Positioning device for drilling equipment

Abstract

To provide a positioning device positioning a drilling tool of a drilling apparatus relative to a workpiece.SOLUTION: A positioning device 104 for positioning a drilling tool 106 of a drilling apparatus 102 relative to a workpiece includes a cage 124 mounted to the drilling apparatus such that the cage at least partially surrounds the drilling tool. The cage includes an end portion 128 that includes an alignment surface 130 configured to be engaged in physical contact with a workpiece surface 110 of the workpiece 108. The alignment surface of the cage is oriented relative to a centerline axis of the drilling tool such that the centerline axis 120 extends normal to the workpiece surface when the alignment surface of the cage is in contact with the workpiece surface. The positioning device also includes a laser projector 142 mounted to the cage such that the laser projector is configured to project an illuminated dot onto the workpiece surface that indicates where the centerline axis of the drilling tool intersects with the workpiece surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] During aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul, fasteners (e.g., rivets, bolts, screws, etc.) must be removed to replace damaged or structurally compromised components. The process of removing aircraft fasteners typically requires that a drill be positioned on the center of the fastener and perpendicular to the surface of the component surrounding the fastener. If the drill is not positioned accurately, the adjacent substructure may be compromised, for example, in the form of an oversized, irregular (e.g., abnormally shaped), and / or non-perpendicular hole, which may require costly rework of the substructure. For example, if the drill is not positioned on the fastener center, the drill may compromise the fastener hole, causing it to become oval, or if the drill is not positioned perpendicular to the surface of the component, the drill may compromise the fastener hole, causing it to become snowball-shaped. Furthermore, repeatedly drilling fasteners with a drill positioned off-perpendicular to the surface of the component may increase the rate of drill bit breakage.

[0002] One method for centering a drill bit on a fastener is to first use a small stamp and hammer to create a depression in the center of the fastener and then place the drill bit within the depression. However, while this action may facilitate centering the drill bit on the fastener, it is still possible that the drill bit will not be perpendicular to the surface of the component. Furthermore, while it is known to provide hand drills with guide attachments that facilitate orienting the drill bit perpendicular to the surface of the component, such guide attachments do not assist in aligning the drill bit with the center of the fastener. Other approaches for accurately positioning a drill suffer from the disadvantages of being costly, time-consuming, and / or labor-intensive. For example, some drilling systems include magnetic targets located within the component structure (e.g., on the side of the component opposite the side being drilled), which may require access to the interior of the aircraft, increasing the cost, time, and / or effort required to complete the drilling process. Furthermore, for example, automated (e.g., robotic) drilling machines are typically expensive and can require a relatively large investment in software programming for the various different components involved in the drilling process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect, a positioning device is provided for positioning a drill tool of a drilling rig relative to a workpiece. The positioning device includes a cage configured to be mounted to the drilling rig to at least partially surround the drill tool of the drilling rig. The cage includes an end portion including an alignment surface configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface of the workpiece. When the cage is mounted to the drilling rig, the alignment surface of the cage is oriented with respect to a centerline axis of the drill tool such that the centerline axis extends approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface when the alignment surface of the cage is in contact with the workpiece surface. The positioning device also includes a laser projector mounted to the cage so as to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface indicating where the centerline axis of the drill tool intersects with the workpiece surface when the alignment surface of the cage is in contact with the workpiece surface.

[0004] In another aspect, a drilling rig assembly is provided. The drilling rig assembly includes a drilling rig having a body, a chuck held by the body, and a drill tool held by the chuck. The drilling rig assembly includes a positioning device mounted to the drilling rig for positioning the drill tool relative to a workpiece. The positioning device includes a cage at least partially surrounding the drill tool of the drilling rig. The cage includes an end portion including an alignment surface configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface of the workpiece. The cage alignment surface is oriented with respect to a centerline axis of the drill tool such that the centerline axis of the drill tool extends approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface. The positioning device also includes a laser projector mounted to the cage such that a light dot is configured to project onto the workpiece surface indicating where the centerline axis of the drill tool intersects with the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface. The dot of light projected onto the workpiece surface by the laser projector is configured to be adjustably aligned with a target drill location on the workpiece surface by moving the drilling device relative to the workpiece surface.

[0005] In another aspect, a method for drilling a workpiece is provided that includes bringing an alignment surface of a positioning device mounted on a drilling apparatus into physical contact and engagement with a workpiece surface of the workpiece such that a centerline axis of a drill tool of the drilling apparatus extends substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface, illuminating a dot of light on the workpiece surface indicating where the centerline axis of the drill tool intersects the workpiece surface, moving the drilling apparatus relative to the workpiece surface to align the dot of light with a target drill location on the workpiece surface, and drilling the target drill location with the drill tool. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a drilling equipment assembly including one implementation of a positioning device. [Figure 2] 2 illustrates a viewing area of ​​a display of the positioning device shown in FIG. 1 according to one implementation. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is another view of the viewing area shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a positioning device according to one implementation in which the positioning device is collapsible along its length. [Figure 5] 5 is another perspective view of the positioning device of FIG. 4, showing a contracted configuration of the positioning device according to one implementation. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the positioning device of FIGS. 4 and 5, showing an extended configuration of the positioning device according to one implementation. [Figure 7] 7 is another perspective view of the positioning device shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, showing the positioning device of FIG. 5 in an extended configuration. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a positioning device according to one implementation in which the positioning device is not retractable along its length. [Figure 9] 9 is another perspective view of the positioning device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the positioning device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for drilling a workpiece, according to one implementation. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one implementation of an aircraft. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one implementation of an aircraft manufacturing and service method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Certain embodiments and implementations of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the use of the word "a" or "an" followed by an element or step in the singular should be understood as not necessarily excluding a plurality of elements or steps. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" or "one implementation" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, embodiments "comprising" or "having" one or more elements having certain characteristics may include additional elements that do not have those characteristics (unless expressly stated otherwise).

[0008] Although various spatial and directional terms (e.g., "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "vertical," etc.) are used to describe embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are used only with reference to the orientations shown in the drawings. These orientations may be reversed, rotated, or otherwise altered so that a top becomes a bottom side if the structure is flipped 180 degrees, a left or right side if the structure is pivoted 90 degrees, etc.

[0009] Certain implementations of the present disclosure provide a positioning device for positioning a drill tool of a drilling rig relative to a workpiece. The positioning device includes a cage configured to be mounted to the drilling rig to at least partially surround the drill tool of the drilling rig. The cage includes an end portion including an alignment surface configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface of the workpiece. When the cage is mounted to the drilling rig, the alignment surface of the cage is oriented with respect to a centerline axis of the drill tool such that the centerline axis of the drill tool extends approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface when the alignment surface of the cage is in contact with the workpiece surface. The positioning device also includes a laser projector mounted to the cage and configured to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface indicating where the centerline axis of the drill tool intersects with the workpiece surface when the alignment surface of the cage is in contact with the workpiece surface.

[0010] Certain implementations of the present disclosure facilitate positioning a drill tool of a drilling apparatus both perpendicular to a workpiece surface and aligned with a target drill point on the workpiece surface. Certain implementations of the present disclosure reduce damage caused by drilling operations to the workpiece and / or other structures (e.g., adjacent substructures, etc.). For example, certain implementations of the present disclosure reduce the occurrence of oversized, irregular (e.g., irregularly shaped), and / or non-perpendicular holes. Certain implementations of the present disclosure reduce the number of drill tool breakages caused by repeated drilling operations. Certain implementations of the present disclosure reduce the cost of performing drilling operations, the time required to perform drilling operations, and / or the labor required to perform drilling operations.

[0011] Referring now to the figures, a schematic diagram of a drilling rig assembly is provided in Figure 1. The drilling rig assembly 100 includes a drilling rig 102 and one implementation of a positioning device 104 for positioning a drilling tool 106 of the drilling rig 102 relative to a workpiece 108. As will be described in more detail below, the positioning device 104 is configured to facilitate positioning of the drilling rig 102 so that (1) the drilling tool 106 extends (e.g., is oriented) approximately perpendicular to a surface 110 of the workpiece 108 being drilled, and (2) the drilling tool 106 is generally or adjustably aligned with a target drill site 112 on the workpiece surface 110.

[0012] Referring initially to the drilling apparatus 102, the drilling apparatus 102 includes a body 114, a chuck 116, and a drill tool 106. The chuck 116 is carried by the body 114 so as to be configured to rotate relative to the body 114 about an axis of rotation 118 during operation of the drilling apparatus 102. The drilling apparatus 102 includes any suitable drive mechanism (not shown), such as, but not limited to, an electric motor, a hand crank, a combustion engine, etc., operably connected to the chuck 116 to drive rotation of the chuck 116 about the axis of rotation 118 (i.e., to apply a torque to the chuck 116 that rotates the chuck 116 about the axis of rotation 118).

[0013] 1 , the drill tool 106 is held by the chuck 116 such that a rotational axis 118 of the chuck 116 is aligned with a centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106. The drill tool 106 is secured to the chuck 116 so that it is configured to rotate together with the chuck 116 about the rotational axis 118 and the centerline axis 120. Specifically, the drill tool 106 is fixedly secured to the chuck 116 such that the chuck 116 transfers torque provided by a drive mechanism to the drill tool 106, thereby rotating the drill tool 106 about the rotational axis 118 and the centerline axis 120. In some examples, the drill tool 106 is removably held by the chuck 116 so that it can be selectably secured to and removed from the drilling rig 102, for example, for repair or replacement of the drill tool 106 and / or for service, storage, transportation, maintenance, etc. of the drilling rig 102.

[0014] When the drilling apparatus 102 is operated to drill the workpiece surface 110, the drill tool 106 rotates about axes 118 and 120 in a cutting direction (e.g., clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.) that enables the drill tool 106 to cut the workpiece surface 110. As the drill tool 106 rotates about axes 118 and 120 in the cutting direction, it moves along axes 118 and 120 toward the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., in the direction of arrow 122) and makes physical contact with the workpiece surface 110. The drill tool 106 is forced (e.g., pressed) against the workpiece surface 110 along axes 118 and 120 (e.g., in the direction of arrow 122) to impart a contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110. Rotation of the drill tool 106 in the cutting direction and the contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110 causes the drill tool 106 to cut (eg, drill) the workpiece surface 110 .

[0015] In some implementations, such as (but not limited to) the handheld implementation of the drilling device 102 shown in FIG. 1 , the body 114 of the drilling device 102 (1) moves along axes 118 and 120 toward the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., in the direction of arrow 122) to move the drill tool 106 toward the workpiece surface 110 and into physical contact with the workpiece surface 110, and (2) a force is applied to the body 114 to press the drill tool 106 against the workpiece surface 110, thereby providing a contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110. Movement of and forces applied to the body 114 of the drilling device 102 to move the drill tool 106 toward and impart a contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110 may be (1) fully automated in some implementations, (2) assisted (e.g., semi-automated) in some implementations, and (3) fully manual (e.g., performed entirely by an operator, etc.) in some implementations. For example, in the handheld implementation of FIG. 1 , an operator holding the drilling device 102 manually moves the body 114 of the drilling device 102 and manually applies forces to the body 114 to impart a contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110.

[0016] In another implementation, the drill tool 106 moves relative to the body 114 of the drilling apparatus 102 by moving the drill tool 106 along axes 118 and 120 toward the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., in the direction of arrow 122) into physical contact with the workpiece surface 110, and the contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110 is imparted by applying a force to the drill tool 106 to press the drill tool 106 against the workpiece surface 110. The drilling apparatus 102 includes any suitable mechanism, structure, etc. (e.g., without limitation, a machine quill, bearings, etc.) that enables the drill tool 106 to move relative to the body 114 of the drilling apparatus along axes 118 and 120. The movement of and forces applied to the drill tool 106 to move the drill tool 106 relative to the body 114 toward the workpiece surface 110 and to apply a contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110 may be (1) fully automated in some implementations (e.g., using electric, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic linear actuators on the drilling equipment), (2) assisted (e.g., semi-automated) in some implementations (e.g., using hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, gas springs, etc.), or (3) fully manual in some implementations (e.g., all performed by the operator to directly and / or indirectly apply forces to the drill tool 106). Examples of fully automated implementations include implementations in which the drilling apparatus 102 is a drill press that includes a linear actuator (not shown) that, when actuated, for example, by an operator and / or a computer, automatically applies a force to the drilling tool 106 to automatically move the drilling tool 106 relative to the body 114 and to impart a contact force between the drilling tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110.Another example of a fully automated implementation includes an implementation where the drilling apparatus 102 is a handheld drilling apparatus that includes a linear actuator and / or other mechanism configured to automatically move the drill tool 106 relative to the body 114 and automatically apply a force to the drill tool 106 that applies a contact force when the drilling apparatus 102 is actuated, for example, by an operator holding the drilling apparatus 102. An example of manual automation includes an implementation where the drilling apparatus 102 is a drill press that includes a hand crank that can be manually tuned by an operator to indirectly move the drill tool 106 relative to the body 114 and indirectly apply a force to the drill tool 106 that applies a contact force between the drill tool 106 and the workpiece surface 110.

[0017] In the exemplary implementations shown herein, the drill tool 106 is a drill bit, and more specifically, a twist drill bit. However, the drill tool 106 may additionally or alternatively include any type of drill bit, such as, but not limited to, a step drill bit, an unbit drill bit, a hole saw, a center spotting drill bit, a core drill bit, a countersink drill bit, an ejector drill bit, a gun drill bit, an indexable drill bit, a left-handed bit, a metal spade bit, a straight flute bit, a trepan, a lipspur drill bit, a wood spade bit, a spoon bit, a Forstner bit, a center bit, an auger bit, a gimlet bit, a hinge sinker bit, an adjustable wood bit, a metal drill bit, a diamond core bit, a masonry drill bit, a glass drill bit, a PCB through-hole drill bit, an insulator bit, a fishing bit, a flexible shaft bit, etc. Furthermore, the drill tool 106 is not limited to including a drill bit. Rather, the drilling tools 106 may additionally or alternatively include any other type of drilling tool, such as, but not limited to, a tap or a die.

[0018] 1, the drilling device 102 is a portable, handheld drilling device, but is not limited to such. Rather, additionally or alternatively, the drilling device 102 may include any type of drilling device, including, but not limited to, a drill press, a drilling device supported by an attachment and / or other structure (e.g., a suspended structure, a structure attached to the workpiece 108, a structure adjacent to the workpiece 108, a floor-based and / or mounted structure, etc.), a less portable drilling device, etc. Furthermore, the drilling device 102 is not limited to the wired power drilling device 102 shown in the implementation of FIG. 1, but rather, additionally or alternatively, may include any other power source (e.g., but not limited to, a battery-powered power drilling device, a pneumatically powered drilling device, a hydraulically powered drilling device, etc.).

[0019] In the illustrated implementation, the workpiece 108 is an aircraft component (e.g., an interior panel, an exterior skin panel, etc.), and the target drill location 112 is a fastener (e.g., a rivet, a bolt, a screw, etc.) to be drilled out (e.g., removed) by the drilling rig 102. However, the workpiece 108 is not limited to aircraft components. Rather, the implementations of the positioning device illustrated and described herein are applicable to any type of workpiece on which a drilling operation is performed (e.g., but not limited to, automotive components, machine components, marine components, space components, panels of large assemblies and / or other structures, etc.). Furthermore, the target drill location 112 is not limited to being a fastener to be drilled out by the drilling rig. Rather, the implementations of the positioning device illustrated and described herein are applicable to any location on a workpiece on which a drilling operation is performed (e.g., a hole to be drilled for subsequent installation of a fastener, a location for a vent, a location for a viewing opening, etc.). As described in more detail below in connection with the positioning device 104, the workpiece surface 110 is not limited to being substantially flat (e.g., having a substantially two-dimensional (2D) shape) as shown in Figure 1. Rather, in other implementations, one or more segments of the workpiece surface 110 have a three-dimensional (3D) shape (e.g., are curved) in addition to or instead of being substantially flat.

[0020] Referring now to the positioning device 104, the positioning device 104 includes a cage 124 mounted to the drilling rig 102. The cage 124 is configured to be mounted to the drilling rig 102. Specifically, the cage 124 extends a length from an end portion 126 to an opposite end portion 128. The end portion 126 of the cage 124 is mounted to the body 114 of the drilling rig 102 so as to at least partially surround the periphery of the drilling tool 106 of the drilling rig 102, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cage 124 is mounted to the body 114 of the drilling rig 102, the length of the cage 124 extends along axes 118 and 120.

[0021] The end portions 126 of the cage 124 are fixedly attached to the body 114 of the drilling rig 102 such that the cage 124 remains stationary relative to the body 114 (i.e., does not rotate about the axes 118 and 120 with the drill tool 106) during operation of the drilling rig 102. In other words, during a drilling operation of the drilling rig 102, the drill tool 106 rotates about the rotation axis 118 and the centerline axis 120 relative to both the body 114 of the drilling rig and the cage 124 of the positioning device 104. The end portions 126 of the cage 124 are attached to the body 114 of the drilling apparatus 102 using any method, means, structure, mechanism, method, arrangement, connection, connector, device, etc. (e.g., but not limited to, adhesives, interference fits, snap fits, fasteners such as threaded fasteners, latches, welding, brazing, epoxies, clips, rings, locking pins, quick release pins, clevises, clevis-type connections, bayonet-type connections, spring overrides, etc.) that enables the cage 124 to function as described and / or illustrated herein. In the implementation of FIG. 1, the drilling apparatus 102 is a handheld drilling apparatus, and the cage 124 is configured to be attached to the handheld drilling apparatus 102, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] The end portion 128 of the cage 124 includes alignment surfaces 130 configured to physically contact and engage the workpiece surface 110 of the workpiece 108 to position the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110. Specifically, the alignment surfaces 130 of the cage 124 have one or more locations relative to the body 114 of the drilling rig 102 (e.g., location(s) along axes 118 and 120, location(s) along axes 118 and 120, orientation(s), angle(s), alignment(s), etc. along axes 132 and 134 extending perpendicular to axes 118 and 120) and one or more geometries (e.g., orientation(s), angle(s), shape(s), contour(s), size(s), etc.) configured to orient the alignment surfaces 130 in a predetermined orientation relative to the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 when the cage 124 is mounted on the drilling rig 102. The predetermined orientation of the alignment surface 130 relative to the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 is selected such that physical contact between the alignment surface 130 and the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., by engaging the alignment surface 130, i.e., moving the alignment surface 130 into physical contact with the workpiece surface 110) causes the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., at the target drill location 112, etc.). In other words, when the cage is mounted to the drilling rig 102, the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is oriented relative to the centerline axis 120 such that the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 extends (e.g., is oriented) substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., at the target drill location 112, etc.) when the alignment surface 130 is in physical contact with the workpiece surface 110. In some implementations, when the cage is mounted on the drilling rig 102, the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is oriented relative to the centerline axis 120 such that the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 extends (e.g., is oriented) exactly perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., at the target drill location 112) when the alignment surface 130 is in physical contact with the workpiece surface 110. As shown in FIG. 1 , the alignment surface 130 physically contacts and engages the workpiece surface 110 at one or more contact regions 136.

[0023] The cage 124 includes any structure, configuration, arrangement, geometry, etc. that enables the cage 124 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to provide a substantially perpendicular orientation of the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 relative to the workpiece surface 110). In the implementation of FIG. 1 , the cage 124 includes three spaced-apart legs 138, each extending outwardly a length from an end portion 126 of the cage 124 to a free end portion 140 of the cage 124. The free end portions 140 of the legs 138 define the end portion 128 of the cage 124. An end face of the free end portion 140 defines the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124. Thus, the alignment surface 130 of the implementation of FIG. 1 includes three spaced-apart segments 130 a, 130 b, and 130 c. As shown in FIG. 1, segments 130a, 130b, and 130c physically contact and engage the workpiece surface at respective contact areas 136a, 136b, and 136c.

[0024] Any other suitable structure that enables the cage 124 to function as described and / or illustrated herein is contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in other implementations, one or more of the legs 138 are interconnected with one or more of the other legs 138 at their free end portions 140 and / or at other locations along the length of the legs 138. Furthermore, in some implementations, the end portion 128 of the cage 124 is defined by a single, continuous segment that continuously surrounds the drill tool 106 (e.g., surrounds substantially all of the periphery of the drill tool 106). This continuous segment may have any shape(s) (e.g., circular, polygonal, rectangular, triangular, quadrilateral, curved, elliptical, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.). The implementations shown in Figures 4 to 7 and Figures 8 to 10 illustrate examples in which end portions 228 and 328 of cages 224 and 324, respectively, can be considered to be defined by a single continuous segment or can be considered to have shorter legs (than leg 138 of the implementation in Figure 1).

[0025] Further, for example, other implementations of cage 124 include any other number of legs 138 (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, etc.) and / or other implementations of alignment surface 130 include any other number of spaced apart segments (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, etc.). In some implementations, alignment surface 130 includes only a single contiguous segment.

[0026] 1 , the workpiece surface 110 is substantially flat along a region including the target drill location 112 and contact regions 136a-c. In other implementations in which the region of the workpiece surface 110 including the contact region(s) 136 includes a 3D shape (e.g., a curved shape, etc.), different spaced apart segments of the alignment surface 130 and / or different locations along the same segment of the alignment surface 130 may have different relative configurations (e.g., different location(s) along axes 118 and 120, different locations along axis 132, different locations along axis 134, different orientations, different angles, different alignment positions, etc.) to accommodate the 3D shape of the workpiece surface 110, for example, in a manner that enables engagement between the alignment surface 130 and the workpiece surface 110 and orients the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., at the target drill location 112, etc.).

[0027] Optionally, one or more segments of alignment surface 130 (e.g., segments 130a, 130b, and / or 130c) have a shape that complements the shape of workpiece surface 110 at a corresponding contact area of ​​workpiece surface 110 (e.g., respective contact areas 136a, 136b, and / or 136c). For example, in an implementation in which the area of ​​the workpiece surface 110 that includes the contact area(s) 136 includes a 3D shape (e.g., a curved shape, etc.), one or more of the alignment surface 130 segments may have a more complex geometry (e.g., orientation, shape, angle, contour, size, etc.) than the substantially flat geometry shown in the implementation of FIG. 1 (e.g., to accommodate the 3D shape of the workpiece surface 110 in a manner that enables engagement between the alignment surface 130 and the workpiece surface 110 and orients the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., at the target drill location 112, etc.)).

[0028] As briefly described above, the positioning device 104 is configured to facilitate positioning of the drilling equipment 102 so that the drill tool 106 is generally or adjustably aligned with a target drill site 112 on the workpiece surface 110. For example, the positioning device 104 includes a laser projector 142 mounted to the cage 124 so as to be configured to project a light dot (e.g., the light dot 144 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) onto the workpiece surface 110 indicating where the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 intersects with the workpiece surface 110 when the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is in contact with the workpiece surface 110. The drilling equipment 102 may then be moved relative to the workpiece surface 110 to generally align the light dot, and therefore the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106, with the target drill site 112 on the workpiece surface 110. In other words, the light dot projected onto the workpiece surface 110 by the laser projector 142 is adjustably aligned with the target drill site 112 on the workpiece surface 110 by moving the drilling apparatus 102 relative to the workpiece surface 110. In some implementations, the drilling apparatus 102 is moved relative to the workpiece surface 110 to precisely align the light dot, and therefore the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106, with the target drill site 112 on the workpiece surface 110.

[0029] For example, the laser projector 142 is mounted to the cage 124 in an orientation relative to the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 such that the laser beam emitted by the laser projector 142 intersects the centerline axis 120. In other words, the laser projector 142 is mounted to the cage 124 such that the laser beam emitted by the laser projector 142 is aimed to intersect the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106. The laser beam emitted by the laser projector 142 is aimed at the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 such that the laser beam intersects the centerline axis 120 at a location along the centerline axis 120 that corresponds to the position of the workpiece surface 110 along the centerline axis 120 when the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is engaged in physical contact with the workpiece surface 110. Thus, when the cage 124 moves into physical contact with the workpiece surface 110, the point of intersection of the laser beam and the workpiece surface 110 is generally aligned with the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the point of intersection of the laser beam and the workpiece surface 110 is marked by a dot of light (such as light dot 144) formed from the laser beam at least partially reflecting off the workpiece surface 110. Thus, the light dot illuminated by the laser projector 142 indicates where the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 intersects with the workpiece surface 110 when the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is engaged in physical contact with the workpiece surface 110.

[0030] The laser projector 142 is mounted to the cage 124 using any method, means, structure, mechanism, manner, arrangement, connection, connector, device, etc. that enables the laser projector 142 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to project a laser beam that intersects the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106, to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface 110 indicating where the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 intersects the workpiece surface 110, etc.). In some other implementations, the laser projector 142 is additionally or alternatively mounted to the body 114 of the drilling rig 102. Examples of methods, means, structures, mechanisms, methods, arrangements, connections, connectors, devices, etc. used in some implementations to attach the laser projector 142 to the cage 124 and / or body 114 include, but are not limited to, adhesives, interference fits, snap fits, fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners), latches, welding, brazing, epoxies, clips, rings, locking pins, quick release pins, clevises, clevis-type connections, bayonet-type connections, spring overrides, etc.

[0031] In some implementations, one or more parameters of the laser projector 142 are selectable, e.g., to enable calibration of the laser projector 142. In other words, in some implementations, one or more parameters of the laser projector 142 may be adjusted, changed, etc. (e.g., by a user, technician, etc.) to, for example, configure the laser projector 142 so that a dot of light (e.g., dot of light 144 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) emitted by the laser projector 142 indicates where the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 intersects the workpiece surface 110. In other words, in some implementations, one or more parameters of the laser projector 142 are adjustable, e.g., to configure the laser projector 142 so that a laser beam emitted by the laser projector 142 is aimed to intersect the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 at a location corresponding to a particular position of the workpiece surface 110 along the centerline axis 120. Examples of parameters of the laser projector 142 that may be selected in some implementations include, but are not limited to, the orientation of the laser projector 142 relative to the centerline axis 120, the intensity of the laser beam emitted by the laser projector 142, the placement (e.g., location, orientation, angle, alignment position, etc.) of the laser projector 142 on the cage 124 and / or body 114, etc.

[0032] One exemplary implementation of calibrating laser projector 142 includes: (1) loosening one or more mounts (not shown) attaching laser projector 142 to cage 124 and / or body 114 of drilling rig 102 so that the placement of laser projector 142 on cage 124 and / or body 114 can be adjusted; (2) bringing alignment surface 130 of cage 124 into physical contact and engagement with workpiece surface 110 of test workpiece 108; and (3) attaching cage 124 to body 114 of drilling rig 102. (4) drilling an indentation in the test workpiece surface 110; (5) adjusting the alignment of the laser projector 142 relative to the cage 124 and / or body 114 so that the light dot 144 illuminated by the laser projector 142 is (e.g., generally precisely) aligned with the indentation; and (6) tightening the mount(s) attaching the laser projector 142 to the cage 124 and / or body 114 to secure the laser projector 142 in the calibrated alignment. Steps (1)-(3) of the above-described exemplary implementation of calibrating the laser projector 142 may be performed in any relative order.

[0033] The laser projector 142 may be any type of laser projector 142 that enables the laser projector 142 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to project a laser beam that intersects the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106, and to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface 110 that indicates where the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 intersects with the workpiece surface 110). Examples of laser projectors 142 include, but are not limited to, laser diodes (e.g., direct injection), double frequency solid state diode pumped (DPSS), gas lasers, etc.

[0034] As described above, the drilling apparatus 102 is moved relative to the workpiece surface 110 to generally align the dot of light, and therefore the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106, with the target drill location 112 on the workpiece surface 110. Once the dot of light illuminated by the laser projector 142 is generally aligned with the target drill location 112, the drilling apparatus 102 is ready to perform a drilling operation on the workpiece 108 approximately at the target drill location 112. Specifically, the drill tool 106 is positioned (e.g., oriented, aligned, angled, disposed) relative to the target drill location 112 such that (1) the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 is generally aligned with the target drill location 112, and (2) the centerline axis 120 extends approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., at the target drill location 112). For example, in an implementation (such as, but not limited to, the implementation of FIG. 1 ) in which the target drill point 112 is a location on a fastener (e.g., a rivet, a bolt, a screw, etc.), the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 is generally aligned with the approximate center of the fastener (e.g., the approximate center 112 a of the fastener 146 in the implementation shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0035] In some implementations, the dot of light (e.g., dot of light 144 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) projected by the laser projector 142 onto the workpiece surface 110 is visible to a user of the drilling device 102. For example, in some implementations, the user of the drilling device 102 has line of sight to the dot of light. This line of sight exists (1) when the user is positioning the drilling device 102 on and / or along the workpiece surface 110 and / or (2) when the user is performing a drilling operation on the workpiece 108 (e.g., drilling the workpiece surface 110). The line of sight between the user and the dot of light projected by the laser projector 142 is direct in some implementations, while in other implementations it is an indirect line of sight provided by one or more mirrors, reflectors, or the like. The line of sight between the user and the light dot illuminated by the laser projector 142 allows the user to locate and verify the light dot in real time while moving the drilling equipment 102, generally aligning the light dot (and thereby the centerline axis 120) with the target drill site 112.

[0036] In addition to, or instead of, providing the user with a line of sight to the light dots illuminated by the laser projector 142, the positioning device 104 optionally includes one or more cameras 148 mounted on the cage 124. Each camera 148 is configured to capture an image of an area (e.g., field of view area 150 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) containing a light dot (e.g., light dot 144 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) on the workpiece surface 110 when the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is in contact with the workpiece surface 110. For example, the camera 148 is configured to capture an image of an area (e.g., field of view area 150) containing both the light dot and the target drill site 112 when the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is engaged in physical contact with the workpiece surface 110 at a location (where the target drill site 112 is within the field of view of the camera 148). The images captured by the camera 148 allow the user to locate and confirm the light dot (e.g., in real time) while moving the drilling equipment 102 and generally align the light dot (and thereby the centerline axis 120) with the target drill site 112.

[0037] Each camera 148 is configured to capture any type of image (e.g., but not limited to, still image, video image, real-time image, delayed image, visible light image, night vision image, etc.). For example, in one exemplary implementation, one or more cameras 148 are configured to capture real-time video of an area including both the light dot illuminated by the laser projector 142 and the target drill site 112. Each camera 148 is any type of camera 148 capable of functioning as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to capture an image of an area of ​​the workpiece surface 110 including both the light dot illuminated by the laser projector 142 and the target drill site 112). Examples of cameras 148 include, but are not limited to, a still image camera, a video camera, a digital camera, a night vision camera, a visible light camera, a lipstick camera, etc. Although an implementation including only one camera 148 is illustrated, in other implementations, the positioning device 104 includes any other number of cameras 148.

[0038] In some other implementations, additionally or alternatively, one or more cameras 148 are mounted to the body 114 of the drilling rig 102. Each camera 148 is mounted to the cage 124 and / or body 114 in any arrangement (e.g., location, orientation, alignment, angle, etc.) that enables the camera 148 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to capture images of the area of ​​the workpiece surface 110 that includes both the light dots illuminated by the laser projector 142 and the target drill sites 112). Furthermore, each camera 148 is mounted to the cage 124 using any method, means, structure, mechanism, manner, arrangement, connection, connector, device, etc. that enables the camera 148 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to capture images of the area of ​​the workpiece surface 110 that includes both the light dots and the target drill sites 112). Examples of methods, means, structures, mechanisms, modes, arrangements, connections, connectors, devices, etc. used in some implementations to attach one or more cameras 148 to the cage 124 and / or body 114 include, but are not limited to, adhesives, interference fits, snap fits, fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners), latches, welding, brazing, epoxies, clips, rings, locking pins, quick release pins, clevises, clevis-type connections, bayonet-type connections, spring overrides, etc., incorporated into the cage 124 and / or body 114.

[0039] In some implementations, one or more parameters of one or more of the cameras 148 may be selectable, for example, to enable calibration of the cameras 148. In other words, in some implementations, one or more parameters of one or more of the cameras 148 may be adjusted, changed, etc. (e.g., by a user or technician) to configure the cameras 148 to capture images of an area (e.g., field of view 150) that includes both the target drill location 112 on the workpiece surface 110 and the light dots (e.g., light dots 144) illuminated by the laser projector 142. Examples of parameters of one or more of the cameras 148 that may be selected in some implementations include, but are not limited to, the placement (e.g., location, orientation, alignment, angle, etc.) of the cameras 148 on the cage 124 and / or body 114, the speed of the cameras 148, the type of images captured by the cameras (e.g., still images, video, real-time images, delayed images, visible light images, night vision images, etc.), the delay time for images captured by the cameras 148, etc.

[0040] In implementations that include one or more cameras 148, each camera 148 is optionally operably connected to display(s) 152 and / or display(s) 154 such that the camera 148 is configured to transmit images captured by the camera 148 to one or more optional displays 152 of the positioning system 104 and / or one or more external displays 154 (described below) for viewing by a user of the drilling equipment 102. For example, in some implementations, the positioning device 104 includes one or more displays 152 (such as the implementation shown in FIG. 1 ). Each display 152 of the positioning device 104 is mounted to the cage 124 and / or the body 114 of the drilling device 102. Each display 152 is mounted to the cage 124 and / or body 114 in any arrangement (e.g., location, orientation, angle, alignment, etc.) using any manner, arrangement, method, means, structure, mechanism, connection, connector, device, etc. that enables the display 152 to be visible to (e.g., be viewable by) a user of the drilling rig 102. For example, one or more displays 152 of the positioning device 104 are mounted to the cage 124 and / or body 114 of the drilling rig 102 as an external attachment in some implementations (e.g., as shown in the implementation of FIG. 1 ), while in other implementations they are integrated into the cage 124 and / or body 114.

[0041] In one exemplary implementation, the positioning device 104 includes a display 152 attached to the cage 124 and / or the body 114 of the drilling rig 102 as an external attachment such that the position (e.g., location, orientation, angle, alignment, etc.) of the display 152 relative to the cage 124 and body 114 is configured to be adjusted by a user of the drilling rig 102 (e.g., using a telescoping arm, an articulating arm, a bending arm, etc.). For example, in the implementation of FIG. 1 , the positioning device 104 includes a display 152 attached to the cage 124 as an external attachment via an arm 156 configured to bend to allow a user to adjust the position of the display 152. The arm 156 includes a shape-memory material that is bendable to retain a bent shape selected by the user, thereby securely holding the display 152 in the position set by the user.

[0042] In another exemplary implementation, the positioning device 104 includes a display 152 that is mounted to the body 114 of the drilling rig 102, for example, by being integrated into the body 114 along an end portion 157 of the body 114 such that the center of a viewing area of ​​the display 152 (such as, for example, viewing area 150 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is generally aligned with the centerline axis 120 of the drilling tool 106. In yet another exemplary implementation, the positioning device 104 includes a display 152 that is mounted to the cage 124 and / or the body 114 of the drilling rig 102 by a hinge (not shown) such that the display 152 can rotate (e.g., flip) between a closed position in which the screen of the display 152 is not visible and an open position in which the screen is visible.

[0043] Examples of methods, means, structures, mechanisms, modes, arrangements, connections, connectors, devices, etc. used in some implementations to attach one or more displays 152 to the cage 124 and / or body 114 include, but are not limited to, adhesives, interference fits, snap fits, fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners), latches, welding, brazing, epoxies, clips, rings, locking pins, quick release pins, clevises, clevis-type connections, bayonet-type connections, spring overrides, etc., incorporated into the cage 124 and / or body 114.

[0044] Each display 152 of the positioning device 104 is operatively connected to the corresponding camera(s) 148 of the positioning device 104 using any valid wireless and / or wired connection that enables the display 152 to receive and display (e.g., configure the display 152 to) images acquired by the corresponding camera(s) 148. Examples of valid wired connections that enable the display 152 to receive and display images acquired by the corresponding camera(s) 148 include, but are not limited to, one or more electrical cables, one or more electrical wires, one or more optical cables, a wired connection to a local area network (LAN), a wired connection to a wide area network (WAN), a wired connection to the Internet, etc. Examples of valid wireless connections that enable the display 152 to receive and display images acquired by the corresponding camera(s) 148 include, but are not limited to, a Wi-Fi™ network, Bluetooth, a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a wireless connection to the Internet, etc.

[0045] Each display 152 of positioning device 104 may be any type of display that enables display 152 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to display images captured by corresponding camera 148), including, but not limited to, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a projection display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, etc. Although an implementation including only one display 152 is illustrated, in other implementations, positioning device 104 may include any other number of displays 152.

[0046] 1 is a dedicated display. In other words, the display 152 is dedicated to displaying images acquired by the camera(s) 148 of the positioning device 104. In addition to, or instead of, the positioning device 104 including one or more displays 152, one or more of the cameras 148 of the positioning device 104 is optionally configured to be operably connected to one or more external displays 154 that are not components of the positioning device 104. In other words, in some implementations, one or more of the cameras 148 is configured to be operably connected to one or more external displays 154 that are not dedicated solely to displaying images acquired by the camera(s) 148 of the positioning device 104. Examples of external displays 154 include, but are not limited to, televisions, display panels, computer monitors, smartphones, headsets, virtual reality headsets, augmented reality headsets, virtual reality glasses, augmented reality glasses, Google Glasses, handheld screens, tablets, and / or other mobile devices.

[0047] Each camera 148 of the positioning device 104 is operatively connected to one or more corresponding external displays 154 using any valid wireless and / or wired connection that enables the one or more external displays 154 to receive and display (e.g., configure the displays 154 to do so) images acquired by the corresponding camera(s) 148. Examples of valid wired connections that enable the external displays 154 to receive and display images acquired by the corresponding camera(s) 148 include, but are not limited to, one or more electrical cables, one or more electrical wires, one or more optical cables, a wired connection to a LAN, a wired connection to a WAN, a wired connection to the Internet, etc. Examples of valid wireless connections that enable the external displays 154 to receive and display images acquired by the corresponding camera(s) 148 include, but are not limited to, a Wi-Fi™ network, Bluetooth, WLAN, WWAN, a wireless connection to the Internet, etc.

[0048] Each of the external displays 154 may be any type of display that enables the external display 154 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to display images captured by the corresponding camera 148), including, but not limited to, a plasma display, an LCD, an LED display, a CRT display, a projection display, an OLED display, etc.

[0049] In some implementations, one or more of the cameras 148, one or more of the displays 152, and / or one or more of the displays 154 are configured such that one or more of the displays 152 and / or one or more of the displays 154 are configured to display a reticle (e.g., crosshairs 158 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) that is approximately centered on the dot of light illuminated by the laser projector 142. The reticle provides a visual guide that may assist the user in moving the drilling rig 102 to generally align the dot of light illuminated by the laser projector 142 (e.g., dot of light 144 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) with the target drill site 112. Examples of reticles that are optionally displayed on one or more of the displays 152 and / or one or more of the displays 154 include crosshairs, fine crosshairs (e.g., crosshairs 158), double crosshairs, German reticles, and the like. Chick These include, but are not limited to: ru, mildot, circle, etc.

[0050] Optionally, the positioning device 104 includes one or more strain gauges 160 mounted to the cage 124 such that the strain gauges 160 are configured to measure a load applied to the cage 124 due to a contact force between the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 and the workpiece surface 110. Specifically, each strain gauge 160 is configured to measure a load applied to the cage 124 due to a contact force between the alignment surface 130 and the workpiece surface 110 at the location of that strain gauge 160. Thus, the load measured by each strain gauge 130 indicates the amount of contact force that the alignment surface 130 of the cage 124 is applying to the workpiece surface 110 at the location of that strain gauge 160. 1, the positioning device 104 includes a strain gauge 160 mounted on the end portion 140 of each leg 138 of the cage 124 for measuring the contact force between the workpiece surface 110 and the alignment surface 130 of the corresponding leg 138. Each strain gauge 160 measures the load applied to the cage 124 at the location of that strain gauge 160 in any unit, such as, but not limited to, pounds (lb) or kilograms (kg).

[0051] In some implementations, one or more of the cameras 148, one or more of the displays 152, and / or one or more of the displays 154 are configured such that the one or more displays 152 and / or the one or more displays 154 are configured to display loads measured by the strain gauge(s) 160 (e.g., such as the measured loads 162 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). In implementations in which the positioning device 104 includes more than one strain gauge 160, the display(s) 152 and / or the display(s) 154 may display the loads measured by each strain gauge 160 individually (e.g., as illustrated in the implementations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and / or may display an average of the measurements of two or more strain gauges 160.

[0052] 1 shows three strain gauges 160, the positioning device 104 may include any other number (e.g., one, two, four or more) of strain gauges 160. Each strain gauge 160 is mounted to the cage 124 in any arrangement (e.g., location, orientation, alignment, angle, etc.) using any method, means, structure, mechanism, manner, arrangement, connection, connector, device, etc. that enables the strain gauge 160 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to measure a load indicative of the amount of contact force that the registration surface 130 of the cage 124 is applying to the workpiece surface 110 at the location of the strain gauge 160). Examples of methods, means, structures, mechanisms, methods, arrangements, connections, connectors, devices, etc. that may be used in some implementations to attach one or more strain gauges 160 to the cage 124 include, but are not limited to, adhesives, interference fits, snap fits, fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners), latches, welding, brazing, epoxies, clips, rings, locking pins, quick release pins, clevises, clevis-type connections, bayonet-type connections, spring overrides, etc., that are incorporated into the cage 124 and / or body 114.

[0053] In some implementations, the cage 124 is retractable along its length to guide movement of the drill tool 106 along the centerline axis 120 toward the workpiece surface 110 during operation of the drilling rig 102. For example, in implementations where the body 114 of the drilling rig 102 is moved along axes 118 and 120 relative to the workpiece surface 110 during a drilling process to move the drill tool 106 toward and through the workpiece surface 110, the cage 124 is retractable along its length (e.g., along axes 118 and 120). In the implementation of FIG. 1 , the cage 124 is configured to retract along axes 118 and 120 to allow the drilling rig 102 (and thereby the drill tool 106) to move toward and through the workpiece surface 110 in the direction of arrow 122. Specifically, each leg 138 is retractable in the direction of arrow 164.

[0054] Any method, means, mechanism, structure, manner, arrangement, device, etc. may be used to allow cage 124 to contract along its length, including, but not limited to, a telescoping arrangement, a sliding arrangement, a channel, a damper, a spring, etc. For example, each of legs 138 includes a telescoping arrangement in which one or more segments of the length of leg 138 are received within one or more other segments of the length of leg 138, such that legs 138 can contract from an extended configuration (see FIG. 1 ) to a retracted configuration (not shown). When sufficient contact force is provided by physical contact and engagement between cage 124 and workpiece surface 110, legs 138 are forced from the extended configuration toward the retracted configuration, thereby causing cage 124 to contract along axes 118 and 120 in the direction of arrow 164 to the retracted configuration. Optionally, one or more of legs 138 include dampers (not shown) operably connected to legs 138 to reduce shortening motion of legs 138 along axes 118 and 120 (e.g., to reduce relative motion between two or more segments of the length of legs 138 as legs 138 shorten).

[0055] In some implementations, cage 124 can be resiliently contracted along the length of cage 124 using any type of biasing mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a mechanical spring or a gas spring. For example, each leg 138 of cage 124 includes a biasing mechanism (not shown, such as spring 268 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) operably connected to two or more segments of the length of leg 138 such that the leg is biased in the direction of arrow 122 toward the extended configuration of leg 138. Each leg 138 is contracted in the direction of arrow 122 from the extended configuration shown in FIG. 1 to the retracted configuration against the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism in the direction of arrow 122. As the cage 124 moves away from the workpiece surface 110, the contact force decreases and eventually disappears, causing the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism to move each of the corresponding legs 138 from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, thereby extending the cage 124 in the direction of arrow 122 from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration shown in Figure 1. In some other implementations, the cage 124 is not elastically retractable along its length, and therefore the cage 124 is manually extended from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration by a user.

[0056] 1 , the biasing mechanism of each leg 138 is a mechanical spring (e.g., a helical spring, etc.), although the biasing mechanism of each leg 138 is not limited to a helical spring. Rather, in some implementations, the biasing mechanism of one or more of the legs 138 additionally or alternatively includes another type of mechanical spring, such as, but not limited to, a flat spring, a machined spring, a serpentine spring, a torsion spring, an extension spring, a constant spring, a variable spring, a variable stiffness spring, a leaf spring, a cantilever spring, a bamboo spring, a V-spring, a puck, etc. Furthermore, the biasing mechanism of each leg is not limited to a mechanical spring. Rather, in some implementations, the biasing mechanism of one or more of the legs 138 additionally or alternatively includes another type of spring (e.g., a gas spring, etc.).

[0057] In operation, the cage 124 physically contacts and engages the workpiece surface 110 above or near the target drill location 112 such that the alignment surfaces 130 of the cage 124 physically contact and engage the workpiece surface 110. The contact between the alignment surfaces 130 and the workpiece surface 110 causes the drill tool 106 to be oriented relative to the workpiece surface 110 such that the centerline axis 120 extends approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface 110 (e.g., at the target drill location 112). The user then moves the drilling equipment 102 relative to the workpiece surface 110 using direct and / or indirect line of sight and / or one or more images acquired by the camera(s) 148 to generally align the light dot illuminated by the laser projector 142 (such as the light dot 144 shown in Figures 2 and 3) and thus the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106 with the target drill point 112 on the workpiece surface 110.

[0058] For example, FIGS. 2 and 3 show one implementation of a viewing area 150 of the display(s) 152 (and / or display(s) 154) that includes both the target drill location 112 and the light dot 144 illuminated by the laser projector 142 (shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, the light dot 144 is not aligned with the target drill location 112 (which in this exemplary implementation is approximately the center 112 a of the fastener 146). FIG. 3 shows the viewing area 150 after the user has moved the drilling apparatus 102 relative to the workpiece surface 110 of the workpiece 108 so that the light dot 144 (and thus the centerline axis 120 of the drill tool 106) is generally aligned with the approximately center 112 a of the fastener 146. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the viewing area 150 includes crosshairs 158 displayed within the viewing area 150. Crosshairs 158 are placed approximately at the center of light dot 144 to provide a visual guide that may assist the user in generally aligning light dot 144 with the approximate center 112a of fastener 146. As also shown in Figures 2 and 3, a measured load 162, measured by strain gauge 160 (see Figure 1), is displayed within viewing area 150 to indicate to the user, for example, whether sufficient contact force is being applied to shorten cage 124.

[0059] 1 , when the light dot (e.g., light dot 144) projected by laser projector 142 is generally aligned with target drill location 112, drilling apparatus 102 is ready to drill workpiece surface 110 approximately at target drill location 112. Because centerline axis 120 of drill tool 106 extends approximately perpendicular to workpiece surface 110 and is generally aligned with target drill location 112, positioning device 104 may reduce damage caused by the drilling action to workpiece 108 and / or other structures (e.g., adjacent substructures, etc.). For example, positioning device 104 may reduce the occurrence of oversized, irregular (e.g., irregularly shaped), and / or non-perpendicular holes. Further, for example, positioning device 104 may reduce the number of breakages of drill tool 106 caused by repeated drilling actions. Additionally, for example, the positioning device 104 may reduce the cost of performing a drilling operation, reduce the time required to perform a drilling operation, and / or reduce the labor required to perform a drilling operation.

[0060] The cage 124 of the positioning device 104 may be configured to mount to any type of drilling equipment 102, thereby allowing the positioning device 104 to be installed on any type of drilling equipment 102. For example, the cage 124 may be configured to allow the positioning device 104 to be installed on portable handheld drilling equipment, drill presses, drilling equipment supported by accessories and / or other structures, less portable drilling equipment, wired power drilling equipment, battery-powered power drilling equipment, pneumatically powered drilling equipment, hydraulically powered drilling equipment, etc. In some implementations, the cage 124 has a universal mounting configuration to allow the positioning device 104 to be installed on more than one type and / or brand of drilling equipment 102. In other implementations, the cage 124 has a mounting configuration that is specialized for a single type and / or brand of drilling equipment 102. From the above description, it should be understood that the positioning device 104 may be used to retrofit existing drilling equipment 102 and / or may be provided as a component, attachment, etc., of a new drilling equipment 102.

[0061] 4-7 illustrate an example of one implementation of the positioning device 204, in which the cage 224 of the positioning device 204 is collapsible along its length. The positioning device 204 is configured to facilitate positioning of a drill tool 206 of a drilling rig 202 relative to a workpiece (e.g., workpiece 108 shown in FIGS. 1-3 ). Specifically, the positioning device 204 includes a cage 224 that extends a length from an end portion 226 to an opposite end portion 228 (not visible in FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The end portion 226 of the cage 224 is configured to be attached to a body (not shown, such as the body 114 shown in FIG. 1 ) of the drilling rig 202 such that the cage at least partially surrounds the drill tool 206 of the drilling rig 202, as shown in FIGS. 4-7 . As shown in Figures 4-7, when the cage 224 is mounted on the drilling rig 202, the length of the cage 224 extends along the rotational axis 218 and centerline axis 220 of the drilling tool 206. An end portion 228 of the cage 224 includes an alignment surface 230 (not visible in Figures 6 and 7) that is configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface of a workpiece (e.g., workpiece surface 110 shown in Figures 1-3) such that the centerline axis 220 of the drilling tool 206 extends (e.g., is oriented) substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface.

[0062] The positioning device 204 is configured to facilitate positioning of the drilling apparatus 202 so that the drill tool 206 is aligned with a target drill site on the workpiece surface (e.g., such as the target drill site 112 shown in FIGS. 1-3 ). For example, the positioning device 204 includes a laser projector 242 (not visible in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) mounted to the cage 224 so as to be configured to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface (e.g., such as the dot of light 144 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The dot of light projected by the laser projector 242 indicates the intersection of the centerline axis 220 of the drill tool 206 and the workpiece surface when the alignment surface 230 of the cage 224 is in contact with the workpiece surface. Optionally, the light dot projected onto the workpiece surface by the laser projector 242 is visible to a user of the drilling device 202 (e.g., the user of the drilling device 202 has a direct and / or indirect line of sight to the light dot).

[0063] The positioning device 204 optionally includes one or more cameras 248 (not visible in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) configured to capture images of an area of ​​the workpiece surface that includes the light dots (e.g., field of view 150 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) when the alignment surface 230 of the cage 224 is in contact with the workpiece surface. For example, the camera 248 is configured to capture images of an area that includes both the light dots and the target drill location (e.g., field of view 150) when the alignment surface 230 of the cage 224 is engaged in physical contact with the workpiece surface at a location (where the target drill location is within the field of view of the camera 248). Optionally, each camera 248 of the positioning device is operably connected to one or more optional displays of the positioning system 204 (e.g., display 152 shown in FIG. 1 ) and / or one or more external displays (e.g., display 154 shown in FIG. 1 ) such that the cameras 248 are configured to transmit images captured by the cameras 248 to the display(s) for viewing by a user of the drilling rig 202.

[0064] Positioning device 204 optionally includes one or more strain gauges 260 (not visible in FIGS. 6 and 7) mounted to cage 224 and configured to measure a load applied to cage 224 by a contact force between alignment surface 230 of cage 224 and the workpiece surface. The load measured by each strain gauge 260 indicates the amount of contact force that alignment surface 230 of cage 224 is applying to the workpiece surface at the location of that strain gauge 260.

[0065] As briefly described above, the cage 224 is retractable along its length to guide movement of the drill tool 206 along the centerline axis 220 toward the workpiece surface during operation of the drilling rig 202. Thus, Figures 4-7 illustrate one implementation for use with the drilling rig 202 in which the drill tool 206 is moved toward and through the workpiece surface by moving the body of the drilling rig 202 along axes 218 and 220 relative to the workpiece surface during a drilling operation.

[0066] 4-7 , end portion 226 of cage 224 includes a base 266 configured to be shortened in the direction of arrow 264 from an extended configuration (such as the extended configuration shown in FIG. 4 ) to a shortened configuration (such as the shortened configuration shown in FIG. 5 ) along the length of cage 224 (e.g., along axes 218 and 220, etc.). Any method, means, mechanism, structure, manner, arrangement, device, etc. may be used to enable cage 224 to shorten along its length, such as, but not limited to, a telescoping configuration, a sliding configuration, a channel, a damper, a spring, etc. For example, in the example implementation of FIGS. 4-7 , base 266 includes a telescoping configuration in which a segment 266 a of the length of base 266 is received within another segment 266 b of the length of base 266 such that base 266 can be shortened in the direction of arrow 264 from the extended configuration to the shortened configuration (as best viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7 ).

[0067] 6 and 7 , in this exemplary implementation of cage 224, cage 224 is resiliently collapsible along its length. In this exemplary implementation, cage 224 includes a helical spring 268 operatively connected between segments 266 a and 266 b such that base 266 is biased in the direction of arrow 222 toward an extended configuration of segment 266 a corresponding to the extended configuration of base 266 (e.g., such as the extended configuration shown in FIG. 6 ). However, cage 224 may additionally or alternatively include any other type of biasing mechanism. When cage 224 physically contacts and engages a workpiece surface, providing sufficient contact force, segment 266 a is forced to contract along axes 218 and 220 in direction 222 (against the biasing force provided in direction 222 by helical spring 268) from the extended configuration to a retracted configuration of segment 266 a corresponding to the retracted configuration of base 266 (e.g., such as the retracted configuration shown in FIG. 7 ). As the cage 224 moves away from the workpiece surface, the contact force decreases and eventually disappears, causing the biasing force provided by the helical spring 268 to move the segments 266a from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, thereby extending the cage 224 in the direction of arrow 222 from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration of the cage 224. In some other implementations, the cage 224 is not elastically retractable along its length, and therefore the cage 224 is manually extended from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration by a user.

[0068] Optionally, the amount of movement of segment 266a along axes 218 and 220 between the extended and retracted configurations is adjustable so that the distance cage 224 retracts along axes 218 and 220 (e.g., the amount of movement of cage 224 between the extended and retracted configurations) is selectable. In this exemplary implementation, two sub-segments 266aa and 266ab of segment 266a are threadedly connected to each other so that the relative positions of the two sub-segments 266aa and 266ab of segment 266a are selectable to selectively increase or decrease the amount of movement of cage 224 between the extended and retracted configurations. However, any other structure may additionally or alternatively be used. For example, the position of stop 270, which limits the amount of movement of cage 224 from the extended to the retracted configuration, may be selectively adjusted through the threaded connection between sub-segments 266aa and 266ab of segment 266a.

[0069] 8-10 illustrate an example of one implementation of a positioning device 304 in which the cage 324 of the positioning device 304 is rigid along its length such that it is not retractable along its length. The positioning device 304 is configured to facilitate positioning of a drill tool 306 of a drilling rig 302 relative to a workpiece (such as, for example, the workpiece 108 shown in FIGS. 1-3 ). Specifically, the positioning device 304 includes a cage 324 that extends a length from an end portion 326 (not visible in FIG. 10 ) to an opposite end portion 328. The end portion 326 of the cage 324 is configured to be attached to a body (not shown, such as, for example, the body 114 shown in FIG. 1 ) of the drilling rig 302 such that the cage at least partially surrounds the drill tool 306 of the drilling rig 302, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 . 8-10, when the cage 324 is mounted on the drilling rig 302, the length of the cage 324 extends along the rotational axis 318 and centerline axis 320 of the drilling tool 306. An end portion 328 of the cage 324 includes an alignment surface 330 that is configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface of a workpiece (e.g., workpiece surface 110 shown in FIGS. 1-3 ) such that the centerline axis 320 of the drilling tool 306 extends (e.g., is oriented) substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface.

[0070] The positioning device 304 is configured to facilitate positioning of the drilling apparatus 302 so that the drill tool 306 is aligned with a target drill site on the workpiece surface (e.g., such as the target drill site 112 shown in FIGS. 1-3 ). For example, the positioning device 304 includes a laser projector 342 (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 ) mounted to the cage 324 so as to be configured to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface (e.g., such as the dot of light 144 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The dot of light projected by the laser projector 342 indicates the intersection of the centerline axis 320 of the drill tool 306 and the workpiece surface when the alignment surface 330 of the cage 324 is in contact with the workpiece surface. Optionally, the light dot projected onto the workpiece surface by the laser projector 342 is visible to a user of the drilling device 302 (e.g., the user of the drilling device 302 has a direct and / or indirect line of sight to the light dot).

[0071] Positioning device 304 optionally includes one or more cameras 348 (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 ) configured to capture images of an area of ​​the workpiece surface that includes the light dots (e.g., field of view 150 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) when alignment surface 330 of cage 324 is in contact with the workpiece surface. For example, camera 348 is configured to capture images of an area that includes both the light dots and the target drill locations (e.g., field of view 150) when alignment surface 330 of cage 324 is engaged in physical contact with the workpiece surface at a location (where the target drill locations are within the field of view of camera 348). Optionally, each camera 348 of the positioning device is operably connected to one or more optional displays of the positioning system 304 (such as, for example, display 152 shown in FIG. 1 ) and / or one or more external displays (such as, for example, display 154 shown in FIG. 1 ) so as to be configured to transmit images captured by the camera 348 to the display(s) for viewing by a user of the drilling equipment 302.

[0072] Positioning device 304 optionally includes one or more strain gauges 360 mounted to cage 324 and configured to measure a load applied to cage 324 by a contact force between alignment surface 330 of cage 324 and the workpiece surface. The load measured by each strain gauge 360 ​​indicates the amount of contact force that alignment surface 330 of cage 324 is applying to the workpiece surface at the location of that strain gauge 360.

[0073] As briefly described above, the cage 324 of the positioning device 304 is rigid along the length of the cage 324 such that it does not shorten along the length of the cage 324 (e.g., along axes 318 and 320) during operation of the drilling apparatus 302. Thus, Figures 8-10 illustrate one implementation for use with a drilling apparatus 302 in which movement of the drilling tool 306 relative to the body of the drilling apparatus 302 moves the drilling tool 306 along axes 318 and 320 toward and through the workpiece surface.

[0074] 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 400 for drilling a workpiece, according to one implementation. At 402, the method 400 includes physically contacting and engaging an alignment surface of a positioning device mounted on the drilling rig with the workpiece surface such that a centerline axis of a drill tool of the drilling rig extends approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface. In some implementations, the engaging at 402 includes physically contacting and engaging the alignment surface with the workpiece surface such that the centerline axis of the drill tool extends exactly perpendicular to the workpiece surface. At 404, the method 400 includes illuminating the workpiece surface with a dot of light indicating where the centerline axis of the drill tool intersects the workpiece surface.

[0075] Optionally, method 400 includes capturing at least one of a still image and a video of an area of ​​the workpiece surface that includes the light dots, at 406. Method 400 optionally displays at least one of the still image and the video, at 408, where the still image and the video are displayed on a display. Chick and displaying at least one of a still image and a video, including displaying at least one of an indication of the contact force between the alignment surface of the positioning device and the workpiece surface.

[0076] The method further includes aligning the light dot with a target drill location on the workpiece surface at 410 by moving the drilling equipment relative to the workpiece surface. In some implementations, aligning the light dot with the target drill location at 410 includes generally aligning the light dot with the target drill location at 410. In some implementations, aligning the light dot with the target drill location at 410 includes precisely aligning the light dot with the target drill location at 410. In some implementations, aligning the light dot with the target drill location at 410 includes adjustably aligning the light dot with the target drill location at 410. In some implementations, aligning the light dot with the target drill location at 410 includes viewing at least one of a still image and a video optionally acquired in optional step 406 of method 400 at 410 a.

[0077] At 412, the method 400 includes drilling the target drill site with the drill tool. In some implementations, drilling the target drill site with the drill tool at 412 includes shortening a cage of the positioning device at 412a.

[0078] 12 , an example of the disclosure may be described in terms of using a positioning device to construct one or more portions of an aircraft 500, including an airframe 502 and an interior 506 with multiple high-order systems 504. Examples of high-order systems 504 include one or more of a propulsion system 508, an electrical system 510, a hydraulic system 512, a control system 514, and an environmental system 516. Any number of other systems may also be included. While an aerospace example is shown, the principles herein may be applied to other industries, such as, but not limited to, the automotive and marine industries.

[0079] Examples of the disclosure may be described in the context of an aircraft manufacturing and service method 600 shown in FIG. 13. During pre-production, the example method 600 may include specification and design 602 of an aircraft (such as, for example, aircraft 500 shown in FIG. 12) and material procurement 604. During production, aircraft component and subassembly manufacturing 606 and system integration 608 occurs. The aircraft may then proceed through certification and delivery 610 and be placed into service 612. While in customer operation, the aircraft is scheduled for routine maintenance and service 614 (which may include modifications, reconfigurations, refurbishments, etc.).

[0080] Each process of example method 600 may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and / or an operator (e.g., a customer, etc.). As used herein, a system integrator may include, but is not limited to, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major system subcontractors, a third party may include, but is not limited to, any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers, and an operator may be an airline, a leasing company, a military organization, a service organization, etc.

[0081] It should be noted that any number of other systems may be included along with the systems described herein, and while an aerospace example is provided, the principles herein may be applied to other industries, such as, but not limited to, automotive and marine.

[0082] The systems and methods shown or described herein may be used in any one or more stages of manufacturing and service method 600. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing 606 may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies manufactured during the service life of the aircraft. Also, one or more aspects of the systems, methods, or combinations thereof may be utilized during the production stages of subassembly manufacturing 606 and system integration 608, for example, by significantly streamlining aircraft assembly or significantly reducing aircraft costs. Similarly, one or more aspects implementing the apparatus or methods, or combinations thereof, may be utilized during the service life of the aircraft, for example, in maintenance and service 614, by way of example and not limitation.

[0083] Various implementations of the present disclosure facilitate positioning of a drill tool of a drilling apparatus both perpendicular to a workpiece surface and aligned with a target drill point on the workpiece surface. Various implementations of the present disclosure reduce damage caused by drilling operations to the workpiece and / or other structures (e.g., adjacent substructures, etc.). For example, various implementations of the present disclosure reduce the occurrence of oversized, irregular (e.g., irregularly shaped), and / or non-perpendicular holes. Various implementations of the present disclosure reduce the number of drill tool breakages caused by repeated drilling operations. Various implementations of the present disclosure reduce the cost of performing drilling operations, the time required to perform drilling operations, and / or the labor required to perform drilling operations.

[0084] The following clauses describe further aspects.

[0085] Clause Set A: A1. A positioning device for positioning a drill tool of a drilling apparatus relative to a workpiece, comprising: a cage configured to be mounted on the drilling rig to at least partially surround a drill tool of the drilling rig, the cage having an end portion including an alignment surface configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface of a workpiece, the alignment surface of the cage being oriented with respect to a centerline axis of the drill tool such that the centerline axis of the drill tool extends substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface when the alignment surface of the cage is in contact with the workpiece surface; and a laser projector mounted to the cage so as to be configured to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface indicating where a centerline axis of the drill tool intersects with the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface; Positioning device.

[0086] A2. A positioning device as described in clause A1, wherein the light dot projected onto the workpiece surface by the laser projector is adjustably aligned with a target drill point on the workpiece surface by moving the drilling device relative to the workpiece surface.

[0087] A3. The positioning device of clause A1, further comprising a camera mounted on at least one of the cage and the drilling device, configured to capture at least one of still images and video of an area including the light dots on the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface.

[0088] A4. The positioning device described in clause A1, further comprising a camera mounted on at least one of the cage and the drilling device so as to capture at least one of still images and video of an area including the light dots on the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface, and a display mounted on at least one of the cage and the drilling device, operably connected to the camera for displaying at least one of the still images and video captured by the camera.

[0089] A5. A camera mounted on at least one of the cage and the drilling device so as to capture at least one of still and moving images of an area including the light dot on the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface, and a display operatively connected to the camera for displaying at least one of the still and moving images captured by the camera, the display being positioned approximately at the center of the light dot illuminated by the laser projector. Chick The positioning device of clause A1, further comprising a display configured to display the rule.

[0090] A6. A positioning device as described in clause A1, wherein when the cage is attached to the drilling rig, the cage extends a length extending along the centerline axis of the drilling tool, and the cage is rigid along the length of the cage so that the drilling tool moves along the length of the cage toward the workpiece surface during operation of the drilling rig 202.

[0091] A7. A positioning device as described in clause A1, wherein when the cage is attached to the drilling rig, the cage extends a length extending along a centerline axis of the drilling tool, and the cage is retractable along its length to guide movement of the drilling tool along the centerline axis toward the workpiece surface during operation of the drilling rig.

[0092] A8. A positioning device as described in clause A1, wherein when the cage is attached to the drilling rig, the cage extends a length extending along a centerline axis of the drilling tool, and the cage is resiliently contractible along its length to guide movement of the drilling tool along the centerline axis toward the workpiece surface during operation of the drilling rig.

[0093] A9. The positioning device of clause A1, further comprising at least one strain gauge mounted on the cage, the strain gauge configured to measure a load applied to the cage by a contact force between the cage alignment surface and the workpiece surface.

[0094] A10. A positioning device as described in clause A1, wherein the cage has at least two legs, the end portions of the cage are defined by end portions of the at least two legs, and the alignment surfaces of the end portions of the cage are defined by end faces of the legs.

[0095] A11. The positioning device of clause A1, wherein the drilling device includes a handheld drilling device, and the cage is configured to be attached to the handheld drilling device.

[0096] Clause Set B: B1. The main body and a chuck held by the body; a drill tool held by a chuck; and 1. A drilling rig assembly comprising a positioning device mounted on the drilling rig for positioning a drill tool relative to a workpiece, the positioning device comprising: a cage at least partially enclosing a drill tool of the drilling rig, the cage having end portions including alignment surfaces configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface of a workpiece, the alignment surfaces of the cage being oriented relative to a centerline axis such that a centerline axis of the drill tool extends substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface when the alignment surfaces of the cage are in contact with the workpiece surface; a laser projector mounted to the cage so as to project a dot of light onto the workpiece surface indicating where a centerline axis of the drill tool intersects with the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface, wherein the dot of light projected onto the workpiece surface by the laser projector is adjustably aligned with a target drill location on the workpiece surface by moving the drilling device relative to the workpiece surface; Drilling equipment assembly.

[0097] B2. The drilling equipment assembly of clause B1, wherein the positioning device further comprises a camera mounted to at least one of the cage and the body so as to be configured to capture at least one of still images and video of an area including the light dot on the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface.

[0098] B3. A drilling equipment assembly as described in clause B1, wherein the positioning device further comprises a camera mounted to at least one of the cage and the body so as to be configured to capture at least one of still images and video of an area including the light dots on the workpiece surface when the cage alignment surface is in contact with the workpiece surface, and wherein the positioning device further comprises a display mounted to at least one of the cage and the body and operably connected to the camera for displaying at least one of the still images and video captured by the camera.

[0099] B4. A drilling rig assembly as described in clause B1, wherein the cage of the positioning device extends a length extending along a centerline axis of the drilling tool, and the cage is retractable along its length to guide movement of the drilling tool along the centerline axis toward the workpiece surface during operation of the drilling rig.

[0100] B5. The drilling equipment assembly of clause B1, wherein the positioning device further comprises at least one strain gauge mounted on the cage, the strain gauge configured to measure a load applied to the cage by a contact force between the cage alignment surface and the workpiece surface.

[0101] Clause Set C: C1. A method for drilling a workpiece, comprising: engaging an alignment surface of a positioning device mounted on the drilling apparatus in physical contact with the workpiece surface such that a centerline axis of a drill tool of the drilling apparatus extends substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface; illuminating a dot of light on the workpiece surface indicating where the centerline axis of the drill tool intersects with the workpiece surface; aligning the light dot with a target drill location on the workpiece surface by moving the drilling device relative to the workpiece surface; and drilling the target drill location with the drill tool. method.

[0102] C2. The method of clause C1, further comprising obtaining at least one of a still image and a video of an area of ​​the workpiece surface including the light dot, and aligning the light dot with the target drill location comprises viewing at least one of the still image and the video.

[0103] C3. The method of clause C1, wherein drilling the target drill location with the drill tool includes shortening a cage of the positioning device.

[0104] C4. acquiring at least one of a still image and a video of an area including the light dots on the surface of the workpiece; Displaying at least one of still images and moving images, Chickand displaying at least one of a still image and a video, including displaying at least one of a contact force between the alignment surface of the positioning device and the workpiece surface.

[0105] As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is "configured to" perform a task or operation is structurally shaped, constructed, or adapted in a manner that specifically corresponds to such task or operation. For clarity and avoidance of doubt, as used herein, an object that is incapable of performing a task or operation without being modified is not "configured to" perform such task or operation.

[0106] Any ranges or values ​​given herein may be expanded or modified without losing the desired effect, as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.

[0107] Although the inventive subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0108] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to embodiments that solve any or all of the described problems or that have any or all of the described benefits and advantages. It will be further understood that reference to "an" item refers to one or more of such items.

[0109] In this specification, the word "comprising" is used to mean the inclusion of the feature(s) or act(s) that follows it (without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts).

[0110] The order of execution or performance of steps in the examples of the present disclosure shown and described herein is not necessary (unless otherwise specified). That is, steps may be performed in any order (unless otherwise specified), and examples of the present disclosure may include additional steps or fewer steps than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that performing or performing a particular step before, contemporaneously with, or after another step (e.g., various steps) is within the scope of aspects of the present disclosure.

[0111] When introducing elements or examples of aspects of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the," and "said" are intended to mean the presence of one or more of such elements. The words "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The word "exemplary" is intended to mean "an example of." The phrase "one or more of the following: A, B, and C" means "at least one of A and / or at least one of B and / or at least one of C."

[0112] While aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the scope of the aspects of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Because various changes can be made in the structures, products, and methods described above without departing from the scope of the aspects of the present disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0113] It should be understood that the above description is illustrative, not limiting. For example, the above-described embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to the teachings of various embodiments to adapt to particular situations or materials without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of various embodiments of the present disclosure, such embodiments are by no means limiting, but are exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the words "including" and "in which" are used as obvious equivalents of the English words "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Moreover, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function lacking further structure is expressly used in such claim limitations.

[0114] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses:

[0115] Clause 1. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) for positioning a drill tool (106, 206, 306) of a drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302) relative to a workpiece (108), comprising: a cage (124, 224, 324) configured to be mounted on the drilling device (102, 202, 302) so as to at least partially surround a drill tool (106, 206, 306) of the drilling device (102, 202, 302), the cage (124, 224, 324) having end portions (128, 228, 328) including alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface (110) of a workpiece (108), when the cage (124, 224, 324) is mounted on the drilling device (102, 202, 302), the alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are oriented relative to the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) such that the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) extends substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are in contact with the workpiece surface (110); and a laser projector (142, 242, 342) mounted to the cage (124, 224, 324) configured to project a light dot (144) onto the workpiece surface (110) indicating where the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) intersects with the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110); Positioning device (104, 204, 304).

[0116] Clause 2. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) as described in clause 1, wherein a light dot (144) projected onto the workpiece surface (110) by a laser projector (142, 242, 342) is adjustably aligned with a target drill point (112) on the workpiece surface (110) by moving a drilling device (102, 202, 302) relative to the workpiece surface (110).

[0117] Clause 3. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) described in clause 1, further comprising a camera (148, 248, 348) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302) and configured to capture at least one of still images and video of an area including the light dot (144) on the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110).

[0118] Clause 4. A camera (148, 248, 348) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the drilling device (102, 202, 302) and configured to capture at least one of still and moving images of an area of ​​the workpiece surface (110) including the light dot (144) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110); 348) and a display (152) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302), the display (152) operably connected to the camera (148, 248, 348) for displaying at least one of still images and video captured by the camera (148, 248, 348).

[0119] Clause 5. The method further comprises a camera (148, 248, 348) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the drilling device (102, 202, 302) so as to capture at least one of a still image and a video of an area including the light dot (144) on the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110), and a display (152) operatively connected to the camera (148, 248, 348) for displaying at least one of a still image and a video of an area captured by the camera (148, 248, 348), the display (152) being positioned approximately at the center of the light dot (144) illuminated by the laser projector (142, 242, 342). Chick 2. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of claim 1, further comprising a display (152) configured to display a rule (158).

[0120] Clause 6. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) as described in Clause 1, wherein when the cage (124, 224, 324) is attached to the drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302), the cage (124, 224, 324) extends over a length extending along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306), and the cage (124, 324) is rigid along its length so that the drilling tool (106, 206, 306) moves along the length of the cage (124, 324) toward the workpiece surface (110) during operation of the drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302).

[0121] Clause 7. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) as described in Clause 1, wherein when the cage (124, 224, 324) is attached to the drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302), the cage (124, 224, 324) extends over a length extending along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306), and the cage (124, 224) is retractable along its length to guide movement of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306) along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) toward the workpiece surface (110) during operation of the drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302).

[0122] Clause 8. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) as described in clause 1, wherein when the cage (124, 224, 324) is attached to the drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302), the cage (124, 224, 324) extends over a length extending along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306), and the cage (124, 224) is elastically contractible along its length to guide movement of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306) along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) toward the workpiece surface (110) during operation of the drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302).

[0123] Clause 9. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of clause 1, further comprising at least one strain gauge (160, 260, 360) attached to the cage (124, 224, 324), the strain gauge (160, 260, 360) configured to measure a load applied to the cage (124, 224, 324) by a contact force between the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the workpiece surface (110).

[0124] Clause 10. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) as described in clause 1, wherein the cage (124, 224, 324) has at least two legs (138), the end portions (128, 228, 328) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are defined by the end portions (140) of the at least two legs (138), and the alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) of the end portions (128, 228, 328) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are defined by the end faces of the legs (138).

[0125] Clause 11. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) according to clause 1, wherein the drilling device (102, 202, 302) comprises a handheld drilling device (102, 202, 302), and the cage (124, 224, 324) is configured to be attached to the handheld drilling device (102, 202, 302).

[0126] Article 12. A main body (114), a chuck (116) held by the body (114); a drilling device (102, 202, 302) comprising a drilling tool (106, 206, 306) held by a chuck (116); and A drilling rig assembly (100) comprising a positioning device (104, 204, 304) mounted on a drilling rig (102, 202, 302) for positioning a drilling tool (106, 206, 306) relative to a workpiece (108), the positioning device (104, 204, 304) comprising: A cage (124, 224, 324) at least partially enclosing a drill tool (106, 206, 306) of a drilling device (102, 202, 302), the cage having end portions (128, 228, 328) including alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface (110) of a workpiece (108), the alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) a cage (124, 224, 324) that is oriented with respect to the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) such that the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) extends substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110); a laser projector mounted to the cage (124, 224, 324) configured to project a light dot (144) onto the workpiece surface (110) indicating where the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) intersects with the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110). (142, 242, 342), wherein a light dot (144) projected onto the workpiece surface (110) by the laser projector (142, 242, 342) is adjustably aligned with a target drill point (112) on the workpiece surface (110) by moving a drilling device (102, 202, 302) relative to the workpiece surface (110); A drilling equipment assembly (100).

[0127] Clause 13. The drilling equipment assembly (100) of clause 12, wherein the positioning device (104, 204, 304) further comprises a camera (148, 248, 348) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the main body (114) so ​​as to capture at least one of still images and video of an area including the light dot (144) on the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110).

[0128] Clause 14. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) includes a camera (148, 248, 348) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the body (114) so ​​as to capture at least one of still and moving images of an area of ​​the workpiece surface (110) including the light dot (144) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110). 248, 348), and the positioning device (104, 204, 304) further comprises a display (152) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the body (114), the display (152) operably connected to the camera (148, 248, 348) for displaying at least one of still images and video captured by the camera (148, 248, 348).

[0129] Clause 15. A drilling equipment assembly (100) as described in clause 12, wherein the cage (124, 224, 324) of the positioning device (104, 204, 304) extends over a length extending along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306), and the cage (124, 224) is retractable along its length to guide movement of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306) along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) towards the workpiece surface (110) during operation of the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302).

[0130] Clause 16. The drilling equipment assembly (100) of clause 12, wherein the positioning device (104, 204, 304) further comprises at least one strain gauge (160, 260, 360) mounted on the cage (124, 224, 324), the strain gauge (160, 260, 360) configured to measure a load applied to the cage (124, 224, 324) by a contact force between the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the workpiece surface (110).

[0131] Clause 17. A method (400) for drilling a workpiece (108), comprising: engaging (402) an alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of a positioning device (104, 204, 304) mounted on the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302) in physical contact with a workpiece surface (110) of the workpiece (108) such that a centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of a drill tool (106, 206, 306) of the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302) extends substantially perpendicular to the workpiece surface (110); projecting (404) a light dot (144) onto the workpiece surface (110) to indicate where the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) intersects with the workpiece surface (110); aligning (410) the light dot (144) with a target drill location (112) on the workpiece surface (110) by moving a drilling device (102, 202, 302) relative to the workpiece surface (110); and drilling (412) the target drill site (112) with the drill tool (106, 206, 306). Method(400).

[0132] Clause 18. The method (400) of clause 17, further comprising acquiring (406) at least one of a still image and a video of an area of ​​the workpiece surface (110) including the light dot (144), and wherein aligning (410) the light dot (144) with the target drill location (112) comprises viewing at least one of the still image and the video.

[0133] Clause 19. The method of clause 17, wherein drilling (412) the target drill site (112) with the drill tool (106, 206, 306) includes shortening (412a) the cage (124, 224) of the positioning device (104, 204, 304).

[0134] Article 20. acquiring (406) at least one of a still image and a video of an area of ​​the workpiece surface (110) including the light dots (144); Displaying at least one of a still image and a video (408), Chick and displaying (408) at least one of a still image and a video including displaying at least one of a contact force between the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the positioning device (104, 204, 304) and the workpiece surface (110).

[0135] This specification uses examples to disclose various embodiments of the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice various embodiments of the present disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any related methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements that have only minor differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) for positioning a drill tool (106, 206, 306) of a drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302) relative to a workpiece (108), comprising: a cage (124, 224, 324) configured to be mounted on the drilling device (102, 202, 302) to at least partially surround the drill tool (106, 206, 306) of the drilling device (102, 202, 302), the cage having end portions (128, 228, 328) including alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) configured to physically contact and engage a workpiece surface (110) of the workpiece (108), the cage (124, 224, 324) being configured to be mounted on the drilling device (102, 202, 302) to at least partially surround the drill tool (106, 206, 306) of the drilling device (102, 202, 302); a cage (124, 224, 324) wherein, when mounted on a workpiece surface (110), the alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are oriented with respect to the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) such that the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) extends perpendicular to the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are in contact with the workpiece surface (110); a laser projector (142, 242, 342) mounted to the cage (124, 224, 324) configured to project a light dot (144) onto the workpiece surface (110) indicating where the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) intersects with the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110); and a camera (148, 248, 348) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the drilling device (102, 202, 302) and configured to capture at least one of still and video images of an area of ​​the workpiece surface (110) that includes the light dot (144) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110); a display (152) mounted on at least one of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the drilling device (102, 202, 302), the display (152) operably connected to the camera (148, 248, 348) for displaying at least one of the still images and video captured by the camera (148, 248, 348); at least one strain gauge (160, 260, 360) mounted on an outer surface of the end portion (128, 228, 328) opposite the centerline axis (120, 220, 320), the strain gauge (160, 260, 360) configured to measure a load applied to the cage (124, 224, 324) by a contact force between the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) and the workpiece surface (110); A positioning device (104, 204, 304).

2. 2. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of claim 1, wherein the light dot (144) projected onto the workpiece surface (110) by the laser projector (142, 242, 342) is adjustably aligned with a target drill point (112) on the workpiece surface (110) by moving the drilling device (102, 202, 302) relative to the workpiece surface (110).

3. 3. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the display (152) is configured to display a reticle (158) centered on the light dot (144) illuminated by the laser projector (142, 242, 342).

4. 4. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of claim 1, wherein when the cage (124, 224, 324) is attached to the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302), the cage (124, 224, 324) extends over a length extending along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306), and the cage (124, 324) is rigid along the length such that the drilling tool (106, 206, 306) moves along the length of the cage (124, 324) toward the workpiece surface (110) during operation of the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302).

5. 5. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of claim 1, wherein when the cage (124, 224, 324) is attached to the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302), the cage (124, 224, 324) extends over a length extending along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306), and the cage (124, 224) is retractable along the length to guide movement of the drilling tool (106, 206, 306) along the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) toward the workpiece surface (110) during operation of the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302).

6. 6. A positioning device (104, 204, 304) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cage (124, 224, 324) has at least two legs (138), the end portions (128, 228, 328) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are defined by end portions (140) of the at least two legs (138), and the alignment surfaces (130, 230, 330) of the end portions (128, 228, 328) of the cage (124, 224, 324) are defined by end faces of the legs (138).

7. 7. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of claim 1, wherein the drilling device (102, 202, 302) comprises a handheld drilling device (102, 202, 302), and the cage (124, 224, 324) is configured to be attached to the handheld drilling device (102, 202, 302).

8. a main body (114); a chuck (116) held by the body (114); the positioning device (104, 204, 304) included in a drilling apparatus (102, 202, 302) comprising a drill tool (106, 206, 306) held by the chuck (116), the positioning device (104, 204, 304) is attached to the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302) for positioning the drilling tool (106, 206, 306) relative to the workpiece (108); 8. The positioning device (104, 204, 304) of claim 1, wherein the cage (124, 224, 324) at least partially enclosing the drill tool (106, 206, 306) of the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302) is oriented with respect to the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) such that the centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) extends approximately perpendicular to the workpiece surface (110) when the alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of the cage (124, 224, 324) is in contact with the workpiece surface (110).

9. A method (400) for drilling a workpiece (108), comprising: Engaging (402) in physical contact with a workpiece surface (110) of the workpiece (108) an alignment surface (130, 230, 330) of a positioning device (104, 204, 304) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the positioning device being mounted on the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302) such that a centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of a drill tool (106, 206, 306) of the drilling equipment (102, 202, 302) extends perpendicular to the workpiece surface (110); illuminating (404) a light dot (144) on the workpiece surface (110) to indicate where a centerline axis (120, 220, 320) of the drill tool (106, 206, 306) intersects with the workpiece surface (110); acquiring (406) at least one of a still image and a video of an area of ​​the workpiece surface (110) including the light dots (144); aligning (410) the light dot (144) with a target drill location (112) on the workpiece surface (110) by moving the drilling device (102, 202, 302) relative to the workpiece surface (110); and drilling (412) the target drill site (112) with the drill tool (106, 206, 306). Method (400).

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein aligning the light dot with the target drill site comprises viewing at least one of the still image and the video.

11. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein drilling (412) the target drill site (112) with the drill tool (106, 206, 306) comprises shortening (412a) a cage (124, 224) of the positioning device (104, 204, 304).

12. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying at least one of the still image and the video, the displaying at least one of the still image and the video comprising displaying at least one of an indication of a contact force between a reticle and the alignment surface of the positioning device and the workpiece surface.

Images