Borehole Flushing Control Using Vibration-Based Material Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drill dust, particularly from mineral and ferrous materials, impedes the drilling process and creates a dusty environment, as existing drill-bitting tools lack efficient methods to differentiate and manage these materials during the drilling of concrete structures with reinforcing iron.

Innovation Solution

A control method and module for a drill-bitting tool that uses fine-grained particles and air flow, controlled by a material detector and dispenser, to enhance the degradation of ferrous materials and remove mineral drill cuttings, employing a vibration sensor to differentiate between mineral and ferrous materials based on vibration thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a material detector and control system are added to differentiate materials, then drilling process optimization is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling process optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical material differentiation methods with a vibration sensor-based detection system. By monitoring vibration characteristics during drilling, the system automatically identifies material type and triggers the appropriate flushing mode. This substitution of mechanical complexity with sensor-based control achieves material optimization while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The borehole flushing module autonomously adapts its operation based on real-time vibration analysis. The control system automatically switches between dust extraction and particle introduction modes without operator intervention, enabling the system to self-optimize the drilling process. This self-service capability achieves drilling optimization while keeping the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If fine-grained particles are introduced to aid ferrous material cutting, then drilling speed increases, but mineral drill cuttings accumulate creating a dusty environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling speedVSAvoiddusty environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different flushing strategies to different material types detected in the drilling path. When ferrous material is detected, fine-grained particles are introduced locally to aid cutting and increase drilling speed. When mineral material is detected, dust extraction is activated locally to remove cuttings and maintain a clean environment. This localized application resolves the contradiction between drilling speed and environmental quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The borehole flushing module dynamically switches between particle introduction and dust extraction modes based on real-time material detection. This dynamic operation ensures that fine-grained particles are only introduced when needed for ferrous material cutting, while dust extraction is activated when drilling mineral materials, thereby preventing dust accumulation and maintaining environmental quality while optimizing drilling speed.

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

Effectively improves drilling efficiency by selectively introducing fine-grained particles to aid in ferrous material degradation and removing mineral drill cuttings, maintaining a dust-free environment and reducing drilling time.

Implementation Method 1

A material detector uses a vibration sensor to detect vibrations from the borehole flushing module or a hand-held power tool in which the chiseling tool is inserted. An evaluation unit then uses these vibrations to identify the material.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The introduction of the particles can be achieved or assisted by an airflow generated by a blower in the borehole flushing module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow:

Implementation Method 3

an airflow is drawn from the area being worked by the tool by means of a fan in the borehole flushing module when the material detector detects a predominantly mineral material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow:

Data Source

PatentEP3529006B1Control method and borehole flushing module
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 HILTI AG
  • EP3529006B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3529006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3529006B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control process of a borehole flushing module (2) for a chiseling tool (5) involves the steps of: providing fine-grain particles in a dispenser (31); having a material detector (37) identify a material (M) at a location processed by the tool (5); and introducing fine-grain particles at the underground location processed by the tool (5) when the material detector (37) identifies a material (M2) containing iron.