Drill Bit Markings for Precise Depth Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling operations often result in uneven progress, leading to drilled holes being either too deep for screw anchors, causing the dowel to spin and become unusable, and existing depth stop solutions leave dents on the surface due to percussion drilling.

Innovation Solution

A drill with a force transmission element featuring visible markings on its radially outward surface, allowing for precise control of drilling depth by aligning the hole opening with specific markings, which represent predetermined lengths, enabling simple and accurate depth recognition during drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a depth stop is used to control drilling depth, then drilling depth control is improved, but dents are left on the surface of the wall due to repeated impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling depth controlVSAvoidsurface dents
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful function of the depth stop (causing dents through impact) is separated from the useful function (depth control). The depth control capability is extracted and integrated into the drill bit itself through markings on the force transmission element, while the separate depth stop device is eliminated, thus removing the source of surface damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The depth control function is merged with the drill bit structure by incorporating markings directly on the force transmission element. This integration allows the drill bit to provide both drilling functionality and depth indication without requiring a separate depth stop device that causes surface dents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If drilling progress is increased to improve productivity, then drilling speed is improved, but drilling depth becomes uneven leading to unusable holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling speedVSAvoiddrilling depth uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The markings on the force transmission element provide real-time visual feedback during the drilling process. As the drill rotates, the markings pass by the hole opening, allowing the operator to continuously monitor drilling depth and adjust drilling speed or stop drilling at the precise moment the target depth is reached, thereby maintaining depth uniformity even at higher drilling speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical depth control system (depth stop making physical contact with the wall) is replaced with a visual indication system. The markings on the rotating force transmission element provide depth information optically rather than through mechanical impact, enabling better control over drilling depth and speed without compromising hole quality.

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

3Measurement precision

If existing depth indication methods are used, then depth estimation is possible, but only rough estimation is achievable requiring calculation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth estimation accuracyVSAvoiddepth measurement simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drill bit itself provides the depth measurement function through markings on its force transmission element. The markings are positioned and sized so that when they align with the hole opening, they directly indicate the current drilling depth without requiring the operator to perform calculations or make estimations about the visible portion of the shank.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The markings on the force transmission element are designed to be visually distinct and easily distinguishable. This visual enhancement allows the operator to quickly and accurately identify the current depth marking without confusion, providing precise depth information directly during the drilling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3296045A1Drill bit
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 DREBO WERKZEUGFABRIK GMBH
  • EP3296045A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3296045A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3296045A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drill (100) with a drill head (10) and a shank (30), between which a force transmission element (20) extends. Forces applied to the shank can be transmitted at least partially to the drill head via the force transmission element. The force transmission element has at least one, preferably at least two, markings (2, 4) on a radially outwardly facing surface of the force transmission element, which are visible when the force transmission element is rotated.