Drilling device with immobilizing means actuated by a drill spindle drive motor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drilling device intended to be attached to a drilling grid of a structure to be drilled, said device comprising at least: a body; a drilling spindle, with longitudinal axis X, capable of driving a cutting tool, said spindle being movable, along said axis X, in rotation and translation between a retracted position and a deployed position; drive means comprising: a feed motor capable of driving said spindle in translation, and a rotation motor capable of driving said spindle in rotation; means for immobilizing said body relative to said grid comprising at least a first movable immobilizing element between: an unlocked position in which said body can be moved relative to said grid, and a locked position in which said body is immobilized relative to said grid;actuation means for said first immobilizing element capable of acting on said first immobilizing element to place it in one or the other of its locked and unlocked positions; said actuation means comprising said advance motor or said rotation motor.

Description

Title of the invention: Drilling device with immobilizing means actuated by a drill spindle drive motor 1. Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of drilling devices, also called drills, used to work to make holes in structures to be worked.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the reversible attachment of such drills to drilling grids. 2. Prior art

[0003] Drills are commonly used in various sectors of activity to work on drilling in structures to be worked on, such as for example in aircraft structures in the field of aeronautics.

[0004] In this sector in particular, drilling jigs are commonly used to drill holes at specific locations in a structure. These jigs are secured near the structure to be worked on and are pierced by a plurality of bores located at precise points where holes need to be drilled. The drills include reversible attachment means for the jigs, allowing the drills to be successively attached to different bores in the jigs to drill holes. The jigs thus constitute drilling templates.

[0005] These reversible locking means can therefore assume a locked state in which they immobilize the drill relative to the grid to allow drilling, and an unlocked state in which they allow the drill to be moved from one bore to another on the grid. These means can be of different types, two common examples of which are presented below; i.e., the expanding collar and the quarter-turn system.

[0006] A first commonly implemented example is that of expanding collars, also called "concentric collars" in English. These expanding collars comprise an expanding cylindrical ring located at the front of the drill. An expansion cone fixed to the body of the drill is housed inside the ring, the ring and the cone being movable in translation relative to each other along the axis of the cone to allow the diameter of the ring to be increased (locked state), such that it bears against the inner surface of the bore with radial pressure. sufficient to ensure the drill remains on the grid due to the coefficient of friction between the material of the ring and that of the grid, and to decrease (unlocked state) the diameter of the ring so that a radial clearance is present between the ring and the inner surface of the bore so as to be able to remove the drill from the bore.

[0007] A second commonly implemented example is a system called a quarter-turn. This system is used with a grid having bores, each bore having a locking screw in its vicinity. This fastening means includes an element that fits into the bore of the grid; this element is connected to the body of the drill in such a way as to ensure the coaxiality of the drill with respect to the bore.

[0008] Furthermore, this element, referred to as the head in the following description, has a protrusion which, by rotating approximately a quarter turn, engages under the head of the locking screw to immobilize the element against the grid. This element is connected to the drill body by a ball bearing that allows adjustment of the drill body's orientation relative to the grid. The rotational immobilization of the drill body relative to the element is achieved by engaging two half-clutches, one mounted on the head and the other on the drill body. The two clutches engage once the drill's position has been set by the operator. The operator chooses this position to ensure good drilling ergonomics and to position the drill's center of gravity so that gravity keeps the protrusion under the head of the locking screw.

[0009] Motorized actuation means are implemented to move the fastening means, i.e. the expanding collar or the half-dogs, from one to the other of their locked and unlocked states.

[0010] According to a first approach, in particular when the drill includes at least one pneumatic motor to drive the drilling spindle carrying the cutting tool into motion, these actuation means include a pneumatic actuator.

[0011] According to a second approach, in particular when the drill includes at least one electric motor to drive the drilling spindle carrying the cutting tool into motion, these actuation means include an electric actuator.

[0012] Whether the actuator is pneumatic or electric, it is exclusively dedicated to actuating the fastening means. Thus, the pneumatic or electric motor(s) used to drive the spindle are not used to actuate the fastening means.

[0013] In other words, this actuator is added to the pneumatic or electric motor(s) used to move the drill spindle.

[0014] This tends to impair the lightness of the drill as well as its compactness, and therefore its maneuverability and ease of use.

[0015] There is therefore a need to improve the ergonomics of drills equipped with means of securing to a drilling grid. 3. Objectives of the invention

[0016] The invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these different problems.

[0017] In particular, according to at least one embodiment, an objective of the invention is to provide a drill with means for securing it to a drilling grid providing good user comfort.

[0018] In particular, the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a drill which is easy to handle.

[0019] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a drill which is lightweight.

[0020] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a drill which is compact.

[0021] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a drill which is reliable and / or robust and / or cheap. 4. Presentation of the invention

[0022] To this end, the invention proposes a drilling device intended to be attached to a drilling grid of a structure to be drilled, said device comprising at least: - a body; - a drilling spindle, with longitudinal axis X, capable of driving a cutting tool into motion, said spindle being mobile, along said axis X, in rotation and translation between a retracted position and a deployed position; - motorized means including: - a feed motor capable of driving the said spindle in translation, and - a rotation motor capable of driving the said spindle in rotation; - means of immobilizing said body in relation to said grid, comprising at least one first movable immobilizing element between: - an unlocked position in which said body can be moved relative to said grid, and - a locked position in which said body is immobilized relative to said grid;

[0023] actuating means for said first immobilizing element capable of acting on said first immobilizing element to place it in one or the other of its locked and unlocked positions.

[0024] According to the invention, said actuation means comprise said advance motor and / or said rotation motor.

[0025] Thus, according to this aspect, the invention consists of using at least part of the motor means used to drive the drilling spindle in motion to actuate the means for immobilizing the body of the drill rather than using, as in the prior art, actuating means exclusively dedicated to this function.

[0026] In doing so, the invention makes it possible to provide a compact, lightweight drill and therefore easy to handle and ergonomic.

[0027] According to one possible feature, said actuation means are capable of acting on said first locking element to place it in its locked position, under the effect of said feed motor or said rotation motor, between said retracted position and an intermediate position of said spindle, said intermediate position being located between said retracted position and said deployed position.

[0028] The first immobilizing element will thus be able to be in its locked position when the spindle is in the deployed position or in an intermediate position or in a position between these two positions.

[0029] In this way, it is ensured that the locking element is in its locked position at the latest when the spindle is in an intermediate position between the retracted position and the deployed position.

[0030] According to one possible feature, said actuation means comprise means for disabling the rotor of said feed motor or the rotor of said rotation motor to said first locking element, said disabling means being able to: - an actuation state, capable of being taken between said retracted position and said intermediate position, in which said first immobilizing element is linked to said rotor of said advance or rotation motor; - a neutral state, taken between said intermediate position and said deployed position, in which said first immobilizing element is not linked to said rotor of said advance or rotation motor.

[0031] In this way, the feed or rotation motors are decoupled from the clamping element so that, between the intermediate and extended positions, the motors no longer act on the clamping element. Thus, the motors are used to actuate the clamping element over a portion of the spindle stroke, separate from the portion of the stroke dedicated to drilling. This allows for a reduction in the size of the motors, which are not simultaneously used to lock the clamping means and move the spindle to perform drilling.

[0032] According to one possible feature, said actuation means are configured to maintain said first locking element in said locked position when said pin is located between said intermediate position and said deployed position.

[0033] Thus, the locking element remains in the locked position when the spindle moves between its intermediate and deployed positions.

[0034] According to one possible feature, said spindle can assume a cutting tool contact position, located between said intermediate position and said deployed position, in which: - said first immobilizing element is in said locked position in which said body is immobilized relative to said grid, and - said cutting tool attached to said spindle comes into contact with said structure to be drilled.

[0035] Thus, the locking of the immobilizing means is obtained before the cutting tool attached to the spindle comes into contact with the attack surface of the structure to be drilled.

[0036] Thus, the motors are used to lock the clamping means at the latest until the cutting tool comes into contact with the workpiece. Therefore, the motors are not required to perform both locking and drilling simultaneously, which allows for a reduction in their size.

[0037] According to one possible feature, said spindle can assume a drilling phase start position located between said retracted position and said deployed position, said drilling phase start position delimiting two stroke portions of said spindle: - a first portion of the stroke going from said retracted position to said starting position of drilling phase, said intermediate position being located in said first portion; - a second portion of the stroke extending from said starting position of the drilling phase to said deployed position and defining a useful drilling stroke comprising: - an approach run in the air of said cutting tool vis-à-vis said structure to be drilled; - a drilling stroke of said tool in said structure;

[0038] an exit stroke in the air of said cutting tool vis-à-vis said structure.

[0039] Thus the motors are used to lock the front immobilizing means The spindle begins to drive the cutting tool, moving it into the approach air space located before the cutting surface of the structure to be drilled. This provides a safety margin to ensure that the motors are not stressed. performing the locking and drilling simultaneously allows for a reduction in its dimensions.

[0040] According to one possible feature, a device according to the invention comprises a drive carriage for translating said spindle, said carriage being movable about said axis X between: - a retracted position in which said pin is in its retracted position, - an intermediate position in which said pin is in its intermediate position, - a drilling phase start position corresponding to said drilling phase start position of said spindle, - a cutting tool contact position corresponding to said cutting tool contact position of said spindle, - a deployed position in which said pin is in its deployed position

[0041] In this case, the invention covers a drill of the type equipped with a drive carriage for translating the spindle.

[0042] According to one possible feature, said actuation means include means for applying a locking force to said first locking element, said application means including elastic return means configured to apply said locking force to said first locking element at least between said intermediate position and said deployed position of said spindle.

[0043] In some cases, it is necessary to apply additional force to the locking element in the locked position to bring it into a locked state. This is particularly true for the expanding collar, which requires applying force to the cone or expanding ring to induce sufficient radial pressure between the ring and the bore of the grid to ensure that the drill remains in contact with the grid due to the coefficient of friction between the material of the ring and that of the grid. The elastic return means mentioned above can, in particular, serve this function.

[0044] The advance motor can be used to ensure the locking of the immobilizing means.

[0045] In this case, the device may include means for transforming a rotation of the rotor of the advance motor into a movement of the locking element from one of its locked and unlocked positions to the other, the first locking element being: - linked to the rotor of the advance motor by said disabling linkage means in said actuation state, - not linked to the advance motor rotor by said disabling linkage means in said neutral state.

[0046] In this case, according to one possible characteristic, said actuation means comprise said carriage linked to the rotor of said feed motor, said carriage being: - linked to said first fixed asset by said means of deactivatable connection in said actuation state, - not linked to said first fixed asset by said means of deactivatable connection in said neutral state

[0047] The trolley is then used to move the immobilizing element.

[0048] According to one possible variant, said actuation means include means for transforming a translational displacement of said carriage between the retracted position and the intermediate position into a displacement of said first immobilizing element between said unlocked position and said locked position, and vice versa.

[0049] According to one possible variant, said deactivatable linkage means comprise a unidirectional link which, under the action of the release of said elastic return means, is in said actuation state between said retracted position and said intermediate position, said carriage driving said first immobilizing element in translation

[0050] According to one possible variant, said elastic return means have, when said carriage is located between said intermediate position and said deployed position, a level of compression inducing the application on said first immobilizing element of said locking force.

[0051] According to one possible variant, said actuation means comprise a cam that is movable and rotates relative to said body of said drilling device, said disabling connection means comprising: - means of transforming a displacement of said carriage between said retracted position and said intermediate position, and vice versa, into a rotation of said cam, and - means of interrupting said transformation beyond said intermediate position,

[0052] said cam having a surface configured in such a way that a rotation of said cam, induced by a movement of said carriage from said retracted position to said intermediate position, induces a movement of said first immobilizing element from said unlocked position to said locked position, and vice versa.

[0053] According to one possible variant, said elastic return means are interposed between said first immobilizing element and a plate bearing against said surface of said cam, said surface of said cam being configured such that a rotation of said cam, induced by a displacement of said carriage from said retracted position to said intermediate position, induces a compression of said elastic return means, and conversely, said elastic return means having, when said carriage occupies said intermediate position, a state of compression inducing the application on said first immobilizing element of said locking force,The shape of said cam at the point of contact with said plate, combined with said compression state of the elastic return means, renders the rotation of said cam irreversible when said carriage is in said intermediate position and said disengageable linking means is in said neutral state.

[0054] The rotation motor can be used to ensure the locking of the immobilizing means.

[0055] In this case, according to one possible characteristic, said actuation means include means for transforming a rotational movement of the rotor of said rotational motor into a movement of said first immobilizing element from one of its locked and unlocked positions to the other.

[0056] According to one possible feature, said disabling linkage means comprise a clutch, said clutch being able to: - an engaged state, assumed when said disengageable linking means are in said actuation state, in which the rotor of said rotational motor and said first immobilizing element are linked in motion, and - a disengaged state, taken when said disengageable linking means are in said neutral state, in which the rotor of said rotation motor and said first immobilizing element are not linked in motion.

[0057] According to one possible feature, a device according to the invention includes control means for said clutch capable of placing said clutch in its engaged and disengaged states, said control means including said advance motor.

[0058] According to one possible feature, a device according to the invention comprises elastic return means tending to maintain said clutch in said disengaged state, said advance motor being linked to said elastic return means by a unidirectional link configured such that: - said advance motor is capable of driving a displacement of said clutch from its disengaged state to its engaged state against the action of said elastic return means, and - said elastic return means being capable of causing a displacement of said clutch from said engaged state to said disengaged state

[0059] According to one possible feature, said clutch control means comprise said carriage, said carriage being capable of positioning said clutch: - in said engaged state, when said carriage is located between said retracted position and said intermediate position, and - in said disengaged state, when the carriage is located between said intermediate position and said deployed position.

[0060] According to one possible feature, said immobilizing means comprise an expanding collar, said expanding collar comprising an expansion cone and an expanding ring, said cone or said ring constituting said first immobilizing element, said cone and said ring being movable in translation relative to each other along said axis X between: - a minimum expansion position in which the outer diameter of said ring is minimal; - a maximum expansion position in which the outer diameter of said ring is at its maximum,

[0061] said cone and said ring being in said maximum expansion position when said spindle is in said drilling phase start position and said ring is outside a bore.

[0062] The bore diameters of the grid can vary between a known minimum and maximum diameter. By dimensioning the maximum expansion diameter of the expanding ring so that it is greater than the maximum bore diameter when the spindle is in the starting position of the drilling phase, it is ensured that the expanding collar will be locked onto any bore of the grid. Considering the maximum expansion of the ring when it is outside a bore, we assume that the expansion of the ring is limited only by an internal stop within the drill. In the present design, this stop is located between the expanding ring and the expansion cone, limiting the movement of the ring relative to the cone along the X-axis.

[0063] According to one possible feature, said cone and said ring are in said minimum expansion position when said pin is in said retracted position.

[0064] According to one possible feature, said drilling grid is traversed by at least one positioning bore in which said expanding collar is intended to be housed, said intermediate position being located in a range corresponding to the tolerance interval of the diameter of said bore.

[0065] An expanding collar is designed to allow locking in a bore whose diameter is within a tolerance range. Given this tolerance range, the intermediate position is not itself fixed when locking the expanding collar according to the diameter of the bore in which it is located. Thus, the intermediate position can vary within a range that depends on the grid bore tolerance range.

[0066] According to one possible characteristic, said immobilizing means include: - a first fixed half-crab in translation and mobile in rotation along said X axis relative to said body; - a second half-claw, constituting said first immobilizing element, fixed in rotation along said X relative to said body and movable in translation along said X relative to said first half-claw between: - an unlocked position in which said first half-claw and said second half-claw are free to rotate about said X-axis, and - a locked position in which said first half-crab and said second half-crab are rotationally linked about said X-axis,

[0067] said actuation means being configured to move said second half-crab from one to the other of its locked and unlocked positions. 5. Description of the figures

[0068] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0069] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] illustrates a perspective view of a drill according to a first method of implementing the invention;

[0070] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drill of [Fig.1];

[0071] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates in perspective view of the drill of [Fig.1] without its crankcase;

[0072] [Fig.4] Fig.4 (a) illustrates a partial longitudinal sectional view of the drill of [Fig.1] with the immobilization means in the unlocked state and [Fig.4] (b) illustrates in partial longitudinal section view of the drill of [Fig.1] with the immobilization means in the locked state;

[0073] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] (a) illustrates side view of the drill of [Fig.1] with the immobilizing means in the unlocked state and [Fig.5] (b) illustrates side view of the drill of [Fig.1] with the immobilizing means in the locked state;

[0074] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a perspective view of a drilling grid;

[0075] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates a partial perspective view of a drill according to a variant of the first embodiment comprising a body and a head that are movable and rotate relative to each other;

[0076] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates a partial perspective view of the drill assembly of [Fig.7] to the grid of [Fig.6];

[0077] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drill bit [Fig.7];

[0078] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 11] Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a partial perspective view and a partial side view of a drill according to a cam variant of the first embodiment;

[0079] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] illustrates a perspective view of a drill according to a second embodiment of the invention, the casing of which has been partially removed;

[0080] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] illustrates a partial perspective view of the drill of [Fig. 12] without casing;

[0081] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drill of the [Fig.12];

[0082] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] illustrates a partial view of [Fig. 14];

[0083] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] illustrates a detail of the cooperation of a clutch slider with a drill drive shaft according to the second embodiment;

[0084] [Fig. 17] the [Fig. 17] illustrates in particular the variability of the intermediate position within a range of tolerances, the starting position of the drilling phase, and the variability of the position of the end stop in the context of the implementation of an expanding collar;

[0085] [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] illustrates the locked position in which the half-dogs are engaged, the starting position of the drilling phase, as well as the variability of the position of the end stop in the context of the implementation of a half-dog immobilization system.

[0086] 6. Description of particular embodiments

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, a drill according to the invention has a pistol grip type shape.

[0088] The drill is equipped with a feed motor and a rotation motor that induce a combined rotational and translational movement of the drill spindle along the same axis. These motors are preferably permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, and their current consumption is representative of the torque they deliver. They are equipped with an angle sensor that provides a signal representing the angular position of their rotor.

[0089] The drill includes two triggers.

[0090] The first trigger, called the locking trigger, is used to lock the means for securing the drill body to a drilling grid. In the rest position of this locking trigger, the means are locked. Maintaining pressure on the locking trigger by the operator allows the locking means to be released, as described later. The operator can then insert the The locking means are secured in a bore of the drilling grid in the case of an expanding collar, or the drill body is oriented relative to the head in the case of a quarter-turn connection. Releasing the locking trigger returns it to its rest position and locks the drill's locking means onto the drilling grid.

[0091] The second trigger, called the drilling trigger, is used to initiate drilling. A brief press by the operator on the second trigger induces drilling by combined feed and rotation of the spindle under the action of a feed motor and a rotation motor. The spindle is equipped with a deployment end stop and a retraction end stop.

[0092] When the spindle reaches the end-of-extension stop, signifying the end of drilling, the electrical current consumed by the feed motor increases and reaches a threshold level detected by the drill's control system. This system then reverses the direction of rotation of the feed motor, causing the spindle to retract until it reaches its initial drilling position (this position will be defined later in this description). At this point, drilling is complete and the power supply to the motor is cut off.

[0093] The arrival of the spindle in the starting position of the drilling phase can be detected by means of the angle sensor of the feed motor, which provides the control means with an angle value which can be translated into the linear position of the spindle, or of the drive carriage in translation of the spindle.

[0094] Holding down the locking trigger by the operator activates the unlocking of the locking means. The operator can then remove the drill from the grid and release the locking trigger, which re-locks the locking means either in a new bore of the drilling grid or in a resting position of the drill.

[0095] The structure and operation of the immobilization means will be described later.

[0096] The embodiments presented are not exhaustive. 6.1. Actuation by advance motor 6.1.1. Expandable collar i. Architecture

[0097] A first embodiment of a drill according to the invention, which is intended to be reversibly attached to a drilling grid 23, is presented in relation to Figures 1 to 6.

[0098] As shown, such a drill 1 comprises a housing 10, also called the body, housing a rotation motor 11 and a feed motor 12.

[0099] The rotation motor 11 includes a shaft 111 which is connected to a drilling spindle 13 mounted movable in translation and rotation about the same axis inside the housing 10. A cutting tool, such as a drill bit 17, can be attached to the end of the spindle 13.

[0100] The spindle 13 comprises an internal bore 130 having a shape complementary to the external contour of the shaft 111 of the rotation motor such that it is: - rotationally linked to shaft 111 along the longitudinal axis of shaft 111, and - mobile in translation relative to the shaft 111 along the longitudinal axis of the latter,

[0101] when the shaft 111 fits into the inner bore 130. It may, for example, be a splined assembly, by square fitting, hexagonal fitting or with key or grooves.

[0102] A rotation of the shaft 111 of the rotation motor 11 in one direction or the other induces a rotation of the spindle about its axis in one direction or the other.

[0103] The spindle 13 is linked in translation along its longitudinal axis to a carriage 14. In addition, the spindle 13 is mobile in rotation relative to the carriage 14 along its longitudinal axis.

[0104] The carriage 14 is mounted to move in translation inside the housing 10 along the axis of the spindle 13. The carriage 14 cooperates with a threaded rod 15, also called a feed screw, to which it is linked by means of a helical connection.

[0105] The threaded rod 15 is mounted for rotational movement inside the housing by means of two ball bearings, along an axis parallel to that of the spindle 13. The threaded rod 15 is further linked in translation to the housing along an axis parallel to that of the spindle 13 by means of these two bearings. It is rotationally connected, by means of a cascade of gears 16, to the shaft 120 of a feed motor 12 housed in the housing 10.

[0106] A rotation of the shaft 120 of the feed motor 12 in one direction or the other induces a translation of the spindle along its axis in one direction or the other.

[0107] The spindle 13 is mounted to move in translation within the housing 10 between two extreme positions, i.e.: - a retracted position (or retracted position) in the body in which the carriage 14 is in a retracted position (or retracted position), and - a deployment position (or deployed position) in which the trolley is in a deployment position (or deployed position).

[0108] In the deployed position, the cutting tool that can be attached to the end of the spindle is extended to the maximum from the body of the drill.

[0109] These extreme positions can for example be defined by stops in a classical way and known in itself to the man skilled in the art.

[0110] The deployed position can be adjusted by the user using an adjustable stop so as to adjust the stroke of the spindle and therefore of the cutting tool according to the thickness of the structure to be drilled.

[0111] The total stroke of the spindle from its retracted position to its extended position includes a drilling phase start position. This drilling phase start position delimits two portions of the spindle stroke: - a first portion of the stroke going from the retracted position to the starting position of the drilling phase; - a second stroke portion extending from the starting position of the drilling phase to the deployed position and defining the useful drilling stroke comprising: - an approach stroke in the air of the cutting tool vis-à-vis the structure to be drilled; - a drilling stroke of the tool in the structure to be drilled; - an exit stroke in the air of the cutting tool vis-à-vis the structure to drill (if the drilling is through and not blind).

[0112] The spindle can also assume an intermediate position, located between its retracted position and its drilling start position. In this intermediate position, the drill bit (cutting tool) placed at the end of the spindle 13 is not extended beyond the restraining means to avoid contacting the structure to be drilled. The function of this intermediate position will be described in more detail later.

[0113] An axial position of the spindle corresponds to an axial position of the carriage, thus the retracted, deployed, intermediate or beginning of drilling phase positions of the spindle correspond to equivalent positions of the carriage.

[0114] The drill includes means for immobilizing the housing 10 relative to a drilling grid 23. These immobilizing means may take the following forms: - an unlocked state in which the housing can be moved relative to the drilling grid 23, and - a locked state in which the housing is immobilized relative to the drilling grid 23.

[0115] In this embodiment, these immobilization means include an expanding collar, also called in English a "concentric collar".

[0116] This expanding collar includes an expansion cone 18 fixedly attached to the end of the housing 10. This expansion cone 18 has a hole 180 through it, allowing the passage of the drill bit 17 and the spindle 13. This hole 180, like the cone 18, have an axis coinciding with that of the spindle 13. The expansion cone 18 has a first end, oriented towards the outside of the housing 10, of smaller diameter than that of its second end oriented towards the inside of the housing 10.

[0117] The expanding collar also includes an expanding ring 19. This expanding ring 19 is intended to be housed in bores 230 of a drilling grid 23 to immobilize the drill body 10 relative to the drilling grid 23. The expanding ring 19 is mounted on the expansion cone 18 and has flexing slots on its surface. The expanding ring 19 is free to move translationally relative to the cone 18, along its axis, between two extreme positions, namely: - a minimum expansion position in which the diameter of the ring is minimal; - a maximum expansion position in which the diameter of the ring is at its maximum.

[0118] The cone and the ring are in the maximum expansion position when the spindle is in said starting position of drilling phase and the expansion of the ring is not limited by a bore.

[0119] The cone and the ring are in the minimum expansion position when the spindle is in the retracted position.

[0120] The ring can also take an unlocked position which in this embodiment corresponds to the minimum expansion position.

[0121] The ring can also assume a locked position. The locked position can be assumed when the expanding cone is located within a bore of a drilling grid. The locked position thus depends on the bore diameter, which is within a tolerance range. The locked position can therefore also be located within a range that depends on the bore tolerance range.

[0122] The expanding ring may be referred to as the "first movable immobilizing element" in the rest of the description.

[0123] In the unlocked position, it is brought closer to the small-diameter end of the cone 18, thus reducing its outer diameter; therefore, when the ring 19 is in its unlocked position, its outer diameter is smaller than the diameter of the bores 230 of a drilling grid and has sufficient clearance relative to the bore to allow separation of the drill from the grid. The expanding collar is then in the unlocked state.

[0124] The locked position of the ring is obtained when: - the ring is inserted into a bore 230 of a drilling grid 23, then, - the ring is brought closer to the large diameter end of the cone 18, its outer diameter being increased until it reaches the diameter of the bore 230, the radial play then being absorbed.

[0125] Its locked state is achieved when a force is applied to it along its axis. Due to the conical contact with the expansion cone, this axial locking force results in a radial pressure exerted by the ring on the surface of the bore. When the ring 19 is in its locked state, the ring is therefore held in the bore by this radial pressure and the coefficient of friction between the material of the ring and that of the grid, and the body 10 of the drill is then immobilized relative to the drilling grid 23.

[0126] In the following description, when it is mentioned that the immobilizing means pass into a locked position when the spindle or the carriage reaches an intermediate position, it must be understood that the movement of the spindle or the carriage has allowed the application of the force mentioned above on said ring.

[0127] When the expanding ring 19 is: - in its unlocked position, the immobilizing means are in their unlocked state; - in its locked position, with the locking force applied to it, the immobilizing means are in their locked state.

[0128] When the spindle is in the starting position of the drilling phase and the expanding ring is forced to take a locked position while it is outside a bore of the drilling grid, the expanding ring is moved on the expansion cone until it takes a maximum outside diameter greater than the maximum bore diameter tolerance.

[0129] The drill includes means for actuating the expanding collar to allow the expanding ring 19 to be moved relative to the expansion cone 19 and thus to be placed in one of its unlocked or locked positions.

[0130] The actuation means include means for converting a displacement of the pin 13 from its retracted position to its intermediate position, into a displacement of the expanding ring 19 from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0131] These conversion means are reversible and allow conversely a conversion of a displacement of the pin 13 from its intermediate position to its retraction position, into a displacement of the expanding ring 19 from its locked position to its unlocked position.

[0132] The actuation means include means for linking the spindle 13, or more precisely the carriage 14, to the expanding ring over a stroke located between the retraction position and the intermediate position, the connecting means being configured such that the expanding ring is: - in its unlocked position when pin 13 is in the retracted position; - in its locked position when pin 13 is between the intermediate position and the deployed position.

[0133] More specifically, the means of connection include at least: - a connecting rod 20 linked to the housing 10 by means of a first pivot joint along a first axis Al orthogonal to the axis of movement of the spindle 13, and - a rod 21 linked to the connecting rod 20 by means of a second pivot joint along a second axis A2 parallel to the first axis Al and distant from it.

[0134] In the illustrated embodiment, two connecting rods 20 are implemented and placed on either side of the rod 21 to better balance the movements.

[0135] The rod 21 is movable in translation along an axis parallel to the axis of movement of the spindle 13 between: - an unlocked position in which it acts on the connecting rod 20 to place the expanding ring in its unlocked position, and - a locked position in which it acts on the connecting rod 20 to place the expanding ring in its locked position.

[0136] A compression spring 24 is slid on the rod 21. It is interposed between a stop surface 210 of the rod 21 located at its end oriented towards the front of the drill (i.e. end of the spindle carrying the drill) and a fixed stop 25 linked to the housing 10. As will be described in more detail later, this spring allows, when the expanding ring is in the locked position, to transmit a locking force to it to place it in its locked state.

[0137] The rod 21 is linked to the spindle 13, or more precisely to the carriage 14, by a unidirectional link, for example by means of a tab 22 which will be described in more detail later, in translation along the axis of movement of the spindle 13 along the stroke located between the retracted position and the intermediate position.

[0138] Conversely, the rod 21 is not linked to the pin 13 between the intermediate position and the deployed position.

[0139] In addition, stem 21 is located: - in the locked position when pin 13 is in the intermediate position, and - in said unlocked position when pin 13 is in the retracted position.

[0140] Between the deployed position and the intermediate position, the rod 21 remains in the locked position.

[0141] The translational connection of the rod 21 with the spindle 13 over the stroke located between the retraction position and the intermediate position is achieved by means of a flat support along a plane orthogonal to the axis of movement of the spindle 13.

[0142] More specifically, the end of the rod 21 opposite to that to which the connecting rods 20 are connected includes a tongue 22 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod 21. This tongue 22 is capable of bearing flat against a flat 140 provided in the feed carriage 14 along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the spindle 13. This flat 140 forms a stop which binds in translation in a unidirectional manner, meaning that the carriage 14 can drive the rod 21 along an axis parallel to the axis of the spindle 13 in a direction going towards the retraction position of the spindle and not in the other direction.

[0143] The connecting rods 20 are linked to the expanding ring 19. For this purpose, the expanding ring 19 extends into two connecting bars 190 which extend towards the connecting rods 20 and each of which includes at its end a housing 191 delimited by two opposing and distant surfaces formed in planes orthogonal to the axis of the spindle 13. Each of these housings 191 accommodates one end 200 of one of the connecting rods 20 which extends beyond the axis A1 of the first pivot joint. The axis A2 of the second pivot joint is formed at the other end of the connecting rods. Thus, when the connecting rods 20 pivot around the axis Al, the ends 200 slide and pivot inside the housings 191 to allow translational movement of the expanding ring 19, which is guided in translation within the housing 10. In this way, the expanding ring 19 is: - in its unlocked position when rod 21 is in its unlocked position; - in its locked position when rod 21 is in its locked position.

[0144] When the carriage is in its intermediate position, there is some play between the tab 22 and the housing. The tab therefore does not risk blocking the translation of the rod 21 towards its locked position, which ensures that the expanding ring is in contact without radial play with the inner surface of the bore when the carriage 14 reaches its intermediate position and that pressure can be established between the ring and the inner surface of the grid bore, thus ensuring that the drill is immobilized.

[0145] The spring 24 is systematically compressed between the surface 210 and the stop 25. However, its level of compression is different depending on the position of the rod 21, or more generally of the spindle 13 or even of the carriage 14.

[0146] In the unlocked position of the rod 21 (retracted position of the pin 13), the compression spring 24 occupies a state of maximum compression between the surface 210 and the stop 25.

[0147] In the locked position of the rod 21 (intermediate position of the spindle 13), the compression spring 24 occupies an intermediate compression state between the surface 210 and the stop 25, lower than the maximum compression state.

[0148] During the movement of the spindle 13 between the retracted position and the intermediate position, the compression spring 25 moves from its maximum compression state to its intermediate compression state and relaxes. This relaxation causes the expanding ring 19 to move in translation via the rod 21, connecting rods 20, and connecting bars 190. This relaxation is held in place by the contact of the tab 22 on the carriage 14 (and thus by the feed motor). The expanding ring 19 thus moves from its unlocked position to its locked position under the action of the carriage's advance. In doing so, the expanding ring 19 expands until it comes into contact with the wall of the bore 230 of the grid 23. The expanding ring is then in its locked position, the rod and therefore the tongue can no longer be translated by the spring 25 during the advance of the carriage 14. The carriage can then continue to advance and loses the flat support contact with the tongue.Then, the remaining compressive force in the compression spring at this stage of its relaxation contributes to exerting the axial force on the expanding ring 19, so as to exert the radial force on the internal surface of the bore 230 of the grid, to place the expanding ring in its locked state and to ensure the immobilization of the drill housing relative to the drilling grid.

[0149] In one embodiment, the expanding ring could be fixed relative to the drill body and the expanding cone could be movable in translation relative to the ring to move the locking means from one state to the other. In this case, the expanding cone, and no longer the expanding ring, will be linked to the connecting rods 20 (it may be referred to as the "first movable locking element").

[0150] The drill can be powered by either battery(ies) or wired power. ii. Operation

[0151] The operation of the immobilization means will now be described.

[0152] Before performing a drilling operation, the drilling trigger and the locking trigger are released. The drill is at rest, the spindle is in the starting position for the drilling phase, and the expanding ring is in its maximum expansion position outside the entire bore of a drilling grid.

[0153] The operator takes the drill and presses the locking trigger, causing the following actions to occur: - the drill control means control the feed motor supply in such a way that the drilling spindle 13 and the carriage 14 return to their retraction position; - the rod 21 returns to its unlocked position in which it is held, against the effect of the compression spring 24, by the carriage 14 via the tongue 22; - the expanding ring 19 is held in its unlocked position in which its outer diameter is reduced, under the effect of the connecting rods 20 in connection with the rod 21; - the compression spring 24 is in its maximum compression state; - the immobilizing means are in their unlocked state.

[0154] In order to immobilize the drill with respect to the drilling grid 23, before making a drilling, the expanding ring 19 of the drill is inserted into the bore 230 of the drilling grid 23 corresponding to the drilling that one wishes to make.

[0155] The operator then releases the locking trigger so that the control means drive the feed motor 12 in such a way as to drive the feed screw 15 in rotation via its shaft 120 and the gear cascade 16. The direction of rotation of the feed motor is chosen in such a way that the rotation of the feed screw 15 causes a translational movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, towards its deployment position.

[0156] Given the force exerted by the compression spring 24 on the tongue 22, the latter remains in contact with the flat 140 of the carriage 14 in such a way that the rod 21 moves towards its locking position, as do the connecting rods 20 and the expanding ring 19.

[0157] During the movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, between the retracted position and its intermediate position, the compression spring 25 moves from its maximum compression state to its intermediate compression state and relaxes. It relaxes while being held by the feed motor and drives the expanding ring 19 in translation, via the rod 21, connecting rods 20, and connecting bars 190, against the retention of the rod 21 by the carriage 14 via the tab 22.

[0158] When the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, reaches the intermediate position, the compression spring 24 is in its intermediate compressed state. The expanding ring 19 is in its locked position. It then has a diameter large enough to come into contact with the walls of the bore 230 of the drill grid 23 in which it is housed. The expanding ring 19 can therefore no longer expand and thus can no longer translate, as can the rod 21. The locking force must then be applied to the expanding ring.

[0159] The carriage continues its movement from the intermediate position to the starting position of the drilling phase. Consequently, contact between the tab 22 and the carriage 14 is lost due to the unidirectional connection between the tab 22 and the carriage 14, since the expanding ring can no longer move as it is in contact with the bore. The remaining compressive force in the compression spring 24 at this stage of its release immediately contributes to ensuring an axial locking force on the expanding ring 19 and therefore a radial pressure on the bore wall, thus immobilizing the drill body relative to the drilling grid. The expanding collar is then in the locked state as soon as the carriage leaves the intermediate position.

[0160] To initiate the drilling operation, the operator briefly presses the drilling trigger. The drill control means drive the rotation motor 11 so that the spindle 13 is driven in rotation and the feed motor so that the spindle advances at the correct speed.

[0161] The spindle is then animated by a combined movement, along its axis, of rotation and translation towards its deployment position so as to carry out the desired drilling.

[0162] When drilling is complete, the direction of rotation of the feed motor 12 is reversed so that the feed screw 15 drives the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, in translation towards the starting position of the drilling phase. When the spindle is in the starting position of the drilling phase, the control means cause the feed and rotation motors to stop automatically.

[0163] To extract the drill from the grid, the operator presses and holds on the locking trigger, the control means drive the feed motor to move the carriage and spindle to their retraction position.

[0164] Until the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, arrive in their intermediate position, the flat 140 of the carriage 14 is away from the tab 22 so that the tab 22, the rod 21, the connecting rods 20 and the expanding ring 19 remain in their locked position.

[0165] When the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, are in their intermediate position, the flat 140 of the carriage 14 is in contact with the tongue 22.

[0166] Thus, the translational movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, between their intermediate position and their retracted position, is accompanied by the movement of the tab 22, the rod 21, the connecting rods 20, and the expanding ring 19 into their unlocked position. This movement is also accompanied by the compression spring 24 moving from its intermediate compression state to its maximum compression state.

[0167] When the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, are in their retracted position, the tab 22, the rod 21, the connecting rods 20, and the expanding ring 19 are in their unlocked position. The locking means, i.e., the expanding collar, are then in their unlocked state, so that it is possible to disengage the drill from the drilling grid 23 by extracting the expanding ring 19 from the bore 230 in which it is housed.

[0168] The expanding ring 19 can then be introduced into another bore 230 of the grid 23 to make a hole corresponding to the position of this bore by again implementing the process described above.

[0169] The operator can then release the locking trigger and thus cause the actuation and locking of the immobilizing means in the new bore.

[0170] 6.1.2. Quarter-turn joint involving a rotational lock of the body of the drill in relation to the grid i. Architecture

[0171] In a variant illustrated in figures 6 to 9, the drill comprises a body, also called a housing 10, and a head 100, linked together by means of a pivot joint whose axis coincides with that of the spindle.

[0172] In this variant, the immobilization means do not include, as in the previous variant, an expanding collar.

[0173] The drill comprises a head to be inserted into a bore in the grid and secured therein by a quarter-turn system. This head is connected to the body of the drill by a pivot joint allowing an operator to choose a suitable orientation of the body relative to the grid.

[0174] This pivot joint can be locked to immobilize the drill body relative to the grid in the orientation chosen by the operator.

[0175] The immobilization means comprising means for locking the movable pivot joint between: - an unlocked position, taken when the immobilizing means are in the unlocked state, in which the pivot joint is free so that the head 100 and the body 10 are mobile in rotation along the axis of the pivot joint, and - a locked position, taken when the immobilizing means are in the locked state, in which the pivot joint is blocked so that the head 100 and the body 10 are immobile in rotation about the axis of the pivot joint.

[0176] These immobilizing means include a dog clutch system comprising: - a first grooved half-crabot 30 integral with the head 100, and - a second grooved half-crab 31 attached to the connecting bars 190 linked in movement with the connecting rods 20, like the expanding ring 19 of the previous variant and also called the first immobilizing element.

[0177] The second half-crab 31 is movable between: - an unlocked position, taken when the pin 13 is located between its retracted position and its intermediate position, in which it does not cooperate with the first half-cradle 30 in such a way that the link The pivot between the head 100 and the body 101 is not blocked, so the body 10 and the head 100 are mobile in rotation relative to each other along the axis of the pivot joint; - a locked position, taken when the spindle 13 is beyond its intermediate position (between the intermediate position and the deployed position), in which it cooperates with the first half-crab 30 in such a way that the pivot link between the head 100 and the body 101 is locked so that the body 10 and the head 100 are immobile in rotation relative to each other along the axis of the pivot link.

[0178] The drive of the second half-crab 31 from one of its locked and unlocked positions to the other is similar to the drive of the expanding ring 19 of the previous variant, and is not described in more detail here.

[0179] In this variant, the drill includes reversible fixing means for the head 100 to the grid 23, called quarter-turn linkage.

[0180] These fastening means include herein: - a retaining finger in position 101 integral with the head 10, and having an inclined surface 102 and a front barrel 103 intended to be housed in the bores 230 of the drilling grid 23, and - a shoulder screw 231 located near each bore 230 of the drilling grid 23, having a head 232 and a body 233 (these screws are not implemented in the previous variant). ii. Operation

[0181] Prior to securing the drill to the grid, the drilling trigger and the locking trigger are released. The drill is at rest, the spindle is in the starting phase position.

[0182] The locking trigger not being activated, the immobilizing means are in their locked state; i.e. the second half-crab 31 is in its locked position.

[0183] The head 100 and the body 10 are thus fixed in rotation relative to each other along the axis of the pivot joint.

[0184] The front barrel 103 of the head 100 is inserted into the bore 230 of the grid 23 corresponding to the drilling that is desired to be carried out.

[0185] The body 10 and the head 100 of the drill are driven in rotation along the axis of the spindle 13 in such a way that the retaining finger 101 passes under the head 232 of the screw 231, and that the inclined portion 102 of the retaining finger 101 comes to rest against the body 233 of the screw 231 to keep the head 100 fixed to the grid by a wedge effect.

[0186] Once this is done, the operator presses and holds down the locking trigger. The control means then drive the feed motor 12 so as to move the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, to its retracted position in which the second half-hook 31 is in its unlocked position.

[0187] Thus, when the second half-claw 31 is in its unlocked position, the body 10 is free to rotate relative to the head 100 along the axis of the pivot joint, so that the operator manipulating the drill can give the body a working orientation as desired relative to the head. This working orientation is set by the operator so that it allows: - good ergonomics for the operator - to position the center of gravity of the drill so that gravity does not cause the head to detach from the grid when the head and body are stationary relative to each other.

[0188] Once this is done, the operator releases the locking trigger, and the control means drive the feed motor 12 to move the carriage 14, and thus the spindle 13, to their intermediate position in which the locking means are in their locked state. The head 100 and the body 10 are thus fixed in rotation relative to each other along the axis of the pivot joint. The movement of the carriage continues automatically until it reaches its starting position for the drilling phase, at which point it stops.

[0189] The drill is then immobilized relative to the grid.

[0190] To start the drilling operation, the operator briefly presses the drilling trigger, the drill control means drive the rotation motor 11 so that the spindle 13 is driven into rotation and the feed motor so that the spindle advances at the correct speed.

[0191] The spindle 13 then undergoes a combined rotational and translational movement towards its deployment position to perform the desired drilling. The drilling forces exert a force on the finger 101 towards the body of the screw 233. Gravity, due to the positioning of the drill in the working position, also exerts a force on the finger 101 towards the body of the screw 233. This ensures that the drilling and gravity do not cause the finger 101 to become dislodged under the head of the screw 232, and therefore prevent the drill head from becoming detached from the grid.

[0192] When drilling is complete, the control means reverse the direction of rotation of the feed motor to move the spindle 13 to its starting position for the drilling phase.

[0193] When the spindle is in the starting position of the drilling phase, the control means cause the automatic stopping of the feed and rotation motors.

[0194] When the carriage 14 and therefore the spindle 13 are in the starting position of the drilling phase, the immobilizing means remain in their locked state so that the head 100 and the body 10 are linked in rotation along the axis of the pivot joint.

[0195] It is thus possible for the operator to rotate the head 100 and the body 10 of the drill so as to disengage the retaining finger from its engagement with the shoulder screw 230 and then to translate it along the axis of the spindle to extract the front barrel 103 from the bore 230 of the grid 23 in which it was located. 6.1.3. Rotary Cam System i. Architecture

[0196] In relation to Figures 10 and 11, a variant is presented that can be implemented in the context of the two embodiments described above, that is to say both in the context of the implementation of a drill equipped with an expanding collar and in that of the implementation of a drill equipped with a head and a body linked by a lockable pivot joint.

[0197] In the present embodiment, a stop 50 is connected by the pivot joint with axis A2 to the connecting rods 20. The compression spring 24 is held against this stop 50 at one of its ends. The spring 24 is held at its other end against a plate 54 in contact with the peripheral surface 510 of a rotating cam 51. A rod (not shown) extends inside the spring between the stop 50 and the plate 54 to hold the spring. The peripheral surface 510 forms an eccentric.

[0198] The rotating cam 51 is rotationally linked to the housing along an axis A3 parallel to the axis A2.

[0199] This cam 51 is rotationally linked along axis A3 to a pinion 52.

[0200] The pinion 52 meshes with a rack 53 linked in translation to the carriage 14 along its axis of translational movement. Thus, a translational movement of the carriage 14 in one direction or the other can generate a rotation of the cam 51 in one direction or the other.

[0201] The cam 51 is movable in rotation about the axis A3 between: - an unlocked angular position, in which the portion of its peripheral surface 510 with the smallest radius is in contact with the end of the spring 24, and - a locked angular position, in which the portion of its peripheral surface 510 with the largest radius is in contact with the end of the spring 24.

[0202] The connection between the cam and the plate is designed such that the plate remains in constant contact with the cam, in particular when the cam reaches the position angular unlocked. This type of linkage, not shown in [Fig. 11], can be likened to a sliding linkage applied to the periphery of the cam.

[0203] Furthermore, the spring is positioned around the rod, which ensures the spring's straightness and limits its extension when the cam reaches the unlocked angular position and exerts a tensile force on the first locking element. To achieve this, the rod can be connected to the plate and have a sliding connection with the stop 50, this connection being limited in translation by a stop that restricts the spring's extension. This rod can also be used to apply pre-compression to the spring so that it develops a significant force on the first locking element more quickly.

[0204] The rack 53 and the pinion 52 are dimensioned such that: - a movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, along a stroke located between the retracted position and the intermediate position, in one direction or the other, induces a rotation of the cam 51 in one direction or the other, and - a movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, beyond the intermediate position does not induce any rotation of the cam 51.

[0205] When the carriage 14 is in the retracted position, the cam 51 is in the unlocked position. When the carriage 14 is in the intermediate position, the cam 51 is in the locked position. The cam 51 remains in the locked position when the carriage moves between its intermediate and extended positions, and vice versa.

[0206] When the cam 51 reaches the unlocked position, it exerts via the rod and / or the spring a pulling force on the first immobilizing element (expanding ring or second half-cradle) capable of moving it into the unlocked position.

[0207] When the cam 51 is in the locked position, it compresses the spring 24 so that it is in a state of compression suitable for ensuring the locking of the immobilizing means.

[0208] When in the compressed state, the spring 24 induces an axial force on the expanding ring 19 or the second half-cradle 31, via the stop 50, the connecting rods 20 and the link bars 190, so that the expanding ring 19 or the second half-cradle 31 is in its locked position.

[0209] ii. Operation in the case of a concentric collar

[0210] The operation of the immobilization means will now be described.

[0211] Before performing a drilling operation, the locking trigger and the drilling trigger are released.

[0212] The drill is at rest, the spindle is in the intermediate position, which is substantially the starting position for the drilling phase. The expanding ring is in its maximum expansion position, outside of any bore in a drilling grid.

[0213] The operator takes the drill and applies sustained pressure to the locking trigger, and the following actions take place:

[0214] The control means cause a translational movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, under the effect of the feed motor 12, from its intermediate position to its retracted position. The cam reaches its unlocked angular position and exerts, via the plate, the rod and / or the spring, the connecting rods 20 and the link bars 190, a force sufficient to bring the expanding ring into the unlocked position.

[0215] The operator can then insert the expanding ring into a bore and release the locking trigger, thereby locking the clamping means. The drill control means drive the feed motor in the locking direction. The carriage moves from its retracted position to its extended position. This causes the cam to rotate, which in turn drives the expanding ring to its locked position via the rod and / or spring, the connecting rods 20, and the link bars 190. During this movement, the spring compression increases until the carriage no longer rotates the cam, i.e., until it reaches the intermediate position, which is approximately the starting position for the drilling phase. The expanding collar is then locked.

[0216] Once the drill is immobilized in the grid, the operator initiates drilling by briefly pressing the drilling trigger. The drilling cycle and the spindle retraction phase proceed as in other embodiments and end with the feed and rotation motors stopping as the drill reaches the starting position of the drilling phase, which is approximately the intermediate position.

[0217] To extract the drill from the grid, the operator presses and holds on the locking trigger, the control means drive the feed motor to move the carriage and spindle to their retraction position.

[0218] The movement of the carriage from its intermediate position to its retracted position causes the rack 53 to re-engage with the pinion 52, thus the cam moves to its unlocked angular position and in turn causes the expanding ring to move to its unlocked position. The control means stop the feed motor when the carriage reaches the retracted position.

[0219] The operator can then extract the drill from its bore and place it in another bore where releasing the first trigger will cause the drill to stop moving. 6.2. Actuation by rotary motors 6.2.1. Expandable collar i. Architecture

[0220] A second embodiment of a drill according to the invention is presented in relation to figures 12 to 16, which is intended to be reversibly attached to a drilling grid 23, as in the first embodiment (without implementation of shoulder screws 231).

[0221] As shown, such a drill 1 comprises a housing 10, also called the body, housing a rotation motor 11 and a feed motor 12.

[0222] The spindle 13 is mounted to move in translation and rotation about the same axis, i.e. its longitudinal axis, inside the housing 10. A cutting tool, such as a drill bit not shown, can be attached to the end of the spindle 13.

[0223] The spindle 13 is linked in translation with a carriage 14 along its longitudinal axis. The spindle is also free to rotate relative to the carriage along its longitudinal axis.

[0224] The carriage 14 is mounted to move in translation inside the housing 10 along the axis of the spindle 13. The carriage 14 cooperates with a threaded rod 15, also called a feed screw, to which it is linked by means of a helical connection.

[0225] The threaded rod 15 is mounted to rotate freely inside the housing about an axis parallel to that of the spindle 13 by means of two ball bearings. The threaded rod 15 is also immobilized against translation along this axis within the housing by means of the two ball bearings. It is rotationally connected, by means of a gear train 16, to the shaft 120 of a feed motor 12 housed in the housing 10.

[0226] A rotation of the shaft 120 of the feed motor 12 in one direction or the other induces a translation of the spindle 13 along its axis in one direction or the other.

[0227] The spindle 13 is mounted to move in translation within the housing 10 between two extreme positions, i.e.: - a retracted position (or retracted position) in the body in which the carriage 14 is in a retracted position, and - a deployment position (or deployed position) in which the trolley is in a deployment position.

[0228] These extreme positions can for example be defined by stops in a classical way and known in itself to the man skilled in the art.

[0229] The deployed position can be adjusted by the user using an adjustable stop so as to adjust the stroke of the spindle and therefore of the cutting tool according to the thickness of the structure to be drilled.

[0230] The total stroke of the spindle from its retracted position to its deployed position includes a starting position for the drilling phase; this position thus delimits two portions of the spindle stroke: - an initial portion of the stroke going from the retracted position to the starting position of the drilling phase, - a second stroke portion extending from the starting position of the drilling phase to the deployed position and defining the useful drilling stroke comprising: - an approach stroke in the air of the cutting tool's approach to the structure to be drilled; - a drilling stroke of the tool in the structure to be drilled; - an exit stroke in the air of the cutting tool vis-à-vis the structure to drill (if the drilling is through and not blind).

[0231] The spindle 13 can also assume an intermediate position, called the disengagement position, located between its maximum retraction position and its drilling start position, and in which the carriage 14 is in an intermediate position corresponding to a disengagement position. In this embodiment, the intermediate position corresponds substantially to the drilling start position. In this intermediate disengagement position, the drill bit located at the end of the spindle 13 is not extended outside the housing. The function of this disengagement position will be described in more detail later.

[0232] The spindle is mobile in rotation about its longitudinal axis inside the housing.

[0233] The rotation motor 11 includes a shaft 111.

[0234] The shaft 111 of the rotation motor 11 is rotationally linked with an actuating shaft 30.

[0235] The spindle 13 is connected to the drive shaft 30 via a cascade of pinions 302, 303, 304.

[0236] The pinion 302 is mounted to rotate freely on the carriage 14 to which it is linked in translation. It is also rotationally linked to the drive shaft 30 while being movable in translation along it by means of a splined connection.

[0237] The pinion 303 is mounted to rotate freely on the carriage 14 to which it is linked in translation. It meshes with the pinion 302.

[0238] The pinion 304 is mounted for rotational mobility on the carriage 14 to which it is linked in translation. It meshes with the pinion 303. It is also rotationally linked with the spindle 13.

[0239] Thus, a rotation of the shaft 111 of the rotation motor 11 in one direction or the other induces a rotation of the spindle 13 about its axis in one direction or the other.

[0240] The drive shaft 30 is free in translation relative to the shaft 111. For this, they can be assembled by a grooved assembly, keyed or by square fitting for example.

[0241] The drill includes means for immobilizing the housing 10 relative to a drilling grid 23. These immobilizing means may take the following forms: - an unlocked state in which the housing can be moved relative to the drilling grid 23, and - a locked state in which the housing is immobilized relative to the drilling grid 23.

[0242] In this embodiment, these immobilizing means include an expanding collar, also called an expanding hub.

[0243] This expanding collar includes an expansion cone 18 fixedly attached to the end of the housing 10. This expansion cone 18 has a hole 180 through it, allowing the passage of the drill bit and the spindle 13. This hole 180, like the cone 18, has an axis coinciding with that of the spindle 13. The expansion cone 18 has a first end, oriented towards the outside of the housing 10, with a smaller diameter than its second end oriented towards the inside of the housing 10.

[0244] The expanding collar also includes an expanding ring 19. The expanding ring may be referred to as the "first movable locking element" in the following description. This expanding ring 19 is intended to be housed in bores 230 of a drilling grid 23 to immobilize the body 10 of the drill relative to the drilling grid 23. The expanding ring 19 is mounted on the expansion cone 18 and has flexing slots on its surface. The expanding ring 19 is movable in translation relative to the cone 18, along its axis, between two extreme positions, namely: - a minimum expansion position in which the diameter of the ring is minimal; - a maximum expansion position in which the diameter of the ring is at its maximum.

[0245] The cone and the ring are in the maximum expansion position when the spindle is in said drilling phase start position and the expansion of the ring is not limited by a bore.

[0246] The cone and the ring are in the minimum expansion position when the spindle is in the retracted position.

[0247] The ring can also take an unlocked position which in this embodiment corresponds to the minimum expansion position.

[0248] The ring can also assume a locked position. The locked position can be assumed when the expanding cone is located in a bore of a drilling grid. The locked position thus depends on the diameter of the bore, which is within a tolerance range. The locked position can therefore also be located within a range that depends on the bore's tolerance range.

[0249] In the unlocked position, the ring is brought closer to the small-diameter end of the cone 18, thus reducing its outer diameter; therefore, when the ring 19 is in its unlocked state, its outer diameter is smaller than the diameter of the bores 230 of a drill grid and has sufficient clearance relative to the bore to allow separation of the drill from the grid. The expanding collar is then in the unlocked state.

[0250] The locked position of the ring is obtained when: - it is inserted into a bore 230 of a drilling grid 23, then, - it is brought closer to the end of the large diameter of the cone 18, its diameter with the external diameter increased until it reaches the bore diameter of 230, the radial play is then absorbed.

[0251] The locked state of the ring is achieved when a locking force is applied to it along its axis. Due to the conical contact with the expansion cone, this axial force results in a radial pressure exerted by the ring on the surface of the bore. When the ring 19 is in its locked position and is subjected to a locking force (locked state), the ring is therefore held in the bore by this radial pressure and the coefficient of friction between the material of the ring and that of the grid, and the body of the drill 10 is then immobilized relative to the drilling grid 23.

[0252] When the expansion ring 19 is: - in its unlocked position, the immobilizing means are in their unlocked state; - in its locked position, and under the constraint of the locking force, the immobilizing means are in their locked state.

[0253] The drill includes means for actuating the expanding collar to allow the expanding ring 19 to be moved relative to the expansion cone 19 and thus to be placed in one of its locked or unlocked positions.

[0254] These actuation means include an actuating nut 33 linked in translation to the expanding ring 19. The actuating nut 33 is movable in translation relative to the housing 10 along the axis of the spindle 13 between: - an unlocked position in which he places the expanding ring 19 in its unlocked position, and - a locked position in which it places the expanding ring 19 in its locked position.

[0255] The tapped part of this actuating nut 33 cooperates with the threaded part of an actuating screw 34 mounted movably in rotation in the housing 10 along the axis of the spindle 13. This actuating screw 34 carries a pinion 340.

[0256] The pinion 340 meshes with a pinion 35 which meshes with a pinion 36.

[0257] The drive shaft 30, which is linked to the shaft 111 of the rotation motor 11, is also mounted to move in translation relative to the shaft 111 along an axis parallel to the axis of movement of the spindle 13, between: an actuation position in which it is rotationally linked with the rotating drive pinion 36 of the actuation screw 34, and a neutral position in which it is not rotationally linked with the rotational drive pinion 36 of the actuating screw 34.

[0258] For this purpose, the pinion 36 has a grooved bore along the axis of the drive shaft 30. The drive shaft 30 carries a clutch slider 37 having an external shape complementary to that of the grooved bore 360, also called the clutch housing, of the pinion 36. The clutch slider 37 is rotationally bound to the drive shaft 30 but is free to move translationally relative to it between: an engaged position in which it cooperates with the bore 360 ​​of the pinion 36 so that the pinion 36, and therefore the actuating screw 34, are rotationally linked with the actuating shaft 30, and a disengaged position in which it does not cooperate with the bore 360 ​​of the pinion 36 so that the pinion 36, and therefore the actuating screw 34, are not rotationally bound with the actuating shaft 30.

[0259] Elastic return means, in this case a compression spring 38, are arranged between the clutch slider 37 and a washer 301 placed at the end of the actuating shaft 30. This spring 38 tends to maintain the clutch slider 37 in its engaged position.

[0260] The MP3 player 37 is likely to: to occupy its engaged position when the drive shaft 30 is in its actuation position, and to occupy its disengaged position when the drive shaft 30 is in its neutral position.

[0261] Actuation shaft 30: is linked in translation to the carriage 14, along the axis of movement of the spindle 13, along a stroke located between the maximum retraction position and the disengagement position; is no longer linked to cart 14 beyond this race.

[0262] The translational connection of the actuating shaft 30 with the carriage 14 during the stroke between the retracted position and the disengaged position is achieved by means of an elastic ring 40, linked in translation to the shaft 30, and maintained in contact with the pinion 302, linked in translation to the carriage 14, under the action of a spring. compression 39 also called first elastic return means located between the casing and the elastic ring 40.

[0263] The actuating shaft 30 is in its actuating position when the carriage 14 is in its retracted position and in its neutral position when the carriage 14 is between its disengaged position and its deployed position.

[0264] In one embodiment, the expanding ring 19 could be fixed and the expansion cone 18 could be movable in translation relative to the ring 19 to switch the locking means from one state to the other. In this case, the expansion cone 18, and no longer the expanding ring 19, will be linked to the actuating nut 33. It may be referred to as the "first movable locking element".

[0265] The drill can be powered by either battery(ies) or wired power. ii. Operation

[0266] The operation of the immobilization means will now be described.

[0267] Before performing a drilling operation, the locking trigger and the drilling trigger are released. The drill is then at rest, the spindle is in the starting position for the drilling phase and the expanding ring is in the maximum expansion position outside of any bore of a drilling grid.

[0268] The operator takes the drill and presses the locking trigger, and the following actions take place: - the drill control means control the feed motor so that the drilling spindle 13 and the carriage 14 return to their retracted position, - the drive shaft 30 is then in its drive position in which it is held, against the effect of the compression spring 39, by the carriage 14 via the elastic ring 40 bearing against the pinion 302; - the clutch slider 37 is then in its engaged position in which it is held by the compression spring 38, the washer 301 and the drive shaft 30 or is pressed against the pinion 36 by means of the spring 38, ready to move into the engaged position during the next rotation of the rotation motor 11. The detection of the presence of the drive shaft 30 in its engaged position is detected by the control means by means of the signal provided by the angle sensor of the advance motor, this signal makes it possible to know the position of the carriage and in this case its presence in the retraction position; - the control means then triggers the rotation of the rotation motor in the direction that moves the expanding ring from its locked position to its unlocked position; - the drive nut 33 is then in its unlocked position; - the expanding ring 19 is then in its unlocked position; - the immobilization devices are in their unlocked state.

[0269] In order to immobilize the drill with respect to the drilling grid 23, before making a drilling, the expanding ring 19 of the drill is inserted into the bore 230 of the drilling grid 23 corresponding to the drilling that one wishes to make.

[0270] When the operator releases his pressure maintained on the trigger, in order to cause the locking means to lock, the drill control means activate the rotation motor.

[0271] Given that the drive shaft 30 is held in its actuation position by the carriage 14, and that the clutch slider 37 is in its engaged position, the pinion 36 is rotationally linked with the drive shaft 30. Thus, the rotation of the shaft 111 of the rotation motor induces a rotation of the drive shaft 30, the pinion 36, the pinion 35, the pinion 340 and the actuation screw 34.

[0272] The rotation of the actuating screw 34 induces a translational displacement of the actuating nut 33 in a direction which moves the expanding ring 19 from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0273] The locking means are in the locked state when sufficient pressure is achieved between the expanding ring and the bore, for a given coefficient of friction between the ring and the bore. Since the pressure level is substantially proportional to the torque applied to the screw 34, and this torque is proportional to the electrical current drawn by the motor, the drill control means can detect when the desired torque level applied to the screw 34 is reached. At this point, the control means cut off the electrical supply to the rotation motor.

[0274] The feed motor 12 is then started so as to drive the feed screw 15 in rotation via its shaft 120 and the gear train 16. The direction of rotation of the feed motor is chosen such that the rotation of the feed screw 15 causes a translational movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, towards its deployment position. When the feed motor 12 is started, the drill's control means begin to measure the angle of rotation of the feed motor.

[0275] Given the effort exerted by the compression spring 39 via the elastic ring 40 on the pinion 302 linked in translation to the carriage 14, the drive shaft 30 moves towards its neutral position.

[0276] When the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, are in the disengaged position, the drive shaft 30 is in its neutral position and the clutch slider 37 is in its disengaged position.

[0277] The pinion 36 is therefore no longer rotationally linked with the drive shaft 30 so that the rotation of the rotation motor has no effect on the rotation of the drive screw 34. Thus, the drive nut 33 remains in its locked position as does the expanding ring 19.

[0278] When the count of the rotation angle of the feed motor reaches a threshold angle value corresponding to a displacement of the shaft 30 sufficient for it to be in its neutral position, the control means stop the feed motor, thus ending the locking phase of the immobilizing means.

[0279] The carriage 14 and the spindle 13 are then substantially in the starting position of the drilling phase.

[0280] To trigger drilling, the operator briefly presses the drilling trigger; the drill control means activate the rotation motor 11 and the feed motor 12 so as to drive the spindle in a combined movement, along its axis, of rotation and translation towards its deployment position in order to carry out the desired drilling.

[0281] During the movement of the spindle from its starting position in the drilling phase to its deployment position, the pinion 302 moves away from the elastic ring 40 so that the drive shaft 30 remains in its neutral position under the effect of the spring 39.

[0282] During this movement, the actuating shaft 30 remains in its neutral position, the sliding sleeve 37 in its disengaged position and the immobilizing means, i.e. the expanding collar, remains in its locked state in which the ring is in the locked position and under the constraint of the locking force.

[0283] When drilling is completed, i.e. when the control means detect that the spindle has come into contact with the deployment stop due to the increase beyond a threshold of the intensity consumed by the feed motor, the direction of rotation of the feed motor 12 is reversed so that the feed screw 15 drives the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, in translation towards the starting position of the drilling phase.

[0284] Until the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, reach their starting drilling position, the pinion 302 is moved away from the retaining ring 40 so that that the drive shaft 30 remains in its neutral position, the sliding sleeve 37 in its disengaged position and the expanding ring 19 in its locked position.

[0285] When the spindle is in the starting position of the drilling phase, the control means cause the automatic stopping of the feed and rotation motors.

[0286] To extract the drill from the grid, the operator presses and holds on the locking trigger, the control means drive the feed motor to move the carriage and spindle to their retraction position.

[0287] When the carriage 14, and therefore the spindle 13, are in their disengaged position, the pinion 302 is in contact with the elastic ring.

[0288] The feed motor is stopped when the control means detect the arrival of the spindle 13 in the retracted position, that is to say when they detect that the spindle has reached its retraction stop due to the increase beyond a threshold of the current consumed by the feed motor.

[0289] Thus, the translational movement of the carriage 14, and therefore of the spindle 13, between their intermediate position (starting position of the drilling phase) and their retraction position, is accompanied by the movement of the drive shaft 30 into its drive position in which it is driven by the carriage 14 via the pinion 302 and the elastic ring 40.

[0290] The rotation motor 11 is implemented to rotate in the direction of moving the expanding ring from its locked position to its unlocked position.

[0291] The slider 37 is then rotated and slides inside the bore 360 ​​of the pinion 36, under the effect of the spring 38, as soon as its outer contour synchronizes with the contour of the bore 360. The slider is then in its engaged position.

[0292] The rotation motor 11 then drives the pinion 36, the pinion 35, the pinion 340 and the actuating screw 34 into rotation. This has the effect of moving the actuating nut 33, and therefore the expanding ring 19, towards their unlocked position.

[0293] When the expanding collar is in its unlocked state, the rotation motor is stopped; this position is detected by the control means by monitoring the current consumed by the rotation motor or the angle of rotation from the locked state of the expanding ring.

[0294] The expanding ring 19 can then be extracted from the bore 230 of the drilling grid 23 in which it is housed so as to detach the drill from the grid 23.

[0295] The expanding ring 19 can then be inserted into another bore 230 of the grid 23 to create a bore corresponding to the position of that bore by again implementing the process described above. The operator can then release the locking trigger and thus cause the locking means to be activated in the new bore.

[0296] 6.2.2. Quarter-turn joint involving a rotational lock of the body of the drill in relation to the grid

[0297] As in the variant of the first embodiment, the drill according to the second embodiment just described can include a head reversibly attached to a drilling grid and a body linked to the head by means of a pivot joint which the immobilization means allow to be locked reversibly.

[0298] In this case, the actuating nut 33 is linked in translation to the second half-dog 31.

[0299] The locking / unlocking of the head on the grid is identical to the variant of the first embodiment.

[0300] The operation of the locking dog of the pivot joint between the body and the head is identical to the variant of the first embodiment.

[0301] The actuation of the immobilizing means is identical to that of the second embodiment which has just been described.

Claims

Demands

1. A drilling device intended to be attached to a drilling grid of a structure to be drilled, said device comprising at least: - a body; - a drilling spindle, with longitudinal axis X, capable of driving a cutting tool, said spindle being movable, about said axis X, in rotation and translation between a retracted position and a deployed position; - drive means comprising: - a feed motor capable of driving said spindle in translation, and - a rotation motor capable of driving said spindle in rotation; - means for immobilizing said body relative to said grid comprising at least a first movable immobilizing element between: - an unlocked position in which said body can be moved relative to said grid, and - a locked position in which said body is immobilized relative to said grid;- actuating means for said first immobilizing element capable of acting on said first immobilizing element to place it in one or the other of its locked and unlocked positions; characterized in that said actuating means comprise said feed motor or said rotation motor, said device comprising means for transforming a rotation of the rotor of said feed motor or said rotation motor into a displacement of said first immobilizing element from one or the other of its locked and unlocked positions.

2. A drilling device according to claim 1, wherein said actuation means are capable of acting on said first locking element to place it in its locked position, under the effect of said feed motor or said rotation motor, between said retracted position and an intermediate position of said spindle, said intermediate position being located between said retracted position and said deployed position.

3. Drilling device according to claim 2 wherein said actuation means comprise means for disabling the rotor of said feed motor or of the rotor of said rotation motor to said first locking element, said disabling link means being able to take: - an actuation state, which may be taken between said retracted position and said intermediate position, in which said first locking element is linked to said rotor of said feed or rotation motor; - a neutral state, taken between said intermediate position and said deployed position, in which said first locking element is not linked to said rotor of said feed or rotation motor.

4. Drilling device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said actuation means are configured to maintain said first locking element in said locked position when said spindle is located between said intermediate position and said deployed position.

5. Drilling device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said spindle can take a cutting tool contact position, located between said intermediate position and said deployed position, in which: - said first immobilizing element is in said locked position in which said body is immobilized relative to said grid, and - said cutting tool attached to said spindle comes into contact with said structure to be drilled.

6. A drilling device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 in which said spindle can assume a drilling phase start position located between said retracted position and said extended position, said drilling phase start position delimiting two stroke portions of said spindle: - a first stroke portion going from said retracted position to said drilling phase start position, said intermediate position being in said first portion; - a second portion of stroke going from said starting position of drilling phase to said deployed position and defining a useful drilling stroke comprising: - an approach stroke in the air of said cutting tool vis-à-vis said structure to be drilled; - a drilling stroke of said tool in said structure; - an exit stroke in the air of said cutting tool vis-à-vis said structure.

7. Drilling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising a translational drive carriage for said spindle, said carriage being movable about said axis X between: - a retracted position in which said spindle is in its retracted position, - an intermediate position in which said spindle is in its intermediate position, - a drilling phase start position corresponding to said drilling phase start position of said spindle, - a cutting tool contact position corresponding to said cutting tool contact position of said spindle, - a deployed position in which said spindle is in its deployed position.

8. Drilling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said actuation means include means for applying a locking force to said first locking element, said application means including elastic return means configured to apply said locking force to said first locking element at least between said intermediate position and said deployed position of said spindle.

9. A drilling device according to claims 3 and 7 alone or in combination with claim 8, wherein said actuation means comprise said carriage linked to the rotor of said feed motor, said carriage being: - linked to said first fixed element by said means of linkage which can be deactivated in said state of actuation, - not linked to said first fixed element by said means of linkage which can be deactivated in said neutral state.

10. Drilling device according to claim 9 in which said actuation means comprise means for transforming a translational displacement of said carriage between the retracted position and the intermediate position into a displacement of said first immobilizing element between said unlocked position and said locked position, and vice versa.

11. Drilling device according to claim 10 in which said deactivatable linking means comprise a unidirectional link which under the action of the release of said elastic return means is in said actuation state between said retracted position and said intermediate position, said carriage driving said first immobilizing element in translation.

12. Drilling device according to claim 11 in which said elastic return means have, when said carriage is located between said intermediate position and said deployed position, a level of compression inducing the application on said first immobilizing element of said locking force.

13. Drilling device according to claim 9 in said actuation means comprise a movable cam rotating relative to said body of said drilling device, said disabling linkage means comprising: - means for transforming a displacement of said carriage between said retracted position and said intermediate position, and vice versa, into a rotation of said cam, and - means for interrupting said transformation beyond said intermediate position, said cam having a surface configured such that a rotation of said cam, induced by a displacement of said carriage from said retracted position to said intermediate position, induces a displacement of said first immobilizing element from said unlocked position to said locked position, and vice versa.

14. A drilling device according to claims 8 and 13 in which said elastic return means are interposed between said first immobilizing element and a plate bearing against said surface of said cam, said surface of said cam being configured such that a rotation of said cam, induced by a displacement of said carriage from said retracted position to said intermediate position, induces a compression of said elastic return means, and conversely, said elastic return means having, when said carriage occupies said intermediate position, a state of compression inducing the application on said first immobilizing element of said locking force,The shape of said cam at the point of contact with said plate, combined with said compression state of the elastic return means, renders the rotation of said cam irreversible when said carriage is in said intermediate position and said disengageable linking means is in said neutral state.

15. Drilling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said actuation means comprise said means for transforming a rotational movement of the rotor of said rotational motor into a movement of said first immobilizing element from one to the other of its locked and unlocked positions.

16. Drilling device according to claim 15 wherein said disengageable linking means comprise a clutch, said clutch being able to take: - an engaged state, taken when said disengageable linking means are in said actuation state, in which the rotor of said rotational motor and said first locking element are linked in motion, and - a disengaged state, taken when said disengageable linking means are in said neutral state, in which the rotor of said rotational motor and said first locking element are not linked in motion.

17. Drilling device according to claim 16 comprising control means for said clutch capable of placing said clutch in its engaged and disengaged states, said control means comprising said advance motor.

18. Drilling device according to claim 17 comprising elastic return means tending to maintain said clutch in said disengaged state, said feed motor being linked to said elastic return means by a unidirectional link configured such that: - said feed motor is capable of driving a displacement of said clutch from its disengaged state to its engaged state against the action of said elastic return means, and - said elastic return means are capable of driving a displacement of said clutch from said engaged state to said disengaged state.

19. Device according to claims 7 and 18 wherein said clutch control means comprise said carriage, said carriage being capable of placing said clutch: - in said engaged state, when said carriage is located between said retracted position and said intermediate position, and - in said disengaged state, when the carriage is located between said intermediate position and said deployed position.

20. A drilling device according to any one of claims 6 to 19 wherein said restraining means comprise an expanding collar, said expanding collar comprising an expansion cone and an expanding ring, said cone or said ring constituting said first restraining element, said cone and said ring being movable in translation relative to each other along said axis X between: - a minimum expansion position in which the outside diameter of said ring is minimal; - a maximum expansion position in which the outside diameter of said ring is maximal, said cone and said ring being in said maximum expansion position when said spindle is in said drilling phase start position and said ring is outside a bore.

21. Drilling device according to claim 20 in which said cone and said ring are in said minimum expansion position when said spindle is in said retracted position.

22. Drilling device according to claim 20 or 21 in which said drilling grid is traversed by at least one positioning bore in which said expanding collar is intended to be housed, said intermediate position being located in a range corresponding to the tolerance interval of the diameter of said bore.

23. A drilling device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said immobilizing means comprise: - a first fixed half-crab in translation and mobile in rotation along said X axis relative to said body; - a second half-claw, constituting said first immobilizing element, fixed in rotation along said X relative to said body and movable in translation along said X relative to said first half-claw between: - an unlocked position in which said first half-claw and said second half-claw are free to rotate about said X-axis, and - a locked position in which said first half-crab and said second half-crab are rotationally linked about said X-axis, - said actuation means being configured to move said second half-crab from one to the other of its locked and unlocked positions.

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