Drill Bit Coupling Adapter With Tool-Free Lock and Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool couplings for hollow core drills and drive units require significant effort and time for coupling and decoupling, leading to wear and tear on drill bits and mechanical components due to high torque and axial forces, especially in harsh environments, necessitating frequent tool changes and strenuous separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A two-part adapter system with a multi-start, conically converging internal thread and counter-thread design, featuring inclined abutment surfaces and a safety device with a bolt, elastic element, and rotary ring for tool-free lock-and-release connection, allowing for quick and secure coupling and decoupling without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a screw connection is used to connect the drill bit to the drive unit, then the connection is robust and non-rotatable, but the connection becomes firmly wedged and jammed under increased vibrational forces, requiring strenuous and time-consuming separation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple functional elements: the drive unit with drive element, the drill bit with receptacle, and a separate coupling element that mediates the connection. This segmentation allows the coupling element to be designed with specific features (friction surfaces, geometry) that enable both strong connection and easy release, separating the functions of connection strength and decoupling ease into different design aspects.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system transitions from a static, permanently jammed screw connection to a dynamic system where the coupling element can be easily inserted and removed. The friction-based connection allows for controlled engagement and disengagement, adapting to operational conditions while maintaining strength during use but enabling quick release when needed.
2Strength
If heavily reinforced drill holders are used to transmit increased rotational and axial forces, then the receiving connections are stable, but the individual connecting elements become firmly wedged and jammed, requiring specially adapted and massive assembly tools for separation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is extracted as a separate, removable component from the drill bit assembly. This allows the coupling element to be designed independently with optimized features for both strong connection (friction surfaces, geometry) and easy release, removing the complexity of separating heavily reinforced fixed connections and simplifying the overall separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element serves as an intermediary between the drive unit and the drill bit. It mediates the transmission of rotational and axial forces through friction-based contact, allowing stable force transmission during operation while enabling simple decoupling by removing the intermediary element without requiring massive separation tools.
3Productivity
If a multi-start and conically converging internal thread is used for quick connection, then the drilling elements can be joined quickly, but the connection requires significant effort and time to open and separate
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional thread-based mechanical connection system is replaced with a friction-based coupling system. Instead of relying on threaded engagement for both connection and separation, the system uses friction surfaces for quick engagement and simple geometric features for easy release, substituting the complex threading mechanism with a simpler friction-and-geometry-based system that reduces separation time.
4Strength
If the adapter pieces are screwed together and tightened to connect by friction, then the connection is stable, but the process requires tools and significant effort
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed to self-align and self-connect through its geometric features and friction surfaces. The conical guide surfaces automatically align the coupling element with the receptacle during insertion, and the friction surfaces automatically engage to create the connection, eliminating the need for external tools or significant manual effort to achieve a stable friction-based connection.
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
Enables rapid and effortless coupling and decoupling of drill bits and drive units, reducing wear on components, simplifying on-site work, and protecting the drive unit mechanics by minimizing transverse forces during separation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic element (17) for the locking movement of the bolt (16)
Implementation Method 2
the stop surfaces of the first adapter piece and the mating surfaces of the second adapter piece lie on top of one another in order to transmit a rotational force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~5a
AI summary
A tool coupling (1) comprising a first tool-side adapter (2) and a second drive-side adapter (3), wherein the first adapter (2) has a first multi-start, tapered internal thread (4) with a first drive-side surface (5), and the second adapter (3) has a mating thread (6) interacting with this first internal thread (4) and a second surface (7) interacting with this first surface (5). For the formation of a tool-free lock-and-release connection between these two adapters (2, 3), the first surface (5) has several inclined stop surfaces (8), and the second surface (7) has several mating surfaces (11) interacting with the inclined stop surfaces (8) of the first adapter (2).In the coupled state, the stop surfaces (8) and the mating surfaces (11) are in contact to transmit a torque from the drive-side second adapter piece (3) to the tool-side first adapter piece (2) during operation, and to minimize the load on the aforementioned threads (4, 6). The torque forces for operating the tool have virtually no effect on the two threads, meaning they cannot self-lock. Therefore, a tool-free lock-and-release connection can be achieved with this tool coupling.