Drill bit change in face drill rig

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an automatic drill bit changer on a feed beam configured to be part of a drill rig for rock-drilling, wherein the drill bit changer is elongate and mounted along opposed first and second sides of the feed beam. The drill bit changer has a drill bit change positioner movably on the first side and reaching by a positioner arm underneath the feed beam to the second side and a combination of a drill bit feeder and a drill bit magazine mounted on the second side of the feed beam. The drill bit change positioner is capable of swinging with a single longitudinal and rotational movement axis from a drill bit feeder position on the second side to a protruded position at which it interacts with a drill rod to change drill bits. A drill rig so equipped and related method aspects are disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to automatic drill bit change typically in face drill rigs and, in particular, to a drill bit change positioner, a drill bit feeder, a drill bit magazine, implementation in a drill rig, a drill bit changer, and a method for drill bit change. BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART To maintain the function of a drill bit when drilling in rock, that is, not to lose sharpness of the drill bit, the drill bit should be replaced before it is worn out. Today, when a drill bit is to be replaced, an operator may step out of the drilling rig to change the drill bit manually. Drilling is then halted and the operator will be in a position exposed to machinery and hazards of the environment, such as falling rock and slippery surfaces. Automatic or semi-automatic drill bit changers have been proposed, but the drill bit changer solutions seen to date appear to be technically overly complicated, to be exposed to risk of collision with machinery or the rock environment, to lack durability, as indicated above to demand extensive interaction by a human operator, or to be inefficient in terms of cost and running time lost in the drill bit change operation. Drill bit wear characteristics vary depending on the type of rock to be drilled and the type of drilling machine. When drilling for the constructing of tunnels, a large amount of drill bit changes need to be performed. Thus, significant time saving and other advantages in relation the above-mentioned problems could be gained therein. 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 Drill bit changing components or solutions in the general field of rock drilling have been proposed in documents GB 1 357 715, SE 378 877 B, WO 2009 / 156574 A1, WO 2009 / 156575 A1, and EP 3 415 709 A1. 5 None of these seems to provide solutions or fully satisfactory solutions to the above-mentioned problems. The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The 10 discussion is not acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF INVENTION 15 Generally, the invention solves or alleviates problems indicated above. This is done by providing drill bit change, in which the operator does not have to get out of the rig to change drill bits. The operator can thus continue drilling with other drill beams of the rig at 20 the same time as the drill bit change takes place. The risky working environment for the operator in front of the rig vehicle when changing drill bits is avoided. The inventive drill bit changer can be designed to be loaded with as many drill bits as required for completing all drilling required in an entire face in tunnel construction, from the drill 25 rig’s approach to the face to its withdrawal from the face (for instance in drill and blast tunnel construction). A human operator will not need to get out of a protective operator compartment of the drill rig. 30 A very slim design of the components and their mounting alongside and in parallel to the feed beam are important aspects of the invention and provides advantages by keeping the components from 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 physical exposure to the surroundings and to other parts of the drill rig itself. The components all being located behind or preferably well behind the front end of the feed beam (except in a longitudinally protruding position for interacting with the drill rod) also 5 advantageously keeps the components further out of physical exposure. Although the invention is mainly directed towards a complete solution for drill bit exchange in face drill rigs, components and sub-methods 10 included therein interact via distinct interfaces, which motivates the invention also being defined through its components and submethods alternatively to the combination thereof. Particularly, the invention involves the following. 15 A drill bit change positioner movably mounted on a feed beam configured to be part of a drill rig for rock drilling, said drill bit change positioner movably mounted on the feed beam comprising: the feed beam having a drill rod support bearing at a front end configured to be turned towards a rock to be drilled, a drilling 20 machine at a rear end opposite to the front end , and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end; the drill rod support bearing having a drilling machine side and a drill bit side opposite thereto; a drill bit holder having a drill bit holder axis and being configured to hold a drill bit aligned with the drill bit holder 25 axis; a positioner arm coupled, at a first end thereof, to the drill bit holder; a longitudinal movement mechanism having a longitudinal movement axis oriented alongside the feed beam parallel to the longitudinal axis; the longitudinal movement mechanism being coupled to a second end of the positioner arm distally of the first 30 end thereof; the longitudinal movement mechanism being configured to move the drill bit holder by the positioner arm between a retracted longitudinal position , in which the drill bit holder 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 is at least partly longitudinally retracted behind the drill bit side in a direction from the front end towards the rear end, and a protruded longitudinal position, in which the drill bit holder protrudes longitudinally in its entirety in front of the drill bit side in a direction 5 from the rear end towards the front end; a transverse movement mechanism coupled to the positioner arm and being configured to move the drill bit holder transversally to the longitudinal axis between a drill bit feeder position, in which the drill bit holder is configured to interact with a drill bit feeder, and a drill rod position, in 10 which the drill bit holder is configured to align longitudinally with the drill rod support bearing. The compactness of the inventive drill bit changer is an advantage along with a high capacity of holding new drill bits to be used 15 (possible along a large part of the length of side of the feed beam, depending on numeral requirement). This leads to the most significant benefit of the invention, which is protecting human operators by removing the need for manual involvement at the feed beam in the drill bit change process while at the face to be drilled. In 20 terms of realizing advantages of the invention, reference is made also to a combination with a drill bit feeder and a drill bit magazine. Optionally, the drill bit change positioner comprises the longitudinal movement mechanism and the transverse movement mechanism 25 being integrated in a single drill bit holder movement mechanism. Optionally, the drill bit change positioner comprises the transverse movement mechanism being configured to provide the transverse movement of the drill bit holder around a rotational movement axis 30 aligned the longitudinal movement axis. 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 Optionally, the drill bit change positioner comprises the longitudinal movement axis and the drill bit feeder position being located at opposing sides of the feed beam. 5 The drill bit change positioner makes efficient use of space that may be available on a side of and underneath the feed beam, with just a flat metal structure when retracted fitting very snugly with the bottom of the feed beam. This structure reaches with its drill bit holder to the opposite side of the feed beam, where it is exchange used drill bits 10 for new drill bits. The drill bit change positioner has a small “footprint” at and around the feed beam and it occupies a small volume only. The invention further involves a drill bit feeder mounted on a feed 15 beam configured to be part of a drill rig for rock drilling, said drill bit feeder mounted on the feed beam comprising: the feed beam having a drill rod support bearing at a front end configured to be turned towards a rock to be drilled, a drilling machine at a rear end opposite to the front end , and a longitudinal axis extending between 20 the front end and the rear end; the drill rod support bearing having a drilling machine side and a drill bit side opposite thereto; a drill bit gripper configured to grip and release on one side of the feed beam a drill bit in a drill bit holder of a drill bit change positioner, in locations longitudinally behind the drill bit side in a direction from the 25 front end towards the rear end. Optionally, the drill bit feeder comprises the drill bit change positioner according to the above, wherein the drill bit feeder position is on said one side of the feed beam. The invention further involves a drill bit magazine mounted on a feed beam configured to be part of a drill rig for rock drilling, said drill bit 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 magazine mounted on the feed beam comprising: the feed beam having a drill rod support bearing at a front end configured to be turned towards a rock to be drilled, a drilling machine at a rear end opposite to the front end, and a longitudinal axis extending between 5 the front end and the rear end; the drill rod support bearing having a drilling machine side and a drill bit side opposite thereto; the drill bit magazine being configured to hold a plurality of drill bits inside the drill bit magazine and to feed on one side of the feed beam a drill bit to a drill bit holder of a drill bit change positioner via locations 10 longitudinally behind the drill bit side in a direction from the front end towards the rear end; the drill bit magazine being configured to hold the plurality of drill bits parallel to the longitudinal axis; the drill bit magazine being configured to convey the plurality of drill bits towards a drill bit feeder position. 15 Optionally, the drill bit magazine comprises a carrier mechanism configured to mode the plurality of drill bits parallel to the longitudinal axis. 20 Optionally, the drill bit magazine comprises the drill bit change positioner and the drill bit holder according to the above. The invention further involves a rock-drilling drill rig carrying, on at least one drill boom thereof, the feed beam and at least one of: the 25 drill bit change positioner according to the above; the drill bit feeder according to the above; the drill bit magazine according to the above. Further, the invention is a drill bit changer mounted on a feed beam configured to be part of a drill rig for rock-drilling, said drill bit 30 changer mounted on the feed beam, comprising a drill bit change positioner movably mounted on the feed beam according to the above; a drill bit feeder mounted on the feed beam according to the 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 above, and, optionally, a drill bit magazine mounted on a feed beam according to the above. The method or sub-method aspects of the invention disclosed herein 5 constitute substantial contributions over the prior art, for instance, in that a robust process for drill bit change. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system configured to change a drill bit is disclosed. The system is 10 connectable to a feed beam of a drill rig such that the feed beam having a longitudinal axis. The system includes a drill bit changer unit configured to move the drill bit. The system further includes a drill bit magazine configured to store a plurality of drill bits such that the plurality of drill bits are aligned in at least one row within the drill 15 bit magazine. The drill bit magazine is arranged longitudinally alongside of the feed beam such that the at least one row of drill bits is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feed beam along the longitudinal axis of the feed beam when the system is connected to the feed beam. 20 According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for changing a drill bit performed by the rig is disclosed. The method includes a step of transferring a drill bit between the drill but changer unit and the drill bit magazine. The method further includes a step of 25 transferring the drill bit between a drill rod and the drill bit changer unit. The method further includes a step of transferring the drill bit within the drill bit changer unit and moving the drill bit within the drill bit magazine along a longitudinal axis of the drill bit magazine and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feed beam. 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments 5 thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out herein. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Fig. 1 shows a drill rig for rock drilling, here in an underground rock tunnel environment, equipped two feed beams each having a drill bit changer (not shown explicitly), according to the invention. 15 Fig. 2 shows a top-front-right-side perspective view of a front end of one feed beam having a drill bit changer mounted thereto and is further intended to be explanatory of an operational principle of a combined longitudinal and transverse movement mechanism of a drill bit change positioner, according to the invention. 20 Fig. 3 shows a right side planar view of a front end of one feed beam having a drill bit changer mounted thereto and is further intended to be explanatory of an operational principle of a combined longitudinal and transverse movement mechanism of a drill bit change positioner, 25 according to the invention, wherein a drill bit holder thereof is in its longitudinally retracted position. Fig. 4 shows a right side planar view of a front end of one feed beam having a drill bit changer mounted thereto and is further intended to 30 be explanatory of an operational principle of a combined longitudinal and transverse movement mechanism of a drill bit change positioner, 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 according to the invention, wherein a drill bit holder thereof is in its longitudinally protruding position. Fig. 5 shows a front view of a front end of one feed beam having a 5 drill bit changer mounted thereto, according to the invention, wherein the drill bit changer is in a retracted longitudinal position in which a new drill bit is to be received from a drill bit feeder or a used drill bit is to be released to a drill bit feeder. 10 Fig. 6 shows a front view of a front end of one feed beam having a drill bit changer mounted thereto, according to the invention, wherein the drill bit changer is in a protruding longitudinal position in which a drill bit is to be threaded onto or off from a drill rod. 15 Fig. 7 shows a top-front-left-side perspective view of a front end of one feed beam having a drill bit changer mounted thereto and is further intended to be explanatory of an operational principle of a drill bit change positioner, a drill bit feeder and a drill bit magazine, according to the invention. 20 Figs. 8a and 8b show a planar side view of a drill bit feeder to be mounted on a side of a feed beam in a releasing configuration and a gripping configuration, respectively, and is further meant to indicate an operational principle, according to the invention. 25 Figs. 9a - 9i show in planar cross-sectional side views a combination of a drill bit feeder and a drill bit magazine to be mounted on a side of a feed beam in different operational configurations for conveying a new drill bit to a drill bit feeder position and conveying a used drill bit 30 from the drill bit feeder position to an ejection opening and is further meant to indicate an operational principle, according to the invention. 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 Fig. 10 is a flow chart of a method of operating a drill bit change positioner in a context of a rock-drilling drill rig, wherein a used drill bit is removed from the drill rod. 5 Fig. 11 is a flow chart of a method of operating a drill bit change positioner in a context of a rock-drilling drill rig, wherein a new drill bit is provided to the drill rod. Fig. 12 is a flow chart of a method of operating a drill bit changer in a 10 context of a rock-drilling drill rig, wherein the drill bit changer has a drill bit feeder and a drill bit magazine, which interact with the drill bit change positioner. In summary, disclosed herein is an automatic drill bit changer on a 15 feed beam configured to be part of a drill rig for rock-drilling, wherein the drill bit changer is elongate and mounted along opposed first and second sides of the feed beam. The drill bit changer has a drill bit change positioner movably on the first side and reaching by a positioner arm underneath the feed beam to the second side and a 20 combination of a drill bit feeder and a drill bit magazine mounted on the second side of the feed beam. The drill bit change positioner is capable of swinging with a single longitudinal and rotational movement axis from a drill bit feeder position on the second side to a protruded position at which it interacts with a drill rod to change drill 25 bits. A drill rig so equipped and related method aspects are disclosed. 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 DETAILED EMBODIMENT DESCRIPTION The figures illustrate an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a face drill rig 1 about to drill into a face of a rock in an underground 5 tunnel. The rig 1 carries has two booms 2, 3 each having a feed beam 4, 5 that carries a drill bit changer 6. As shown in figs. 2 - 9, each drill bit changer has three main components: a drill bit change positioner 7, a drill bit feeder 8, and a 10 drill bit magazine 9 mounted at a front end 10 of the feed beam 4. Figs. 2 and 3 show a right side of the front end 10 and part of the drill bit change positioner 7 mounted movably to the feed beam 4. The drill bit change positioner 7 has a positioner arm 11 that extends 15 underneath the feed beam 4 to an opposite side (left side in this context) where it carries drill bit holder 12 in a drill bit feeder position. The drill bit change positioner 7 is movably mounted on a feed beam 20   4 configured to be part of the drill rig 1 for rock drilling. The drill bit change positioner 7 movably mounted on the feed beam 4 and comprises: the feed beam 4 having a drill rod support bearing 13 at the front end 10 configured to be turned towards a rock to be drilled, a drilling machine 14 at a rear end 15 opposite to the front end 10, 25 and a longitudinal axis 16 extending between the front end 10 and the rear end 15; the drill rod support bearing 13 having a drilling machine side 17 and a drill bit side 18 opposite thereto; the drill bit holder 12 having a drill bit holder axis 19 and being configured to hold a drill bit aligned with the drill bit holder axis 19; a positioner 30 arm 11 coupled, at a first end 21 thereof, to the drill bit holder 12; a longitudinal movement mechanism 22 having a longitudinal movement axis 23 oriented alongside the feed beam 4 in parallel to 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 the longitudinal axis 16; the longitudinal movement mechanism 22 being coupled to a second end 24 of the positioner arm 11 distally of the first end 21 thereof; the longitudinal movement mechanism 22 being configured to move the drill bit holder 12 by the positioner arm 5   11 between a retracted longitudinal position 25, in which the drill bit holder 12 is at least partly longitudinally retracted behind the drill bit side 18 in a direction from the front end 10 towards the rear end 15, and a protruded longitudinal position 26, in which the drill bit holder 12 protrudes longitudinally in its entirety in front of the drill bit side 10   18 in a direction from the rear end 15 towards the front end 10; a transverse movement mechanism 27 coupled to the positioner arm 11 and being configured to move the drill bit holder 12 transversally to the longitudinal axis 16 between the drill bit feeder position, in which the drill bit holder 12 is configured to interact with a drill bit 15 feeder 8, and a drill rod position, in which the drill bit holder 12 is configured to align longitudinally with the drill rod support bearing 13. The longitudinal movement mechanism 22 and the transverse 20 movement mechanism 27 are integrated in a single drill bit holder movement mechanism 28, which is made of a fixedly mounted inner metal tube 29 inside a slidable outer metal tube 30 operated for longitudinal movement by a hydraulic cylinder. The outer metal tube 30 carries at one end the positioner arm 11, which extends 25 underneath the feed beam 4 to the opposite side where it carries drill bit holder 12 located in the drill bit feeder position when the drill bit change positioner is retracted. The outer metal tube 30 has an elongated guiding slot 31 that interacts with a guiding pin 32, which is fixed in relation to the beam 4. A mechanism is arranged for 30 causing the outer metal tube to slide longitudinally while also rotating as caused by the interaction between the guiding slot 31 and the guiding pin 32. Thus, the positioner arm 11 moves the drill bit holder 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 12 between the drill bit feeder position and a drill rod position. Thus, the transverse movement mechanism 27 provides the transverse movement of the drill bit holder 12 around a rotational movement axis aligned the longitudinal movement axis. As explained, the 5 longitudinal movement axis 23 and the drill bit feeder position 7 are located at opposing sides of the feed beam 4. Figs. 7 - 9 show the drill bit feeder 8 mounted on a feed beam 4 configured to be part of a drill rig 1 for rock drilling, said drill bit 10 feeder 8 mounted on the feed beam 4 comprising: the feed beam 4 having a drill rod support bearing 13 at a front end 10 configured to be turned towards a rock to be drilled, a drilling machine 14 at a rear end 15 opposite to the front end 10 and a longitudinal axis 16 extending between the front end 10 and the rear end 15; the drill rod 15 support bearing 13 having a drilling machine side 17 and a drill bit side 18 opposite thereto; a drill bit gripper 33 configured to grip and release on one side of the feed beam 4 a drill bit in a drill bit holder 12 of a drill bit change positioner 7, in locations longitudinally behind the drill bit side 18 in a direction from the front end 10 towards the 20 rear end 15. In particular, figs. 8a and 8b show details of the drill bit feeder 8. It is further provided with a piston rod 34 having at a first end thereof a central passage 35 for hydraulic fluid, an outlet 36 for hydraulic fluid, 25 a hydraulic piston 37 attached to the piston rod 34, an expansion chamber 38, all cooperating to pull or release the piston rod 34. The piston rod 34 has at a second end thereof an expander head 39 with two beveled jaws 40a and 40b, the relative positions of which are variable by means of pulling or releasing the piston rod 34, expander 30 elements 41a and 41 b positioned between the jaws 40a and 40b, being beveled to match the jaws 40a and 40b, and held together flexibly by two rubber O-rings 42a and 42b. When the piston rod 34 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 is released, the jaws and the expander elements 41a and 41b form an essentially smooth cylinder shape (fig 8b) that will make the expander head 39 fit inside inner threads of a drill bit. When the piston rod 34 is pulled, the expander elements will assume an 5 expanded configuration (fig 8a) that will make the expander head 29 tightly grip inner threads of a drill bit. The piston rod 34 exits the expansion chamber 38 through a seal 43 adjacent to the expander head 39. The expansion chamber 38 is formed by a hydraulic cylinder 44 having a lid 45 at an end opposite to that of the seal 43. 10 The drill bit gripper 33 is formed generally by the jaws, the expander elements and the O-rings. The drill bit feeder 8 comprises the drill bit change positioner 7, wherein the drill bit feeder position is on said one side of the feed 15 beam 4 (left side of feed beam in related figures). Figs. 7 and 9 further show the drill bit magazine mounted on a feed beam 4 configured to be part of a drill rig 1 for rock drilling, said drill bit magazine 9 mounted on the feed beam 4 comprising: the feed 20 beam 4 having a drill rod support bearing 13 at a front end 10 configured to be turned towards a rock to be drilled, a drilling machine at a rear end 15 opposite to the front end 10 and a longitudinal axis 16 extending between the front end 10 and the rear end 15; the drill rod support bearing 13 having a drilling machine 25 side 17 and a drill bit side 18 opposite thereto; the drill bit magazine 9 being configured to hold a plurality of new drill bits 46a and 46b (one or two shown in fig. 9) in receiving positions 47a - 47c (advantageously seven or more in total) inside the drill bit magazine 9 and to feed on one side of the feed beam 4 a drill bit 46a to a drill 30 bit holder 12 of a drill bit change positioner 7 via locations longitudinally behind the drill bit side 18 in a direction from the front end 10 towards the rear end 15; the drill bit magazine being 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 configured to hold the plurality of drill bits 46a and 46b parallel to the longitudinal axis 16; the drill bit magazine 9 being configured to convey the plurality of drill bits 46a and 46b towards a drill bit feeder position. 5 The drill bit magazine 9 comprises: a carrier mechanism 48 including a chain loop 49 with carrier pins 50 to move the new drill bits 46a and 46b, said carrier mechanism 48 being configured to move the plurality of drill bits 46a and 46b parallel to the longitudinal axis16 10 and eventually down onto a magazine shelf 51 reachable by the drill bit feeder 8, which is to grip a drill bit located on the magazine shelf 51 as described herein. The drill bit magazine 9 interacts with the drill bit change positioner 7 15 and the drill bit holder 12 thereof. Figs. 1 - 9 thus illustrate a rock-drilling drill rig 1 and components thereof. The drill rig carries, on at least one drill boom thereof, the feed beam 4 and at least one of the following components: the drill 20 bit change positioner 7; the drill bit feeder 8; the drill bit magazine 9. Figs. 2 - 9 show the drill bit changer 6 mounted on a feed beam 4 configured to be part of a drill rig 1 for rock-drilling, said drill bit changer 6 mounted on the feed beam 4 comprising: a drill bit change 25 positioner 7 movably mounted on the feed beam 4; a drill bit feeder 8 mounted on the feed beam 4. Figs. 2 - 9 further show the drill bit changer 6, comprising a drill bit magazine 9 mounted on a feed beam 4. Figs. 9a - 9i show details of a combination of the drill bit feeder 8 and the drill bit magazine 9, both mounted alongside and closely 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 onto the feed beam 4, with their main longitudinal dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis 16. The drill bit magazine 9 has an loading opening 52 (depicted in fig. 7), through which new drill bits 46a and 46b are to be introduced by an operator, either one by one or, 5 possibly, via a cartridge (not shown) holding several new drill bits. The drill bit magazine 9 is designed as a generally cylindrical enclosure 53 (including the loading opening 52) for an intended drill bit size, such as 50 mm in greatest outer diameter. The cylindrical enclosure 53 has at the bottom thereof the chain loop 49, 10 horizontally (when feed beam 4 is in level, as is generally assumed in this description) looped around chain sprockets 54a and 54b, one of which is coupled to a step motor 55. The chain loop 49 has the carrier pins 50 mounted vertically thereon (at a distance from each other greater than a maximum length of the intended drill bits) to 15 move the new drill bits towards a transfer opening 56 to make a new drill bit land (advantageously via a top of the drill bit feeder as an intermediate step to avoid risk of misplacement of the new drill bit) on the magazine shelf 51. The drill bit magazine also has an ejection opening 57 for ejecting used drill bits into a container (not shown) to 20 be located under the ejection opening 57. The drill bit feeder 8 located below the new drill bits in the drill bit magazine 9 is described above as to its composition. The hydraulic cylinder 44, or an extension thereof, forms a drill bit feeder shaft 58 25 operable to extend (parallel to the longitudinal axis 16) in a direction of the drill bit holder 12 at a 1 / 4 extended position, a 2 / 4 extended position, a 3 / 4 extended position, and a 4 / 4 extended position. The drill bit feeder shaft 58 slides in a feeder shaft guide 59 and has an actuator (not shown) to cause it movements. Where possible and motivated, all components for drill bit change disclosed herein, as well as the drill bits, are to be protected in 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 conventional ways from contamination by solids or fluids in the environment or resulting from the drilling to be performed. Conventional protection against vibration or physical impact are also assumed included in the design as may be required for robustness. 5 With further reference to a flow chart of fig. 10, the invention can be expressed as a method for drill bit change in a rock-drilling drill rig 1 carrying, on at least one drill boom 2 thereof, a feed beam 4 and the drill bit change positioner 7 according to the foregoing, said method 10 comprising the following steps for the drill bit change positioner 7 to remove and dispose of a used drill bit: - Retracting in step 1001 the drill rod 20 to make room for the drill bit holder 12 in its protruded longitudinal position 26; - Moving longitudinally and transversally in step 1002 the drill bit 15 holder 12 (when empty) from its retracted longitudinal position 25 to its protruded longitudinal position 26; - Inserting in step 1003 the used drill bit into the drill bit holder 12 by advancing the drill rod to position the used drill bit in the drill bit holder 12: 20   - Unscrewing and retracting in step 1004 the drill rod 20 from the used drill bit, leaving it in the drill bit holder 12; - Moving longitudinally and transversally in step 1005 the drill bit holder 12 (now holding the used drill bit) from its protruded longitudinal position 26 to its retracted longitudinal position 25. 25 Once the drill bit holder 12 holds a used drill bit in its retracted longitudinal position 25, it can interact with the drill bit feeder 8 to dispose of the used drill bit, as will be further described below in relation to fig. 12. With further reference to a flow chart of fig. 11, the invention can be expressed as a method for drill bit change in a rock-drilling drill rig 1 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 carrying, on at least one drill boom 2 thereof, a feed beam 4 and the drill bit change positioner 7 according to the foregoing, said method comprising the following steps for the drill bit change positioner 7 to receive and move a new drill bit to the drill rod 20 and releasing it to 5 the drill rod 20: - Receiving in step 1101 in the drill bit holder 12 a new drill bit from the drill bit feeder 8 when the drill bit holder 12 is in its retracted longitudinal position 25; - Moving longitudinally and transversally in step 11 02 the drill bit 10 holder 12 (when holding a received new drill bit) from its retracted longitudinal position 25 to its protruded longitudinal position 26, while ensuring that the drill rod 20 has made room for the drill bit holder 12 in its protruded longitudinal position 26; - Advancing the drill rod 20 in step 1103 and screwing it into the new 15 drill bit held by the drill bit holder 12; - Retracting in step 1104 the drill rod 20 and the new drill bit from the drill bit holder 7; - Moving longitudinally and transversally in step 1105 the drill bit holder 12 (now empty) from its protruded longitudinal position 26 to 20 its retracted longitudinal position 25. The drill bit holder’s 12 interaction with the drill bit feeder 8 will be further described below. 25 As shown in figs. 9a - 9i and with further reference to a flow chart of fig. 12, the invention can be expressed as a method for drill bit change in the rock-drilling drill rig 1 carrying, on said at least one drill boom thereof, the feed beam and the drill bit feeder 8 and the drill bit magazine 9 according to the foregoing, said method 30 comprising: - As a starting point, loading at step 1201 (see also fig 9a) the drill bit magazine 9 with new (or refurbished) drill bits, wherein the drill 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 bit feeder 8 is typically (but not necessarily) in the 3 / 4 extended position; - The drill bit feeder 8 gripping from the drill bit holder 12 (in its retracted longitudinal position 25) at step 1202 (see also fig 9b) via 5 its expander head 39 a used drill bit 60, in the 4 / 4 extended position; - The drill bit feeder 8 moving at step 1203 (see also fig 9c) via its expander head 39 the used drill bit 60 to a position above the ejection opening 57, in the 2 / 4 extended position; - The drill bit feeder 8 withdrawing at step 1204 (see also fig 9d) its 10 expander head 39 from the used drill bit 60 for it to fall through the ejection opening 57, in the 1 / 4 extended position; - Moving at step 1205 (see also fig 9e) the drill bit feeder 8 to receive the new drill bit 46a, in the 3 / 4 extended position; - Receiving on top of the drill bit feeder shaft 58 at step 1206 (see 15 also fig 9f) the new drill bit 46a, wherein the drill bit feeder 8 is typically (but not necessarily), in the 3 / 4 extended position; - The drill bit feeder 8 withdrawing at step 1207 (see also fig 9g) to let the new drill bit 46a fall onto the drill bit magazine shelf 51, in the 2 / 4 extended position; 20   - The drill bit feeder 8 gripping from the drill bit magazine shelf 51 in the 3 / 4 extended position at step 1208 (see also fig 9h) via its expander head 39 the new drill bit 46a and moving it into the drill bit holder 12 (in its retracted longitudinal position 25), in the 4 / 4 extended position; 25   - The drill bit feeder 8 releasing the new drill bit 46a and withdrawing at step 1209 (see also fig 9i) into the 3 / 4 extended position; The method steps described above in relation to the drill bit feeder 8 and the drill bit magazine 9 can be divided into sub-steps performed 30 independently by the drill bit feeder 8 and the drill bit magazine 9, respectively, as there is a functional interface between the two, at 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 which the drill bit magazine 9 releases and the drill bit feeder 8 receives each new drill bit. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled 5 addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are 10 intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the 15 invention as defined by the appended claims. Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections 20 should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, 25 component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed as second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular 30 example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 otherwise. The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “including,” and “having,” or variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the 5 presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are 10 not intended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on 15 only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. DRAWING REFERENCES LIST 20 Face drill rig 1 Drill boom 2, 3 Feed beam 4, 5 Drill bit changer 6 25 Drill bit change positioner 7 Drill bit feeder 8 Drill bit magazine 9 Front end 10 of feed beam Positioner arm 11 30 Drill bit holder 12 Drill rod support bearing 13 Drilling machine 14 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 Rear end 15 of feed beam Longitudinal axis 16 of feed beam Drilling machine side 17 of drill rod support Drill bit side 18 of drill rod support 5 Drill bit holder axis 19 Drill rod 20 First end 21 of positioner arm 11 Longitudinal movement mechanism 22 Longitudinal movement axis 23 of longitudinal movement mechanism 10 Second end 24 of positioner arm 11 Retracted longitudinal position 25 of drill bit holder 12 (also referred to as drill bit feeder position to denominate a location of an interface, in which a drill bit is to be transferred between the drill bit change positioner and the drill bit feeder) 15 Protruded longitudinal position 26 of drill bit holder 12 (also referred to as drill rod position to denominate a location of an interface, in which a drill bit is to be transferred between the drill bit change positioner and the drill rod) Transverse movement mechanism 27 of drill bit change positioner 7 20 Integrated single drill bit holder movement mechanism 28 Inner metal tube 29 Outer metal tube 30 Elongated guiding slot 31 Guiding pin 32 25 Drill bit gripper 33 Piston rod 34 Central passage 35 of piston rod 34 Outlet 36 from piston rod for hydraulic fluid Hydraulic piston 37 30 Expansion chamber 38 Expander head 39 Beveled jaws 40a and 40b opposite to each other 2021408915   07 Sep 2026 Expander elements 41a and 41b between beveled jaws Rubber O-rings 42a and 42b holding expander elements Seal 43 of piston rod extension our of expansion chamber Hydraulic cylinder 44 in which hydraulic piston travels 5 Lid 45 of hydraulic cylinder towards first end of piston rod New drill bits 46a and 46b Receiving positions 47a - 47c for new drill bits in magazine Carrier mechanism 48 Chain loop 49 of carrier mechanism 10 Carrier pins 50 of chain loop Magazine shelf 51 (a generally enclosed space) Loading opening 52 of magazine Cylindrical enclosure 53 Chain sprockets 54a and 54b 15 Step motor 55 Transfer opening 56 Ejection opening 57 Drill bit feeder shaft 58 Drill bit feeder shaft guide 59 20 Used drill bit 60 With “parallel” is herein meant substantially parallel. With “alongside” is herein meant close beside something, or 25 extending in a line close beside something.

Claims

1. A system configured to change a drill bit,wherein the system is connectable to a feed beam of a drill rig, which 5 feed beam having a longitudinal axis; wherein the system comprisesa drill bit changer unit configured to move the drill bit, anda drill bit magazine configured to store a plurality of drill bits such that the plurality of drill bits are aligned in at least one row within the drill bit magazine; and10 wherein the drill bit magazine is arranged longitudinally alongside of the feed beam such that the at least one row of drill bits is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feed beam along the longitudinal axis of the feed beam when the system is connected to the feed beam.15   2.    The system according to claim 1, wherein the drill bit magazinecomprises a carrier mechanism configured to move the plurality of drill bits within the drill bit magazine along a longitudinal axis of the drill bit magazine.20   3.    The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drill bitchanger unit comprisesa drill bit change positioner, anda drill bit feeder configured to transfer the drill bit between the drill bit magazine and the drill bit change positioner, and / or remove the25 drill bit from the drill bit change positioner.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the drill bit changepositioner comprises a drill bit holder and30 a movement mechanism configured to move the drill bit holder between2021408915   07 Sep 2026a first position where the drill bit is to be transferred between the drill bit holder of the drill bit change positioner and the drill bit feeder and a second position where the drill bit is to be transferred between the drill bit holder of the drill bit change positioner and a drill rod.

55. The system according to claim 4, wherein the drill bit holderand the movement mechanism are arranged at opposing sides of the feed beam along the longitudinal axis of the feed beam, when the drill bit holder is in the first position.

106. The system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the movementmechanism comprises a longitudinal movement mechanism with a longitudinal movement axis alongside of the longitudinal axis of the feed beam, a transverse movement mechanism and a guiding15 mechanism configured to integrate the longitudinal movement mechanism with the transverse movement mechanism.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the guidingmechanism is configured to guide the transverse movement20 mechanism around and along the longitudinal movement axis of the longitudinal movement mechanism.

8. The system according to any one of claims 3-7, wherein thedrill bit feeder comprises a drill bit gripper configured to grip and 25 release the drill bit.

9. The system according to any one of claims 4-8, wherein thedrill bit magazine and the movement mechanism are arranged at opposing sides of the feed beam along the longitudinal axis of the30 feed beam,2021408915   07 Sep 202610. A drill rig comprising at least one feed beam with a longitudinal axis, a drill rod support bearing arranged at a front end of the at least one feed beam, and the system according to any one of the preceding claims.

511. The drill rig according to claim 10, wherein the drill rig is a face drill rig.

12. A method for changing a drill bit performed by the rig according 10 to claim 10 or 11, wherein the method comprises steps oftransferring a drill bit between the drill bit changer unit and the drill bit magazine,transferring the drill bit between a drill rod and the drill bit changer unit,15 transferring the drill bit within the drill bit changer unit, and moving the drill bit within the drill bit magazine along a longitudinal axis of the drill bit magazine and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feed beam.20   13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step oftransferring the drill bit within the drill bit changer unit comprises a step of transferring the drill bit between the drill bit change positioner and the drill bit feeder.25   14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step oftransferring the drill bit between the drill bit change positioner and the drill bit feeder comprises a step of moving the drill bit holder to the first position.2021408915   07 Sep 202615. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of transferring the drill bit between the drill rod and the drill bit changer unit comprises a step of moving the drill bit holder to the second position.

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