JP2001153598A - Remote wireless detonation apparatus and power energy transmission equipment and wireless detonator unit used in the apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability and safety of detonation so far as the improvement does not break the regulations of the Radio Law. SOLUTION: The remote wireless detonation apparatus is provided with a power energy transmission equipment which is placed apart from a face, and provided with a controller unit 1 having an output means modulating and outputting a.c. power energy, and an antenna unit 2 generating a.c. magnetic field in response to an output of the output means, and a wireless detonator unit which is loaded in the face, and provided with an energy conversion means for receiving an a.c. magnetic field generated by the antenna unit and converting the energy of the magnetic field into an electrical energy, a demodulation means for receiving and demodulating a modulated component of the a.c. magnetic field, and a control means for controlling ignition and detonation by a signal demodulated by the demodulation means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote radio detonator used for blasting work in tunnel excavation and the like, and a power energy transmitting device and a radio detonator unit used for the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In blasting work such as tunnel excavation,
When an electric detonator is used for the detonating device, blasting is usually performed in the following procedures (1) to (6). (1) Create a parent die at the pyrotechnic. (2) A charging hole is formed in the face. (3) Charge the explosive and the parent die into the charging hole. (4) Connect the legs of each electric detonator in series or in parallel, and further connect them to the blasting bus. (5) Check the connection using a dedicated tester. (6) Explosive energy is given to the electric detonator by a blaster to blast.

[0003] Among these procedures, particularly in the connection work (4), since thin and flexible legs are handled, it is difficult to automate the work, and the operator has to perform it manually. In addition, there is a danger of personal injury due to the collapse of the rock near the face where the connection work is performed, and there is a safety problem. Especially, in a severe work environment such as face rock, muddy water under the feet, high humidity, and insufficient illuminance at hand, several tens to one
It takes a lot of people and time to securely connect more than 00 primers, and there has been a long-awaited desire to streamline the connection work.

[0004] In a blasting operation using an electric detonator, it is necessary that the connection be performed securely in order to completely detonate the charged explosive. As a means for this confirmation, a continuity check is performed by a dedicated tester. That is, if the conduction is confirmed and the electric resistance value falls within a certain range, it is determined that the connection is made. However, even if there is no problem in the continuity check, if the connection part of the non-insulated primer leg contacts the wet rock or the explosion current leaks, there is a risk of causing a partial failure of the primer. In order to prevent this, it is recommended to insulate all the connection parts with vinyl tape or the like, but this makes the connection work more complicated.

[0005] In order to solve such a problem related to the connection, a wireless detonator which does not require a connection operation has been proposed. In this wireless detonator, a squib, a radio wave receiving device, and a battery are integrated, and a squib is detonated with the energy of the battery in accordance with a detonation command transmitted and received by radio waves. This wireless detonator can eliminate the need for connection, but since the detonator and the battery that is the detonating energy source are integrated, safety is assured in all processes from factory shipment to charging. The development of multiple safety devices involves difficulties, and considerable ingenuity is required to provide intuitive security to customer users.

Further, as a radio detonator considering safety, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-280497, a technique for transmitting ignition energy to a detonator using radio waves such as microwaves after charging operation. Has been proposed,
Due to the regulations of the Radio Law in the microwave region, it is practically difficult to use radio waves strong enough to transmit sufficient ignition energy from a distance to a primer.

Therefore, as means for transmitting ignition energy which does not violate the regulations of the Radio Law, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-286.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 21, a technique has been proposed in which ignition energy is transmitted by electromagnetic induction between a transmission coil and a reception coil incorporated in a primer, and an initiating command is to extinguish a magnetic field generated by the transmission coil. ing.

[0008]

However, in the ignition energy transmission technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-28621, there is no means for remotely confirming and controlling the ignition energy accumulation state of the detonator. Under conditions where the magnetic field generated by the coil is easily attenuated, sufficient ignition energy may not be accumulated in the primer, which may cause misfires. There is a problem that the reliability and safety of the detonation cannot be sufficiently ensured by the technology that simply transmits the ignition energy by electromagnetic induction between the transmission coil and the reception coil, such as the absence of a device abnormality detection means. Was.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a remote radio detonator capable of improving the reliability and safety of detonation within a range that does not violate the regulations of the Radio Law and the remote radio detonation device. An object of the present invention is to provide a power energy transmission device and a wireless detonator unit used for the device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a remote wireless detonator according to the present invention comprises a controller unit having output means for modulating and outputting AC power energy, and an output of the output means. A power energy transmitting device provided with an antenna unit for generating an AC magnetic field in response to the AC magnetic field, and receiving the AC magnetic field generated by the antenna unit and converting the energy of the AC magnetic field into electric energy An energy conversion means, a demodulation means for receiving and demodulating a modulated component of an AC magnetic field, and a radio detonator unit mounted on a face including ignition detonation control means for controlling ignition detonation by a signal demodulated by the demodulation means. It is characterized by having.

At least one of the power energy transmitting device and the wireless detonator unit has a communication error detecting means, and has a means for requesting retransmission when an error is detected as a communication procedure. Is preferred. The power energy transmitting apparatus according to the present invention includes a controller unit having an output unit that modulates and outputs AC power energy, and an antenna unit that generates an AC magnetic field according to an output of the output unit. I do.

[0012] A wireless detonator unit according to the present invention comprises: an energy conversion means for receiving an AC magnetic field and converting the energy of the AC magnetic field into electric energy; a demodulation means for receiving and demodulating a modulation component of the AC magnetic field; And ignition ignition control means for controlling ignition initiation by a signal demodulated by the demodulation means. In the present invention, as the output means for modulating and outputting AC power energy, for example, a means for modulating current and outputting modulated AC power energy can be used. It is preferable that the phase is continuously changed when the frequency is switched. ON / OFF of AC current as other output means
Modulation methods are also available. In this case, it is preferable to perform the ON / OFF operation in a phase in which the instantaneous value of the alternating current such as a sine wave is zero (the back electromotive force is small).

Energy conversion means for receiving an AC magnetic field and converting the energy of the AC magnetic field into electric energy;
The same receiving coil can be used as the demodulation means for receiving and demodulating the modulation component of the AC magnetic field. The means for receiving and demodulating the modulation component of the AC magnetic field includes:
It is also possible to use a magnetic sensor.

For the wireless detonator unit, there is provided a transmitting means for transmitting the state of accumulation of electric energy as a signal, and for the controller unit, the state of accumulation of electric energy of the wireless detonator unit is received as a signal. It is preferable to provide a receiving unit that performs the operation. Such a signal is preferably an electromagnetic wave such as a radio wave, a visible light, an infrared ray, an ultraviolet ray, or an alternating magnetic field.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A remote wireless detonator as an example of the embodiment of the present invention includes a power energy transmitting device and a wireless detonator unit, and the power energy transmitting device is located at a safe position sufficiently away from the face as shown in FIG. A controller unit 1, a transmission coil (antenna unit) 2, a coil connection box, a reception antenna 3, and a demodulation circuit box.

The controller unit 1 includes an operation console (PC), a transmission circuit (output means), a power amplifier, and a reception circuit. The operation console has a man-machine interface and a CPU, and transmits an operation instruction from an operator to a CP.
The result interpreted by U and the instruction generated by the CPU are transmitted to the transmission circuit as a control signal. The transmission circuit generates a constant amplitude, constant frequency AC sine wave signal when there is no control signal input, and controls the frequency, phase or amplitude of the output AC sine wave signal when the control signal is input. Vary according to the signal. Specifically, for example, there is a method in which an AC sine wave signal generated by a transmission circuit is made to correspond to a digital binary control signal as two high and low frequencies.
K "is one type of frequency modulation. A power cable is connected to the power amplifier, and the other end of the power cable is connected via a coil connection box to a transmission coil 2 which is an antenna unit installed near the face. Thus, the AC magnetic field generated by the transmission coil 2 is modulated by the control signal output from the operation console.

Here, in switching the output frequency of the transmission circuit, it is desirable to continuously change the phase of the output. The reason is that if, for example, a step-like sudden change occurs in the voltage waveform of the output of the transmission circuit, a large back electromotive force is generated in the transmission coil 2 in accordance with the time differential value of the inductance and the current. This is because the output rated value must be increased, which is uneconomical. If frequency modulation is performed by the transmission circuit so that the output waveform of the power amplifier changes continuously, back electromotive force generated in the transmission coil 2 can be suppressed. The receiving circuit, demodulation circuit box and receiving antenna which constitute the receiving means of the present invention will be described later.

Further, if the frequency of the AC sine wave is selected to be less than 10 kHz which does not violate the regulations of the Radio Law, no special license, qualification and application procedure are required for operating the detonator of the present invention. Except in the case where the conductivity of the rock is similar to that of seawater, for example, the reduction of the magnetic field by the rock is small. In this case, the higher the frequency of the AC sine wave, the more efficient the energy is transmitted by electromagnetic induction. Therefore, the frequency of the AC sine wave is 7 kHz to 9 which is close to the upper limit of the value which does not violate the regulations of the Radio Law.
kHz is preferred.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the wireless squib unit, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the wireless squib unit. The radio detonator unit includes a receiving coil (energy conversion means) in which a core made of a high magnetic permeability material is inserted. The receiving coil receives an AC magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil 2 and generates an electromotive force. A resonance circuit including a capacitor is connected to the reception coil, and the electromotive force generated in the reception coil is efficiently extracted as electric power. The alternating current generated in the resonance circuit is rectified into direct current by the diode in the rectifying and charging circuit, and is charged in the capacitor in the circuit. By the electric energy stored in this capacitor, the overall control CP
U, a demodulation circuit, and a modulation circuit are driven. In order to stabilize the operation of these circuits, a constant voltage circuit is interposed between the U and the rectification charging circuit. The demodulation circuit (demodulation means) receives the modulated AC signal output from the receiving coil, and the demodulation circuit demodulates the modulated AC signal into a control signal and outputs the control signal to the entire CPU. The overall control CPU (ignition initiation control means) interprets the control signal output from the demodulation circuit and controls the entire ignition initiation.

The output of the rectifier charging circuit is also input to the detonation boosting charging circuit, and charges the detonation capacitor in the circuit. The energy of the capacitor is guided to the electric detonator part and used as ignition energy. The energization ON / OFF is performed by a switch (SW) circuit, and the timing is controlled by the overall control CPU. Further, an accumulation state signal of the ignition energy output from the detonation boosting charging circuit is input to the overall control CPU.

If the control signal output from the demodulation circuit to the overall control CPU has a content requesting transmission of a predetermined signal from the wireless detonator unit, for example, the state of accumulation of ignition energy in the detonating boosting charging circuit If the content requests transmission of a signal for
Outputs the transmission content according to the control signal to the modulation circuit.
The modulation circuit (transmission means) outputs the high-frequency current modulated by the transmission content to the leg antenna (transmission means) 4,
Radio waves are radiated from the leg antenna 4. The radio wave is received by the receiving antenna 3 and the demodulation circuit box of the power energy transmission device installed near the face, and the output of the demodulation circuit box is transmitted to the operation console via the reception circuit of the controller unit 1 via the reception signal cable. Is done. The operation console interprets the received content and transmits a new control signal to the wireless detonation unit via the transmission circuit, the power amplifier and the transmission coil 2 in the same manner as described above, or displays a status via the man-machine interface. I do.

As a transmission means from the wireless detonator unit to the controller unit 1, it is desirable to suppress the output of the radio wave to be used within the range of the weak radio wave specified in the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations. Also, the lower the frequency of the radio wave, the smaller the absorption loss due to the bedrock, but if the frequency is too low, the leg-shaped antenna with a length of about 3 m which is easy to handle lowers the radio wave radiation efficiency, which is not preferable. In consideration of the absorption loss due to the rock and the radiation efficiency of the leg-shaped antenna, the frequency of the radio wave is preferably 10 MHz to 60 MHz, and more preferably 40 MHz to 30 MHz. When using infrared light, visible light, or ultraviolet light, a light emitting means such as an LED may be provided outside the charging hole in place of the leg antenna 4 and an optical sensor such as a CCD may be used in place of the receiving antenna 3. When using electromagnetic induction, a small transmitting coil may be used instead of the leg antenna 4 and a loop coil may be used for the receiving antenna 3.

Next, the remote wireless detonator having such a configuration will be described in more detail through an actual use example. In the radio detonator unit, a parent die insertion portion is inserted into an explosive at a pyrotechnic and processed into a parent die for detonation. The parent die is brought to the face with other explosives used as additional dies,
It is inserted into a charge hole drilled at many places on the entire face. When the parent die is inserted into the charging hole, the leg-shaped antenna 4 can be deployed straight into the charging hole by pulling the tip of the leg-shaped antenna 4 out of the charging hole. Since the front end of 4 is exposed outside the charging hole, the radiation efficiency of radio waves is improved, and reliable transmission / reception is possible. Leg antenna 4
Does not need to be connected to other electric wires or the like, and can eliminate the connection work required for the conventional primer. At this stage, no ignition energy is stored in the wireless detonator unit, and there is no possibility of accidental explosion.

After all the wireless primer units have been loaded into the charging holes, the transmission coil 2 is installed at a predetermined position near the face, and the operation console of the controller unit 1 is operated to transmit the transmission coil via the transmission circuit and the power amplifier. 2 is started, thereby generating an AC magnetic field in the transmission coil 2. At the time of this energization, first, the self-diagnosis is performed on each wireless detonator unit, and the diagnosis result is confirmed. More specifically, I
A D code is included in the control signal and transmitted to a designated wireless detonator unit, and the receiving antenna 3
To send the self-diagnosis result.

At this time, if there is no response from the radio detonator unit to the operation console, it is determined that some abnormality such as disconnection has occurred, and the radio detonator unit is inspected or replaced. At this stage, the overall control CPU of the wireless detonator unit
Does not transmit a control signal for starting the ignition energy charging to the detonation boosting charge circuit, and there is no possibility of an erroneous explosion.

On the other hand, when the operation console receives a predetermined signal from the wireless detonator unit and the self-diagnosis results of all the radio detonator units are normal, the operation console is operated to transmit the transmission circuit, the power amplifier and the transmission coil. After that, a charge start command for ignition energy is transmitted to all the wireless detonator units. The charging completion time is measured, and whether or not the charging voltage has reached the specified value is determined for each wireless detonator unit, specifically, the overall control CPU, by the ignition energy of the detonation boosting charging circuit as described above. A control signal for requesting transmission of a signal regarding the accumulation state is transmitted to check for each individual wireless detonator unit.

After confirming that the charging of all the wireless detonating units has been completed by the operation console, a detonation preparation command is transmitted from the operation console to all of the wireless detonating units in the same manner as described above. A control signal is transmitted to the control CPU requesting transmission of a signal as to whether or not it has been set to the detonation preparation state, and whether or not each of the wireless detonator units has been set to the detonation preparation state is confirmed.

The detonation command from the operation console to the wireless detonator unit is issued by turning off the current of the transmission coil 2. This is because if the detonation command is sent by a normal control signal and the confirmation work is performed for each individual wireless detonator unit, the detonation timing of all the wireless detonator units cannot be aligned, and from the viewpoint of the certainty of the detonation This is because confirmation cannot be omitted.

Therefore, the current OFF of the transmitting coil 2 functions as the detonation command only when the above-mentioned detonation preparation state is set. Until the detonation preparation set,
Since the current OFF of the transmission coil 2 is not interpreted as a detonation command by the overall control CPU of the wireless detonator unit, no erroneous explosion occurs even if the current of the transmission coil 2 is turned off due to an accidental disconnection or the like.

More preferably, the detonation command is given by the following conduction pattern: specified time OFF, specified time ON, and then OFF
It is conceivable that For example, it is assumed that after transmitting the detonation preparation set command, some of the wireless detonators do not enter the detonation preparation set state due to a communication error, and furthermore, the transmission coil is disconnected at this stage. In this case, most of the radio detonators are detonated, but radio detonators that are not in the detonation preparation state are not detonated and explosives remain, so that there is a great danger in post-processing. Therefore, if the specific conduction pattern as described above is used as the detonation command instead of simply turning off the current, the risk of accidental disconnection of the transmission coil can be further reduced.

In the detonator of the present invention, bidirectional communication can be performed between the power energy transmitting device and the wireless detonator unit. As described above, the detonator of the present invention transmits and receives commands from the operation console and the state of the wireless detonator unit wirelessly. However, wireless communication is generally more susceptible to noise and the like than wired communication, and non-procedural communication is performed. Then, there is a possibility that sufficient reliability cannot be secured. As a countermeasure, the detonating device of the present invention has at least one of the power energy transmitting device and the wireless detonator unit having a communication error detecting means, and a means for requesting retransmission when an error is detected as a communication procedure. Can be incorporated and included.

As the error detecting means, when a command and the state of the wireless squib unit are transmitted as digital data from the operation console, the presence or absence of an error in the received contents can be detected by the wireless squib unit and the operation console on the respective receiving sides. That is, redundant data may be added. Specifically, error detecting means such as a parity bit and a CRC code can be used.

As described above, by using the two-way communication means combining error detection and retransmission, it is possible to sufficiently secure communication reliability. By this two-way communication means, the self-diagnosis result of the wireless detonator unit, the charge state of the detonation boosting charging circuit and the like can be confirmed at each stage of the sequence leading to the detonation, thereby ensuring high reliability of the detonation, In particular, the possibility of non-explosion can be kept extremely low. If an abnormality is detected at each stage of the sequence leading to the detonation, the detonation is stopped, and the discharge circuit built into the wireless detonating unit is left for a time sufficient for the ignition energy to disappear, and then the abnormality is detected. Remove the detonated wireless detonator unit and replace it with a replacement.

As described above, according to the detonating device of the present invention, the connection of the blasting operation for detonation is eliminated by wirelessly transmitting the ignition energy to the wireless detonating unit by electromagnetic induction, thereby ensuring the safety of the operation. By improving the performance and streamlining, the ignition energy of the electric detonator can be transmitted remotely after loading the wireless detonator unit into the charging hole, ensuring the essential safety of the remote radio detonator. it can.

Further, modulating an AC magnetic field for transmitting ignition energy with a control signal, transmitting and receiving a control signal from the controller unit to the wireless detonator unit, and transmitting and receiving a state of the wireless detonator unit from the wireless detonator unit to the controller unit side. Thus, since the check can be performed for each detonation procedure, the reliability and safety at the time of the blasting operation can be improved.

In the detonator of the present invention, since a bidirectional communication means is provided between the controller unit and the wireless detonator unit and the CPU is mounted on the wireless detonator unit, a programmable electronic delay detonation function is provided. It is easy to add. That is, by using the bidirectional communication means, the detonation delay time data is transmitted from the controller unit to the wireless detonation unit, and the detonation delay time data is returned from the wireless detonation unit to the controller unit, thereby confirming that the delay time has been set correctly. . In this case, by using the ID code in the communication, it is possible to set a different detonation delay time for each wireless detonator unit.
The radio detonator unit measures the predetermined detonation delay time after receiving the detonation command, and detonates the detonator after the time is up.
As the timer means, a timer function built in the CPU or a counter realized by software can be used.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, there is obtained an effect that the reliability and safety of the detonation can be improved within a range that does not violate the regulations of the Radio Law.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a power energy transmission device included in a remote wireless detonator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a wireless detonator unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a wireless detonator unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Controller unit 2 ... Transmission coil 3 ... Reception antenna 4 ... Leg antenna

Claims (10)

[Claims] An electric power unit, comprising: a controller unit having output means for modulating and outputting AC power energy; and an antenna unit for generating an AC magnetic field in accordance with the output of the output means, the electric power being installed at a position separated from the face. An energy transmitting device, an energy conversion unit that receives an AC magnetic field generated by the antenna unit and converts the energy of the AC magnetic field into electric energy, a demodulation unit that receives and demodulates a modulation component of the AC magnetic field, and the demodulation unit And a wireless squib unit mounted on the face with ignition and detonation control means for controlling the ignition and detonation by a signal demodulated by the wireless detonation device. 2. The wireless detonator unit has means for transmitting a power energy storage state as a signal.
The remote wireless detonator according to claim 1, wherein the power energy transmitting device has a unit for receiving a signal transmitted from the wireless detonator unit. 3. At least one of the power energy transmitting device and the wireless detonator unit has a communication error detecting means, and has a means for requesting retransmission when an error is detected incorporated as a communication procedure. The remote wireless detonator according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A power energy transmission device for use in a remote wireless detonator according to claim 1, wherein the controller unit has an output means for modulating and outputting AC power energy, and a controller unit having an output means for modulating and outputting the AC power energy. A power energy transmission device comprising: an antenna unit that generates an AC magnetic field. 5. The power energy transmitting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said output means modulates a current and outputs modulated AC power energy. 6. The power energy transmitting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the modulation of the current changes a frequency. 7. The modulation of the current, wherein the current is modulated intermittently or by changing the amplitude.
A power energy transmission device as described in the claims. 8. The power energy transmitting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a receiving unit that receives a state of accumulation of electric energy of the wireless detonator unit as a signal. 9. A wireless detonator unit for use in a remote wireless detonator according to claim 1, wherein said conversion means receives an AC magnetic field and converts the energy of said AC magnetic field into electric energy, and modulates the AC magnetic field. A radio detonator unit comprising: demodulation means for receiving and demodulating a component; and ignition initiation control means for controlling ignition initiation by a signal demodulated by the demodulation means. 10. The radio detonator unit according to claim 9, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting a state of accumulation of electric energy as a signal.