiment, it is possible to record positions of drill holes and rock bolts in the mine coordinate system, visualize the locations on a display device and create needed mine documents, for example. Further, when the monitored object is located at the distal end of the boom, it is possible to use the disclosed solution for surveying surfaces locating at a reach of the boom.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises one or more on-board control units for executing the disclosed measures and procedures. Thereby, the on-board control unit is configured to execute the point cloud processing program for searching and detecting the monitored object in the point cloud data, and based on that, to determine position and direction of the monitored object. In this embodiment the mine vehicle is provided with all the needed resources to gather the needed data and to process it on-board.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle is provided with a scanning module comprising a first control unit being in operational communication with a second on-board control unit arranged to control actuators and devices of the mine vehicle. The second control unit is provided with the searching and point cloud processing programs and algorithms.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle is in operational communication with one or more control units external to the mine vehicle. The at least one external control unit is configured to execute the disclosed measures and procedures. The control unit may comprise one or more computers or control units external to the mine vehicle. The control unit external to the mine vehicle is configured to execute the point cloud processing program for searching and detecting the monitored object in the point cloud data and to determine position and direction of the monitored object. The external control unit may communicate with the mine vehicle via data communication. In this embodiment the external control unit may be provided with the needed data processing capacity.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle comprises at least one on-board control unit and at least one data communication device allowing data communication between the on-board control unit and one or more control units external to the mine vehicle. The data communication may be based on any wireless data transfer technique. The mine or work site may be provided with a wireless network utilizing radio wave signals.

According to an embodiment, the reference data on the monitored object of the mine vehicle may be downloaded to the on-board control unit at suitable instances and may be stored in an on-board storage media.

According to an embodiment, the scanning is repeated two or more times for detecting the monitored object. The scanning may take such a short time that scanning does not cause problems to the basic operation of the mine vehicle. This embodiment may further improve accuracy of the position and direction determination.

According to an embodiment, the scanning device is directed towards the monitored object, or is positioned and directed at least so that the monitored object is inside a scanning area of the scanning device. Thus, the scanning device may be arranged to scan at least operational areas of one or more booms.

According to an embodiment, the scanning device may comprise a 2D scanning unit, a rotating frame, a rotating device and a fastening unit. The 2D scanning unit is mounted to the rotating frame, which may be a shaft, a rotating table or any other support structure, which is rotatable and may be rotated by means of the rotating device. Thus, the 2D scanning unit is arranged to be rotated 360° degrees around a rotating axis of the rotating frame. The fastening unit allows fastening of the scanning device to the mine vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the scanning device may comprise a 3D scanning unit capable of producing scanning data 360° degrees around itself. In this embodiment the scanning device may be without any separate rotating means for rotating the scanning unit.

According to an embodiment, the scanning unit is a laser scanner. According to an embodiment, the scanning unit comprises at least one camera. The scanning device may be based on stereo vision system comprising at least two cameras. Alternatively, the scanning may be based on a technology known as a depth from focus-system, wherein one camera is used and the method basically works by taking a focus stack of an object, and then analyzing the luminance of each pixel in relation to its neighbors. The control unit may be provided with image processing system for processing data received from the one or more cameras.

According to an embodiment, the scanning device comprises in addition to the scanning unit at least one camera for recording color information of the scanned obstacles. The recorded color information may be connected to the scanned point cloud data. This way additional information may be gathered. The monitored object may be provided with a special color differing from the other objects and surrounding in order to facilitate the searching and position detection processes.

According to an embodiment, the 3D scanning data is obtained by round trip time of flight of a laser that is swept across measured surface or object. This type of remote sensing technique is also known as LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging).

According to an embodiment, the 3D scanning data is obtained by round trip time of flight of single (modulated) light source and the return times of reflections from different parts of the measured surface or object. This type of remote sensing technique is also known as ToF (Time of Flight). In this embodiment ToF-cameras may be used.

According to an embodiment, the 3D scanning data is obtained by geometry of a known pattern of light projected to the measured surface or object shown in one or more camera images. This type of 3D scanning is also known as a structured light 3D scanning technique.

According to an embodiment, the 3D scanning data is obtained by analysis of multiple pictures taken of same target from different points of view. In this embodiment a stereo camera system may be exploited. The control unit may be provided with an image processing system for processing image data received from the two or more cameras.

According to an embodiment, the scanning device or module is arranged movably. Thus, the scanning device has one or more operable positions for executing the scanning and possibly an idle position. The fastening unit of the scanning device or module may comprise at least one transfer device for moving the scanning device. The transfer device is configured to move the scanning device between the operable positions and to the idle position.

According to an embodiment, the scanning device comprises a protective housing or shield for covering at least the scanner. The protective housing may protect the scanning device against impurities, moisture, falling material and impacts. The protective housing may provide shield to the scanning device or at least to the scanning unit continuously or, alternatively only when not in use.

According to an embodiment, the scanning device is movable and comprises at least one operable position and an idle position. The idle position is located inside a protective housing. The protective housing may protect the scanning device against impurities, moisture, falling material and impacts.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle is intended to be operated in an underground mine. The underground mine comprises an underground rock space or rock cavity, such as a tunnel, or a storage hall.

According to an embodiment, the mine vehicle is intended to be operated in a surface mine. The surface mine may be an opencast mine, for example. However, the disclosed solutions are also suitable to be utilized in any other work sites, such as in road, railway and building construction sites.

According to an embodiment, a control unit for determining position and direction of at least one monitored object of a mine vehicle comprises connection means for being in operational communication with the mine vehicle comprising at least one scanning device, receiving means for receiving from the mine vehicle operational scanning data comprising point cloud data, processing means for processing the received operational scanning data; and the control unit is provided with input reference data on at least one monitored object in a machine coordinate system, with at least one point cloud processing program allowed to be executed in the processing means; and the control unit is configured to execute the point cloud processing program for comparing the reference data with operational scanning data received from the mine vehicle in order to search and detect the at least one monitored object in the point cloud data and to determine position and direction of the at least one monitored object in the machine coordinate system on the basis of coordinates provided in the point cloud data.

One or more of the solutions disclosed in this application and relaying on the scanning technique and point cloud matching process may have the following advantages:

• • No need for sensors in the boom.
  • More robust structure since no electronics or sensors in critical areas of the boom.
  • Joints of the boom may be designed to be more robust since no space for sensors needs to be designed in.
  • No need for calibration of joints of the boom in production or after sensor maintenance.
  • Joint clearances and boom deflection have no effect on measurement accuracy when the position detection is based on scanning technique.
  • More accurate boom position measurements by the scanning technique. Positioning accuracy may be +/−1 mm when scanning is utilized.
  • The scanning technique may also be used together with the conventional joint measurement techniques. Then some of the joint sensors may be removed. Alternatively, the positioning detection may utilize combination of the conventional measurements and the scanning techniques.
  • Utilization of the scanning system does not require any special skills for the operators. The process may be completely automated, if so desired.
  • The system does not need any fixed infrastructure to support position measurement.
  • Measuring utilizing the scanning is fast and may be repeated several times, if need be.
  • The disclosed solution provides all six degrees of freedom for the position of the monitored object or part of the mine vehicle in the coordinate system of the mine vehicle. In a rock drilling rig the degrees of freedom may be: X, Y and Z coordinates, tilt, roll and yaw angles.
  • The system may also provide a 3D scan of the entire surroundings of the mine vehicle.
  • The positioning system may be connected to fleet management systems for providing data on mine vehicles in the mine.
  • The system may allow removal of all sensors in a boom of a rock drilling rig and may still give accurate position and angle information for drilled holes or installed bolts. The system may also avoid a need for any compensation model needed for deflection etc.
  • The system may be applied in mine vehicles designed for underground mines, surface mines and any other work sites.
  • Investment costs may be low, since the mine vehicle needs to be equipped only with a scanning device and a calculation PC. The scanning device, processing means and data transmission unit may be arranged to form a scanning module, which may be readily mounted to any mine vehicle.

The same equipment comprising the scanning device, point cloud matching program and control unit may be utilized in navigation, position detection of the mine work device and drill holes, mine surveying, collision prevention and also for providing desired information for mine control and fleet management systems.

The detailed embodiments which are disclosed in connection to the mine vehicle also relate to the method, and vice versa.

The above-disclosed embodiments can be combined to form suitable solutions provided with necessary features disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a side view of a rock drilling rig provided with a drilling unit and scanning means for determining position of the drilling unit,

FIG. 2 shows schematically a principle of scanning surroundings of a mining vehicle,

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a scanning device arranged on a carrier of a mining vehicle and being able to be moved,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a basic principle of point cloud matching,

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing basic features of the disclosed solution,

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing feasible reference data on the monitored object,

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a control block or diagram showing related elements, control means and features of the disclosed solution, and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing feasible monitored objects of a mine vehicle.

For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a rock drilling rig 1 as an example of a mine vehicle. Also rock bolting rigs, charging rigs, measuring vehicles and transport and loading vehicles are mine vehicles. Thus, the mine vehicles may be provided with mine work devices such as rock drilling units, bolting units, charging units, loading units and load carrying units. Further, excavators provided with mine work devices, such as breaking hammers, may be considered to be mine vehicles. The disclosed method and solution may be applied in all type mine vehicles.

The rock drilling rig 1 may comprise a movable carrier 2 and one or more booms 3 connected to the carrier 2. At a distal end portion of the boom 3 may be a drilling unit 4. The drilling unit 4 may comprise a feed beam 5 and a rock drilling machine 6 supported on it. The rock drilling machine 6 may comprise a shank at a front end of the rock drilling machine 6 for connecting a tool 7. At least one boom 3 may comprise a mine work device other than the drilling unit. Thus, the mine work device may be a rock bolting unit or a charging unit, for example. The mine work device, such as the drilling machine, the feed beam, the boom or the tool may be the monitored object the position and direction of which is determined according to the principles disclosed above.

In FIG. 1 the rock drilling rig 1 is operating in an underground mine space 8, which may be a tunnel, storage hall or corridor, for example. The mine space 8 may comprise a face surface 9, wall surfaces 10 and a roof surface 11. The rock drilling rig 1 is provided with one or more scanning devices S for measuring surroundings of the rock drilling rig 1. The scanning device S may scan 360° and may thus measure the surrounding surfaces and other obstacles around the rock drilling rig 1 and produce scanning data for the system. Alternatively, the scanning device S may scan only operational area of the boom and the drilling unit, and may then have a limited scanning area. The scanning device S may comprise a laser scanner, a camera or any other device capable of producing point cloud data. The scanning device S may be placed on the carrier 2.

The scanning device S may be placed in a known position on the mine vehicle. Then coordinates of the scanning device are known in machine coordinates system 12 of the mine vehicle. The scanning device sees around and detects also one or more monitored objects, parts or components of the mine vehicle as well.

Alternatively, the position of the scanning device S need not be accurately predetermined and calibrated when the disclosed system utilizes point cloud matching techniques. Then, at least one reference component or object of the rock drilling rig is detected in the scanning data and produced point cloud data of the detected object is utilized in determination of relative position of the scanning device S on the carrier 2.

The rock drilling rig 1 has a machine coordinate system 12 and the mine has a mine coordinate system 13. On-board the rock drilling rig 1 may be one or more control units 14a for receiving scanning data, performing point cloud matching and searching measures, producing position data and executing needed coordinate transformations according to principles disclosed in this patent application.

As already mentioned, in FIG. 1 the monitored object MO may be the drilling unit 4. Alternatively, distal end or any other part of the boom 3 may be selected to be the monitored object.

The scanning device S may be part of a scanning module SM comprising a frame 30 provided with mounting means, and a control unit 14b provided with a processor and needed programs for executing the above discussed search and position determination procedures.

The boom 3 may be without any sensors since the needed position and direction data may be produced by the scanning. However, the boom 3 and the mine work device may also comprise conventional sensors or measuring means 31 for position and direction determination in addition to the scanning means. The scanning and measuring means may be used together for example in situations when the scanning range does not cover all possible boom positions.

FIG. 1 further discloses that the mine vehicle 1 may communicate with one or more external control units 14c, which may be part of a mine control system or they may be individual computers, servers or terminal devices.

FIG. 2 shows scanning of surfaces of a mine space 8 surrounding a mining vehicle 1. Thus, point cloud data 15 may be produced of wall surfaces 10a, 10b and a roof surface 11. As it is disclosed in the simplified FIG. 2 with enlargements, the surfaces of the wall surfaces 10a, 10b and the roof surface 11 have individual shapes since the rock material is detached by blasting. Topography of the surfaces may be considered to be a kind of finger print of the mine.

FIG. 2 also discloses that by means of the scanning, a monitored object MO may also be detected and a point cloud may be produced. The point cloud data of the monitored object MO comprises points, which are characteristic for the monitored object. Based on the shape the points create, the monitored object MO may be recognized in a searching step of the scanning procedure. The control unit 14a may then determine coordinates for the recognized points defining the monitored object in the point cloud and may determine position and direction of the monitored object in the machine coordinate system 12. The control unit 14a may transform the position and direction data of the monitored object MO into coordinates of the mine coordinate system 13 when the location of the mine vehicle is known. The position of the mine vehicle in the mine or work site may be determined by means of the scanning techniques or by means of conventional measuring means.

In FIG. 2, as well as in FIG. 4, it is illustrated by black dots 17 points where a ray of a scanning device S meets a physical target and causes detection. The point cloud data 15 comprises several points 17 created by the scanning. The points 17 are shown as black dots. It can be considered that the point cloud data represents information of what the scanning sees. Every point 17 has coordinates x, y and z in machine coordinate system 12, whereby position and direction of the monitored object MO may be determined relative to the scanning device S in the machine coordinate system 12. The monitored object MO may be found from the point cloud data on the basis of reference data input to the control unit 14.

In FIG. 3 a scanning device S is arranged on a carrier 2 of a mining vehicle 1. The scanning device S may comprises a protective housing 18 for protecting the scanning device S against impurities, moisture and impacts. The scanning device S and the protective housing 18 may be moved relative to each other. The scanning device may have one or more operable positions 19 for executing the scanning and an idle position 20 where it is protected by the protective housing 18. The scanning device S may also be moved in situations when visibility to the monitored object is prevented or is poor. Further, the scanning device S or scanning module may comprise fast coupling means whereby it can be easily mounted to the mine vehicle 1.

FIG. 4 discloses a basic principle of determining position and orientation of a mine vehicle 1 by means of scanning and point cloud matching. A surrounding of the mine vehicle 1 is scanned and a second point cloud data 21 is produced. An initial first point cloud data 22 may be created beforehand and it may be stored to a control unit 14a on-board the mine vehicle 1 or to an external control unit 14c. The control unit 14a, 14c may be provided with a processor and a point cloud matching program or algorithm for matching the second point cloud data 21 to the first point cloud data 22. Thus, the first point cloud data 22 serves as a reference point cloud data and the second point cloud data 21 serves as an operational point cloud data. In FIG. 4 the match 23 is shown in a strongly simplified manner. On the basis of the match 23, the control unit 14a or 14b may determine position and orientation of the mine vehicle 1 in a mine coordinate system 13. Every point 17 of the point cloud data has x-, y-, and z-coordinates. In the simplified example of FIG. 4, the second point cloud data 21 fits completely to the reference point cloud data 22.

The above mentioned principles of point cloud matching analysis and best fit procedures of point clouds may be utilized also for searching and detecting position and direction of a monitored object. During pattern matching the system searches the monitored object and calculates position data for it.

FIG. 5 shows basic steps and features of the disclosed solution and method. These issues are discussed above in more detailed.

FIG. 6 shows some feasible reference data on the monitored object. The reference data may be input to a control unit and may be utilized when searching the monitored object from the scanned point cloud data.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram showing related elements, control means and features of the disclosed solution. FIG. 7 also discloses some examples of utilizing the determined position and direction data.

FIG. 8 shows some feasible monitored objects of a mine vehicle. The disclosed solution may provide position and orientation detection system of the boom, drilling unit, bolting unit, charging unit, braking hammer unit or any other mine work device of other monitored object of the mine vehicle.

The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A mine vehicle comprising:

a movable carrier;

at least one boom and at least one mine work device at a distal end portion of the boom;

at least one monitored object;

a machine coordinate system;

at least one scanning device for scanning surroundings of the mine vehicle and the at least one monitored object inside a reach area of the scanning device for producing operational 3D scanning data in the machine coordinate system;

the mine vehicle being in operational communication with at least one control unit configured to receive and process the operational scanning data including point cloud data, wherein the control unit is provided with input reference data on the at least one monitored object in the machine coordinate system;

the control unit is provided with at least one processor and at least one point cloud processing program allowed to be executed in the processor, wherein the control unit is configured to execute the point cloud processing program for comparing the reference data with the operational scanning data in order to search and detect the monitored object in the produced point cloud data and to determine position and direction of the monitored object in the machine coordinate system on the basis of coordinates provided in the point cloud data, and wherein at least part of the mine work device is the monitored object and the control unit is configured to determine position and direction of the at least part of the mine work device in the machine coordinate system.

2. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided with reference data including a design point cloud data of the monitored object, the design point cloud data being converted from a 3D design data of the monitored object, and the control unit is configured to execute the point cloud processing program for comparing the design point cloud data with the operational scanning data in order to detect the monitored object in the operational point cloud data and to determine position and direction of the monitored object in the machine coordinate system.

3. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to determine coordinates of any point of the design point cloud data, including also points, which are non-visible in the scanned operational point cloud data.

4. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein a shape of the at least one monitored object in the machine coordinate system is input to the control unit, the control unit being configured to examine the operational point cloud data in order to find a point pattern matching with the input shape of the at least one monitored object and to determine a position and/or orientation of the detected at least one monitored object.

5. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein point cloud data of the shape of the monitored object is produced by initial scanning of the monitored object and is utilized as reference point cloud data for searching the monitored object.

6. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the monitored object is provided with at least one supplementary identifier surface shape of which has a predetermined configuration, the control unit being provided with data on the shape of the identifier, and execution of the point cloud processing program in the control unit is configured to search and detect the shape of the identifier from the scanned point cloud data whereby the monitored object is recognized by means of the initial point cloud data of the identifier.

7. (canceled)

8. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mine work device includes a feed beam and a rock drilling machine supported on the feed beam, the control unit being configured to determine position and direction of the feed beam and to record the determined data as a drill hole position and direction data when the feed beam is positioned at the drill hole.

9. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanning device and the control unit serve as a boom position measuring arrangement for detecting position and orientation of the mine work device.

10. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the boom is without any physical boom or joint position sensor.

11. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mine vehicle includes a scanning module having a frame, mounting means for fastening the frame to the mine vehicle detachably, at least one scanning device, at least one control unit for processing the scanned data, and at least one data communication device allowing data communication between the scanning module and at least one control device external to the scanning module.

12. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control unit is provided with data on position and direction of the at least one scanning device in the machine coordinate system.

13. (canceled)

14. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitored object is arranged in connection with a structural element being connected to the carrier by at least one joint, whereby the monitored object is movable relative to the carrier; and the control unit is provided with kinematic data on the movable structural element for determining possible movement paths of the monitored object.

15. The mine vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided with data on position and orientation of the mine vehicle in a mine coordinate system, the control unit being configured to execute a coordinate transformation process to determine the position and direction of the monitored object in the mine coordinate system on the basis of the detected position and direction of the monitored object in the machine coordinate system.

16. A control unit for determining position and direction of at least one monitored object of a mine vehicle comprising at least one scanning device, the control unit comprising:

connection means for being in operational communication with the mine vehicle comprising at least one scanning device;

receiving means for receiving from the mine vehicle operational scanning data comprising point cloud data; and

processing means for processing the received operational scanning data, wherein the control unit is provided with input reference data on at least one monitored object in a machine coordinate system and at least one point cloud processing program arranged to be executed in the processing means, wherein the control unit is configured to execute the point cloud processing program for comparing the reference data with operational scanning data received from the mine vehicle in order to search and detect the at least one monitored object in the point cloud data and to determine position and direction of the at least one monitored object in the machine coordinate system on the basis of coordinates provided in the point cloud data.

17. A method of determining position and direction of at least one object of a mine vehicle, the method comprising:

determining at least one monitored object of the mine vehicle;

providing a control unit with reference data on the at least one monitored object in a machine coordinate system of the mine vehicle;

scanning by means of a scanner device provided on the mine vehicle surroundings of the mine vehicle and the at least one monitored object inside a reach area of the scanning device for producing operational 3D scanning data in the machine coordinate system;

executing a point cloud processing program in a processor of the control unit for searching the monitored object from the scanned point cloud data; and

determining position and direction of the detected monitored object in the machine coordinate system on the basis of scanned coordinates of the point cloud data.