Mine Drill Chuck Adapter for Twist-Lock Drill Steel Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling systems in underground mines lack flexibility in accommodating various drill steel sizes and shapes, leading to inefficiencies and costly modifications, particularly in securing different drill tools without compromising drilling speed and tool durability.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a chuck with internal projections and an adapter with external projections, forming a petaloidal cross-sectional shape, allowing for secure and selective locking engagement of different drill tools, enabling the use of 'off-the-shelf' components without modification, and accommodating various drill steel sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed dimension socket is used in the drill head, then the drilling operation can proceed with high speed and stability, but the system cannot accommodate different sizes and shapes of drill steels without modification
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between the fixed socket and various drill steels. The adapter includes a receiving portion that fits into the socket and a driving portion that engages with different drill steel configurations (hexagonal, square, round). This mediator allows the fixed socket to accommodate multiple drill steel types without modification while maintaining secure engagement during high-speed drilling operations.
2Reliability
If a twist lock system is used to secure drill steels, then selective locking engagement can be achieved, but the drill steel requires costly forged ends and cannot reliably accommodate different sizes beyond a certain range
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the drill steel with specialized forged ends to achieve twist lock engagement, the invention inverts the approach by placing the engagement features on the adapter that receives the drill steel. The adapter's driving portion includes shaped openings and engagement surfaces that accommodate various drill steel end configurations (hexagonal, square, round) without requiring modification to the drill steel itself, thereby reducing costs and expanding size compatibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional off-the-shelf drill steels are used without modification, then costs are reduced, but secure locking engagement cannot be ensured during high-speed drilling and withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a mediator that enables secure engagement of conventional off-the-shelf drill steels with the drill head. The adapter's driving portion is specifically designed with shaped openings and engagement surfaces that interface with standard drill steel end configurations. This allows conventional drill steels to be used without costly modifications while the adapter provides the necessary locking engagement security during high-speed drilling and withdrawal operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for securing different first and second drill tools to a drill head including a socket is provided. The system includes a chuck adapted for positioning at least partially within the socket of the drill head, the chuck including a first opening for receiving the first drill tool. An adapter is configured for forming a selective locking engagement within the first opening of the chuck, the adapter including a second opening for receiving the second drill tool. The selective locking engagement may comprise a "twist lock" engagement, and the adapter may be arranged for receiving a roof bolt. Related methods are also disclosed.