Adjustable Drill Guide for Multi-Diameter Tube Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drill guides for tubes of different diameters are impractical due to the need for frequent adjustments and inability to securely clamp long tubes, leading to displacement during drilling, especially when making holes in the middle of long tubes.

Innovation Solution

A drill guide comprising two half-bodies with opposing faces and a joint system allowing for adjustable positioning to accommodate multiple diameters, featuring cylindrical bores for drill bushes and a holding mechanism with an eyelet screw for secure attachment, enabling through-hole drilling without adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional drill guide with fixed bores is used, then tubes of specific diameters can be drilled, but the drill guide cannot accommodate tubes of different diameters without adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different tube diametersVSAvoidcomplexity of adjusting the drill guide

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drill guide is divided into two separable half-bodies that can be opened and closed around tubes of different diameters. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to various tube sizes without requiring complex adjustments, as the half-bodies can be positioned to match the tube diameter being drilled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drill guide employs a dynamic structure where the two half-bodies can move relative to each other between open and closed positions. This dynamic capability enables the guide to accommodate tubes of different diameters by adjusting the opening width, eliminating the need for fixed, diameter-specific guides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a drill guide without clamping mechanism is used, then the structure remains simple, but the tube displaces during drilling due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of tube positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of clamping mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is merged with the structural half-bodies of the drill guide. The half-bodies themselves serve as clamping elements when closed around the tube, eliminating the need for separate, complex clamping mechanisms while ensuring stable tube positioning during drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drill guide structure performs dual functions: guiding the drill and clamping the tube. The half-bodies, when closed, naturally clamp the tube in place without requiring additional active clamping components, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the drill guide requires frequent adjustments for different diameters, then versatility is reduced, but manufacturing precision can be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling speedVSAvoidprecision of hole positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the guide into adjustable half-bodies, the system maintains precise hole positioning through the fixed bore locations while allowing rapid adjustment of the outer housing to match different tube diameters. This segmentation enables both high productivity and manufacturing precision to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drill guide is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple tube diameters through the adjustable half-bodies. The fixed internal bores ensure precise hole positioning regardless of which tube diameter is being processed, while the external housing adapts to different sizes, maintaining both productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If a drill guide for long tubes is used without proper clamping, then the setup is simple, but the tube vibrates and displaces during drilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setupVSAvoidstability during drilling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is integrated into the half-body structure itself. When the half-bodies are closed around the tube, they provide both guidance and clamping in a single unified structure, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring stability during drilling of long tubes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2789417B1Drilling jig for tubes of different diameters

Publication Date: 2017.03.15 PARKER HANNIFIN MANUFACTURING FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A drilling guide for tubes of various diameters, comprising at least one first half-body (10.1) and a second half-body (10.2), each having a first face (11.1, 11.2) and a second face (12.1, 12.2) opposite each other, and connected to each other by at least one hinge (19) such that the two half-bodies (10.1, 10.2) are movable relative to each other between a first closed position in which the first faces (11.1, 12.2) of the half-bodies (10.1, 10.2) are facing each other and a second closed position in which the second faces (11.2, 12.2) of the half-bodies (10.1, 10.2) are facing each other to form recesses (13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2, 15.1, 15.2, 16.1, 16.2) suitable for receiving tubes of different diameters.