Core Drilling Surface Detection for Twist-Free Drill Start

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing core drilling systems face issues with unintentional twisting during the initial placement of the drill bit, leading to mechanical load imbalances and inaccurate drilling depth, as well as inefficient water supply activation resulting in excessive water consumption.

Innovation Solution

A control method that involves detecting surface contact through predetermined threshold values for the feed device parameters, adjusting the drilling parameters to prevent twisting, and optimizing water supply activation based on actual drilling conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drill bit is placed quickly on the surface of the mineral material, then the core drilling process can start faster, but this causes unwanted twisting of the core drilling system and inaccurate drill bit placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore drilling process start speedVSAvoiddrill bit placement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of surface contact using feed device parameters (current, speed, acceleration) before actual drilling begins. This preliminary action allows the system to identify when the drill bit has made contact with the mineral material surface, enabling controlled initiation of the drilling process while preventing unwanted twisting and ensuring accurate placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors feed device parameters (current, speed, acceleration) and provides feedback to detect surface contact. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of the drilling process, preventing twisting by identifying surface contact conditions and triggering appropriate control responses to maintain placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the water supply system is activated early to flush and cool the drill bit, then the drill bit can be protected during drilling, but this results in excessive water consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrill bit protection during drillingVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects surface contact using feed device parameters before activating the water supply system. This preliminary detection ensures that water is only supplied when the drill bit actually contacts the mineral material surface, providing necessary protection and cooling only when needed, thereby avoiding excessive water consumption during the approach phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses feedback from feed device parameters (current, speed, acceleration) to monitor drilling conditions and trigger water supply activation only when surface contact is detected. This feedback-based control ensures the water supply system operates only when necessary for drill bit protection and cooling, optimizing water consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3288485B1Intelligent surface detection and core drilling beginning
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 HILTI AG
  • EP3288485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3288485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3288485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control method for a core drilling machine and a feed device for driving the core drilling machine along a machine holding device, the method comprising the following steps: moving the core drilling machine in a first direction, detecting the surface position of a material based on reaching a threshold value for at least one feed device parameter as first reference value; moving the core drilling machine in a second direction; operating the core drilling machine in a tapping mode; moving the core drilling machine in the first direction; detecting the surface position of a material based on reaching a threshold value for at least one corresponding drill parameter as a second reference value; activating a water supply; and activating a regulating and control device for adapting at least one drill parameter subject to at least one parameter of the feed device. The invention further relates to a feed device for driving a core drilling machine along a machine holding device for use of the method, to a core drilling machine for use of the method, and to a core drilling system comprising a core drilling machine and a feed device for driving the core drilling machine along a machine holding device for use of the method.