Auxiliary device for guiding a drilling machine and suction of dust and debris

Abstract

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device (10) for guiding a portable rotary drill (A) and for suctioning dust and debris generated by a drilling or counter-sinking operation performed by the drill (A); the auxiliary device (10) comprises: a first and a second operating unit (11, 12) configured to be arranged on opposite sides of an element (D) to be drilled or of a plurality of elements (C, D) at least partially stacked one on the other and defining, respectively, a first and a second through passage (13, 16) which, in use, can be coaxial to each other to be engaged by a drill bit (P) of the drill (A); adjustable distance constraint means (40) connecting the first and second operating units (11, 12) and selectively operable to adjust the distance between the first and second operating units (11, 12) to a value related or corresponding to the thickness of the element (D) to be drilled or of the elements (C, D) at least partially stacked one on the other; and a passage system (41) connecting the first and second passages (13, 16) with a suction source to allow, in use, the suction of dust and debris generated by the drill (A).

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian patent application No. 102020000018625, filed on July 30, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for guiding a drilling rig and for extracting dust and debris generated during drilling or countersinking operations.

[0004] Specifically, the present invention is designed for drilling side-by-side (said by saying) slender structural components, typically composite or hybrid elements of various shapes. Background Technology

[0005] Portable rotary drilling rigs are used in many industrial processes to drill and countersink holes in various types of finished products. In some cases, dust particles and debris generated by the drilling operation are sucked away near the drill bit by a person standing next to the operator using the drilling rig with a vacuum cleaner hose.

[0006] When drilling holes in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), the perforation process generates and spreads fine dust, so it is necessary to extract the dust as effectively as possible to prevent it from being inhaled by the operator.

[0007] It is known to use a drill or countersink guide or jig that rests against the surface of the hole to be drilled. The guide typically has a cylindrical or conical through-hole that allows the drill bit to pass through and guide the drill bit relative to the surface of the hole to be drilled or countersinked.

[0008] Patent document US 2004 / 141821 discloses an auxiliary device for guiding a drilling rig and extracting dust and debris generated during drilling operations, as defined in the preamble of claim 1. Summary of the Invention

[0009] One object of the present invention is to remove dust and debris generated during drilling or countersinking operations using a portable rotary drill more accurately, more effectively and in a more timely manner.

[0010] Another objective of this invention is to optimize the use of labor required to perform these operations.

[0011] Another objective is to remove or at least reduce equipment traditionally used for pumping out dust and debris generated by the drilling rig's operation. In particular, it is desirable to improve the pumping efficiency of fine dust generated from drilling CFRP boreholes.

[0012] Another objective is to make these operations easy to perform even in hard-to-reach areas and confined spaces.

[0013] It is also desirable to perform suction simultaneously on the entry side of the drill bit on the element to be drilled and on the opposite side of the drill bit exiting from the element to be drilled.

[0014] Another object is to achieve the above-mentioned effects by precisely guiding the drill bit.

[0015] According to the present application, the above and other objects and advantages will be better understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] For a better understanding of the present application, preferred and non-limiting embodiments thereof will be described, purely by way of example, and with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic vertical section of a portable rotary drill in the drilling and suction operating condition associated with the auxiliary device according to the present application; and

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic vertical section of the auxiliary device of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] With reference first of all to Figure 1 , in this example a hand-held rotary drill, schematically indicated by A, is used to make a through hole B passing through a pair of elongated and at least partially stacked structural elements C, D. The shape, arrangement, dimensions and material of the elements to be drilled are not relevant to the embodiments of the present application. For illustrative purposes only, one of the elements to be drilled is rigidly connected to another structural element E. For example, the elements to be drilled form a hybrid stack comprising at least one layer of CFRP. The elements to be drilled may, for example, form a CFRP-CFRP stack, or a titanium-CFRP, aluminium-CFRP or titanium-aluminium-CFRP.

[0020] According to a possible alternative, not shown, the drill A can also operate on a single element D to be drilled.

[0021] The auxiliary device for guiding the drill bit P of a portable rotary drill, for example the drill A, and for suctioning the dust and debris generated during the drilling or countersinking operation is indicated by the number 10.

[0022] The auxiliary device 10 comprises:

[0023] - first and second operating units 11, 12 configured to be arranged on opposite sides of the element D to be drilled and to define, respectively, a first and a second through channel 13, 16 which, in use, can be coaxial to each other to engage the tip P of the drill A;

[0024] - an adjustable distance constraint assembly 40 connected to the operating units 11, 12;

[0025] - at least one actuation element, for example an actuation lever 29, for selectively actuating said constraint assembly 40 so as to adjust the distance between the operating units 11, 12 themselves to a value related or corresponding to the thickness of the element C, D to be drilled or of the element D; and

[0026] - a channel system 41 connecting the channels 13, 16 of the operating units 11, 12 with a suction source (known per se and not shown) to allow, during use, the suction of dust and debris generated by the drill A.

[0027] In particular, the channel 13 has a rectilinear configuration and has an inlet mouth 14, defined herein as a front inlet mouth, into which the tip P of the drill A can be introduced during use, and a rear outlet mouth 15 configured to abut against an end surface of one of the elements C, D to be drilled (D) or of the element D, defined herein as a front end surface.

[0028] The channel 13 has a hollow section of closed profile and can have a tubular, elliptical, prismatic, polygonal, etc. shape.

[0029] The channel 16 also has a rectilinear configuration and has an inlet 17, defined herein as a front inlet, into which the drill bit P is introduced after having passed through the element C, D to be drilled or the element D. The inlet mouth 17 is configured to abut against an end surface of one of the elements C, D to be drilled or of the element D, defined herein as a rear end surface. As shown above, the channel 16 of the operating unit 12 is axially aligned with the channel 13 of the operating unit 11, has a hollow section of closed profile and can have a tubular, elliptical, prismatic, polygonal, etc. configuration.

[0030] The outlet mouth 15 of the operating unit 11 and the inlet mouth 17 of the operating unit 12 form a pair of opposite mouths designed to abut against opposite end surfaces of the element C, D to be drilled or of the element D.

[0031] The channel 16 can have a rear opening 18 which can be closed with a removable cover 19 to allow periodic checks and cleaning of the channel 16 itself, for example using a pipe cleaner. Alternatively, the rear end of the channel 16 opposite the inlet mouth 17 can be closed.

[0032] The channel system 41 further comprises a third channel 20, which in the example shown is rectilinear and parallel to the channel 13 and in fluid communication with the latter. The channel 20 is telescopically slidingly coupled with a fourth channel 21, which is integral with the operating unit 12, in fluid communication with the channel 16, which in the example shown is rectilinear and parallel to the channel 16.

[0033] The channel 13 and the channel 20 can be connected, in use, by an additional channel 22, which in the example shown is rectilinear and vertical.

[0034] Likewise, the channel 16 and the channel 21 can be connected, in use, by an additional channel 23, which in the example shown is rectilinear and vertical.

[0035] The suction fitting 24 is in fluid communication with both the channel 13 and the channel 16. The suction fitting 24 can be pneumatically connected, by means of a hose (known per se and not shown), with a suction source (known per se and not shown) to suction the particles (metal shavings, CFRP dust) generated by the action of the drilling machine A.

[0036] In this example, the suction fitting 24 is mounted in a suction opening 33 formed in the channel 21, which slidingly houses the channel 20 therein.

[0037] According to a possible alternative embodiment, not shown, the channel 20 can be configured to telescopically receive the channel 21.

[0038] The containment assembly 40 is preferably implemented as a telescopic guide rail with stabilizing function, formed by two telescopic sliding rectilinear elements 25, 26, each integral with a respective operating unit 11, 12 and, in the example shown, parallel to the channels 13, 16, 20 and 21.

[0039] Advantageously, the actuation rod 29 is inserted between the operating units 11 and 12, so that the operator can actuate the containment assembly 40 only from one side of the auxiliary device 1, for example from the side on which the drilling machine A operates.

[0040] In the case shown, the actuation rod 29 rigidly connects the channel 21 and the outer telescopic rectilinear element 26.

[0041] Furthermore, the telescopic sliding rectilinear elements 25, 26 are connected to the vertical channel 22, which connects the channels 13 and 20, and to the channel 23, which connects the channels 16 and 21, respectively.

[0042] Preferably, the telescopic guides 25, 26 are placed in a central or intermediate position between the pair of channels consisting of the channels 13, 16 and the pair of channels consisting of the channels 20, 21.

[0043] In use, the two operating units 11, 12 grip the element C, D or element D to be drilled from opposite sides. Figure 1 The device is shown in the operating condition, in which the two operating units 11 and 12 are telescopically close together. The two opposite mouths 15, 17 abut against two opposite end surfaces of the element C, D or element D to be drilled. It is thus possible to suck the dust from the front or front entrance side of the drill P of the drilling machine A as well as from the rear or exit side of the drill P.

[0044] The length of the channels 13, 16 and their vertical distance from the containment assembly 40 mean that even very large elements to be drilled can be got around.

[0045] The length of the channel 16 is preferably such that, when the drill P of the drilling machine A has drilled and passed through the element C, D or element D to be drilled, the channel 16 is able to house the drill inside it without dispersing the recesses present inside the auxiliary device 10. As Figure 1 shown, for the safety of the operator, the channel 16 covers and houses the drill P of the drilling machine A.

[0046] The inlet mouth 14 of the channel 13 can be provided with a bushing 27 having a guide function for the introduction of the drill P. The bushing 27 can be replaceable so as to select each time a bushing having a through hole suitable for the diameter of the drill P to be guided.

[0047] The opposite ends of the channels 20, 21 can be provided with end openings 28, 32 and equipped with removable closing caps 30, 31 to allow periodic checks and cleaning of the channels 20, 21 themselves and of the vertical channels 22, 23 connecting the channels 13 and 20 and the channels 16 and 21, respectively.

[0048] The opposite mouths 15 and 17 abutting against the end surfaces of the element C, D or element D to be drilled can be equipped with angularly adjustable annular support feet to optimize the support itself against the end surfaces, thus increasing the suction power.

[0049] According to the preferred embodiment, the channel 20 has an end 34, an opening 35 spaced from the end 34 and an end or distal portion 36 between the opening 35 and the end 34. The opening 35 and the subsequent distal portion 36 are arranged in such a way as to allow suction in the operating position Figure 1 ) and not to allow suction in the open position, when the two operating units 11 and 12 are spaced apart.

[0050] In Figure 1In this configuration, two operating units 11 and 12 are retractably brought close together, with opposing nozzles 15 and 17 abutting against the components C and D to be drilled, or the opposing end surfaces of component D. An opening 35 in channel 20 is at least partially aligned with or overlaps with a suction opening 33 in channel 21, thereby pneumatically connecting a suction source to nozzles 15 and 17.

[0051] exist Figure 2 In the middle, when suction is not required using the recess, the two operating units 11 and 12 are retractably spaced apart. The distal portion 36 of the channel 20 covers the suction opening 33 in the channel 21, closing the suction opening 33. This optimizes the available pneumatic pressure.

[0052] The operator can simply bring the two operating units 11, 12 close together to clamp the element C, D or element D to be drilled from opposite sides by grasping the actuator rod 29 and bringing it close to the side of the drill A to be operated (in this case, towards the vertical channel 22).

[0053] In practice, the clamping operation of the two operating units 11 and 12 on the components C and D to be drilled or component D can be performed by a single operator on the side of the drilling rig A to be operated.

[0054] Various aspects and embodiments of the auxiliary drilling and suction device 10 have been described. It should be understood that each embodiment can be combined with any other embodiment. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be varied within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device (10) for guiding a portable rotary drilling rig (A) and for suctioning dust and debris generated by drilling or countersinking operations performed by the drilling rig (A), the auxiliary device (10) comprising: - A first operating unit (11) and a second operating unit (12), the first operating unit (11) and the second operating unit (12) being configured to be arranged on opposite sides of the element (D) to be drilled or a plurality of elements (C, D) that are at least partially stacked together, and defining a first channel (13) and a second channel (16) respectively, the first channel (13) and the second channel (16) being coaxially positioned with each other in use to engage with the tip (P) of the drill (A); - Adjustable distance constraint device (40), connected to the first operation unit (11) and the second operation unit (12); - An actuation device for selectively actuating the constraint device (40) to adjust the distance between the first operating unit (11) and the second operating unit (12) to a value related to or corresponding to the thickness of the element (D) or the plurality of elements (C, D) to be drilled; as well as - Channel system (41) connects the first channel (13) and the second channel (16) of the first operating unit (11) and the second operating unit (12) to a suction source to allow suction of dust and debris generated by the drill (A); The constraint device (40) includes a retractable coupling device located between the first operating unit (11) and the second operating unit (12); and The retractable connection device includes two retractably sliding linear elements (25, 26), which are parallel to the first channel (13) and the second channel (16) and are rigidly connected to a corresponding one of the first operating unit (11) and the second operating unit (12), respectively. The actuation device is characterized in that it includes an actuation rod (29) inserted between the first operating unit (11) and the second operating unit (12), such that the restraint device (40) can be actuated from one side of the auxiliary device (10) itself.

2. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein, The first channel (13) has a straight structure and has a first inlet nozzle (14) and a rear outlet (15), the tip (P) of the drill (A) can be introduced and guided into the first inlet nozzle (14), the rear outlet (15) is configured to abut against the front end surface of the element (D) to be drilled or at least partially stacked of the plurality of elements (C, D), and the second channel (16) has a straight structure and has a second inlet nozzle (17), the second inlet nozzle (17) being configured to abut against the rear end surface of the element (D) to be drilled or at least partially stacked of the plurality of elements (C, D).

3. The auxiliary device according to claim 2, wherein, The channel system (41) includes at least a third channel (20) in fluid communication with the first channel (13); at least a fourth channel (21) in fluid communication with the second channel (16); and a suction opening (33) in fluid communication with both the third channel (20) and the fourth channel (21), and is capable of being connected to the suction source when in use.

4. The auxiliary device according to claim 3, wherein, The third channel (20) and the fourth channel (21) are slidably and retractably connected together, and the suction opening (33) is obtained over one of the third channel (20) and the fourth channel (21).

5. The auxiliary device according to claim 4, wherein, The fourth channel (21) slidably accommodates the third channel (20) at least partially inside it and has the suction opening (33).

6. The auxiliary device according to claim 2, wherein, The second channel (16) has a rear opening (18) opposite to the second inlet (17) and can be closed by a removable cap (19).

7. The auxiliary device according to claim 2, wherein, The rear outlet (15) of the first channel (13) and the second inlet (17) of the second channel (16), which are designed to abut against the opposite end surfaces of the element (D) or the plurality of elements (C, D) to be drilled, are provided with angle-adjustable annular support feet.

8. The auxiliary device according to claim 5, wherein, The third channel (20) has an end (34), a through opening (35) spaced apart from the end (34), and a closed hollow terminal portion (36) between the through opening (35) and the end (34) itself; the auxiliary device (10) can be set to two operating states: In the first operating state, two operating units (11, 12) are placed close to each other, the rear outlet (15) of the first channel (13) and the second inlet (17) of the second channel (16) are arranged to abut against the opposite end surfaces of the element (D) or the plurality of elements (C, D) to be drilled, and the through opening (35) in the third channel (20) is at least partially superimposed on the suction opening (33) of the fourth channel (21) to allow the suction source to be pneumatically connected to the first channel (13) and the second channel (16); as well as In the second operating state, relative to the first operating state, the first operating unit (11) and the second operating unit (12) are moved apart, such that the terminal portion (36) of the third channel (20) covers the suction opening (33), thereby closing the suction opening (33).

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