Drilling device with a pulse unit having a displaceable cylindrical pulse spindle - Patents.com

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a drilling apparatus for drilling holes in a component, the drilling apparatus comprising a housing (2) having a first motion link and a drill spindle unit (12) at least partially disposed within the housing (2), the drill spindle unit (12) comprising a drill assembly (32) and a drill axle (44) configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis (a). The drilling apparatus further comprises a pulse spindle unit (14) comprising a cylindrical pulse spindle (34) rotatable about its longitudinal axis (b), the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (a) of the drill axle (44). The cylindrical pulse spindle (34) can be displaced along its longitudinal axis (b) to adjust the pulse amplitude.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of drilling equipment, in particular to a drilling equipment that allows for efficient chip breaking, which can be used for all kinds of materials such as metals, composites, plastics, carbon, as well as for multi-layered or composite materials combining different material layers, such as metal and carbon or other fibrous material layers. [Background technology]

[0002] Drilling holes in components and parts that are later used to assemble vehicles, aircraft, or other equipment has historically been an easy task since the materials were usually uniform, homogenous, and often made of metals such as aluminum, steel, or titanium, for example in the aircraft manufacturing or space industries. That is, with conventional drilling tools and reasonable machinery, holes of fairly high quality could be drilled. However, such conventional drills usually produced fairly long spiral chips that were removed from the hole through the spiral flutes of the drill tool. Such long spiral chips are usually undesirable as they cause problems in the quality of the drilled hole. Such spiral chips become even more of a problem when holes must be drilled in composite materials, such as aluminum-carbon-titanium, and especially in the example of a composite material that includes layers of aluminum-carbon-titanium, the metal chips can destroy the surface of the drilled hole in the carbon material. Therefore, small chips are desirable because they can be efficiently removed from the drilled hole without destroying the carbon or other materials in the hole when removed from the hole, and without getting between the layers of material during drilling. To avoid the destruction of the hole, known solutions of drilling devices provide an oscillating movement in the longitudinal direction of the drill spindle, which is typically sinusoidal. When the drill spindle oscillates according to sinusoidal pulses, it is possible to provide chips, in particular spiral chips that thin over a certain distance, but it is not possible to provide a sharp, predefined break point on the spiral chip. The sinusoidal curve of the pulses results in a smooth surface and a consistent thickness, even if along a sinusoidal curve. The chips of the prior art are usually not uniform in thickness. The chips generated by the drilling device described herein are small and include a sharp, predefined break point. Furthermore, with a drilling device as described herein, it is possible to remove more material per time. This is because the very short, well-defined pulses and the very fast acceleration of the drill spindle between the pulses result in a longer engagement of the drill tip in the material, resulting in more material removal per time compared to known drilling devices. Although it may seem easy to change from a sinusoidal curve to a peak curve, this is not as simple as it may seem.The limitations of providing sinusoidal pulses are usually due to the electronic, mechanical and / or hydraulic systems used to generate the vibrations, which are unable to provide high axial accelerations that would result in the formation of sinusoidal pulses / curved peaks with a plateau after the peak on the drill tip. When analyzing the thickness of a spiral cut made using a sinusoidal pulse, the thickness follows a wave shape. The acceleration of the pulse cannot be faster than the electrical energy or hydraulic fluid can provide, and therefore sinusoidal pulses are typically achievable with known drilling equipment, making it difficult to provide a drilling equipment that produces small chips or small cutting swarf combined with high productivity.

[0003] In addition to the above, manufacturing is becoming more reliant on robots, which also have limitations. The force of the axial pulse of the drilling equipment is typically absorbed by a generally rigid fixture or rigid computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine. Robots and robotic arms generally have a hard time absorbing the vibrations caused by high accelerations due to their low rigidity. Robots are not typically built for this. Due to the increasing use of robots and robotic equipment in industrial manufacturing processes, there is a need to provide a drilling equipment that can provide a pulse and can be held by a robot or robotic arm.

[0004] Another challenge when holes need to be drilled in composite materials is that the drill usually needs to be controlled differently depending on the current position or current depth of the drill tip in the hole. For example, if a hole needs to be drilled in a composite material with an outer layer of 3 mm aluminum, an intermediate layer of 5 mm carbon fiber, and an inner layer of 3 mm titanium, the drilling machine will theoretically operate with pulses and appropriate cutting data for the aluminum and titanium, and without pulses for the carbon fiber. That is, the drilling machine will pulse or oscillate from 0 to 3 mm(), not pulse from 3 mm to 8 mm for the carbon layer, and pulse again from 8 mm to 11 mm for the titanium layer. Such an adjustment or controllability of the drilling machine is not possible today with mechanical tool holder solutions, but is possible with hydraulic or electromagnetic solutions. However, there is always a limit to the (high) frequency or (high) amplitude, and it is difficult to provide sharp peak and plateau curves that can give the chip a sharp, predetermined break point.

[0005] The above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art or known devices are even more important when considering the manufacture of aircraft, vehicles, components and machines. Moreover, the prior art solutions do not provide sufficient productivity. Many of the components used in various industries are nowadays made of composite materials, which require delicate and improved handling. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to remedy at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an efficient and versatile drilling rig. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In view of the above mentioned problems, the inventors have found that it is possible to improve all the above mentioned drawbacks of known drilling devices by providing a drilling device in which the drill spindle unit is pre-charged via an elastic element, e.g. a spring, elastomer, gas spring or fluid spring, capable of storing potential energy, in combination with a new type of pulse spindle unit, in which a treated surface area is provided on the central axis, which is capable of imparting pulse vibrations when rotating. The inventors have found that such a combination of an elastic element and a treated surface on the pulse spindle can provide a very clear and sharp pulse, with a peak having a plateau at the top, and a high degree of flexibility during application of the drilling device, as will be explained later in this specification. Furthermore, the inventors have realized that it is possible to minimize the vibrations arising from the drilling device by using a damping unit with a counterweight, which is also capable of storing potential energy via an elastic element, said counterweight vibrating in phase and amplitude together with the drill spindle unit to counteract the vibrations arising from the longitudinal pulses of the drill spindle. The inventors have also discovered that the counterweight may be positioned at 180 degrees to the drill spindle unit so that it moves in anti-phase relative to the drill spindle unit to cancel vibrations.

[0008] Disclosed herein is a drilling device for drilling holes in a component comprising: - a housing having a first motion link; and - a drill spindle unit at least partially arranged in a housing, comprising a drill assembly guided by a first motion link, the drill assembly comprising a bearing, a first coupling part and a drill axle configured to receive a drill, the drill axle being embedded in the bearing and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis, the drill spindle unit further comprising at least a first elastic element abutting at one end against the housing and at the other end against the drill assembly, whereby the at least first elastic element is at least partially compressed when mounted on a drilling rig.

[0009] The drilling device further comprises a pulse spindle unit with a cylindrical pulse spindle rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the cylindrical pulse spindle being at least partially arranged in the housing and with a processed surface area on a transverse cylindrical surface, whereby the transverse surface is interrupted by the processed surface area. The longitudinal axis of the cylindrical pulse spindle is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill axle, and the drill spindle unit is arranged such that the first coupling part is pressed towards the cylindrical pulse spindle, whereby, when the cylindrical pulse spindle is rotating, pulses can be generated along the longitudinal axis of the drill axle by the processed surface area and the regular transverse surface which engage with the first coupling element when the cylindrical pulse spindle is rotating, and by the at least partially compressed first elastic element which always presses the drill assembly towards the cylindrical pulse spindle. The cylindrical pulse spindle is designed to be displaced along its longitudinal axis, e.g. via a servo motor, and the treated surface area is conical when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical pulse spindle, whereby the contact point between the cylindrical pulse spindle and the first coupling part can be selected depending on the displacement of the cylindrical pulse spindle, whereby the amplitude of the pulse can be varied and adjusted.

[0010] The above described embodiments provide a drilling device capable of generating a very sharp and well-defined pulse in the drill. Due to the rotational speed of the pulse spindle, the potential energy stored in the first elastic element and the shape of the treated surface area, the generated pulse is not sinusoidal, but rather well-defined and sharp, thereby creating the intended break point in the cuttings when the hole is drilled.

[0011] The first elastic element causes the drill assembly to closely follow the cylindrical transverse cylindrical surface through the first coupling part. The transverse cylindrical surface is interrupted only by the treated surface area. Each time the treated surface area passes through the first coupling part, a pulse is generated in the drill assembly. Due to the preload of the first elastic element, the energy conversion from potential energy to kinetic energy is immediately available without any time delay, which generates a very fast acceleration of the drill assembly, thereby causing the tip of the drill to generate a clear and sharp pulse.

[0012] According to the above description, the cylindrical pulse spindle functions as an oscillator and may also be called an oscillator or an oscillating spindle.

[0013] Furthermore, the peak forming curve with a plateau at the top allows the drilling apparatus described herein to provide very efficient and fast drilling since the working time (engagement of the drill tip) is longer as it corresponds to the plateau, as described later in this specification, resulting in thicker chips and higher material removal per revolution of the drill and drill tip, respectively.

[0014] The treated surface area is conical or inclined when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical pulse spindle, e.g. with a smaller cross-sectional area of ​​the pulse spindle, such that if the cylindrical pulse spindle is moved outwards (or inwards, depending on the inclination) from the housing, the amplitude of the pulses increases and vice versa. The amplitude is determined by the distance between the treated surface area and the transverse cylindrical surface of the cylindrical pulse spindle. Of course, the amplitude can also be zero (0), which means that the treated surface area comprises a portion that corresponds to the transverse cylindrical surface of the pulse spindle.

[0015] This can be useful for a variety of reasons: the drill configuration can be adapted to the material properties and the pulse / vibration amplitude and frequency required for that material; appropriate cutting speeds and feeds can be selected;

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the drilling rig further comprises a damping unit at least partially disposed within the housing, the housing comprising a second motion link, the damping unit comprising a second coupling portion, a counterweight engaging the second motion link, and at least a second elastic element engaging the housing and the counterweight, whereby the second elastic element is at least partially compressed, the cylindrical pulse spindle comprising a pair of treated surface areas disposed 180 degrees from the other on the cylindrical pulse spindle and disposed on opposite sides of the cylindrical pulse spindle, the damping unit and the drill spindle unit being disposed opposite each other on either side of the pulse spindle unit, whereby the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are pushed opposite each other towards the cylindrical pulse spindle by the first elastic element and the second elastic element, whereby when the cylindrical pulse spindle is rotating, a synchronous pulse can be generated in the damping unit and the drill assembly along the longitudinal axis of the drill axle.

[0017] A plurality of pairs of treated surfaces can be designed on the cylindrical pulse spindle. As long as these pairs of treated surfaces are arranged symmetrically on the circumference of the cylindrical pulse spindle, the system will function, for example, it is also possible to provide two pairs of treated surfaces on the cylindrical pulse spindle at intervals of 90° from each other. It is also possible to provide more than two pairs at fixed angular intervals on the circumference of the cylindrical pulse spindle.

[0018] In another embodiment, the drilling rig may comprise two synchronously rotating cylindrical pulse spindles, one cylindrical pulse spindle for the counterweight and the other cylindrical pulse spindle for the drill axle.

[0019] The damping unit essentially cancels the pulses of the drill assembly in the drill rig, but obviously not at the drill head, so that the CNC machine, fixture or robot is not subjected to vibrations when holding the drill rig.

[0020] The drill spindle unit and the damping unit are arranged 180 degrees from the other and therefore opposite each other, whereby the damping unit is able to counteract the pulses of the drill assembly. By arranging the counterweight in a similar way to the drill assembly, i.e. in combination with a second elastic element for storing kinetic energy via potential energy, it is possible to provide a very smart and elegant solution for counteracting the pulses of the drill assembly outside the drilling device, so that a fixture, CNC machine or robot can hold the drilling device.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cylindrical pulse spindle may comprise more than a pair of treated surface areas arranged opposite each other, whereby the treated surface areas may be arranged at regular intervals around the circumference of the cylindrical pulse spindle.

[0022] In one embodiment, the treated surface area is planar, however, any other suitable shape may be considered, such as convex or concave, depending on the curvilinear shape that needs to be provided or achieved.

[0023] The shape or design of the treated surface area determines how the pulse shape is formed: a planar surface area creates a very fast acceleration in the drill assembly, thereby creating a sharp and well-defined pulse.

[0024] Although the relevant pulses discussed herein are pulses generated in the drill assembly, the design and shape and acceleration are the same for the counterweight of the damping unit. Due to the described design and configuration, any shape, amplitude or curve form of the pulse in the drill assembly will be at least very similar, if not exactly the same, in the counterweight pulse so that the counterweight pulse can counter vibrations of the entire drilling rig.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cylindrical pulse spindle can be displaced along its longitudinal axis, e.g. via a servo motor, the cylindrical pulse spindle having a portion without a treated surface, which can be adjusted such that the contact point between the cylindrical pulse spindle and the first and / or second coupling portion can be adjusted to enable a drilling operation without a pulse.

[0026] This increases the versatility of the drill rig, as it can also be used to drill materials with different properties and the configuration of the drill rig can be changed in real time depending on the position of the drill tip.If there is no pulse in the drill assembly, there is also no pulse in the damping unit due to the described design.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cylindrical pulse spindle can be moved up and down along its longitudinal axis, for example via a servo motor, and the pair of treated surface areas are conical when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical pulse spindle, so that the contact point between the cylindrical pulse spindle and the first and / or second coupling parts can be adjusted, thereby changing and adjusting the amplitude of the pulse. The amplitude of the counterweight thereby always matches the amplitude of the drill spindle unit, and no vibrations occur.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first motion link may comprise a membrane, preferably one or two membranes, whereby the drill spindle unit and / or the damping unit are embedded and fixed in the housing via such membrane.

[0029] Each of the first and second motion links may include two membranes.

[0030] The membrane may be made of sheet metal.

[0031] The membrane may be an elastic membrane.

[0032] The membrane has the effect of facilitating and optimizing the support of the drill spindle unit in the housing and of guiding the movement of the drill assembly along the longitudinal axis of the drill axle.

[0033] In one embodiment, the counterweight is at least partially replaceable so that its weight can be adapted to the drill assembly.

[0034] Depending on the drill used, the counterweight may be partially or fully replaceable, or may be modular for adding or removing weight depending on the weight of the drill assembly.

[0035] Optimally, the weight of the counterweight will at least more or less match the weight of the drill assembly.

[0036] This helps to achieve optimal damping of the drill assembly, which can result in reduced vibrations in the CNC machine, fixture or robot holding the drilling equipment.

[0037] In another embodiment, the first coupling part and / or the second coupling part are designed as pulleys with ball bearings.

[0038] This may reduce friction at the contact points between the cylindrical pulse spindle and the first coupling part and / or the second coupling part.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first and / or second elastic elements are springs, elastomers, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, or any other suitable elements capable of storing potential energy and converting this potential energy into kinetic energy.

[0040] According to another embodiment, the first elastic element and / or the second elastic element each comprise a pair of springs, elastomers, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, or any other suitable elements capable of converting potential energy into kinetic energy, or a combination thereof.

[0041] The use of elastic elements in accordance with any of the above helps to achieve optimal functioning of the drilling rig.

[0042] Alternatively, relative to the membrane, at least one motion link of the housing may include a protrusion that engages a guide portion in the housing to guide movement of the drill assembly along the longitudinal axis of the drill axle. Similarly, the damping unit includes a protrusion that is guided in a guide portion of the housing to guide movement of the damping unit along the longitudinal axis of the drill axle.

[0043] Protrusions or other forms of engagement elements between at least the motion link and the damping unit and drill assembly may improve the movement of the damping unit and drill assembly, respectively, increasing the precision and therefore operational reliability.

[0044] The motion link may comprise two guide motion links, one on each side of the damping unit and the drill assembly.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the cylindrical pulse spindle may comprise a cylindrical portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cylindrical pulse spindle, the cylindrical portion comprising a treated surface area and a lateral surface.

[0046] The cylindrical part may benefit the manufacturing and operational reliability of the pulse spindle unit, and may also provide the opportunity to generate a greater effect of the treated surface, with a larger diameter allowing a higher amplitude of the pulse to be generated, which is due to the nature of the treated surface in the conical shape, since the minimum and maximum values ​​can be chosen more differently than for smaller diameters due to material limitations.

[0047] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, by way of embodiments and with reference to the included drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a drilling device according to the invention; [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 with a housing, the cross-sectional view being taken along line II-II of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a drilling device according to the invention, the housing being not shown for illustrative purposes. [Figure 4] 2 shows diagrammatically the principle of vibration in a drilling rig according to the invention; [Diagram 5] 1 shows a schematic perspective detailed view of a cylindrical pulse spindle and respective parts of a damping unit and a drill assembly. [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic representation of a cylindrical pulse spindle in a first position. [Figure 7]2 shows a schematic representation of a cylindrical pulse spindle in a second position. [Figure 8] A pulse curve according to the invention is shown diagrammatically in comparison with a sine curve according to the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drilling device 1 according to the invention. The drilling device 1 comprises a housing 2, a first motor 4 designed to drive a drill spindle unit 12 and a second motor 6 designed to drive a pulse spindle unit 14. The first motor 4 and the second motor 6 can be electrically powered servo motors. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the first motor 4 drives the drill spindle unit 12 via a belt (not visible in FIG. 1) and the second motor 6 drives the pulse spindle unit 14 directly. The first motor 4 may drive the drill spindle unit 12 directly or may drive the drill spindle via a belt or a chain. Both solutions can be used in the present invention. If the motor 4 drives the drill spindle unit 12 directly, it may be integrated with the drill assembly and move with it when a pulse is generated (see the following description in connection with FIG. 2). FIG. 1 further shows the plane II-II, which indicates where the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 was taken.

[0050] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 without the first motor 4 and the second motor 6. In Figure 2, the drilling device 1 is shown comprising a housing 2, a damping unit 10, a drill spindle unit 12 and a pulse spindle unit 14, whereby the damping unit 10, the drill spindle unit 12 and the pulse spindle unit 14 are at least partially embedded within the housing 2.

[0051] The drill spindle unit 12 comprises a drill assembly 32 having a drill axle 44, a drill head configured to receive a drill, a bearing 40, two first elastic elements 26 shown in the form of springs, a first coupling part 30 and a support ring element 46. The pair of first elastic elements 46 are supported at one end on the housing 2, for example on a shoulder 56 of the housing 2, and at the other end on the support ring element 46, which rests against the bearing 40 so as not to rotate when the drill axle 44 is rotating. At the other end of the drill assembly 32, the first coupling part 30 is arranged. The first coupling 30 is designed as a roller with bearings, for example ball bearings, and is configured to be pressed towards the pulse spindle unit 14, which means that the pair of first elastic elements 26 is compressed or pretensioned in any circumstances, since the movement of the drill assembly 32 is limited in the direction along the longitudinal axis a defined by the drill axle, via the first coupling 30 at one end and via a shoulder 53 of the housing 2 at the other end, so that the drill assembly 32 cannot leave the housing 2. The drill head 42 is shown without a drill, but if a drill is arranged in the drill head 42, the drill forms part of the drill assembly 32. Due to the described construction and arrangement of the drill spindle unit 12 and the drill assembly 32 respectively, the drill assembly 32 is movable along the longitudinal axis a defined by the drill axle 44, in particular via the pair of first elastic elements 26, towards the pulse spindle unit 14. In the position of FIG. 2, the drill assembly 32 has been moved all the way against the pair of first elastic elements 26 and is fixed snugly against the shoulder 53. To generate the pulses, a pulse spindle unit 14 is used.

[0052] The pulse spindle unit 14 comprises a cylindrical pulse spindle 34 defining a longitudinal axis b and preferably a motor 6 (not shown in FIG. 2). The cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is recessed in the housing 2 through an opening 60 and extends into the housing 2 so as to come into contact with the first coupling element 30 of the drill assembly 32. Although not visible in FIG. 2, the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 in fact comprises a treated surface area (see FIGS. 4 to 7), which does not correspond to the regular transverse surface 52 of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34, but interrupts this smooth regular transverse surface 52, so that when the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 rotates about its longitudinal axis b, the drill assembly 32 moves towards the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 when the first coupling element 30 reaches the treated surface area and the pair of first elastic elements 26 presses the drill assembly 32 against the treated surface. With further rotation of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34, the first coupling element 30 and the drill assembly 32 are respectively moved back along the longitudinal direction a defined by the drill axle 44 as soon as the first coupling element 30 leaves the treated surface backwards and starts to contact the regular transverse surface 52 of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34. This means that when connected to the drill head 42, the drill axle 44 and the associated drill generates a pulse every time the treated surface area passes the first coupling element 30. This is already an inventive solution without a camping unit 10. If the damping unit 10 is not used in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the drilling rig 1 works, but all vibrations from the generated pulses must be absorbed by the fixture, the CNC machine or the robot. Therefore, the damping unit 10 is also shown in FIG. 2.

[0053] The damping unit 10 comprises a counterweight 24, a pair of second elastic elements 18 and a second coupling part 22 with a roller bearing. From the view of FIG. 2 it can be seen that the counterweight 24 moves synchronously with the drill assembly 32 and that since the counterweight 24 has a similar or the same weight as the drill assembly 32, the vibrations generated by the pulses in the drilling rig 1 are substantially damped so that the robot is not affected by the vibrations. The counterweight 24 is pressed towards the pulse spindle unit 14 by the pair of second elastic elements 18, so that the second coupling element 22 abuts and contacts the cylindrical pulse spindle 34. The pair of elastic elements 18 abuts at one end against the end cap 58 of the housing 2 and at the other end against the counterweight 24. In the position shown in FIG. 2 the pair of elastic elements 18 are pretensioned and pressed so that the counterweight 24 is constantly pressed towards the cylindrical pulse spindle 34. The generation of the pulses is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the drilling device 1 with the damping unit 10, the drill spindle unit 12 and the pulse spindle unit 14, the housing being omitted in FIG. 3 for the sake of illustration. In addition to FIG. 2, membranes 20, 28 are shown, which are provided for optimal mounting of the drill assembly 32 and the damping unit 10 in the housing. The membranes 20, 28 are designed to provide an additional effect on the pulse generation and damping, respectively. Preferably, they are made of sheet metal and support the effect of the pair of first and second elastic elements 26, 18, as explained with reference to FIG. 2. The membranes 20, 28 further have the effect that the drill assembly 32 and the counterweight 24 are embedded movably along the longitudinal axis a, defined by the drill axle 44, in the housing. Returning to FIG. 2, the membrane 28 holding the drill assembly 32 and the membrane 20 holding the counterweight 24 are shown. The membranes 20, 28 are clamped in the housing 2, for example via a screw / thread mechanism (not shown in FIG. 2). In a similar way, they are fastened to the drill assembly 32 and the counterweight 24 respectively, i.e. by clamping the two elements together. Other fastening solutions for the membranes 20, 28, such as adhesive or form-fit (press-fit) connections, can also be embodied in the drilling device 1 disclosed herein.

[0055] Alternatively, the damping unit 10 of the membranes 20, 28 and the drill assembly 32 may be embodied movably along a motion link within the housing 2. Thus, the membranes 20, 28 enhance the functionality of the present invention but are not necessary to achieve the inventive concept of the present invention.

[0056] The membranes 20, 28 are configured to replace any linear motion link configuration and / or prevent radial movement of the counterweight and / or drill axle.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 better. The cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is provided with bearings (not shown) that are embedded in the housing 2 to hold the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 in place so that it can be rotated accurately. The cylindrical pulse spindle 34 further comprises a cylindrical portion 62 that defines a lateral surface 50 having a larger diameter than the rest of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34. The cylindrical portion 62 engages and contacts the first coupling portion 30 of the drill assembly 32 and the second coupling portion 22 of the damping unit 10. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 62 is approximately 2-15% larger than the diameter of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34. However, the cylindrical portion may be selected to have the same diameter as the cylindrical pulse spindle (not shown). The cylindrical portion 62 further comprises a treated surface 52 adjacent to or on the lateral surface 50 that is used to generate the pulses. The function of pulse generation via the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 will now be considered and explained. Still referring to FIG. 3, however, there is one important fact to note: the drilling device 1 can function without the damping unit 10, but vibration cancellation would not be achieved in that case. However, from a practical point of view, the pulses of the drill axle and therefore the drill can be generated without the damping unit 10. The use of the damping unit 10 makes the drilling device 1 more accurate and robot-friendly.

[0058] In addition, still referring to Fig. 3, it should be noted that the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 can be moved along its longitudinal axis b, the treated surface 52 being conical or inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis b of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34, so that the amplitude of the pulses can be varied. This movement can be performed via a motor designed into the housing, such as a servo motor and a corresponding motion link. The change of position along the axis b can be performed during operation of the drilling device 1, and the drilling device 1 can be operated without pulses, since the cylindrical portion 62 in fact comprises a portion free from the treated surface 52.

[0059] The cylindrical portion 62 defines a regular lateral surface of a cylinder, which is interrupted by a pair of treated surface areas 52 to create a disruption which simultaneously pulses the damping unit 10 / counterweight 24 and the drill assembly 32.

[0060] The basic principle of the pulse generating mechanism 64 is now described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical part 62' of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34', the first coupling element 30' of the drill assembly 32 and the second coupling element 22' of the damping unit 10. The reference numbers correspond to the previous reference numbers and components, but are shown with an apostrophe for a simplified representation. It should be noted that in FIGS. 4-7, for the sake of illustration, the pair of the first and second elastic elements 26, 18 is not shown. It should be noted that these two pairs of the first and second elastic elements 26, 18 are part of the pulse generating mechanism 64. FIG. 4 shows the principle of the pulse generating mechanism 64, which comprises the pair of the first and second elastic elements 26, 18, the oscillator 34', the cylindrical pulse spindle and the two vibration elements 10', 32', i.e. the damping unit and the drill assembly. The pair of arrows F in FIG. 4 indicates the elastic force generated by the pair of first and second elastic elements 26, 18, and the double arrow indicates the amplitude AT that can be generated by the treated surface area 52'. The treated surface area 52' may be designed as a plane, but does not have to be. The pair of treated surface areas 52' is arranged on the oscillator 34' at an angle α on its opposite sides. The angle α is selected to be 180° so that the pulses in the drill assembly 32 occur simultaneously with the pulses in the damping unit 10, in order to optimally damp vibrations outside the drilling rig 1. This angle can vary depending on the layout and the angle at which the treated surfaces are arranged.

[0061] As mentioned above, the drilling rig 1 operates without the damping unit 10 and if no damping unit is implemented the pair of treated surfaces 52' may be a single treated surface 52'.

[0062] The design of the pair of treated surfaces 52 and the change in amplitude are now explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the treated surface area 52 and its conical design are shown. In FIG. 5, only one of the pair of treated surface areas 52 is shown, the other is positioned on the opposite side of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 in the snapshot of FIG. 5. The treated surface area 52 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis b of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34, as explained above. The first coupling element 30 and the second coupling element 22 are shown, and the cylindrical pulse spindle is shown moved to the position where the highest amplitude occurs, i.e. the treated surface area 52 and the upper end of the cylindrical part 62 of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34. The inclination direction of the treated surface area 52 does not actually matter, since the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 and the cylindrical part 62 are movable along the longitudinal axis b. In the diagram of Figure 5, the highest or maximum amplitude occurs at the top end of the cylindrical portion 62, and the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is also shown in a position where the amplitude is maximum, which is also shown in Figure 6. As the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is moved downwards along the longitudinal axis b in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5, the amplitude becomes continuously smaller until it vanishes to 0 (zero), as shown in Figure 7. Any position between Figures 6 and 7 is possible. When the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is in the zero amplitude position, as shown in Figure 7, the amplitude is generated and the drill operates without a pulse.

[0063] In Figure 6 the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is shown in a maximum amplitude position MA, whereas in Figure 7 the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is shown in a zero amplitude position OM. In the maximum amplitude position MA the amplitude is maximum independent of the frequency, whereas in the zero amplitude position OM there is no amplitude and therefore also zero / none frequency.

[0064] Now, those skilled in the art will understand the ingenious idea of ​​the present invention. When the frequency needs to be changed, the rotation speed of the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 can be increased, and when the amplitude needs to be changed, the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 is moved along the longitudinal axis b. During the drilling process, either the frequency or the amplitude can be changed without interrupting the drilling process, even if the frequency is zero / no amplitude 0 (zero).

[0065] The material of the first coupling element 30 and the second coupling element 22 which engage the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 can be a bearing made of metal or steel.

[0066] It should be noted that although a cylindrical portion 62 having a larger diameter than the cylindrical pulse spindle 34 and comprising a pair of treated surface areas 52 is shown in this embodiment, the present invention can function without the cylindrical portion 62 by milling, etching, 3D printing, molding or casting the treated surface areas 52 directly onto the cylindrical pulse spindle 34.

[0067] Finally, turning to FIG. 8, there is shown a sinusoidal pulse curve S generated by a drilling device according to the prior art and a sharp pulse curve I generated by the drilling device 1 according to the invention. As mentioned before, the sharp pulse curve I generates a clear, sharp, predetermined break point in the cuttings of the drilling process. From FIG. 8 it can also be seen how fast the acceleration of the pulses generated by the drilling device 1 according to the invention actually is. The slope G of the sharp pulse curve I leading to the pulse plateau P is very steep, closer to infinity than 1(y / x), which means that the acceleration is very fast, sharp, clear and not harmonic and homogeneous like the sinusoidal curve S. This breaks the cuttings or at least gives them a very clear, predetermined break point, so that they break as they are transported out of the drill hole by the helical shape of the drill. The slope G gives the curve a peak shape and the plateau P indicates that the drill tip engages the material. FIG. 8 very well shows the technical effect of a very short and clear pulse and the associated very fast acceleration of the drill spindle during such a pulse. This fast acceleration is provided by the stored energy of the elastic element, which leads to the drill tip being engaged in the material longer due to the very short pulse (the pulse of the present invention and the sharp pulse curve I are much shorter than the sinusoidal pulse), as Figure 8 clearly shows. This results in a higher amount of material removal per time compared to known drilling devices. Furthermore, it can also be seen from the sharp pulse curve I in Figure 8 that the drill tip never completely or completely leaves the material, even during the deepest (highest) grooves and valleys of the pulse.

[0068] The present invention has been described above with reference to figures 1 to 8 and further details of the invention have been described with reference to several alternatives and specific solutions. Any combination of such alternatives or specific solutions mentioned in this specification can be embodied in a drilling rig according to the inventive idea.

Claims

1. 1. A drilling device comprising: a housing (2) having a first motion link (28); a drill spindle unit (12) at least partially arranged in the housing (2), the drill spindle unit (12) comprising a drill assembly (32) guided in the first motion link (28), the drill assembly (32) comprising a bearing (40), a first coupling part (30) and a drill axle (44) configured to receive a drill, the drill axle (44) being embedded in the bearing (40) and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis (a), the drill spindle unit (12) further comprising at least a first elastic element (26) abutting at one end against the housing (2) and at the other end against the drill assembly (32), whereby the at least first elastic element (26) is at least partially compressed when mounted on the drilling rig; a pulse spindle unit (14) comprising a cylindrical pulse spindle (34) rotatable about its longitudinal axis (b), said cylindrical pulse spindle (34) being at least partially arranged in said housing (2), said cylindrical pulse spindle (34) comprising treated surface areas (52) on lateral surfaces (50), whereby said lateral surfaces (50) are interrupted by said treated surface areas (52); A drilling device comprising: a longitudinal axis (b) of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (a) of the drill axle (44), and the drill spindle unit (12) is arranged such that the first coupling part (30) is pressed towards the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) so ​​that, when the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) is rotating, pulses can be generated along the longitudinal axis (a) of the drill axle (44) by a treated surface area (52) of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) and by pre-compression of the elastic force of the at least partially compressed first elastic element (26), 1. A drilling device comprising: a cylindrical pulse spindle (34) that can be displaced along its longitudinal axis (b), for example via a servo motor; and wherein the treated surface area (52) is conical when viewed along the longitudinal axis (b) of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34), whereby a contact point between the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) and the first coupling part (30) can be selected depending on the displacement of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34), thereby varying and adjusting the amplitude of the pulses.

2. The drilling device further comprises a damping unit (10) at least partially disposed within the housing (2), the housing (2) comprising a second motion link (20), the damping unit (10) comprising a second coupling part (22), a counterweight (24) engaging with the second motion link (20), and at least a second elastic element (18) engaging with the housing (2) and the counterweight (24), whereby the second elastic element (18) is at least partially compressed, and the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) is arranged diametrically opposite each other on the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) and at least a second elastic element (18) arranged on the opposite side of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34).

2. The drilling rig according to claim 1, wherein the damping unit (10) and the drill spindle unit (12) are arranged diametrically opposite each other on either side of the pulse spindle unit (14), whereby the first coupling part (30) and the second coupling part (22) are pressed oppositely toward the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) by the first elastic element (26) and the second elastic element (18), thereby enabling the damping unit (10) and the drill assembly (32) to generate synchronous pulses along the longitudinal axis (a) of the drill axle (44) when the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) is rotating.

3. 2. The drilling rig of claim 1, wherein the treated surface area (52) is planar.

4. 2. The drilling rig according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) can be displaced along its longitudinal axis (b), for example via a servo motor, and wherein the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) has a portion without the treated surface (52), which portion can be displaced by displacing the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) so ​​that a contact point between the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) and the first coupling part (30) and / or the second coupling part (22) is at a portion without the treated surface (52) to enable a pulse-free drilling operation.

5. 3. The drilling rig according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) can be displaced along its longitudinal axis (b), for example via a servo motor, and the pair of treated surface areas (52) are conical when viewed along the longitudinal axis (b) of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34), whereby contact points between the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) and the first coupling part (30) and the second coupling part (22) can be selected depending on the displacement of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34), thereby changing and adjusting the amplitude of the pulses.

6. 2. The drilling rig according to claim 1, wherein each of the first motion link (28) and the second motion link (20) comprises at least one membrane (20, 28), and the drill spindle unit (12) and / or the damping unit (10) are embedded in the housing (2) using such membranes (20, 28).

7. 6. The drilling rig of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second motion links (28, 20) comprises two membranes (20, 28).

8. 6. A drilling device according to claim 5, wherein said membranes (20, 28) are made of sheet metal.

9. 3. The drilling rig of claim 2, wherein the counterweight (24) is at least partially replaceable so that its weight can be matched to the weight of the drill assembly (32).

10. 9. The drilling rig of claim 8, wherein the weight of the counterweight (24) corresponds more or less to at least the weight of the drill assembly (32).

11. 2. Drilling equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling part (30) and / or the second coupling part (22) are designed as pulleys with ball bearings.

12. 2. The drilling rig of claim 1, wherein the first elastic element (26) is a spring, an elastomer, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or any other suitable element capable of storing potential energy and converting it into kinetic energy.

13. 3. The drilling rig of claim 2, wherein the first elastic element (26) and / or the second elastic element (18) each comprise a pair of springs, elastomers, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, or any other suitable elements, or combinations thereof, or any other elastic element capable of storing potential energy and converting it into kinetic energy.

14. 2. The drilling rig of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical pulse spindle comprises a cylindrical portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cylindrical pulse spindle, the cylindrical portion comprising the treated surface area and the lateral cylindrical surface.

15. 3. The drilling rig of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical pulse spindle (34) comprises more than one pair of treated surface areas (52) arranged diametrically opposite each other, the treated surface areas (52) being spaced at regular intervals around the circumference of the cylindrical pulse spindle (34).

16. The drilling rig of claim 1 , wherein the treated surface area (52) is milled, etched, cast, laser machined, or 3D printed.

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