Proxima

The Proxima Collision Avoidance System is designed to enhance operator safety in underground mining environments. It assists operators of self-propelled mining machines by alerting them to potential collisions with other machines, personnel, or marked obstacles equipped with appropriate radio identifiers. These alerts are communicated via a display module inside the vehicle, using color codes and messages to warn the operator. Despite the system’s capabilities, operators are still required to exercise due caution as per regulatory standards during machine operation. The Proxima system serves as an additional safety feature for mining machinery.

The system consists of the following elements:

  • Display module — Acts as the central control unit and is mounted within the operator’s field of view to provide warnings.
  • Radio module — Installed externally on the vehicle, this module detects the presence of and measures the radio signal strength to other equipped systems and transponders.
  • Tags — Personnel and equipment localization and tracking transponders
  • Connection Cables — Provided with the system, featuring connectors (Weipu: SP2110/P5II-2N and SP2111/S5II-2N) for easy service procedures. We tailor these cables to the customer’s needs, depending on the vehicle length.

The display module, positioned within the operator’s line of sight, communicates with the radio module and informs the vehicle operator of any detected hazards based on received data.

Operation Principle

The Proxima system uses its radio module to interact with other Proxima systems and UltraTAG radio transponders, measuring the distance to them. Based on these measurements, it assesses collision risks and displays relevant warnings on the operator’s display.

The display module shows collision threats under various scenarios:

  • Machine-to-Machine
  • Machine-to-Machine when one machine is in a recess or around a corner
  • Machine-to-Machine when passing through a ventilation door
  • Machine-to-Person
  • Machine-to-Person when a person is in a recess or around a corner
  • Machine-to-Person when the machine passes through a ventilation door

Operators can use buttons below the display to input information about the crew on board, preventing the system from warning about potential collisions with onboard personnel. When a person exits the vehicle and moves away from the anti-collision system, they are automatically removed from the passenger list, and the Proxima system will resume warning about potential collisions with that individual.

The Proxima Collision Avoidance System provides a comprehensive solution for enhancing safety in underground mining operations. Its dual-module setup ensures reliable detection and communication of collision threats, assisting operators in maintaining a safe working environment. This system, while augmenting the existing safety measures, requires operators to adhere to all safety regulations and procedures.