Electronic detonation device with dual antenna for blasting system and blasting system using same

An electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system is proposed. The electronic detonation device includes: an electronic detonator; a wireless communication module, and a wire part connecting the electronic detonator to the wireless communication module. The wireless communication module includes a first antenna part positioned in an upper portion therein and a second antenna part positioned in a lower portion therein. Accordingly, regardless of a placement direction of the wireless communication module on the ground, stable wireless communication is performed, thereby improving blasting accuracy.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system and a blasting system using the same and, more particularly, to an electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system and a blasting system using the same, wherein the electronic detonation device has a wireless communication module with an antenna positioned in each of an upper portion and a lower portion of the wireless communication module to secure stable communication reliability.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, explosives are used in engineering work, such as rock blasting for tunnel construction and building demolition. In particular, a plurality of holes, into which explosives are to be inserted, is drilled corresponding to the sections of a blasting target, i.e. the object to be blasted.

After an explosive is inserted into each of the drilled holes, the explosives are connected to a user terminal.

The explosives are exploded by operating the user terminal, thereby blasting the blasting target.

As a detonation device for explosives, a wireless-communication-type detonation device or a wired-communication-type detonation device may be used.

Conventionally, an electronic detonation device using wireless communication includes an electronic detonator, a wireless communication module, and wires connecting the wireless communication module to the electronic detonator.

The wireless communication module has an antenna therein for wireless communication provided to communicate with a user terminal.

After the electronic detonator is positioned to be inserted into the ground, the wireless communication module is placed on the ground. When an antenna-positioned surface of the wireless communication module is placed on the ground, radio waves may be disturbed by the ground, so it is difficult to stably perform wireless communication.

When the wireless communication module is placed and held on the ground, an antenna thereof is preferably positioned to face the sky to perform stable wireless communication for securing blasting accuracy. However, a wireless communication module of a current electronic detonation device has only one antenna positioned in an upper portion or a lower portion of a module housing, so it is difficult to hold the wireless communication module on the ground so that the antenna is positioned to face the sky.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an objective of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system and a blasting system using the same, wherein the electronic detonation device has a wireless communication module in which an antenna is positioned in each of an upper portion and a lower portion of a module housing, so that stable wireless communication is possible regardless of a placement direction of the wireless communication module on the ground.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system and a blasting system using the same, wherein the electronic detonation device has a wireless communication module held to be spaced apart from the ground, so that the stable wireless communication is performed regardless of a placement direction of the wireless communication module on the ground.

A further objective of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system and a blasting system using the same, wherein an electronic detonator is held by a wireless communication module for easy storage and portability.

Technical Solution

In order to accomplish the above objective, the present disclosure provides an electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system. The electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system includes: an electronic detonator and a wireless communication module; and a wire part configured to connect the electronic detonator to the wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communication module may include a first antenna part positioned in an upper portion therein and a second antenna part positioned in a lower portion therein.

The wireless communication module may include: a communication module housing part; and the antenna parts positioned in the communication module housing part; and a wireless communication controller configured to control operation of the electronic detonator by signals transmitted from the antenna parts.

The wireless communication module may further include: an antenna switch part configured to selectively connect either of the first antenna part and the second antenna part to the wireless communication controller.

The antenna switch part may be configured to select an antenna part with high signal strength among the first antenna part and the second antenna part and to transmit the signal from the selected antenna part to the wireless communication controller.

In the communication module housing part, the first antenna part may be positioned to be in close contact with an upper surface of the communication module housing part and the second antenna part may be positioned to be in close contact with a lower surface thereof.

A plurality of housing support protrusions may be positioned on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of the communication module housing part, so that the communication module housing part may be spaced apart from ground.

The housing support protrusions may be positioned with an interval in which the electronic detonator may be fitted, so that the electronic detonator may be stored while being fitted in the interval.

Each of the housing support protrusions may be configured to have a height at least equal to or higher than a diameter or a maximum thickness of the electronic detonator.

Each of the housing support protrusions may include: a first supporting jig member and a second supporting jig member that may be configured to clamp and hold the electronic detonator by being moved in facing directions or opposite directions; and a jig moving part positioned in the communication module housing part and configured to move the first supporting jig member and the second supporting jig member in the facing directions or opposite directions.

The first supporting jig member and the second supporting jig member may include respective elastic pad members on facing surfaces thereof.

The housing support protrusions may further include a detonator position detecting sensor that may detect that the electronic detonator may be positioned between the first supporting jig member and the second supporting jig member.

A pressure detecting sensor, which may detect pressure when the electronic detonator is fitted between the first supporting jig member and the second supporting jig member, may be positioned in at least one of the first supporting jig member and the second supporting jig member, and when the pressure detecting sensor detects a pre-set pressure value, movements of the first supporting jig member and the second supporting jig member may be stopped.

Each of the first supporting jig member and the second supporting jig member may have a traveling wheel member that may be rotatably positioned and protrudes downward.

A blasting system may include: an electronic detonation device for the blasting system; and a user terminal that may wirelessly communicate with the electronic detonation device for the blasting system through wireless communication and control operation of the electronic detonation device for the blasting system, wherein the electronic detonation device for the blasting system is an embodiment of the electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present disclosure, the antenna of the wireless communication module is positioned in each of the upper portion and the lower portion of the module housing part. Accordingly, blasting accuracy can be improved by enabling stable wireless communication regardless of a placement direction of the wireless communication module on the ground.

According to the present disclosure, the wireless communication module is held to be spaced apart from the ground and an antenna with the highest signal strength among the two antennas is selected for communication. Therefore, stable wireless communication can be performed regardless of a placement direction of the wireless communication module on the ground, and the blasting accuracy and stability can be secured at the same time.

According to the present disclosure, the electronic detonator is held by the wireless communication module for easy storage and portability. Therefore, convenience in use and convenience in storage can be secured at the same time.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: electronic detonator200: wireless communication module210: communication module housing part220: first antenna part230: second antenna part240: wireless communication controller250: antenna switch part300: wire part400: housing support protrusion410: first supporting jig member420: second supporting jig member430: jig moving part440: detonator position detecting sensor450: elastic pad member460: traveling wheel member

BEST MODE

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. Prior to the detailed description of the present disclosure, all terms or words used in the description and claims should not be interpreted as being limited merely to common and dictionary meanings. Meanwhile, the embodiments described in the specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely examples, and do not exhaustively present the technical spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace the embodiments and the configurations at the time at which the present application is filed.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an electronic detonation device with a dual antenna for a blasting system according to the present disclosure.FIG. 2is a view schematically showing a first embodiment of a wireless communication module of the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system and a blasting system using the electronic detonation device according to the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system according to the first embodiment includes an electronic detonator100, a wireless communication module200, and a wire part300connecting the electronic detonator100to the wireless communication module200.

The electronic detonator100stores detonator information and is detonated in response to a blast command to explode an explosive.

The wire part300may be wound or folded several times and then stored using a wire band or a wire tie, and may be unfolded when in use.

The wire part300may be implemented as various shapes using known electric wires for communication, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The wireless communication module200includes a communication module housing part210an antenna part positioned in the communication module housing part210, and a wireless communication controller240controlling operation of the electronic detonator100by a signal transmitted from the antenna.

As an example, the communication module housing part210may have a donut shape in which a hollow part is positioned in the center thereof. The communication module housing part210may have a space to receive the wireless communication controller240controlling the operation of the electronic detonator100by a signal transmitted from the antenna, that is, the antenna part.

In more detail, the wireless communication module200may include: a first antenna part220positioned at an upper portion in the communication module housing part210; a second antenna part230positioned to be spaced apart from a lower side of the first antenna part220in the communication module housing part210; and the wireless communication controller240controlling the operation of the electronic detonator100by a signal transmitted from the first antenna part220or the second antenna part230.

Furthermore, the wireless communication module200may include an antenna switch part250selectively connecting any one of the first antenna part220and the second antenna part230to the wireless communication controller240.

The antenna switch part250selects an antenna with high signal strength among the first antenna part220and the second antenna part230and transmits a signal from the selected antenna to the wireless communication controller240.

The first antenna part220is positioned to be in close contact with an upper surface of the communication module housing part210, and the second antenna part230is positioned to be in close contact with a lower surface of the communication module housing part210, thereby maximally securing the intervals and maximizing the distance between the second antenna part230and the upper surface of the communication module housing part210, and maximizing the distance between the first antenna part220and the lower surface of the communication module housing part210.

Accordingly, when the upper surface of the communication module housing part210is seated on the ground, the second antenna part230may be located to face the sky with the maximum distance from the ground. On the other hand, when the lower surface of the communication module housing part210is seated on the ground, the first antenna part220may be located to face the sky with the maximum distance from the ground.

Using a means such as an automatic signal recognition chip or a packet internet grouper (PING), the wireless communication controller240or the antenna switch part250may select an antenna with high signal strength among the first antenna part220and the second antenna part230and receive a signal from the selected antenna.

Regardless of whether or not the upper surface or the lower surface of the communication module housing part210is seated on the ground, the wireless communication module200, any one of the first antenna part220and the second antenna part230may be positioned toward the sky at the upper portion of the wireless communication module200and may be stably communicated in wireless manner with a user terminal.

Meanwhile, a plurality of housing support protrusions400, which is provided to separate the communication module housing part210from the ground, is positioned in each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the communication module housing part210.

The plurality of housing support protrusions400protrudes from the upper surface of the communication module housing part210at intervals, and the plurality of housing support protrusions400protrudes from the lower surface of communication module housing part210at intervals.

When the upper surface of the communication module housing part210is seated on the ground, the housing support protrusions400separate the upper surface thereof from the ground, so that the first antenna part220at the upper portion may receive a signal with high signal strength.

When the lower surface of the communication module housing part210is seated on the ground, the housing support protrusions400separates the upper surface thereof from the ground, so that the strength of a signal transmitted to the second antenna part230positioned on the upper surface thereof may be increased.

The housing support protrusions400are positioned with an interval in which the electronic detonator100is fitted, so that the electronic detonator100is stored while being fitted in the interval.

The housing support protrusions400may be made of elastic materials, such as urethane, synthetic rubber, and silicone, so that the electronic detonator100may be stably fitted therein and may be stored with safer protection from external impact.

As the electronic detonator according to the present disclosure is held by the wireless communication module200, storage and portability of the electronic detonator become easy, and thus convenience in use and storage may be secured.

Each of the housing support protrusions400is configured to have a height that is at least equal to or higher than a diameter or the maximum thickness of the electronic detonator100, so that the electronic detonator100fitted between the housing support protrusions400may be positioned to be stably held without being in contact with the ground.

Meanwhile,FIG. 3is a bottom perspective view showing a second embodiment of the wireless communication module200of the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system and the blasting system using the electronic detonation device according to the present disclosure.FIG. 4is a view schematically showing a third embodiment of the wireless communication module200of the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system and the blasting system using the electronic detonation device according to the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, each of the housing support protrusions400includes: a first supporting jig member410and a second supporting jig member420that clamp and hold the electronic detonator100by being moved in facing directions or opposite directions; and a jig moving part430positioned in the communication module housing part210and moving the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420in the facing directions or the opposite directions.

The first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420serve to separate the position of the communication module housing part210from the ground, and at the same time, the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420are moved in the facing directions to clamp the electronic detonator100, so that the electronic detonator100may be held on each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the communication module housing part210.

The first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420have respective V-shaped groove parts on facing surfaces thereof, so that the electronic detonator100with a different diameter is stably held.

The first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420have respective elastic pad members450on the facing surfaces thereof. Therefore, when the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420clamp and hold the electronic detonator100, the electronic detonator100may be prevented from being damaged and may be stably clamped and held. In addition, when an impact occurs with the wireless communication module200while the electronic detonator100is held, the elastic pad members450absorb the impact so that the electronic detonator100may be stored in a safer state.

The housing support protrusions400are positioned as the pair facing each other, so that the rod-shaped electronic detonator100may be clamped in two places in a longitudinal direction to be stably held.

On each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the communication module housing part210, a plurality of housing support protrusions400is arranged as a pair facing each other to be spaced apart from another pair of housing support protrusions400in a circumferential direction of the communication module housing part210. Accordingly, the rod-shaped electronic detonator100may be supported in various directions, thereby increasing convenience in holding the electronic detonator100.

Further, the housing support protrusions400may include a detonator position detecting sensor440detecting that the electronic detonator100is positioned between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420.

For example, the detonator position detecting sensor440is a laser distance sensor positioned on the same line as the jig moving part430between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420. When the electronic detonator100is positioned at a position equal to or less than a pre-set distance, the detonator position detecting sensor440may detect that the electronic detonator100may be positioned between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420.

In addition to the laser distance sensor, the detonator position detecting sensor440may be another known sensor, which detects that the electronic detonator100is positioned to be held between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420, between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420.

A pressure detecting sensor may be positioned in at least any one of the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420to detect pressure when the electronic detonator100is held between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420. When the pressure detecting sensor detects a pre-set pressure value, movements of the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420are stopped.

The jig moving part430may include an un-holding switch part. When an operator presses or manipulates the un-holding switch part, the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420may be moved in opposite directions to each other.

Although not shown in the drawings, the jig moving part430may include a jig moving screw that is screwed through each of the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420in opposite directions, and a screw rotation motor rotating the jig moving screws clockwise or counterclockwise.

For example, through the first supporting jig member410, the moving screw may be screwed in a left-screw direction, and through the second supporting jig member420, the moving screw may be screwed in a right-screw direction. The screwing directions may be reversed.

The first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420are screwed in directions opposite to each other by the respective jig moving screws. Accordingly, according to rotation directions of the moving screws, when the interval between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420is narrowed as the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420are moved in the facing directions, the electronic detonator100is held, or when the interval therebetween is widened as the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420are moved in the opposite directions, the electronic detonator100may be released from being held.

Each of the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420may have a traveling wheel member460that is rotatably positioned and protrudes downward.

When the wireless communication module200is placed on the ground or a floor, the traveling wheel member460is seated on the ground or the floor to allow the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420to be easily moved in the facing directions or the opposite direction.

When the operator positions the electronic detonator100at a location between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420, the detonator position detecting sensor440detects the positioning of the electronic detonator100and the jig moving part430moves the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420in the facing directions or opposite directions, so that the electronic detonator100is held between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420.

When the pressure required for holding the electronic detonator100is equal to or higher than the pre-set pressure value, movements of the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420are stopped so that the electronic detonator100may be prevented from an accident occurring when the electronic detonator100is compressed to a pressure equal to or higher than a pre-set pressure.

When the electronic detonator100held between the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420, as the operator presses or manipulates the un-holding switch part, the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420releases the electronic detonator100while being moved in the opposite directions.

In summary, the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420are positioned to protrude toward each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the communication module housing part210so as to separate the position of the wireless communication module200from the ground. In addition, the first supporting jig member410and the second supporting jig member420may be moved in the facing directions to hold the rod-shaped electronic detonator100.

FIG. 5is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the blasting system using the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system according to the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 5, the electronic detonator100may communicate wirelessly with a user terminal500through the wireless communication module200so as to synchronize automatically with the user terminal500.

The electronic detonator100may communicate with the user terminal500using wired communication or wireless communication to receive detonation time information or to transmit identifier information and positioning information to the user terminal500.

Detonator information may include detonation time information, blast delay time information, identifier information, and positioning information.

The electronic detonator100may receive a blast command from the user terminal500to explode an explosive. When the electronic detonator100starts to count a blast delay time included in the blast command and the counting is completed, that is, after the blast delay time, the electronic detonator100detonates and explodes the explosive.

The wireless communication module200may allow the user terminal500and the electronic detonator100to communicate wirelessly with each other over a wireless network.

The wireless network may perform wireless communication by using known wireless networks, such as mobile radio communication networks including long-term evolution (LTE), Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, wireless broadband internet (WiBro), and long range network (LoRa).

The user terminal500may synchronize with the electronic detonator100to transmit detonation time information to the electronic detonator100or to receive the identifier information and the positioning information from the electronic detonator100.

Further, the user terminal500may transmit respective blast commands including blast delay times to a plurality of electronic detonators100.

FIG. 6is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the user terminal500of the blasting system using the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system according to the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the first embodiment of the user terminal500of the blasting system using the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system will be described in detail.

The user terminal500may include a controller510, a memory unit520, a wireless communication unit530, a display unit550, and a bus unit560.

The controller510may control the overall operation of the user terminal500. According to the embodiment, the controller510may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like.

The memory unit520may store a plurality of commands constituting a program that may be executed by the controller510, components list data for a components list, and components property data indicating properties of components. Depending on the embodiment, the memory unit520may be implemented as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), or the like.

The wireless communication unit530may perform communication between the user terminal500and the electronic detonator100. For example, the wireless communication unit530may communicate with the wireless communication module200over a wireless network. According to the embodiment, the wireless communication unit530may use various types of wireless networks, such as mobile radio communication networks including long-term evolution (LTE), Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, wireless broadband internet (WiBro), long range network (LoRa), etc., to perform communication.

The display unit550may display an image. For example, the display unit550may be implemented as a display panel. According to the embodiment, the display unit550may be implemented as any one of a liquid crystal display device), an organic light-emitting display device, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the display unit550may be implemented as any of various devices as long as the display unit550serves the purpose of displaying an image. The display unit550may display the electronic detonator100on a map on the basis of the identifier information and the positioning information received from the electronic detonator100.

The bus unit560may perform data transmission and reception between the controller510, the memory unit520, the wireless communication unit530, and the display unit550. Depending on the embodiment, the bus unit560may be implemented as a bus interface.

The controller510may include a time-setting module511, a positioning module512, an identification module513, a delay-time-setting module514, and a blasting module515. In the specification, a module may be software (a program) in which the commands constituting the program stored in the memory unit520are executed by the controller510.

The time-setting module511may set the detonation time corresponding to the electronic detonator100.

When the user terminal500is synchronized with the electronic detonator100, the time-setting module511may set the detonation time and transmit the detonation time information indicating the detonation time to the electronic detonator100through the wireless communication unit.

The positioning module512may check the position of the electronic detonator100. When the user terminal500is synchronized with the electronic detonator100, the positioning module512may receive the positioning information from the electronic detonator100through the wireless communication unit530. Further, the positioning module512may check the position of the electronic detonator100using the positioning information.

The identification module513may detect an identifier by receiving the identifier information of the electronic detonator100. When the user terminal500synchronizes with the electronic detonator100, the identification module513may receive the identifier information from the electronic detonator100through the wireless communication unit530. Further, the identification module513may identify the electronic detonator100using the identifier information.

The delay-time-setting module514may set the blast delay time corresponding to the electronic detonator100. For example, the blast delay time may be set in consideration of a delay time and a stepped difference. When the user terminal500synchronizes with the electronic detonator100, the delay-time-setting module514may set the blast delay time.

The blasting module515may transmit a blast command including the blast delay time set by the delay-time-setting module514to the electronic detonator100. For example, the blasting module515may transmit the blast command to the electronic detonator100through the wireless communication unit530. The electronic detonator100may store the blast delay time information indicating the blasting delay time included in the received blast command.

FIG. 7is a view schematically showing a use example of the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system according to the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 7, the blasting system using the electronic detonation device with the dual antenna for a blasting system according to the present disclosure is configured to insert the electronic detonator100into a blasting hole provided in the ground and then to blast the electronic detonator100by communicating with the user terminal via wireless communication or wired communication.

The wireless communication module200is seated and held on the ground, and may be positioned to be spaced apart from the ground. Regardless of whether the upper surface or the lower surface is placed on the ground, the first antenna part220or the second antenna part230is positioned to face the sky, so that communication stability is secured.

According to the present disclosure, the antenna of the wireless communication module is positioned in each of the upper portion and the lower portion of the module housing part. Accordingly, the blasting accuracy is improved by enabling stable wireless communication regardless of a placement direction of the wireless communication module on the ground.

According to the present disclosure, the wireless communication module is held to be spaced apart from the ground and an antenna with the highest signal strength among the two antennas is selected for communication. Therefore, stable wireless communication may be performed regardless of a placement direction of the wireless communication module on the ground, and the blasting accuracy and stability may be secured at the same time.

According to the present disclosure, the electronic detonator is held to the wireless communication module for easy storage and portability, thereby securing convenience in use and convenience in storage at the same time.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented as various modifications, additions and substitutions without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims, and the modifications and the like are included in the configuration of the present disclosure.