System and method for counting removal of working machine drill bits

Abstract

A method for removing a cutting drill bit from a milling machine includes engaging the cutting drill bit, which is connected to a rotating drum of the machine, with a drill bit removal tool; actuating the drill bit removal tool to disconnect the drill bit from the machine; sensing multiple characteristics of the removal of the drill bit from the machine; and determining, based on the sensed characteristics, that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally, but not in a limiting sense, to working machines for constructing, repairing, restoring, stabilizing, or removing roads or similar surfaces. More specifically, this invention relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for counting cutting drill bits removed from the rotor of such a machine. Background Technology

[0002] Paving machines (such as cold planers and rotary mixers) consist of rotors that cut or mix the ground or asphalt. The rotor includes a drill bit mounted on a drill retainer on its outer surface, such that the drill bit engages the ground as the rotor lowers. This cutting motion causes the drill bit to wear out rapidly, requiring frequent replacements, in some examples as often as every few hours. Operators and owners of such machines can benefit from methods and systems for detecting and recording the wear and tear of the cutting drill bit.

[0003] U.S. Publication No. 2019 / 0184534A1, entitled “Tool for installing and / or removing drill bits from a drill bit retainer system of a milling machine, particularly a road milling machine,” discloses a tool for installing and / or removing drill bits from a drill bit retainer system of a milling machine, particularly a road milling machine, having at least one actuator by which the installation and / or removal of the drill bit is initiated. Summary of the Invention

[0004] As operating machines and associated systems become increasingly digitized and capable of utilizing various data communication systems, the industry has seen a drive to provide machine operators and owners with more machine diagnostic information. Machine diagnostic information and other data can be used for service information, product support, machine troubleshooting, overall machine trends, or even predictive wear analysis. For example, capturing and transmitting data related to machine parts that wear out during use can guide replacement of parts even before they fail, thus reducing machine downtime.

[0005] Rotary drill bits used in various types of work machines can represent the largest volume of consumable parts on such machines. As a result, machine operators and owners can benefit from equipment and systems that accurately detect and record drill bit consumption. Once this component of machine operation is detected and recorded, the resulting data can be correlated with various relevant parameters, including, for example, drill bit consumption tracked by the work site and / or by the operator.

[0006] In one example, a method for removing a cutting drill bit from a milling machine includes: engaging the cutting drill bit, which is connected to a rotating drum of the machine, with a drill bit removal tool; actuating the drill bit removal tool to disconnect the drill bit from the machine; sensing multiple characteristics of the removal of the drill bit from the machine; and determining, based on the sensed characteristics, that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine.

[0007] In one example, a system for removing a cutting drill bit from a work machine includes a drill bit removal tool and a controller. The drill bit removal tool includes a movable drill bit removal structure configured to engage with a cutting drill bit on the work machine; an actuator operatively connected and configured to displace the drill bit removal structure to remove the drill bit from the machine; and an encoder that senses the displacement distance of the actuator. The displacement distance of the actuator indicates the distance the movable drill bit removal structure has been displaced by the actuator. The controller is communicatively connected to the linear encoder and configured to determine that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based at least on determining that the sensed displacement distance is greater than or equal to a threshold distance.

[0008] These and other examples and features of the apparatus, system, and method are set forth in part in the following “Detailed Description.” This overview is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive removal of the invention. Detailed description is included to provide further information regarding this patent application. Attached Figure Description

[0009] In accompanying drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same numbers may describe similar parts in different views. The same numbers with different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar parts. The accompanying drawings are illustrated in a general manner by way of example rather than limitation, illustrating the various embodiments discussed herein.

[0010] Figure 1A An example rotor drill bit removal system according to the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0011] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A front view of the cross section of an example drill bit removal tool.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for counting the number of rotor drill bits removed from a working machine according to an example of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Figure 1AAn example rotor drill bit removal system 100 according to the invention is schematically shown. The example drill bit removal system 100 includes a working machine 102 having an electronic control unit (ECU) 104, a drill bit removal tool 106, a pressure sensor 108, a timer 110, a display 112, and a transceiver 114. The working machine 102 is a milling machine, sometimes referred to as a cold planer. The working machine 102 is configured to travel over surfaces such as roads, parking lots, concrete roads, etc., to cut, grind, and remove debris or parts from the surface over which the machine travels. The working machine 102 uses a large rotating drum to remove and grind the road surface. The rotating drum includes a vortex for a cutting drill bit holder. A tool holder on the drum holds the cutting drill bit, which can be removed by the drill bit removal tool 106 and replaced when they wear out. The rotor drill bit of the working machine 102 can represent the maximum volume of consumable parts on the machine, therefore the drill bit removal system 100 is advantageously configured to automatically monitor and track the consumption of the cutting drill bit of the working machine 102. Although Figure 1A and 1B Examples include milling machine 102, but examples according to the invention can be applied to any cold planer, rotary mixer, milling machine or other machine involving cutting drill bits that need to be removed and replaced periodically.

[0014] Machine 102 includes ECU 104. An electronic control unit (ECU) can be an embedded system that controls the machine's electrical system and / or other subsystems of the machine. In this example, machine 102 may include multiple ECUs, including, for example, an electronic / engine control module, a powertrain control module, a transmission control module, a brake control module, a suspension control module, etc. ECU 104 is communicatively connected to drill bit removal tool 106, pressure sensor 108, timer 110, display 112, and transceiver 114, and is configured to send and receive data, sensor or other analog or digital signals, and other information to and from drill bit removal tool 106, pressure sensor 108, timer 110, display 112, and transceiver 114.

[0015] As described in more detail below, the ECU 104 of the drill bit removal system 100 is configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the working machine 102 based on a number of characteristics of the removal of cutting drill bits from the machine. For example, the ECU 104 (or another controller, computer, processor, etc. included in or communicatively connected to the working machine 102) may be configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the working machine 102 based on one or more of the following: cutting drill bit displacement, drill bit removal load, drill bit removal cycle time, and the connection between the cutting drill bit and the drill bit holder.

[0016] ECU 104 may include software, hardware, and combinations of hardware and software, configured to perform multiple functions attributable to the components in the disclosed examples. ECU 104 may be an analog, digital, or combined analog and digital controller comprising multiple components. As an example, ECU 104 may include an integrated circuit board or ICB, a printed circuit board (PCB), a processor, a data storage device, a switch, a relay, etc. Examples of processors may include any one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or an equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuit.

[0017] ECU 104 may include a storage medium for storing and / or retrieving data or other information, such as signals or other information from one or more of the drill bit removal tool 106, pressure sensor 108, timer 110, display 112, and transceiver 114. Examples of non-volatile storage devices include magnetic hard disks, optical disks, floppy disks, flash memory, or electrically programmable memory (EPROM) or electrically erasable programmable memory (EEPROM). Examples of volatile storage devices include random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), and other forms of volatile storage devices. The data storage device may be used to store program instructions executed by, for example, a processor of ECU 104.

[0018] ECU 104 can be configured to communicate with drill bit removal tool 106, pressure sensor 108, timer 110, display 112, and transceiver 114 via various wired or wireless communication technologies and components using various public and / or proprietary standards and / or protocols. Examples of transmission media and protocols for electronic communication between components of drill bit removal system 100 include Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol, Ethernet, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), 802.11, or Bluetooth, or other standard or proprietary transmission media and communication protocols.

[0019] The example drill bit removal tool 106 is a tool used by an operator to remove a cutting drill bit from the rotating drum of a working machine 102. To assist the operator, the drill bit removal tool 106 can be connected to a power source that powers the operation of the grippers of the drill bit removal tool 106 to remove the cutting drill bit from the machine 102. In the example of Figure 1, the drill bit removal tool 106 is connected to and driven by the hydraulic lines / system of the working machine 102. In other examples, the drill bit removal tool 106 can be connected to a hydraulic line / system separate from the machine 102. Additionally, the example drill bit removal tool according to the invention can be connected to and driven by another type of power source / drive system, including, for example, different types of fluid drive systems, such as pneumatic systems or electric drive systems, such as electric motors. In the case of an electro / electro-mechanical drive system, such an electric drive can be powered by a battery, which can be integrated with or separate from the drill bit removal tool.

[0020] Figure 1B This is a front view of the cross-section of the example drill bit removal tool 106. Figure 1B The drill bit removal tool 106 includes a first jaw 116 and a second jaw 118, a linear actuator 120, a linear encoder 122, a first input control 124 and a second input control 126, a spring 128, a connector 130, and a conductivity and / or resistivity sensor 132. The connector 130 connects the drill bit removal tool 106 to the hydraulic lines / system of the working machine 102, causing the linear actuator 120 to shift the first jaw 116 relative to the second jaw 118, thereby removing the cutting drill bit from the working machine 102.

[0021] For example, the drill bit removal tool 106 can be positioned by the operator to engage a cutting drill bit on machine 102. A second jaw 118 can be attached to a fixed flange or other structure on a drill bit holder, to which the cutting drill bit is attached, and a first jaw 116 can be attached to / positioned to engage a flange or other structure of the cutting drill bit to be removed. After positioning the drill bit removal tool 106 to remove the drill bit from machine 102, the operator can initiate drill bit removal by engaging a first input control 124, which actuates a linear actuator 120 to displace the first jaw 116 relative to the second jaw 118. Displacement of the first jaw 116 causes the cutting drill bit to be pulled out and removed from the fixed drill bit holder on the rotating drum of the working machine 102. In this example, a spring 128 can be positioned, sized, and configured to return the linear actuator 120, and thus the first jaw 116, to its initial (unactuated) position.

[0022] In addition to the first input control 124 that actuates the drill bit removal tool 106 to initiate drill bit removal, the drill bit removal tool 106 also includes a second input control 126. In one example, the second input control 126 can control several different functions. In one example, the second input control 126 includes one or more buttons or other inputs that the operator can use to reposition the rotor drum of the working machine 102 to approach an additional cutting drill bit. In one example, the second input control 126 includes one input for clockwise rotation of the drum and another input for counterclockwise rotation of the drum. The input control configuration of the drill bit removal tool according to the invention can differ from... Figure 1A and 1B Examples include input controls with different configurations (e.g., toggle switches to buttons), the number of input controls, and the arrangement of input controls on the tool.

[0023] The drill bit removal tool 106 also includes a linear encoder 122. The linear encoder 122 is arranged and connected to the drill bit removal tool 106 to measure the displacement distance of the linear actuator 120, which can indicate the displacement distance of the cutting drill bit removed by the drill bit removal tool 106. The linear encoder 122 is configured to send drill bit displacement measurements to the ECU 104 and can include various types of incremental or absolute encoders, including optical, magnetic, inductive, capacitive, and eddy current encoders. A connector 130 (or another connector or other structure) facilitates connection of the linear encoder 122 to a power source, including a dedicated AC or DC power supply or a battery.

[0024] While the drill bit removal tool 106 is described and depicted as including a hydraulic piston / cylinder linear actuator and a linear encoder to displace the tool jaws and sense such displacement, in other examples according to the invention, the drill bit removal tool may include different types of actuators and encoders. For example, various types of actuators may be employed, including rack and pinion, travel nut / screw actuators, and worm gear drives. In one example, the drill bit removal tool according to the invention may include a helical jack or a slider crank actuator, both of which convert rotational motion into linear motion of the tool jaws. In both cases, a rotary encoder can be used to measure the rotational displacement of the actuator, which is equal to the distance the drill bit is linearly displaced as it is removed from machine 102.

[0025] Refer again Figure 1AThe drill bit removal system 100 includes a pressure sensor 108 and a timer 110. The pressure sensor 108 is fluidly connected in series with the drill bit removal tool 106. Additionally, the pressure sensor 108 is communicatively connected to the ECU 104 of the working machine 102. More generally, the pressure sensor 108 is arranged and configured to detect / measure the load on the drill bit removal tool 106 caused by the removal of the drill bit from the working machine 102 and transmit the detected / measured load to the ECU 104. For example, the pressure sensor 108 may periodically or continuously detect / measure the pressure in the hydraulic lines / systems to which the drill bit removal tool 106 is connected and transmit the hydraulic pressure to the ECU 104. In this example, the pressure sensor 108 may be a hydraulic valve and a pressure sensor.

[0026] In some examples according to the invention, the example drill bit removal system may include... Figure 1A The example drill bit removal system 100 uses a pressure sensor 108, which is a different tool load sensor / detector. For example, the drill bit removal system 100 uses a hydraulically powered drill bit removal tool 106 to remove the drill bit from the working machine 102. In other examples, the drill bit removal system according to the invention may include a drill bit removal tool with an electric actuator, such as a linear and / or rotary actuator driven by an electric motor. Such an example drill bit removal system may include an electric tool load sensor, such as a current or voltage sensor, which measures the load on the motor of the actuator caused by the drill bit removal tool removing the drill bit from the working machine.

[0027] The ECU 104 of the drill bit removal system 100 (or another controller, computer, processor, etc. included in or communicatively connected to the work machine 102) is configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the work machine 102 based on a number of characteristics of the removal of cutting drill bits from the work machine. For example, the ECU 104 may be configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the work machine 102 based on a sensed / measured displacement distance of a tool removal structure (e.g., one or more of the jaws 116, 118 of the drill bit removal tool 106), which may indicate the displacement distance of the cutting drill bits removed by the drill bit removal tool 106.

[0028] In addition to the drill bit displacement distance, the ECU 104 can be configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the working machine 102 based on the drill bit removal load. For example, the pressure in the hydraulic system to which the drill bit removal tool 106 is connected can be sensed / measured by a pressure sensor 108, and the ECU 104 can compare the sensed / measured pressure with a threshold pressure indicating the load on the drill bit removal tool 106 caused by the tool removing the cutting drill bit from the working machine 102. Other implementations of counting drill bits removed from the working machine based on the drill bit removal load are possible.

[0029] For example, the drill bit removal tool according to an example of the invention can be connected to different... Figure 1A and 1B Another type of power source and driver includes, for example, different types of fluid drive systems, such as pneumatic systems, or power sources, such as electric motors. As an example, a drill bit removal system according to the invention may include a drill bit removal tool with an electric actuator, such as a linear actuator driven by an electric motor. Such an example drill bit removal system may include a power tool load sensor, such as a current or voltage sensor, that measures the load on the actuator's motor caused by the drill bit removal tool removing the drill bit from the working machine.

[0030] In addition to the drill bit displacement distance and drill bit removal load, ECU 104 can be configured to automatically count the number of cut drill bits removed from the work machine 102 based on the drill bit removal cycle time. The drill bit removal cycle time can be defined in various ways, but is generally the duration for which the cut drill bit is removed from the work machine 102. In one example, timer 110 can be configured to sense / measure the duration, such as the duration of a complete actuation cycle of the drill bit removal tool 106, or the duration from the previous drill bit removal count recorded by ECU 104 to the occurrence of the next drill bit removal count. ECU 104 may include or be communicatively connected to timer 110 and can compare the duration measured / sensed by timer 110 with a predetermined drill bit removal cycle time indicating the minimum possible time between cut drill bit removals.

[0031] In one example, the drill bit removal tool 106 is configured to displace the first jaw 116 relative to the second jaw 118 only while the operator continues to press the first input control 124 of the drill bit removal tool 106. In such an example, the timer 110 can sense / measure the duration for which the operator engages the first input control 124, and the ECU 104 can compare the duration for which the operator engages the first input control 124 with a predetermined time known to be sufficient to displace the first jaw 116 relative to the second jaw 118 to remove the cutting drill bit from the machine 102.

[0032] In addition to drill bit displacement distance, drill bit removal load, and drill bit removal cycle time, ECU 104 can also be configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the working machine 102 based on detected connection / disconnection between the cutting drill bit and the drill bit holder. In various examples, the rotor drum of machine 102 includes cutting drill bits mounted on a drill bit holder on the outer surface of the rotor. The cutting drill bits and the drill bit holder are typically made of a metallic conductive material. When the drill bit removal tool 106 is positioned to engage the cutting drill bit and the drill bit holder, the drill bit removal tool 106 can be configured to form a circuit between the cutting drill bit and the tool holder of machine 102.

[0033] For example, the drill bit removal tool 106 may include a conductivity and / or resistivity sensor 132 that senses / measures the conductivity and / or resistivity of the circuit between the cutting drill bit and the retainer. The ECU 104 may include or be communicatively connected to the sensor 132 and may compare the resistivity / conductivity measured / sensed by the sensor 132 with predetermined thresholds. For example, the ECU 104 may monitor the conductivity measured / sensed by the sensor 132 and determine that the drill bit has been removed from the drill bit retainer if the conductivity drops to zero or near zero. In another example, the ECU 104 may monitor the resistivity measured / sensed by the sensor 132 and determine that the drill bit has been removed from the drill bit retainer if the resistivity increases to or exceeds a predetermined threshold resistivity.

[0034] Refer again Figure 1A The example drill bit removal system 100 includes a display 112 and a transceiver 114. The display 112 and transceiver 114 may be included in or communicatively connected to the ECU 104 of the working machine 102. In this example, the display 112 may be various types of display devices, including output displays and input / output touchscreen displays. Additionally, in other examples, different types of output devices may be used. The transceiver 114 may be various devices configured to send and receive signals, data, and / or other information to / from various devices communicatively connected to the transceiver 114.

[0035] The drill bit removal counts determined, stored, tracked, and monitored by the drill bit removal system 100, particularly the ECU 104, can be transmitted to the user / operator via the display 112, and also to other devices, systems, etc., via the transceiver 114. For example, the running drill bit removal counts of the working machine 102 can be stored in the memory of the ECU 104. This count can then be displayed in various formats / interfaces via the display 112. Additionally, as an example, the display 112 can be used by the operator to reset the counts and / or perform some counting operations, such as categorizing by construction site, operator, project, day, and week. The ECU 104 can also send the final or running drill bit removal counts to other parties or devices via the transceiver 114. For example, as an example, the ECU 104 can send drill bit removal count data to a background data analysis / mining system to track / determine / predict / trigger drill bit replenishment orders, service information, product support machine troubleshooting, overall machine trends, and / or predict cutting drill bit wear analysis.

[0036] Industrial applicability

[0037] Figure 2 This is a flowchart depicting a method 200 for automatically detecting and counting the removal of a cutting drill bit from a machine. Method 200 includes engaging a cutting drill bit connected to a rotating drum of the machine with a drill bit removal tool (step 202); actuating the drill bit removal tool to disconnect the drill bit from the machine (step 204); sensing multiple characteristics of the removal of the drill bit from the machine (step 206); determining that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based on the sensed characteristics (step 208); and sending a numerical count of the removed drill bit to an output device (step 210).

[0038] In one example, the operator of the drill removal system 100 can use the drill removal tool 106 to engage a cutting drill bit on the rotary drum of the milling machine 102 (step 202). In some cases, before positioning and configuring the drill removal tool 106 to remove the cutting drill bit, the operator can connect the drill removal tool 106 to the hydraulic system of the machine 102 via the coupling 130, and can also use the second input control 126 to rotate the rotary drum to select a specific cutting drill bit or drill bit assembly for removal from the machine 102. The drill removal tool 106 can be positioned by the operator to engage the cutting drill bit on the machine 102. For example, the operator can attach a second jaw 118 to a retaining flange or other structure on the drill bit holder to which the cutting drill bit is attached. The first jaw 116 of the drill removal tool 106 can be attached to / positioned to engage the flange or other structure of the cutting drill bit to be removed. After the drill bit removal tool 106 is positioned to remove the drill bit from the work machine 102, the operator can initiate drill bit removal by engaging a first input control 124, which actuates a linear actuator 120 to move a first jaw 116 relative to a second jaw 118. The displacement of the first jaw 116 causes the cutting drill bit to be pulled out and removed from the fixed drill bit holder on the rotating drum of the work machine 102.

[0039] During a drill bit removal cycle performed by the operator, multiple characteristics (204) of the removal of the drill bit from the work machine 102 can be sensed / measured / detected. For example, the drill bit removal system 100 can sense / measure: the distance of the drill bit removal; the load on the drill bit removal tool 106; the drill bit removal cycle time; and / or the connectivity / connection between the cutting drill bit and the drill bit holder on the work machine 102. In one example, the linear encoder 122 of the drill bit removal tool 106 measures the displacement distance of the linear actuator 120 as the actuator displaces the first jaw 116 relative to the second jaw 118. The displacement distance of the linear actuator 120 and the first jaw 116 indicates the displacement distance of the cutting drill bit removed by the operator. The pressure sensor 108 is arranged and configured to detect / measure the load on the drill bit removal tool 106 caused by the removal of the drill bit from the work machine 102. In one example, pressure sensor 108 periodically or continuously detects / measures the pressure in the hydraulic lines / system to which drill bit removal tool 106 is connected. Drill bit removal system 100 includes timer 110, configured to sense / measure drill bit removal cycle time. In one example, timer 110 may be configured to sense / measure, for example, the duration from the occurrence of a previous drill bit removal count recorded from ECU 104 to the next drill bit removal count. Additionally, conductivity and / or resistivity sensor 132 periodically or continuously senses / measures the conductivity and / or resistance of the circuit between the cutting drill bit and the drill bit holder on machine 102.

[0040] Without direct input or interaction from an operator removing the cutting drill bit from the work machine 102, the drill bit removal system 100 can determine that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine (208) based on sensed characteristics, and increment the digital count of the electronic drill bit removal counter by 1 after determining that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine. In one example, the ECU 104 can automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the work machine 102 by means of a sensed / measured displacement distance configured based on a tool removal structure (e.g., one or more of the grippers 116, 118 of the drill bit removal tool 106), which can indicate the displacement distance of the cutting drill bits removed by the drill bit removal tool 106. The ECU 104 can receive the drill bit displacement distance from the linear encoder 122 of the drill bit removal tool 106. The ECU 104 can compare the drill bit displacement distance with a predetermined distance threshold to determine whether the drill bit has been successfully removed from the work machine 102. For example, the ECU 104 can determine whether the sensed drill bit displacement distance is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance threshold. In some cases, the cutting drill bit is mounted onto the working machine via a standard-sized drill shank. In this case, the predetermined distance threshold can be equal to or greater than the size of the cutting drill shank.

[0041] ECU 104 can also be configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the working machine 102 based on the drill bit removal load. In addition to or independently of the drill bit displacement distance, ECU 104 can also determine whether a drill bit has been removed based on the drill bit removal load. In one example, ECU 104 can compare the pressure sensed / measured by pressure sensor 108 with a threshold pressure indicating the load on the drill bit removal tool 106 caused by the tool removing the cutting drill bit from the working machine 102.

[0042] In addition to the drill bit displacement distance and drill bit removal load, ECU 104 can be configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the work machine 102 based on the drill bit removal cycle time. ECU 104 can also determine whether a drill bit has been removed based on the drill bit removal cycle time, either alone or independently of the drill bit removal load and / or drill bit displacement distance. In one example, timer 110 senses / measures a duration, such as the duration of a complete actuation cycle of the drill bit removal tool 106, or the duration from the occurrence of the previous drill bit removal count recorded by ECU 104 to the next drill bit removal count. ECU 104 compares the duration measured / sensed by timer 110 with a predetermined drill bit removal cycle time.

[0043] In addition to drill bit displacement distance, drill bit removal load, and drill bit removal cycle time, ECU 104 can be configured to automatically count the number of cutting drill bits removed from the working machine 102 based on the connectivity / connection between the cutting drill bit and the drill bit holder on the working machine 102. For example, ECU 104 can monitor conductivity measured / sensed by sensor 132 and compare the measured / sensed conductivity with a conductivity threshold. Additionally or alternatively, ECU 104 can monitor resistance measured / sensed by sensor 132 and compare the measured / sensed resistance with a resistance threshold.

[0044] In one example, ECU 104 determines whether the cutting drill bit has been removed from the work machine 106 by determining that the sensed / measured drill bit displacement distance is greater than or equal to a distance threshold, the sensed / measured drill bit removal load is greater than or equal to a drill bit removal load threshold, the sensed / measured duration of drill bit removal is greater than or equal to the drill bit removal cycle time, the sensed / measured conductivity between the drill bit and the drill bit holder is approximately zero, and / or the sensed / measured resistivity between the drill bit and the drill bit holder is greater than or equal to a threshold resistance. ECU 104 can verify drill bit removal based on one, all five, and / or different combinations of these drill bit removal characteristics.

[0045] In one example, ECU 104 first determines whether the sensed / measured drill bit displacement distance is greater than or equal to a distance threshold. If the measured distance is not greater than or equal to the threshold, ECU 104 can determine that the cutting drill bit has not been removed and therefore the drill bit removal counter will not increment. If the measured distance is greater than or equal to the threshold, ECU 104 determines whether the sensed / measured drill bit removal load is greater than or equal to a drill bit removal load threshold. If the measured load is not greater than or equal to the threshold, ECU 104 can determine that the cutting drill bit has not been removed and therefore the drill bit removal counter will not increment. If the measured load is greater than or equal to the threshold, ECU 104 determines whether the sensing / measurement duration for removing the drill bit is greater than or equal to the drill bit removal cycle time.

[0046] In one example, the duration sensed / measured by timer 110 can be measured from the time previously recorded from drill bit removal to when drill bit removal tool 106 has completed its drill bit removal cycle (e.g., the time it takes for the first jaw 116 to reach its maximum / prescribed displacement). Alternatively, the duration sensed / measured by timer 110 can be the duration for which the operator engages the first input control 124 of drill bit removal tool 106. If the measured time is not greater than or equal to a drill bit removal cycle time threshold, ECU 104 can determine that the cutting drill bit has not yet been removed and therefore the drill bit removal counter will not increment. If the measured time is greater than or equal to a threshold, ECU 104 compares the sensed / measured conductivity and / or resistivity between the drill bit and the drill bit holder (or other parts of the machine 102 that contact the drill bit) with one or more thresholds. For example, ECU 104 can monitor the conductivity measured / sensed by sensor 132 and determine that the drill bit has been removed from the drill bit holder if the conductivity drops to zero or near zero. In another example, ECU 104 can monitor the resistivity measured / sensed by sensor 132, and determine that the drill bit has been removed from the drill bit holder if the resistivity increases to or exceeds a predetermined threshold resistivity.

[0047] Refer again Figure 2 In example method 200, after performing drill bit removal and incrementing the drill bit removal counter, the drill bit removal system 100 can send the drill bit removal digital count to an output device (210). For example, ECU 104 sends the drill bit removal count to display 112, via which a user / operator can view / monitor the rolling count. Additionally or alternatively, ECU 104 transmits the drill bit removal count to a local or remote backend or other system via transceiver 114.

[0048] As can be seen in the foregoing detailed description, various features are combined in a single example to simplify the invention. The method of the invention should not be construed as reflecting an intention to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the inventive subject matter lies in all features of fewer than a single disclosed example. Therefore, the following claims are thus incorporated into the detailed description, wherein each claim is independently presented as a separate example.

[0049] Note that not all activities or elements described above in the general description are required; a particular activity or device may not be necessary, and one or more additional activities or elements may be performed in addition to those described. Furthermore, the order in which the activities are listed is not necessarily the order in which they are performed. Moreover, these concepts have been described with reference to specific examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

[0050] The benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any features that may lead to or make any benefit, advantage, or solution appear or become more significant should not be construed as key, essential, or necessary features of any or all claims. Moreover, the specific examples disclosed above are merely illustrative, as the disclosed subject matter can be modified and practiced in different but equivalent ways, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from the teachings herein. The details of the structures or designs shown herein are not intended to be limiting, except as described in the following claims. Therefore, it will be apparent that the specific examples disclosed above can be altered or modified, and all such changes are considered to be within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for removing a cutting drill bit from a working machine, the method comprising: Engage the cutting drill bit of the rotating drum connected to the machine with the movable drill bit removal structure of the drill bit removal tool; The drill bit removal tool is actuated by displacing the movable drill bit removal structure to disconnect the drill bit from the machine; The encoder of the drill bit removal tool senses the displacement distance of the movable drill bit removal structure; as well as The drill bit is determined to have been disconnected from the machine based on the sensed displacement distance of the movable drill bit removal structure.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Determining that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine includes determining that the sensed distance is greater than or equal to a threshold distance.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The threshold distance is greater than or equal to the predetermined size of the drill bit.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The predetermined size of the drill bit is the length of the drill bit shank.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: After confirming that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine, the digital count of the electronic drill bit removal counter is incremented by 1.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The digital count is sent to an output device connected to, near, or away from the operating machine.

7. A method for removing a cutting drill bit from a working machine, the method comprising: Engage the cutting drill bit on the rotating drum of the working machine with the movable drill bit removal structure of the drill bit removal tool; The drill bit removal tool is actuated by displacing the movable drill bit removal structure to disconnect the drill bit from the machine; The sensor of the drill bit removal tool senses the connection between the drill bit and the drill bit holder of the machine; as well as The system determines that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based on the sensed connection between the drill bit and the machine's drill bit holder.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Sensing the connection between the drill bit and the drill bit holder includes sensing at least one of the resistance and conductance between the drill bit and the drill bit holder.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Determining that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine includes at least one of the following: Determine that the sensed resistance is greater than or equal to the threshold resistance; and It is determined that the sensed conductance is approximately equal to zero.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: After confirming that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine, the digital count of the electronic drill bit removal counter is incremented by 1.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: The digital count is sent to an output device connected to, near, or away from the operating machine.

12. A system for removing a cutting drill bit from a working machine, the system comprising: Drill bit removal tools, including: A movable drill bit removal structure configured to engage with the cutting drill bit of the working machine; An actuator operably connected and configured to displace the drill bit removal structure to remove the drill bit from the machine; and An encoder that senses the displacement distance of the actuator, the displacement distance of the actuator indicating the distance by which the drill bit removable structure is displaced by the actuator; and A controller, communicatively connected to the encoder and configured to determine that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based at least on determining that the sensed displacement distance is greater than or equal to a threshold distance.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The threshold distance is greater than or equal to the length of the drill bit shank.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein, It also includes a load sensor, which is communicatively connected to the controller and configured to sense the load on the drill bit removal structure, wherein: The controller determines that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based on whether the sensed load is greater than or equal to a threshold load.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein: The actuator is a hydraulic actuator; The load sensor is a pressure sensor that senses the pressure of the hydraulic system connected to the hydraulic actuator. and The controller determines that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based on whether the sensed pressure is greater than or equal to a threshold pressure.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein: The actuator is an electric actuator; The load sensor is a current or voltage sensor that senses the current or voltage of the electric drive system connected to the electric actuator. and The controller determines that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based on whether the sensed current or voltage is greater than or equal to a threshold current or voltage.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising a timer communicatively connected to the controller and configured to sense duration to remove the drill bit from the machine, wherein: The controller determines that the drill bit has been disconnected from the machine based on whether the sensed duration is greater than or equal to the predetermined drill bit removal cycle time.

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