Drill Centralizer With Latch Arm Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock drill systems face challenges in maintaining accurate alignment and secure retention of drill rods during drilling operations, particularly due to variations in tolerance and material characteristics, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential component damage.
Innovation Solution
A drill system incorporating a centralizing device with a movable jaw and latch arm mechanism, featuring a locking feature and biasing device, that moves between open and closed positions to securely hold drill rods, and utilizes ramps to automatically transition between locked and unlocked positions, ensuring alignment and retention throughout the drilling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralizing device with a movable jaw and latch arm is used to retain drill rods, then the reliability of drill rod retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralizing device employs a movable jaw that can dynamically adjust its position between open and closed states to accommodate drill rods of varying diameters. The jaw transitions from an open position for loading to a closed position for secure retention, providing adaptive retention capability. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable retention across different drill rod sizes without requiring multiple fixed-sized clamping structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arm incorporates a locking feature that automatically engages with the device body when the jaw closes on a drill rod, securing the rod without requiring additional manual intervention. The biasing device automatically returns the jaw to the open position after drilling, enabling self-contained operation. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for external control systems while maintaining reliable retention.
2Reliability
If a locking feature is added to the latch arm to hold the jaw in the closed position, then the reliability of drill rod retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking feature acts as an intermediary element between the latch arm and the device body, creating a positive mechanical engagement that secures the jaw in the closed position. This locking mechanism provides reliable retention by preventing unintended jaw movement, while the simple engagement geometry minimizes added complexity compared to more complex locking systems.
3Ease of operation
If ramps are added to automatically transition the latch arm between locked and unlocked positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramps are pre-positioned on the device body to automatically engage with the latch arm at specific moments during the drilling cycle. As the drill assembly moves along the feed guide, the ramps are positioned to trigger the latch arm's transition from locked to unlocked state, enabling automatic positioning without manual intervention. This preliminary arrangement of ramps provides ease of operation while adding minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drill system for use with a drill rod includes a support member, and a drill assembly movably associated with the support member and configured to be connected to the drill rod. The system further includes a centralizing device movably associated with the support member and configured to receive the drill rod. The centralizing device includes a movable jaw and a latch arm connected to the jaw and configured to move the jaw between an open position and a closed position for retaining the drill rod. Furthermore, the latch arm has a locking feature configured to hold the latch arm in a locked position to thereby hold the jaw in the closed position.