Self-retaining self-insertion piercing system

Abstract

To provide a self-holding, self-driving drilling system that provides reliable, fail-proof, autonomous operation regardless of the type of a surface of an object to be drilled.SOLUTION: A self-holding drilling system 100 utilizes a vacuum gripping base 110 and an air extraction pump to apply a holding force toward an object surface while maintaining surface-ward pressure on a drilling apparatus attached thereto. The pump extracts air from two discrete but coupled volumes, namely, a volume associated with the vacuum gripping base and a volume related to one or more piston tubes mounted transversely to the vacuum gripping element and movably coupled to the drilling apparatus. The surface area of the piston tubes 130 is less than the surface area of the vacuum gripping base.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a drilling device, and more particularly to a drilling device that applies a pushing force for drilling holes in an object surface while continuously holding itself against the object surface.

Background Art

[0002] A drill is a mechanical device for drilling holes by pushing an exchangeable drill bit into an object surface. The operator of the drill must apply a holding force toward the object surface and push the tip of the drill bit into the object surface. This force must be continuously applied and adjusted as the helical contour of the drill bit penetrates the surface. However, manual drill operation is a tedious and physically exhausting task, and without proper ergonomics, the operator will quickly become fatigued.

[0003] Self-holding devices such as the vacuum gripper (vacuum suction) described in US Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0338695 (hereinafter, '695') mainly consist of a highly rigid base element and a loop-shaped vacuum seal member attached thereto. The vacuum generated between the object surface and the base element presses the vacuum gripper against the object surface within the range of the seal member. These devices function well to hold themselves against different object surfaces, but by themselves, they cannot account for the counterforce between the drill that can push the vacuum gripper away from the object surface and the surface. For example, since the drill effectively pushes itself away from the object during operation, the holding force mimicking a human operator must adjust the pressure accordingly while applying the pushing force of the drill against the object surface. Although it is also possible to use a feedback mechanism that continuously adjusts an actuator that senses such a force and applies a holding force to prevent the drill from being pushed away, this mechanism is prohibitively costly and may not guarantee safe operation in the event of, for example, a sensor or actuator failure. Furthermore, since the performance of the vacuum gripper may vary when used on object surfaces of different materials, there is also the problem of whether the holding force of the drill can be reliably maintained autonomously.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a self-holding self-pushing drilling system that provides reliable and failure-free autonomous operation regardless of the type of surface of the object to be drilled. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure is a self - holding self - pushing piercing system (drilling system) comprising a vacuum suction bottom with a piercing opening, a sealing member, and an air extraction means. The sealing member includes a peripheral seal disposed within an outer channel of the vacuum suction bottom and an inner seal disposed within an inner channel around the piercing opening. The movement of the air extraction means creates a low - pressure environment in a first volume defined by the sealing member, the vacuum suction bottom, and the object surface. The differential pressure between the first volume and the surrounding environment generates a holding force that conforms the sealing member to the object surface when the vacuum suction bottom is pressed against the object surface.

[0006] The piercing system also incorporates a piercing assembly coupled to the vacuum suction bottom. The piercing assembly includes a piercing device disposed across the piercing opening. One or more piston tubes are attached to the vacuum suction bottom so as to cross it in line with the housing. The piercing device moves in a direction perpendicular to the vacuum suction bottom by linear pneumatic operation of the piston tubes. Through one or more openings provided in the bottom, the first volume is in fluid contact with a second volume encompassed by the piston tubes.

[0007] This holding force is proportional to the first surface area of the first volume and effectively holds the self - piercing system against the object surface. Further, a pushing force is exerted on the piercing device by the low - pressure environment within the second volume. The pushing force is equal to the counter - force exerted on the piercing device by the object surface during normal operation and is proportional to the second surface area of the second volume. Since the first surface area is larger than the second surface area, the holding force is always greater than the pushing force, enabling the piercing device to be pressed against the object surface without lifting the vacuum suction bottom from the object surface and without damaging the sealing member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Embodiments of this invention are shown by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate like elements, and in which:

[0010]

Figure 1

[0011]

Figure 2

[0012]

Figure 3

[0013] Figure 3B is a top perspective view of the vacuum - attracting bottom.

[0014]

Figure 4

[0015]

Figure 5

[0016]

Figure 6

[0017]

Figure 7

[0018] Other features of this embodiment will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The exemplary embodiments described below can be used to provide a self - holding piercing system. As used herein, "self - holding" means not only using current vacuum gripper (vacuum suction) technology as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0338695 (hereinafter, '695'), but also that the piercing system described herein has the ability to press its piercing device against an object surface without lifting the entire system from the object surface. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary self - holding piercing system 100 (hereinafter, "piercing system 100") is illustrated. The piercing system 100 includes a vacuum suction bottom 110 and a piercing assembly 120 coupled thereto.

[0020] The vacuum suction bottom 110 may be similar to the rigid base element of '695 (see marker 141 in FIG. 8 of '695), i.e., when the vacuum suction bottom 110 is pressed against an object surface, it includes a seal member 112 that conforms to the object surface. Referring to FIG. 2, a partially cut - away view showing the internal components of the piercing system 100 is shown. Without limitation, an air pump 102 that extracts air from the vacuum suction bottom 110, a battery 104 that portably supplies power to the electronic components of the piercing system 100, a trigger 106 that provides power control to the user of the piercing system 100, a flexible cable cover 107 that protects the communication connection between the piercing assembly 120 and other internal components of the piercing system 100, and a release valve 108 that releases the piercing system 100 from the object surface by equalizing the pressure between the internal volume of the piercing system 100 and the ambient space when operated. The piercing system 100 is shown to be powered by a portable battery 104, but it should be understood that the piercing system 100 may be adapted to receive power from an A / C power source via a coupled power cord.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 3A, an exploded view of a portion of the piercing system 100 shows the assembly of the vacuum suction bottom 110 and the seal member 112. Further, referring to FIG. 3B, a top perspective view of the vacuum suction bottom is shown. The vacuum suction bottom 110 includes a peripheral outer channel 111 defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, and a receiving surface. Further, the vacuum suction bottom 110 may include an inner channel 113 disposed around a piercing opening 114 that is similarly defined and through which a drill bit (not shown) of the piercing device can extend. The seal member 112 is composed of two parts: a peripheral seal 112a that fits into the peripheral outer channel 111 and an inner seal 112g that fits into the inner channel 113. The seal member 112 may be made of a foldable material such as foam that locally deforms and is directed towards the object surface by the walls of the outer channel 111 and the inner channel 113 to form an airtight seal.

[0022] In one embodiment, the air pump 102 provides a suction force that collects debris and other waste generated by the piercing device. The suction force may remove debris through and / or around the piercing opening 114 and direct the debris to a local storage location.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 7, a front elevation view of the piercing system 100 is shown. As shown, the piercing system 100 is pressed against the object surface 140. If a sufficient pushing force 150 is applied, the drill bit 121 coupled to the piercing device can push through and advance into the object surface 140. However, a counterforce 155 equal to the pushing force 150 pushes up the drill bit 121 and thus the entire piercing system 100. Therefore, it is important that this pushing force 150 does not exceed the holding force 160 exerted on the piercing system 100 by the vacuum suction bottom 110 to keep the piercing system 100 held against the object surface 140.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, in the front perspective view of the drilling system 100, when the drilling system reaches the lower limit in the vertical direction, a distance limiter 160 for stopping the operation of the drilling system 100 is shown. The distance limiter 160 may include a distance limiting rod 166 slidably disposed within a limiter housing 162. The distance limiting rod 166 may form a groove on its side surface, and the distance limiting rod 166 can be moved in the vertical direction and fixed in the vertical position. The limiter housing 162 may include a protrusion that complements the groove of the distance limiting rod 166. The distance limiting rod 166 may form a push button tip 168 that is operatively coupled to the drilling device at the end of the distance limiting rod 166 facing the upper surface of the vacuum suction bottom 110, that is, when the push button tip is pressed, the drilling device stops operating. However, this does not stop the operation of the air pump, but rather prevents the drilling system 100 from being removed from the object surface after finishing drilling.

[0025] The operation of the air pump 102 helps to extract air from the volume 118 included by the vacuum suction bottom 110, the seal member 112, and the object surface (not shown). As a result of the low-pressure environment in the volume 118, the vacuum suction bottom 110 and the object surface exert a holding force 160 and an equal counterforce 165 on each other that are proportional to the surface area of the volume 118. It is important to note that the surface area of the vacuum suction bottom 110 is maximized by using a suction pad as shown incorporating a grid-like structure.

[0026] The piercing assembly 120 includes a housing 122 having sidewalls that enclose a piercing device (not shown). The piercing device accepts various bits from various shape factors and materials and is mounted centrally above the piercing opening 114. The downward force of the piercing device will push the housing 122 upward. At the upper part of the sidewalls of the housing 122, a piston collar 124 that holds one or more piston tubes 130 against the vacuum chuck bottom 110 is incorporated. The piston tubes 130 are mounted to cross the vacuum chuck bottom 110 and are aligned vertically with the housing 122. Referring to FIG. 4, a bottom perspective view of the piercing system 100 shows the structure of the piston tubes 130 and their positioning relative to the vacuum chuck bottom 110. Further, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a perspective view and a cross-sectional view are shown respectively. The piston tube 130 includes an annular sidewall 132, a cap 134, a base 136 coupled to the vacuum chuck bottom 110, a piston 138 housed within the annular sidewall 132, and a shaft 139 coupled across the piston 138 at a first end 139a and coupled to the piston collar 124 at a second end 139b. The piston 138 is slidable within the annular sidewall 132, and the shaft 139 is slidable through the cap 134.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 7 and also referring to FIG. 3B, the illustrated piston tube mount 115 includes an equalization opening 117 that provides an open interface between the volume 118 and the volume 119 defined by the annular sidewall 132, the piston 138, and the base 136. The outward force F within the defined volume is characterized, as shown, by the pressure difference ΔP between that volume and the surrounding environment 170 multiplied by the surface area A of that volume. F = ΔP * A (Equation 1)

[0028] The low-pressure environment within the volume 119 causes the piston tube 130 to exert a pushing force 150 (F D ) on the piercing device and subsequently on the object surface 140. F D is the reaction force 155 (F D ’). F D =F D ' (Formula 2)

[0029] Based on the above formula 1, the pushing force F D is proportional to the pressure difference (ΔP) between the volume 119 and the surrounding environment 170 and the surface area A1 of the volume 119, as shown. F D =ΔP*A1(Equation 3)

[0030] Volume 119 shares the same pressure difference as volume 118. Due to ΔP between volume 118 and the surrounding environment, the vacuum-drawn bottom 110 exerts a holding force F on the drilling system 100 against the object surface 140. H F D Similarly, F H is proportional to ΔP between volume 119 and the surrounding environment 170 multiplied by the surface area A2 of volume 119, as shown. F H =ΔP*A2(Equation 4)

[0031] Since the surface area of ​​volume 119 (A2) is always significantly smaller than the surface area of ​​volume 118 (A1), F H is always F D This allows the drilling system 100 to have a retention force F H F of the drilling device not exceeding D , while remaining held against the object surface 140, preventing the drilling system from lifting off the object surface 140.

[0032] All documents cited in this document, including any patents, patent applications, and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Claims

1. A vacuum suction bottom having a perforated opening, a sealing member, and an air extraction means, A perforation assembly coupled to the vacuum suction bottom, Comprising, The sealing member includes a peripheral seal disposed within an outer channel of the vacuum suction bottom and an inner seal disposed within an inner channel around the perforated opening, Due to the pressure difference created by the air extraction means between the surrounding environment and the first volume contained within the sealing member, the vacuum suction bottom, and the object surface, when the vacuum suction bottom is pressed against the object surface during normal operation, the holding force conforms the sealing member to the object surface, The perforation assembly, A perforation device disposed across the perforated opening, One or more piston tubes attached to the vacuum suction bottom so as to cross side by side with the perforation device, and each piston tube is configured to move the perforation device in a vertical direction with respect to the vacuum suction bottom by a linear pneumatic operation of the piston tube, Comprising, The piston tube includes a second volume that shares the pressure difference of the first volume, The holding force is proportional to the first surface area of the first volume and the differential pressure between the first volume and the surrounding environment, and effectively holds the self - holding perforation system against the object surface, The pushing force applied to the perforation device is equal to the resistance force applied to the perforation device by the object surface during normal operation and is proportional to the second surface area of the second volume and the differential pressure between the second volume and the surrounding environment, The holding force is greater than the pushing force due to the first surface area being larger than the second surface area, and can press the perforation device against the object surface without lifting the vacuum suction bottom from the object surface or damaging the sealing member, A self - holding perforation system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the perforation assembly, A distance - limiting rod slidably received within a groove of the perforation assembly aligned longitudinally with the perforation assembly, A push - button tip coupled to an end of the distance - limiting rod proximate to the vacuum suction bottom, the push - button tip being communicatively coupled to the perforation device and configured such that when the push - button tip contacts the upper surface of the vacuum suction bottom, the perforation device stops operating, The system further comprising.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a release lever configured to lift an airlock from a release opening of the vacuum suction bottom and manually reverse the low - pressure environment of the first volume and the second volume, The system further comprising.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the air extraction means provides a suction force for removing debris through the perforated opening and deposits the debris at a local storage location.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a power source, the power source being an attached battery or a compatible A / C power source.

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