Suction-cooled drilling device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drilling device comprising: a housing containing motor means and control means for said motor means including electronic components, a terminal member capable of carrying a cutting tool and being driven in motion by said motor means, a chip extraction duct generated during drilling, said duct having a first end provided with a suction orifice located near said terminal member and a second end provided with a connection orifice intended to be connected to a remote extraction unit capable of generating a vacuum inside said extraction duct, cooling means for said motor means and / or said electronic components.According to the invention, said cooling means comprise at least a portion of said duct, a vacuum generated inside said duct by said suction unit to which said connection orifice of said duct is connected, inducing a circulation of cooling air for said motor means and / or said electronic components. Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Suction-cooled drilling device 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of drilling devices, also called drills, used to work on making holes in various parts.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to the cooling of such drilling devices. 2. Prior art

[0003] Conventionally, a drill comprises a casing housing one or more motors making it possible to drive in movement (rotation possibly combined with translation along the same axis) a spindle having at its end a terminal member to which it is possible to attach a cutting tool such as a drill bit.

[0004] Electronic components (Mosfet, resistors, microprocessor etc.) are used to control a drill, particularly its motors.

[0005] Motors and electronic components generate heat when they operate, which needs to be dissipated to cool the drill.

[0006] To work on cooling the drills, a fan is generally housed in the casing behind each motor or near the electronic components, to create cooling air flows towards the motors or electronic components. For this, the casing has intake vents for ambient cooling air and exhaust vents for heated cooling air.

[0007] Such a solution is effective in that it allows a satisfactory level of cooling to be obtained. However, such fans are heavy and bulky, which is detrimental to the compactness and lightness of the drills. In addition, their implementation requires maintenance campaigns to be carried out, which are time-consuming, detrimental to productivity, and represent a significant cost item.

[0008] Furthermore, the drills can be equipped with a device for sucking up the chips generated during the performance of a drilling operation.

[0009] In this case, the drill is provided with a suction duct having a suction orifice located near the terminal member, and a connection orifice intended to be connected to a source for generating a vacuum to generate the flow of a suction air flow therein.

[0010] The source of generation of a depression is a central suction unit, located outside the casing of the screwdriver, to which the connection port of the conduit is connected.

[0011] The implementation of such a remote suction unit has the advantages of leading to the generation of a powerful suction air flow without impacting either the weight or the compactness of the drill since the suction unit is remote from it. However, to ensure the cooling of the drill, it is necessary to resort to the solution of integrating one or more cooling fans with all the disadvantages that this represents.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need to improve both drill cooling techniques and chip extraction techniques. 3. Objectives of the invention

[0013] The invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these different problems.

[0014] In particular, according to at least one embodiment, an objective of the invention is to provide a light and compact drilling device nevertheless having a good capacity for cooling the drill and for extracting chips.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a drilling device which contributes to increasing productivity.

[0016] In particular, an objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a drilling device which makes it possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance campaigns.

[0017] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a drilling device which is simple in design and / or economical and / or reliable and robust. 4. Presentation of the invention

[0018] For this, the invention proposes a drilling device comprising: - a casing housing motor means and means for controlling said motor means comprising electronic components, - a terminal member capable of carrying a cutting tool and being driven in movement by said motor means, - a suction duct for chips generated during drilling, said duct having a first end provided with a suction orifice located near said terminal member and a second end provided with a connection orifice intended to be connected to a remote suction unit capable of generating a vacuum inside said suction duct, - means for cooling said motor means and / or said electronic components.

[0019] According to the invention, said cooling means comprise at least a part of said duct, a depression generated inside said duct by said central suction unit to which said connection orifice of said duct is connected inducing a circulation of cooling air for said motor means and / or said electronic components.

[0020] Thus, according to this aspect, the invention consists of using the suction air flow generated by a suction unit located outside a drill to cool this drill rather than installing one or more cooling fans inside the casing of the drill.

[0021] In this way, a significant suction power is provided which allows for effective suction of the chips and satisfactory cooling of the drill (motors, electronic components, etc.) without, however, integrating a fan dedicated to cooling the drill or consequently inducing the disadvantages that such fans cause. The invention thus makes it possible to provide a compact, lightweight drill, the frequency of which is reduced for maintenance campaigns, and which thus contributes to increasing productivity, which benefits from a good level of cooling and a good chip suction capacity.

[0022] According to a possible characteristic, a drilling device according to the invention comprises at least one support element for said motor means and / or said electronic components, said support element comprising at least one surface portion whose position is chosen to be exposed to said circulation of cooling air.

[0023] According to a possible characteristic, said support element is crossed by a hole whose wall constitutes at least in part said surface portion, said hole forming a portion of said conduit.

[0024] According to a possible characteristic, said support element is made of a heat-conducting material.

[0025] According to a possible characteristic: - said casing comprises at least one air intake orifice communicating with the exterior of said casing and with the interior of said casing; - said conduit comprises at least one suction passage communicating with the interior of said casing and with the interior of said conduit; - said depression generated inside said conduit by said central suction unit generating inside said casing a circulation of cooling air from said at least one intake orifice to said passage, said motor means and / or said electronic components being located inside said casing on the circulation path of said cooling air.

[0026] According to a possible characteristic, a drilling device according to the invention comprises a non-return valve placed inside said conduit, said non-return valve being able to take: - a closed state, in which it closes said at least one suction passage, taken when no suction air flow circulates in said conduit, and - an open state, in which it does not block said at least one suction passage, taken when a flow of suction air circulates in said conduit.

[0027] According to a possible characteristic, a drilling device according to the invention comprises at least one cooling radiator to which said motor means and / or said electronic components are thermally connected, said radiator comprising at least one heat exchange surface, said heat exchange surface being located inside said casing on the circulation path of said cooling air.

[0028] According to a possible characteristic, a drilling device according to the invention does not comprise a cooling fan for said motor means and / or said electronic components.

[0029] According to a possible characteristic, said terminal member is mounted to be mobile in rotation and in translation along the same axis, said device comprising a motor for driving said terminal member in rotation and a motor for driving said terminal member in translation. 5. Description of figures

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0031] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] illustrates a perspective view of a drill according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the drill of [Fig.l];

[0033] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a detailed view of a drill duct according to the first embodiment;

[0034] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates a detail view of a support of a drill according to the first embodiment;

[0035] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates a perspective view of a drill according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the drill of [Fig.5].

[0037] 6. Description of particular embodiments 6.1. Cooling support 6.1.1. Architecture

[0038] A first embodiment of a drilling device according to the invention is presented in relation to Figures 1 to 4.

[0039] Such a drilling device 1 comprises a casing 10.

[0040] This casing 10 houses a rotation motor 11 and a feed motor 12 which are connected by means of a transmission 13 to a drilling spindle 14 mounted to move in rotation and translation along the same axis, i.e. the longitudinal axis of the spindle 14.

[0041] The end of the drilling spindle 14, which constitutes a terminal member, comprises means for securing a cutting tool such as a drill 15.

[0042] The casing 10 houses electronic components, some of which, i.e. the components 16, are mounted on an electronic card 18, while others, i.e. the components 17, are not mounted on the electronic card 18. These electronic components can be used to control the drill and in particular its motors.

[0043] The casing 10 comprises a housing 100 provided for housing the electronic components 16, 17 and the electronic card 18.

[0044] This housing 100 also houses a support 19 on which the electronic card 18 and the electronic components 17 which are not mounted on it are secured.

[0045] This support 17 is made of a thermally conductive material such as for example aluminum alloy, or other...

[0046] The support 19 is crossed by a hole 191.

[0047] The drill comprises a conduit 20 for sucking up chips generated during drilling. This conduit 20 comprises a first end provided with a suction orifice 201 located near the terminal member (end of the spindle 14). More precisely, this suction orifice 201 is connected to an internal conduit 101 formed in the casing 10 on the periphery of the terminal member. This conduit 20 also comprises a second end provided with a connection orifice 202 intended to be connected to a remote suction unit (not shown).

[0048] The support 19 is positioned in such a way that it is exposed to the flow of suction air circulating in the duct 20. In particular, it is located on the flow path of the suction air flow circulating in the duct 20.

[0049] In this embodiment, the support 19 has at least one portion located in a flow passage of the suction air circulating in the conduit 20. For this, the conduit 20 comprises a first portion 203 comprising the suction orifice 201 and a second portion 204 comprising the connection orifice 202. These conduit portions 203, 204 are each connected to the hole 191 of the support 19. Thus, the suction duct 20 comprises in this embodiment the first and second portions 203, 204 and the hole 191 of the support 19.

[0050] In a variant, the motors could be mounted on one or more motor supports thermally connected to the electronic component support 19. In this case, the motors and the electronic components could share the same support and the path of the conduit be adapted to pass through this support. 6.1.2. Operation

[0051] The connection orifice 202 of the conduit 20 is connected to a remote suction unit not shown. Such a suction unit, known per se to those skilled in the art, makes it possible to create a vacuum to suck up chips and to collect the sucked up chips.

[0052] During the drilling process, the rotation 11 and feed 12 motors are controlled by the electronic card 18 and at least some of the electronic components 16, 17, so as to generate rotation and feed movements of the spindle 14 and the drill 15 placed at its end.

[0053] During drilling, both motors and components heat up and chips are produced.

[0054] To suck up the shavings, the central vacuum unit is started. This creates a suction air flow inside the conduit 20.

[0055] Under the effect of the circulation of this suction air flow in the conduit 20, including the hole 191 of the support 19,: - the shavings are sucked into the conduit 20 and circulate therein in order to be conveyed to the central suction unit, and - the support 19 is cooled as well as the electronic card 18 and the electronic components 16, 17 which it supports. If the support 19 is thermally linked to the supports of the motors 11, 12, the motors are also cooled by the flow of suction air in the duct 20.

[0056] 6.2. Cooling air circulation in the crankcase 6.2.1. Architecture

[0057] A second embodiment of a drilling device according to the invention is presented in relation to Figures 5 and 6.

[0058] Such a drilling device 1 comprises a casing 10.

[0059] This casing 10 houses a rotation motor 11 and a feed motor 12 which are connected by means of a transmission 13 to a drilling spindle 14 mounted to move in rotation and translation along the same axis, i.e. the longitudinal axis of the spindle 14.

[0060] The end of the drilling spindle 14, which constitutes a terminal member, comprises means for securing a cutting tool such as a drill bit 15.

[0061] The casing 10 houses electronic components, some of which, i.e. the components 16, are mounted on an electronic card 18, while others, i.e. the components 17, are not mounted on the electronic card 18. These electronic components can be used to control the drill and in particular its motors.

[0062] The casing 10 comprises a housing 100 provided for housing the electronic components 16, 17 and the electronic card 18.

[0063] The drill comprises a conduit 20 for sucking up chips generated during drilling. This conduit 20 comprises a first end provided with a suction orifice 201 located near the terminal member (end of the spindle 14). More precisely, this suction orifice 201 is connected to an internal conduit 101 formed in the casing 10 on the periphery of the terminal member. This conduit 20 also comprises a second end provided with a connection orifice 202 intended to be connected to a remote suction unit (not shown).

[0064] The casing 10 comprises at least one orifice 102 for admitting ambient cooling air into the casing 10. These intake orifices 102 are also called gills. This or these intake orifices 102 communicate on the one hand with the outside of the casing and on the other hand with the inside of the casing. They thus allow the admission into the casing of ambient air, that is to say air located outside the casing.

[0065] The casing 10 also comprises at least one suction passage 103 opening into the conduit 20. This or these suction passages communicate on the one hand with the interior of the casing and on the other hand with the interior of the conduit 20.

[0066] As will become more clear below, the intake port(s) 102 and the suction passage(s) 103 form, inside the casing 10, a cooling air circulation passage 104. In the example of the figures, the passage is formed directly by the internal shape of the casing, and in particular of the handle of the drill. The motors 11, 12 and the electronic components 16, 17 are housed in this passage 104.

[0067] The depression generated inside the duct 20 by the central suction unit induces a flow of cooling air inside said casing 10 through the intake orifice(s) 102 and the suction hole(s) 103. The motors 11, 12 and the electronic components 16, 17 are located on the flow path of this cooling air.

[0068] Thus, the circulation of cooling air in the casing allows the cooling of the motors 11, 12 and the electronic components 16, 17.

[0069] According to a preferred variant, the drill comprises at least one non-return valve (not shown). This or these non-return valves are placed at the level of the suction hole(s) 103, inside the conduit and can take: - a closed state, in which it(they) close(s) the at least one suction hole 103, this state being taken when no suction air flow circulates in the conduit 20, and - an open state, in which it(they) does(do) not block(s) the at least one suction hole 103, this state being taken when a flow of suction air circulates in the conduit 20.

[0070] These valves prevent contamination of the interior of the casing with foreign bodies when the suction is not in use.

[0071] According to another preferred variant not shown, the drill comprises at least one cooling radiator to which the motors 11, 12 and / or the electronic components 16, 17 are thermally connected. This or these radiators comprise at least one heat exchange surface located in the cooling air circulation path 104. This exchange surface may comprise cooling fins along which the ambient air moving inside the casing circulates. 6.2.2. Operation

[0072] The connection orifice 202 of the conduit 20 is connected to a remote suction unit not shown.

[0073] During the drilling process, the rotation 11 and feed 12 motors are controlled by the electronic card 18 and at least some of the electronic components 16, 17, so as to generate rotation and feed movements of the spindle 14 and the drill 15 placed at its end.

[0074] During drilling, both motors and components heat up and chips are produced.

[0075] To suck up the shavings, the central vacuum unit is started. This creates a suction air flow inside the conduit 20.

[0076] Under the effect of the circulation of this suction air flow in the conduit 20: - the chips are sucked into the conduit 20 and circulate therein in order to be conveyed thus into the suction unit, and - under the effect of the depression in the conduit 20, ambient air is sucked into the casing via the vents 102 and flows into the casing from which it escapes through the suction passage(s) 103; this circulation of cooling air in the casing induces cooling of the motors 11, 12 and the electronic components 16, 17 housed therein. 6.3. Variants

[0077] A drill according to the invention can be powered by battery(ies) or by wire.

[0078] In the embodiments described above, the spindle is movable in rotation and in translation along the same axis. It could only be movable in rotation.

[0079] The two embodiments, and their variants, can be combined to ensure the cooling of the electronic components and the motors. In particular, the support 19 could be located in the channel 104. Its drilling 191 could constitute a part of the channel 104.

Claims

Claims

1. A drilling device comprising: - a casing housing motor means and means for controlling said motor means comprising electronic components, - a terminal member capable of carrying a cutting tool and of being driven in movement by said motor means, - a conduit for suction of chips generated during the drilling process, said conduit having a first end provided with a suction orifice located near said terminal member and a second end provided with a connection orifice intended to be connected to a remote suction unit capable of generating a vacuum inside said suction duct, - means for cooling said motor means and / or said electronic components, characterized in that said cooling means comprise at least a part of said conduit,a depression generated inside said conduit by said central suction unit to which said connection orifice of said conduit is connected inducing a circulation of cooling air for said motor means and / or said electronic components.,

2. A drilling device according to claim 1 comprising at least one support element for said motor means and / or said electronic components, said support element comprising at least one surface portion whose position is chosen to be exposed to said circulation of cooling air.

3. A drilling device according to claim 2 wherein said support element is traversed by a hole whose wall constitutes at least in part said surface portion, said hole forming a portion of said conduit.

4. A drilling device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said support element is made of a thermally conductive material.

5. A drilling device according to claim 1 wherein: - said casing comprises at least one air intake orifice communicating with the exterior of said casing and with the interior of said casing; - said duct comprises at least one suction passage communicating with the interior of said casing and with the interior of said duct; - said depression generated inside said duct by said central suction unit generating inside said casing a circulation of cooling air from said at least one intake orifice to said passage, said motor means and / or said electronic components being located inside said casing on the circulation path of said cooling air.

6. A drilling device according to claim 5 comprising a non-return valve placed inside said conduit, said non-return valve being able to take: - a closed state, in which it closes said at least one suction passage, taken when no suction air flow is circulating in said conduit, and - an open state, in which it does not close said at least one suction passage, taken when a suction air flow is circulating in said conduit.

7. A drilling device according to claim 5 or 6 comprising at least one cooling radiator to which said motor means and / or said electronic components are thermally connected, said radiator comprising at least one heat exchange surface, said heat exchange surface being located inside said housing on the circulation path of said cooling air.

8. A drilling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 not comprising a cooling fan for said motor means and / or said electronic components.

9. A drilling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which said terminal member is mounted to be movable in rotation and in translation along the same axis, said device comprising a motor for driving said terminal member in rotation and a motor for driving said terminal member in translation.