Battery Magnetic Drill Control for Low-Power Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable drilling machines that use commercial power supplies for electromagnets are limited to areas with power availability, and there is a need to enhance battery-powered drilling machines for extended use and safety while minimizing power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A battery-operated drilling machine with an electromagnet and motor drive unit, controlled by a drive control circuit that manages power to the electromagnet and motor, including features like pulse width modulation, tilt detection, and external power supply integration, to maintain magnetic holding power and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a commercial power supply is used to drive the electromagnet, then the drilling machine can be securely held to the workpiece, but the usage location is limited to areas with commercial power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage location flexibilityVSAvoidpower source dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the power supply function from the fixed commercial power source and relocates it to a portable battery unit that can be removed and recharged separately. This allows the drilling machine to operate independently of commercial power infrastructure while maintaining the electromagnet's holding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the electromagnet is continuously powered to maintain magnetic holding force, then the drilling machine remains securely attached, but battery power is consumed continuously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic holding stabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit implements periodic pulsing of the electromagnet rather than continuous power supply. The electromagnet receives intermittent electrical pulses that maintain sufficient magnetic holding force while allowing the battery to recharge during off-periods, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit monitors battery charge level and adjusts electromagnet activation accordingly. When battery charge is sufficient, the electromagnet is activated more frequently to maintain strong holding. When charge is low, activation is reduced to conserve power, creating a feedback loop that balances holding reliability with power conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the electromagnet power is reduced to save battery, then power consumption decreases, but the magnetic holding force becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidmagnetic holding force
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts electromagnet power levels based on real-time conditions including battery charge state, operational status, and holding requirements. The control circuit modulates the electromagnet's power input to maintain sufficient holding force during critical operations while reducing power during standby or low-risk periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows the drilling machine to operate for extended periods with reduced power consumption, ensures safety by maintaining magnetic hold during power transitions, and supports operation on various surfaces, including non-horizontal positions.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnet attached to the body unit to securely hold the body unit in a position for a drilling operation by the drilling machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3254789B1Battery-operated drilling machine
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 NITTO KOHKI CO LTD
  • EP3254789B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3254789B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3254789B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery-operated drilling machine (10) has a drilling drive unit (14) having a motor (48) for rotationally driving a drilling tool (44), a drilling machine body unit (12) supporting the drilling drive unit (14) vertically movably, and a battery cover (64) attached to the drilling machine body unit (12). The drilling machine body unit (12) is provided with a battery loading part for accommodating a battery (16). The battery cover (64) is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the battery (16) loaded in the battery loading part. The battery cover (64) covers at least a part of a gap between the drilling machine body unit (12) and the battery (16) when the battery cover (64) is in the advanced position.